For the first time ever, Korean football legend Park Ji-sung and rising PSG star Lee Kang-in will join forces.
The two icons will represent South Korea at the 'Kings League World Cup Nations', a groundbreaking 7v7 futsal-style international tournament spearheaded by Barcelona icon Gerard Piqué.
The Kings League officially announced South Korea’s participation on December 3 through social media, declaring, “South Korea is joining the Kings League World Cup Nations. Welcome, Korea!” The Korean team’s lineup, which has sparked massive excitement, includes not only Park Ji-sung and Lee Kang-in but also Shoot for Love, a popular football YouTuber, and Gamst, one of Korea’s top streamers.
The tournament will feature some of football’s biggest names, such as Mario Götze (Germany), James Rodríguez (Colombia), and Sergio Agüero (Argentina), with 16 national teams competing in what promises to be an exhilarating global spectacle.
The event will take place in Italy from January 1 to 11, 2025, with the grand finale hosted at Juventus’ iconic Allianz Stadium. Thanks to Ligue 1’s winter break, Lee Kang-in is free to participate in this highly anticipated tournament. The Kings League has redefined football with its unique and fan-friendly rules. Matches are played in two 20-minute halves, with unlimited substitutions and no offside rule, creating a faster and more dynamic style of play. Previous editions featuring legends like Iker Casillas and Ronaldinho captivated audiences, and the league reached an unprecedented 2 million live viewers during broadcasts in Spain, showcasing its immense popularity.
Expressing his excitement on the Kings League’s YouTube channel, Lee Kang-in shared, “It’s an incredible honor to participate in the Kings League. This is undoubtedly a major moment for Korean football and a unique experience for me. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I will.” He also issued a bold challenge, saying, “I grew up in Valencia from the age of 10, and many of my childhood friends are still there. I hope we face Spain—and that we beat them.”
Gerard Piqué, who played alongside Park Ji-sung during their time at Manchester United, personally recruited him for the tournament. Reflecting on their history, Piqué said, “Park Ji-sung is a perfect fit for this event.” He also praised the creativity behind the Korean team’s lineup, noting, “Having Shoot for Love and Gamst, one of Korea’s most-followed streamers, adds something truly special to the team.”
The tournament marks the first time Park Ji-sung, a hero of Korea’s historic 2002 World Cup semifinal run and the first Korean to play in the Premier League, will play alongside Lee Kang-in, the next-generation star making waves at PSG. This unprecedented collaboration has captivated Korean football fans, with many eagerly anticipating the team’s performance on the global stage.