'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) was named the official match MVP just 33 minutes into his Atletico Madrid debut, silencing all concerns.

On the morning of the 20th (Korean time), in the opening match of the 2026-2027 Spanish La Liga Round 1 against Malaga at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, Lee Kang-in was substituted into the game in the 13th minute of the second half when the score was tied 0-0. He scored the decisive first goal, leading his team to a commanding 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 flawless performance despite his short playing time.

The undisputed protagonist was 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 first goal, Lee Kang-in's footwork remained sharp. In the 29th minute of the second half, he perfectly exploited Malaga's defensive space with a through ball that pierced between defenders. However, Ademola Lookman's shot from close range was saved by the goalkeeper. Riding high, 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 skillful pressure evasion in the 43rd minute of the second half.

Reactions from local Spanish media regarding Lee Kang-in were already intense before the match. Club executives also expressed full trust in Lee Kang-in upon his joining Atletico.

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 moved to Valencia at the age of 11, spent 10 years in their youth team, and is a player with outstanding technique and a broad vision. He transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2023 and has experienced numerous titles, including two UEFA Champions League victories recently."

President Cerezo even added, "During my visit to Korea ten days ago, I felt Lee Kang-in's impact firsthand while receiving tremendous hospitality and affection. I am confident that you will become a key player for Atletico. Starting with the opening match against Malaga, I hope you bring 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, playing a central role in the team's attack," while 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 flank 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 up 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.