'Mystery of Absence from South Africa Match': Lee Jae-sung Reveals First Thoughts, "An Unexpected Ending, Hard to Accept"

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite being a key midfielder for the South Korean national football team, Lee Jae-sung (34, Mainz 05), who sat out the final group stage match against South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North, Central America and the Caribbean, has shared his initial feelings of emptiness over the team's elimination from the World Cup.

On the 2nd, via his social media (SNS), Lee Jae-sung wrote, "I deeply thank everyone who sent sincere support and encouragement to me and the national team during the World Cup," and added, "I also sincerely apologize. I am truly sorry for bringing you the pain of defeat rather than the joy of victory."

Continuing, Lee Jae-sung said, "Was my desire to enjoy this festival with everyone for even one more day simply too much greed? The ending was something I never imagined, and right now, it is harder to accept than ever before," revealing his complex state of mind, still reeling from the shock of the team's elimination from the World Cup group stage.

He added, "But I believe there will come a moment when I can accept that this is also part of life," and stated, "I will strive to show an even better image and bring joy to you all again."

Lee Jae-sung, who has appeared in 107 A-match games (15 goals) as a key midfielder for the national team, played 62 minutes in the first group stage match against Czech Republic and 57 minutes in the second match against Mexico during this World Cup in North, Central America and the Caribbean, but in the third match against South Africa, which determined whether South Korea would advance to the Round of 32, he only sat on the bench.

Especially as the match remained stuck and a goal was desperately needed in the final match against South Africa, coach Hong Myung-bo ultimately did not bring Lee Jae-sung onto the field, leaving the background behind this decision a major mystery. On SNS, there were even captures of Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) expressing opinions suggesting that the coaching staff needed to bring Lee Jae-sung into the game.

Following this, reports emerged that there was internal conflict within the team regarding the timing of lifting the 'interview boycott' after comments by domestic reporters regarding Son Heung-min's (LAFC) military service were leaked. There were differing opinions within the squad about the timing of the lift, and unlike veteran players such as Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung who advocated for extending the boycott, coach Hong Myung-bo allowed the squad to give interviews, highlighting the conflict and ultimately leading to the joint exclusion of Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung from the starting lineup for the South Africa match.

Immediately after the defeat against South Africa, coach Hong Myung-bo stated in a press conference, "The result on such a big stage is the responsibility of the coach. In the end, everything was my judgment and decision. I think the result was not good because I judged and decided wrongly. There is nothing more or less to it," but did not mention the background behind excluding Lee Jae-sung from the starting lineup.

After the group stage elimination was confirmed, coach Hong Myung-bo read a resignation statement in Mexico and declared his resignation without answering any questions from reporters. Even on his way back home, he left the airport without giving an interview, increasing the likelihood that the background behind the starting lineup for the South Africa match, including the exclusion of Lee Jae-sung, will remain a mystery.

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*This content was translated by AI.