PSG midfielder Lee Kang-in has been named among the three finalists for the AFC Asian International Player of the Year award. The 24-year-old South Korean will compete against Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo (Japan) and Olympiakos’ Mehdi Taremi (Iran) for the trophy for the first time in his career.
The award, presented to the best Asian footballer playing outside the continent, is currently held by Son Heung-min, who holds the record for the number of wins with four trophies.The name of the LAFC player’s successor will be announced at the AFC Awards ceremony, to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 16 October.
Lee made a total of 49 appearances in all competitions for PSG during the 2024-25 season. With seven goals and six assists, he contributed to the French club’s historic quadruple, including the Champions League, the French league title, the French Cup and the Trophée des Champions. A finalist in the last Club World Cup, he capped off his summer with a victory in the European Super Cup against Tottenham Hotspur.
Other trophies will also be awarded during the ceremony. Starting with the AFC Player of the Year award, which will be contested between Malaysia’s Arif Aiman, Qatar’s Akram Afif and Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al Dawsari. As for the AFC Women’s Player of the Year award, China’s Wang Shuang, the 2018 winner, will be looking to secure a second title against Australia’s Holly McNamara and Japan’s Hana Takahashi.
