'Confirmed Exclusion from Roster' Lee Kang-in to Miss Debut Against Manchester United... 'Showdown with Manchester City in Korea' Highly Likely

*This content was translated by AI.

It has become highly certain that Lee Kang-in's (25) debut match for Atletico Madrid will be against Manchester City, not Manchester United.

Lee Kang-in's new club, Atletico, is scheduled to play a pre-season friendly against Manchester United at 10 p.m. on the 1st (Korean time) in Stockholm, Sweden. According to Atletico's official channels, Lee Kang-in was excluded from the roster as expected.

Had the Military Manpower Administration approved an extension of his travel permission sooner, he might have made his debut against Manchester United in Europe; however, with an early departure effectively canceled, he will now wait for the Atletico squad in Korea.

Earlier, Spanish media outlet 'Mundo Deportivo' reported on the possibility of Lee Kang-in's debut for Atletico, stating, "Lee Kang-in has been unable to depart for Spain due to administrative procedures related to military service. As time passes, the likelihood of him joining his new team in Madrid, Spain, is diminishing." The report added, "Club insiders already expect Lee Kang-in to join the team in Seoul rather than Spain."

The administrative procedures related to Lee Kang-in's military service follow the special exemption granted after winning the men's football gold medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, which is required for enrollment in the Arts and Sports Personnel program. As Lee Kang-in has not yet completed these procedures, he requires government approval from the Military Manpower Administration to depart overseas again but remains stuck in Korea as he has not yet received such approval.

Atletico club officials and those in Spain had anticipated that once midweek approval was granted, Lee Kang-in would immediately depart and join the team locally in Spain. However, with the approval delayed and his exclusion from the Manchester United roster confirmed, it has become virtually certain that Lee Kang-in's debut will take place on the 9th against Manchester City in Seoul.

The Atletico squad is scheduled to play a pre-season friendly against Manchester United in Sweden before returning to Madrid and then heading to Korea on the 5th. Even if Lee Kang-in receives late departure approval to head to Europe, he would have to return to Korea just a few days later under this schedule.

The media explained, "Lee Kang-in still requires permission from the South Korean government to depart overseas." It added, "Considering that the flight time from Seoul to Madrid takes approximately 14 hours, the club has determined that it would be inefficient for Lee Kang-in to head to Europe and then return to Korea just a few days later."

However, even without directly joining the team, Lee Kang-in is conducting individual training at the FC Seoul training facility to improve his condition. 'Mundo Deportivo' added, "He has already completed the individual training program delivered by the Atletico coaching staff and is following a diet plan with the same standards as his teammates." The report noted, "Even if he joins the team late, it appears he will adapt easily."

Meanwhile, the roster of Manchester United players facing Atletico was also released. According to the official website, Manchester United has called up Brian Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and others for the match against Atletico.

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*This content was translated by AI.