Lee Kang-in Makes History with Treble-Winning PSG but Faces Uncertain Future Amid Summer Transfer Interest

Lee Kang-in Becomes First Asian Treble Winner—Is a Transfer Next?

2025-06-02     Han, June
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 31: Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain reacts as he walks past the UEFA Champions League trophy after collecting his winners medal after defeating FC Internazionale, to secure Paris Saint-Germain's first ever UEFA Champions League title in the club's history and a record UEFA Champions League Final winning scoreline of 5-0, following the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

 

Lee Kang-in has etched his name in the history books as the first Asian player to achieve a European treble, following Paris Saint-Germain’s emphatic 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter. However, the South Korean star is reportedly eyeing a move away from the French capital this summer, with Napoli, Atlético Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle all monitoring his situation.

MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 31: Luis Enrique, Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain, lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy after his team's victory, to secure Paris Saint-Germain's first ever UEFA Champions League title in the club's history and a record UEFA Champions League Final winning scoreline of 5-0, following the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

 

Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain have become only the 11th side to complete a domestic league, domestic cup and European Cup/UEFA Champions League treble following their 5-0 Champions League final victory over Inter. Paris wrapped up the Ligue 1 title some time ago before easing past Reims 3-0 in the French Cup final on 24 May to seal a domestic double ahead of their Munich meeting with Inter. Barcelona were also chasing the same landmark this season but saw their hopes dashed by Inter in the semi-finals.

Luis Enrique, who previously guided Barcelona to the treble in 2015, is now the second coach in history to win the treble with two different clubs — following Pep Guardiola, who achieved the feat with Barcelona in 2009 and Manchester City in 2023.

For South Korea’s Lee Kang-in, the triumph marks a personal milestone. He is now the third Asian player to be named in a Champions League final squad after Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min. Park was part of Manchester United’s 2007/08 squad that lifted the trophy but missed out on the matchday list for the final itself. Son started in Tottenham’s 2019 final defeat to Liverpool. Lee, meanwhile, was on the bench for Paris in Saturday’s final but did not get on the pitch — meaning he did not become the first Asian player to feature in and win a Champions League final match.

Nevertheless, Lee Kang-in becomes the first Asian player in history to achieve a European treble — winning the domestic league, domestic cup and Champions League in the same season — cementing his place in the annals of Asian football.

However, his future at Paris Saint-Germain is now uncertain. Despite this historic success, Lee was not named among the five substitutes used in either the Coupe de France final or the Champions League final, sparking speculation that he could seek a move this summer. Reports suggest that Serie A side Napoli, La Liga’s Atlético Madrid, and Premier League clubs Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle are all showing interest in securing his signature.

As Lee weighs his options, his place in history as Asia’s first European treble winner is secure — but it seems his immediate future could lie away from the French capital.