'Debut Match MVP + Decisive Goal Explosion' Lee Kang-in Proves 'Atletico Ace' in Just 33 Minutes... With an Impressive Rating of 7.9

*This content was translated by AI.

He perfectly shed the burden of inheriting a legend's jersey number. Lee Kang-in (25) silenced all concerns by being named the official match MVP of his Atletico Madrid debut in just 33 minutes.

On the morning of the 20th (Korean time), Lee Kang-in came on as a substitute in the 13th minute of the second half during the opening match of the first round of the 2026–2027 Spanish La Liga against Malaga, which was held at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain. With the score tied 0-0, he scored the decisive goal to lead his team to a 2-0 victory.

Following the match, La Liga officially named Lee Kang-in, who capped off his debut with a win, as the Match MVP. Football statistics specialist 'FootMob' also awarded Lee Kang-in the highest rating of 7.9 among both teams. According to the media outlet, Lee Kang-in recorded a 93% pass completion rate (13/14), one key pass, one major chance created, and two shots, showcasing a perfect performance despite his short playing time.

The protagonist was undoubtedly Lee Kang-in. In the 25th minute of the second half, Lee Kang-in shook off the defense with a solo dribble from the right flank and then precisely curled a sharp left-footed shot into the far corner of the goal near the penalty box. It was a perfect trajectory that even the goalkeeper could not stop despite stretching out his hands.

Even after scoring the opening goal, Lee Kang-in's footwork remained sharp. In the 29th minute of the second half, he perfectly penetrated Malaga's defense with a through ball that sliced between defenders. However, Ademola Lookman's shot from close range was saved by the goalkeeper. Riding high momentum, Atletico extended their lead in the 40th minute of the second half with a wedge goal from Baena's free kick.

Lee Kang-in dominated the pitch until the final whistle blew, even drawing a yellow card warning from the opponent through flashy upper-body feints and fluid pressure evasion in the 43rd minute of the second half.

Reactions from local Spanish media toward Lee Kang-in were already intense before the match. Club executives also expressed full trust in Lee Kang-in after he joined Atletico Madrid.

Earlier, according to the Spanish media outlet 'Mundo Deportivo', Enrique Cerezo, president of Atletico, attended Lee Kang-in's official signing ceremony held at the home stadium and stated, "The sports directorate has been observing and monitoring Lee Kang-in for a long time." He added, "He moved to Valencia at the age of 11 and spent 10 years in their youth team. He is a player with outstanding skills and a broad vision. In 2023, he transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and has recently experienced numerous titles, including two UEFA Champions League victories."

Cerezo further remarked, "During his visit to Korea ten days ago, I felt Lee Kang-in's impact firsthand as he received tremendous hospitality and affection." He added encouragement, saying, "I am confident he will become a key player for Atletico. Starting with the opening match against Malaga, I hope he brings happiness to the fans."

Local media also predicted high potential for Lee Kang-in's performance even before the opening match. The Spanish outlet 'AS' forecasted, "Lee Kang-in will add creativity, a broad vision, and individual dribbling ability to the midfield, taking on a central role in the team's attack." Meanwhile, Diego Simeone, the head coach, noted that he is "a resource capable of performing various roles depending on the team's needs, such as on the wing or as a second striker," hinting at diverse utilization.

Lee Kang-in, who inherited the No. 7 jersey worn by club legend Antoine Griezmann, proved his value as an ace by sweeping both the debut goal and the official MVP award in just 33 minutes during the opening match attended by over 60,000 home fans.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.