Lee Kang-In (Paris Saint-Germain), who was at the center of a conflict within the national team and was heavily criticized, arrived. The love and support from fans was still there. About 100 fans gathered at the airport to cheer him on and give him a boost, although the fervor was less intense than in the past.
Lee, who was named to the March A team call-up list, returned home via Incheon International Airport 홀덤사이트 on the afternoon of the 19th.
After the team was eliminated in the semifinals of the Asian Cup, it was revealed that Lee had clashed with captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham) during the tournament. After the incident came to light, Lee apologized on social media (SNS) and in person to Son Heung-min and his teammates, but the criticism hasn’t abated.
As it was his first appearance in front of Korean fans after the collision, there were concerns that something could go wrong. The airport had more police and security personnel than usual, just in case.
Luckily, it didn’t happen. Instead, Lee’s fans welcomed him and gave him a boost.
Although the number of fans was small compared to the crowds that packed the second floor of the building on Lee’s previous trips home, about 100 fans, many of whom were wearing Lee’s national team jersey or Paris Saint-Germain jersey, chanted his name and handed him letters and gifts.
Some fans held signs that read “Always support Lee Kang-in. Lee smiled brightly, waved his hands and said, “Thank you,” to express his gratitude.
Lee quickly exited the airport and headed straight to a hotel in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, where the national team is staying, where he will join the squad that has been training for the past two days. Lee plans to take part in his first training session on Tuesday after speaking to the media ahead of the official training session.