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

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

He added, "But I believe there will come a moment when I can accept that this is also part of life. I will strive to show you an even better side and bring you joy 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, but in the third match against South Africa, which determined whether South Korea would advance to the Round of 32, he only remained 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 reason behind this decision a major mystery. On SNS, Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) was even spotted expressing opinions suggesting that the coaching staff needed to bring Lee Jae-sung into the game.

Following reports that comments by domestic reporters regarding Son Heung-min's (LAFC) military service were leaked, it was reported that there was internal conflict within the team regarding the timing of lifting the 'interview boycott.' There were differing opinions within the squad about when to lift the boycott. Unlike veteran players such as Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung, who advocated for extending the boycott, coach Hong Myung-bo allowed the team to give interviews, which highlighted the conflict and ultimately led 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 coach's responsibility. 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. He even left the airport without giving an interview on his way back home, 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.