Even if the World Cup was a failure, Lee Kang-in shone! Selected as the only Asian player in the Group Stage Best 11... alongside Messi and Mbappé

*This content was translated by AI.

Korean national team striker Lee Kang-in (25, Paris Saint-Germain) was selected for the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup Group Stage Best 11, as chosen by a Spanish media outlet. Lee Kang-in was the only player from a nation eliminated in the group stage and the only Asian player to make the list.

On the 28th (Korean time), Spanish media outlet 'Marca' announced the Group Stage Best 11 in a 3-4-3 formation based on its own power ranking.

Lee Kang-in, who played the full 90 minutes in all three group stage matches, recorded a rating of 23.96 points and was selected in the attacking midfielder category. This is the second-highest score in the midfielder category, following Spain's Rodri (24.82 points).

The media stated, "Many may not have expected Lee Kang-in's selection," and added, "Lee Kang-in, who is considered a future signing target for Atletico Madrid, received the second-highest score in the power ranking." It further noted, "It is regrettable that Lee Kang-in could not add more points due to Korea's elimination, but making the Best 11 is a meaningful achievement in itself."

The Best 11 attacking positions were filled by Lionel Messi (Argentina), Harry Kane (England), and Kylian Mbappé (France). In the midfield, Lee Kang-in joined Rodri, Granit Xhaka (Switzerland), and Pedri (Spain). The defense consisted of Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil), Aymeric Laporte (Spain), and Japhet van Hecke (Netherlands), while goalkeeper Mustapha Schaub (Egypt) wore the gloves.

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*This content was translated by AI.