Lee Kang-In named as 2025 Asian International Player of the Year
Men's football•
Lee Kang-In is officially Asia’s best international player! This evening, the prestigious AFC Awards ceremony was held at the King Fahad Cultural Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where, having been named among the three finalists for the first time in his career, Lee won the 2025 Asian International Player of the Year award, beating Olympiacos FC’s and Iran’s Mehdi Taremi as well as Real Sociedad’s and Japan’s Takefusa Kubo in the process.
Considered to be one of Asian football’s greatest talents, the Incheon native has now written further history both for the game in his home continent and for Paris Saint-Germain, as well as becoming the capital club’s first-ever player to win this illustrious honour.
The award caps off an exceptional year for the midfielder, who made 49 appearances across all competitions for the Rouge & Bleu last season, scoring seven goals and providing six assists as he contributed to the club’s historic quadruple of the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions and the UEFA Champions League. In addition, by scoring his side’s opening goal in the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham Hotspur on 13th August 2025, he helped Paris Saint-Germain to mount a stunning late comeback and then to pick up yet another trophy.
Alongside this, Lee has played a major role for South Korea by helping his national team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with five goals and six assists to his name during the Taegeuk Warriors’ qualifying campaign.
Since he joined the capital club in 2023, this is the latest honour to be added to Lee’s collection, which already includes two Ligue 1 titles, two Trophées des Champions, two Coupes de France, one UEFA Champions League and one UEFA Super Cup.
LEE KANG-IN
Profile
Position: Midfielder
Date and place of birth: 19th February 2001, Incheon (South Korea)
Nationality: South Korean
Height: 173 cm
Career
2018–2021 Valencia CF
2021–2023 RCD Mallorca
Since 2023 Paris Saint-Germain
Honours
Club
Copa del Rey (2019)
Ligue 1 (2024 and 2025)
Coupe de France (2024 and 2025)
Trophée des Champions (2024 and 2025)
UEFA Champions League (2025)
UEFA Super Cup (2025)
International
42 caps and 10 goals for South Korea