Park Ji-sung calls Lee Kang-in 'most technically gifted player in Korean football history'

Korean football legend Park Ji-sung has hailed Atletico Madrid's Lee Kang-in as the most technically gifted player in the history of Korean football, expressing confidence that the 25-year-old can grow into a world-class star.

Spanish outlet Marca published an interview with Park, a FIFA committee member, on Tuesday (Korean Standard Time).

"Lee Kang-in is the most technically skilled player in Korean football history. I'm very curious to see how far he can go on the world stage," Park said, offering unqualified praise.

"Korean football has consistently produced players who can compete internationally, and right now Lee Kang-in is at the center of that," he said. "His move to Atletico is a strong opportunity to take his game to the next level. More than simply being my successor, I hope he leaves his own great mark on European football as a Korean and as an Asian player."

The two share a connection that dates back to Lee's childhood. They first met on a commercial shoot when Lee was six years old. Lee re-enacted Park's goal against Portugal at the 2002 World Cup, while Park played the role of then-coach Guus Hiddink watching from the sidelines.

Park recalled recognizing Lee's exceptional talent even then. "I already knew he was technically gifted, but seeing him in person, his potential was far greater than I had expected. It was the kind of talent any player would envy," he said.

"There is a Korean proverb that says you can tell a great tree from the seedling," Park added. "Talent doesn't always guarantee success in football, but Lee Kang-in clearly had a different level of ability altogether. Watching his passion back then, I was convinced he would one day reach the biggest stage."

Park also praised Lee's rapid adaptation at Atletico. "Lee Kang-in grew up in Spain and already had La Liga experience. He came back having grown further — including winning the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain," he said. "What we're seeing now doesn't surprise me. I see it as the beginning of yet another leap forward."

Park said Lee, who inherited the No. 7 shirt from Antoine Griezmann, has the potential to become a new Atletico legend. "Filling the void left by a legend at a great club in a short time is incredibly difficult," he said. "But in the long run, Lee Kang-in has the potential to do exactly that. If he keeps proving his worth, he can become a legend in his own right someday."

"Rather than hoping he becomes the next Griezmann, I want him to become a world-class Lee Kang-in," Park added. "Many people, myself included, never expected Son Heung-min to become the Premier League's top scorer, but he ultimately did. Lee Kang-in has the potential to achieve something like that as well."

Park is a towering figure in the history of Korean football's expansion into Europe. He spent seven years at Manchester United, winning 12 trophies, and in 2008 became the first Asian player to win the UEFA Champions League.

He also left a lasting legacy with the national team, scoring in three consecutive World Cups from the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament through the 2010 South Africa edition. Particularly memorable was his winning goal against Portugal at the 2002 World Cup, which helped propel South Korea to a historic semifinal run.