National team midfielder Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) apologized to fans as he shared his feelings about the team's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
"First, I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who sent sincere support and encouragement to me and the national team during the World Cup," Lee said through his social networking service (SNS) on Monday. "I also want to say that I am truly sorry. I am so sorry to bring you the pain of defeat rather than the joy of victory."
Lee, who has appeared in 107 A-matches, is a veteran midfielder leading the national team and is the same age as Son Heung-min (LA FC). In this tournament, he played in the first and second group-stage matches against the Czech Republic and Mexico. He remained on the bench for the final match against South Africa. Korea lost 0-1 to South Africa in the final match, finishing third in the group with one win and two losses (3 points), missing out on advancing to the round of 32.
"Was it too much greed to want to share this festival together even one day longer?" Lee said, revealing his sorrow. "This is an ending I never imagined, so it is harder to accept now than ever before." He added, "But I believe the moment will come when I accept that this, too, is a part of life. I will work hard to bring you joy again, in a better form."
