From Mentor to Rival: Lee Kang-in Faces Former Coach Aguirre in World Cup Clash

Soccer star Lee Kang-in is set to face his former coach, Javier Aguirre, who now leads the Mexican national team. The two share a history from their time at Spanish club Mallorca, where Aguirre mentored Lee.

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I don't like praising specific players, but Lee Kang-in is having his best moments since I took over. I'm happy to have worked with him.

South Korea and Mexico are vying for the top spot in Group A of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. South Korea, currently second in the group after a 2-1 victory over Czech Republic, faces Mexico, who also secured a win against South Africa. The upcoming match is crucial for South Korea's goal of advancing to the knockout stage and securing a favorable tournament bracket.

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The previous match is over. The next match will be very difficult. We must prepare well to win.

Aguirre, who coached Lee at Mallorca from 2022 to 2023, previously praised the midfielder, stating Lee was having his best moments under his guidance. Lee's performance at Mallorca, including six goals and seven assists in 36 La Liga matches, led to his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. Aguirre even affectionately referred to Lee as "my son Kang (In)" during the World Cup draw, highlighting their close bond.

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The most important match now is the one against Korea. Nothing else is a priority.

Both player and coach have started their World Cup campaigns successfully. Lee played a pivotal role in South Korea's win against Czech Republic, assisting the equalizer and contributing to the winning goal. His performance included drawing four fouls and completing five dribbles, notable World Cup statistics. Meanwhile, Aguirre led Mexico to a convincing 2-0 victory over South Africa in their opening match. Aguirre has emphasized the importance of the upcoming game against South Korea, calling it their most critical match.

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My son Kang (In). I want to hit him once, but I like him very much.