Injuries Plague PSG And South Korea Ahead Of Key Matches

In a tough turn of events for Luis Enrique and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the departure of Gonçalo Ramos from the Portugal national football team has left them with a reduced squad as they approach their quarter-final matches in the Nations League against Denmark. The first match is set for Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Copenhagen, followed by a home match on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Lisbon.

Compounding problems for Enrique, Lee Kang-In has sustained an ankle injury while playing for the South Korean national team during a World Cup qualifier match with Oman on the same day. The match ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw for South Korea. Lee entered the game as a substitute in the 38th minute due to an injury to a teammate and immediately made an impact by assisting Hwang Hee-Chan for South Korea’s first goal just three minutes later, at the 41st minute. However, the match took a turn when Oman equalized in the 80th minute through a goal by Ali Al Busaidi.

Sadly, Lee’s appearance was cut short when he had to leave the field in the 85th minute while visibly struggling and subsequently exited the stadium on crutches. This injury further complicates PSG's attacking options. Throughout this season, Lee had been falling down the pecking order in PSG's offensive lineup, which now prominently features Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, and Désiré Doué—all sharing significant playing time.

Despite not being a regular starter, Lee had still managed to make his mark during less crucial matches. For instance, he was included as a starter during the recent encounter between PSG and Rennes, which ended 4-1 in favor of PSG, and he played a crucial role in the previous match against Olympique de Marseille, where PSG triumphed 3-1.

Lee Kang-In's injury does pose a severe threat to PSG's ambitions in the concluding stages of the season, particularly with the Champions League knockout rounds ahead. Fans were optimistic about Lee’s contribution but will now have to wait to see how the injury affects his availability in future fixtures. The injuries to both Lee and Ramos highlight the challenges that teams can face while balancing various competitions and managing player fitness.

South Korea currently leads its qualification group, positioning well for the upcoming World Cup set to take place in Canada, the United States, and Mexico in 2026. Lee’s last-minute exit might raise questions about his fitness for future matches, considering South Korea’s next game is against Jordan on March 25, 2025. With key matches ahead, the leadership of Son Heung-Min and coach Hong Myung-Bo will be crucial in guiding the team through this qualifying campaign.

This latest news creates a stirring atmosphere within PSG and South Korea's camps as they brace for upcoming matches that will shape the future of their campaigns. The pressure mounts on Enrique to adjust his game plans immediately while hoping for a quick recovery for Lee.

As the clock ticks down to these important fixtures, the footballing world will keep a close watch on how these changes affect both PSG and the South Korean national team in their respective competitions. The stakes are undeniably high, with each match full of potential to alter the fates of player careers and team legacies.