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Atlético Madrid's Lee Kang-in dribbles the ball during a preseason friendly against Manchester City at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 9th. / Yonhap

Korea's national team players, having wrapped up the 2026 FIFA North/Central America World Cup, are now returning to their clubs for the new European season. This season brings more change than usual — Lee Kang-in has left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for Spanish powerhouse Atlético Madrid, while Hwang In-beom has moved from Feyenoord in the Netherlands to Portuguese giant FC Porto. Oh Hyeon-gyu of Turkey's Beşiktaş is also entering his second season in Europe.

The start of Europe's top five leagues also draws near. Spain's La Liga kicks off its season with its first match on the 16th, followed by England's Premier League and France's Ligue 1 on the 21st, Italy's Serie A on the 22nd, and Germany's Bundesliga on the 28th.

The player drawing the most attention is undoubtedly Lee Kang-in. After spending three seasons competing at the top level of European football with PSG, Lee now takes on a new challenge at Atlético Madrid, which has signed him through 2031 and handed him the No. 7 jersey.

Along with the anticipation come clear challenges. While Lee made his presence felt whenever he took the field at PSG, he never quite established himself as a guaranteed starter. At Atlético, he'll need to start the competition for a starting spot all over again. In particular, how quickly he adapts to a team culture that demands strong defensive contribution and work rate even from attackers will be key. If Lee can consistently carry over the more mature form he showed at the World Cup into his club performances, this move could mark another turning point in his career.

Atlético will play its home opener against Málaga on the 18th (local time) — a match where Lee is likely to make his official debut.

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Kim Min-jae celebrates after scoring in a league away match against Frankfurt on October 6, 2024, his first season after transferring to Bayern Munich./ AP-Yonhap

In Germany, Kim Min-jae's standing is a key storyline. He'll once again have to fight for a starting spot at Bayern Munich against rivals Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah. For Kim, this season is about proving that the defensive stability and focus he showed at the World Cup can carry over into his club competition.

Mainz's Lee Jae-sung continues to aim for a central role. Now in his sixth season at Mainz, Lee has already established himself as a core midfielder for the club, so rather than facing new competition, consistent performance and attacking contributions are what matter most.

Midfield general Hwang In-beom takes on a new challenge at Porto. Having quickly established himself as a starter at Feyenoord, Hwang will now be tasked with orchestrating play at Porto as well. Still, he'll need to adapt to a new league and tactical system while also winning the battle for a starting role. Having moved to Portugal's champion club, this is a chance for him to elevate his standing on the European stage even further.

Oh Hyeon-gyu, who made a strong impression after moving to Beşiktaş last season, is now entering his second season there. If his first season was about making a name for himself on the European stage, this one is about proving consistency. Beşiktaş signed Oh to a three-and-a-half-year contract, signaling the club views him as a key attacking asset. Still, with "big names" like Dusan Vlahović and Leandro Trossard-caliber signings joining the squad — note: figures like Vlahović — he faces fierce competition for a starting spot.

In the Premier League, meanwhile, Korean players' presence has shrunk considerably. With Hwang Hee-chan's Wolverhampton relegated, there's no longer an obvious national-team-caliber starter in the league. Young players like Kim Ji-soo at Brentford and Park Seung-soo at Newcastle United will need to show new promise, though it's considered too early for either to break into the Premier League immediately.

This is a season where it will be important for players to carry the competitiveness they showed against the world's best at the World Cup over into their club form. Lee Kang-in and Hwang In-beom must navigate the new environment of their first season at a new club, while Kim Min-jae and Oh Hyeon-gyu need to take a step forward in their fight for a starting role. If the World Cup was where they tested themselves against the world as national team players, now is the time to prove that potential week after week on the European stage.

                                                                                                        Cheon Hyun-bin