On a night when Paris Saint-Germain soared back to the summit of Ligue 1, the spotlight was abruptly stolen by a moment of high drama and deep concern for both club and country. Lee Kang-in, the dynamic South Korean midfielder, started PSG’s crucial 2025-2026 Ligue 1 Round 27 away clash against Nice at the Allianz Riviera on March 22, 2026. But what should have been a routine display of his creative prowess turned into a nail-biting episode that could have major repercussions for South Korea’s World Cup plans.
PSG lined up in their familiar 4-3-3, with Lee Kang-in stationed as the right-sided midfielder. He was involved from the outset, orchestrating set pieces with his trademark left foot and linking up with the likes of Warren Zaire-Emery and Désiré Doué. His sharp deliveries and forward passes kept Nice’s defense honest. In the 37th minute of the first half, Lee’s corner kick found Doué, whose header and follow-up shot induced a handball from Morgan Sanson—ultimately leading to a penalty. Nuno Mendes coolly converted from the spot at the 42nd minute, giving PSG a deserved lead and highlighting Lee’s indirect influence on the opening goal.
But as the match wore on, the tension on the pitch thickened. Early in the second half, Lee continued to shuttle between the right touchline and the center, combining well and maintaining a pass success rate in the high 80s. Then, in the 14th minute of the second half, disaster nearly struck. After releasing a pass to a teammate in midfield, Lee was caught late by Nice’s Youssouf Ndayishimiye, who charged in and forcefully stepped on Lee’s left ankle Achilles tendon with his studs. The South Korean immediately collapsed to the turf, clutching his ankle in agony and covering his eyes—a scene that sent a hush over the stadium and sent shockwaves through PSG and South Korea fans alike.
The referee, after a tense VAR review, had no hesitation in brandishing a straight red card to Ndayishimiye. The severity of the foul was plain for all to see. According to multiple reports, Lee was unable to continue, and PSG head coach Luis Enrique made the call to substitute him out for Ousmane Dembélé at the 20th minute of the second half. The broadcast captured Lee on the bench, receiving immediate medical attention to his left ankle and Achilles tendon. While Lee managed to rise and walk off the field, the concern was palpable—especially with the international break looming.
"Lee Kang-in fell to the ground holding his ankle in pain," reported Newsis, while TopStarNews described the incident: "After passing to a teammate, Ndayishimiye approached and strongly stepped on Lee’s left ankle Achilles tendon area. Lee fell to the ground, holding his left ankle with his left hand and covering his eyes with his right arm, showing signs of severe pain." The images of Lee in visible distress, surrounded by medical staff, became the defining moment of the evening.
Despite the unsettling interruption, PSG did not lose focus. The Parisian giants pressed their numerical advantage, adding to their tally in the second half. At the 49th minute, Mendes turned provider, setting up Doué for a clinical finish to make it 2-0. The floodgates opened late, with 18-year-old Drol Fernandes notching his professional debut goal in the 81st minute, followed swiftly by Warren Zaire-Emery’s strike at the 85th. The 4-0 thrashing not only exorcised the demons of PSG’s previous 1-3 loss to AS Monaco but also lifted them back to first place in Ligue 1 with 60 points—one ahead of Lens, who have played one fewer match.
Yet, the victory was tinged with anxiety. Lee Kang-in’s injury comes at a critical juncture for both PSG and the South Korean national team. The last FIFA international match window before the 2026 North American World Cup begins on March 23. South Korea, under coach Hong Myung-bo, is set for two vital friendlies: against Ivory Coast on March 28 in London, and Austria on April 1 in Vienna. These matches are seen as the final tune-ups before the big dance this summer.
But Hong’s plans have been thrown into chaos. Defensive midfielders Park Yong-woo and Won Du-jae are already sidelined with injuries, while midfield captain Hwang In-beom was excluded from the squad due to his own ankle problem. Lee Kang-in, often regarded as the creative heartbeat of the Taeguk Warriors, was expected to shoulder even more responsibility in the absence of his teammates. Now, his own status is in doubt.
"Lee Kang-in’s participation in the March A-match is uncertain depending on injury severity," reported NewsPim. The South Korean national team staff are monitoring Lee’s condition closely, and the decision on whether he can join the squad—or even play a limited role—will hinge on the results of further medical evaluations. According to Yonhap, "If the injury is serious, it would be a major setback for South Korea’s national team coached by Hong Myung-bo ahead of the 2026 North American World Cup."
For PSG, the win against Nice was a statement of intent, with goals coming from across the squad and a return to the top of the table. The team’s attack looked sharp, and the defense remained resolute. But the club’s medical team now faces a race against time to ensure Lee’s swift recovery—not just for domestic glory, but for his World Cup ambitions as well.
Lee’s performance, even before the injury, was solid. He didn’t register a direct goal or assist but maintained an 87% pass completion rate, contributed to the build-up, and played a key role in the penalty sequence. His versatility—shuttling between central and right midfield, helping in both attack and defense—was on full display. The match also showcased PSG’s depth, with young talents like Fernandes stepping up in a high-pressure environment.
As the dust settles, all eyes now turn to Lee Kang-in’s recovery. Will he be fit in time to join South Korea’s final World Cup preparations? Or will Hong Myung-bo have to rethink his tactical blueprint for the friendlies—and perhaps the tournament itself? The coming days will be crucial, with updates from PSG’s and the national team’s medical staff eagerly awaited by fans from Paris to Seoul.
For now, PSG can celebrate a resounding victory and their return to the top of Ligue 1. But the fate of their Korean star remains the biggest question mark, casting a long shadow over both club and country as the World Cup approaches.