Lee Kang-in (22) and Neymar (31, PSG) showed off their friendship in South Korea.
PSG will host Jeonbuk Hyundai at the Busan Asiad Stadium on March 3 at 5 p.m. (local time) in a preseason friendly in the Coupang Play Series. A day before the match, the PSG players held an open training session at the Busan Asiad Stadium to interact with fans.
After playing a friendly against Inter Milan in Tokyo, Japan on the 1st (1-2 loss), PSG touched down in Korea at 2:20pm at Gimhae International Airport. Despite the hectic schedule, the team showed generous fan service to the Korean fans, who gave them a warm welcome from the airport to the hotel.
Then, at 6:50 p.m., some 20 minutes later than the scheduled 6:30 p.m., the PSG squad hit the turf at the Busan Asiad Stadium, led by Lee Kang-in and Neymar.
The players were divided into three groups and practiced rondos (passing the ball). Afterward, they played a mini-game, during which the fans cheered loudly.
The reason for this was the “deep friendship” between Lee and Neymar. After spending time on the bench next to each other in Japan, Lee and Neymar were unusually close. They ruffled each other’s hair and lightly kicked each other in the butt, the sort of thing you’d expect to see between best friends.
It was the same in South Korea. During training, Neymar gave Lee a quick hug from behind and then raised Lee’s arms in the air to wave to the fans. Together, they greeted the Korean fans.
The pair continued their generous “fan service” to the Korean fans even after the training session ended. Lee was scheduled to do a Mix Zone interview at 7:30 p.m., shortly after training ended, but instead, he went around the stadium to greet the fans who had come out to support him. Lee made his way to the Mix Zone about 15 minutes later than the scheduled press conference time.
“I’m so honored to be able to visit Korea with such good players and to be able to play in Korea,” Lee said, adding, “I don’t have the body to play 90 minutes. But if I get to play, I will do my best.”
Meanwhile, Luis Enrique, who spoke at the press conference after Lee’s interview, said, “He’s in very good shape,” adding, “He’ll definitely play tomorrow. I don’t know how many minutes, but he will play.” 토토