Lee Jae-sung - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Logs 57 minutes, wins three tackles Lee logged four tackles (three won) across 57 minutes during South Korea's 1-0 loss Thursday at Mexico.

Impact Up until Lee's 57th-minute substitution, South Korea struggled to generate any offense, which indicates why his best production is from defense. It was great nonetheless, as even with his limited time, he logged Korea's most tackles won. But when it comes to an attacking substitution, which was also done against the Czech Republic, Lee is Korea's odd man out, even over a struggling Heung-Min Son. Once again, he was replaced by Hwang Hee-Chan, this time against Mexico. Unless the aforementioned Lee impacts early, his upside will be limited by being Korea's first departing attacker.

JUNE 18 • ROTOWIRE

Three chances created in 62 minutes Lee logged two shots (one on goal) and three chances created in Thursday's 2-1 win against the Czech Republic.

Impact Alongside fellow attacker Lee Kang-in, Lee is among only two players who created more than that many chances for Korea Republic. Not long after an hour, he was replaced by Hwang Hee-Chan. The team's recent history has always included either uncertainty on how to operate or a position logjam up front, with Lee having been one to sacrifice for the likes of Hwang, Lee Kang-in and Son Heung-Min. For now, this World Cup looks no different, a continued course of action that would cap Lee's statistical upside. Either way, Lee will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 World Cup that saw him lacking any threat in front of goal across three appearances.

JUNE 11 • ROTOWIRE

Valuable rotational option Jae-Sung has been named in South Korea's squad for the World Cup and is in contention for minutes after playing a backup role in the last friendly games.

Impact Jae-Sung was in and out of the starting lineup for his country in recent international matches, but he remains one of the squad's most experienced midfielders and should still play a role in the tournament. The veteran is capable of operating in multiple midfield positions while providing creativity between the lines, so he may contend with Kim Jin-Gyu and Lee Kang-In for playing time in holding midfield and No. 10 spots, respectively. The Mainz player can also contribute on set pieces, giving him additional fantasy appeal beyond open-play production. His versatility and experience make him a useful option even if he doesn't start every match. He was an important element of the team's offense in the qualifying rounds, tallying five goals and two assists across 14 matches played.

JUNE 3 • ROTOWIRE

Named to bench Lee (toe) is on the bench for Sunday's match against Union Berlin.

Impact Lee is back in the team sheet Sunday following some testing, as the forward earns a spot on the bench. He will be keen on a return to the starting XI in the season finale, starting in all 26 of his appearances while recording four goals and two assists.

MAY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Late call for Berlin match Lee (toe) is a late call for Sunday's match against Union Berlin, according to manager Urs Fischer. "Jae-sung has come through all the sessions well and hasn't had any issues. We'v...

Impact Lee is the only player waiting on testing for Sunday's match, as he has continued to train but is not yet deemed fit. The club will give him time to train Saturday before making a final call, leaving him as a true game-time decision. He started in all 26 appearances while scoring four goals and two assists before the injury, so there is a slight chance he starts immediately if deemed fit.

MAY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to partial training Jae-Sung (toe) participated in partial team training for the first time Wednesday, joining his teammates for running and passing exercises after fracturing a toe in early April, ac...

Impact Jae-Sung's return to partial training is an encouraging development after missing the last four Bundesliga fixtures with the toe fracture. The 33-year-old South Korean midfielder did not take part in the final training matches during the session, suggesting he is not yet ready for full contact work. Whether he can increase his workload over the coming days will determine if he becomes an option for the home fixture against Union Berlin. Nadiem Amiri and Paul Nebel are expected to continue covering his role in midfield until he is fully cleared to return.

MAY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Could miss rest of season Lee (toe) was absent from team training for around three weeks and is at risk of missing the remainder of the season, according to Allgemeinen Zeitung.

Impact Lee had been given a three-week recovery timeline after being diagnosed with a small toe fracture in early April, but his continued absence from training suggests he has not yet been able to handle the intensity of sessions on the pitch. With only a handful of matches remaining in the Bundesliga season, the window for him to feature again is closing fast, and Mainz will not push him back before he is genuinely ready given the severity of the original diagnosis. Nadiem Amiri and Paul Nebel are expected to continue covering his role in midfield for the final stretch of the campaign if he can't return.

APRIL 29 • ROTOWIRE

Set to miss three weeks Lee was diagnosed with a small toe fracture and is expected to miss around three weeks, according to sporting director Niko Bungert, per Allgemeinen Zeitung. "He has suffered a sma...

Impact Lee had already missed the Conference League quarterfinal first leg against Strasbourg before the diagnosis was confirmed, and his absence is a significant blow for Mainz heading into the final stretch of the season. The South Korean has been one of their most important midfield pieces this campaign, and coach Urs Fischer acknowledged the mounting injury frustration, noting the team seems cursed with absences right now. Sota Kawasaki and William Boving are the most likely candidates to absorb larger roles in the midfield until Lee and Nadiem Amiri (heel) are back up to speed.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Absent due to toe injury Lee was excluded from the squad to face Strasbourg in Conference League action after missing Wednesday's training session because of a toe injury, the team reported Thursday.

Impact Lee could be at serious risk of seeing his 24-game starting streak in league play come to an end, although the full severity of his issue is unknown. This loss reduces the team's offensive midfield power, with the South Korean's six Bundesliga direct contributions currently ranking second on the squad. Sota Kawasaki might play a bigger role for as long as the key starter remains out.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Goals in two straight Lee scored a goal while taking three shots (one on goal) and crossing twice inaccurately during Sunday's 2-0 win over Werder Bremen.

Impact Lee scored Mainz's second goal in the 52nd minute while leading his side with three shots. The attacker has goals in two straight matches to go along with six shots, a chance created and eight crosses over that stretch.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Nets opener on Saturday Jae-Sung scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Saturday's 2-2 draw against VfB Stuttgart.

Impact Jae-Sung netted the opener from close range, assisted by Danny da Costa. Jae-Sung recorded 20 passes and also made two clearances, two interceptions, one block and one tackle. He has now registered five goal contributions this campaign in 23 games.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

Inks contract extension Lee signed a contract extension with Mainz on Thursday, the club announced. "Lee is already in his fifth season with Mainz 05 and has consistently played a key role for our team. O...

Impact Lee signed a new contract with Mainz, extending his stay beyond the end of the season. The South Korea midfielder joined from Holstein Kiel in the summer of 2021 and has since made 159 competitive appearances, recording 28 goals and 24 assists.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Late Guirassy goal seals win as Dortmund cuts Bayern's Bundesliga lead to 3 points

Serhou Guirassy has scored late for Borussia Dortmund to cut Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga lead to three points with a somewhat fortunate 2-1 win at Wolfsburg

FEBRUARY 7 • Associated Press

Notches assist Lee assisted once to go with two crosses (zero accurate) and two chances created in Tuesday's 2-1 victory against FC Heidenheim.

Impact Lee continued his solid stretch of play Tuesday, with the forward starting and playing the full 90, adding an assist in the 30th minute. This gives him his second assist in two games, accounting for his only assists all season. He also earned a goal just three games ago, with four goal contributions in 15 appearances this season.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Fires two shots Lee took two off target shots and created a chance during Sunday's 0-0 draw with St. Pauli.

Impact Lee was held off the scoresheet while taking the second most shots on the team during the draw. The forward has combined for a goal, five shots and three chances created over his last three appearances.

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Clinical finish with a header Lee Jae-Sung scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich.

Impact Lee put in a strong performance against Bayern Munich on Sunday, scoring a headed goal off a superb delivery from Stefan Bell over the opposing defense. Although he had a tough time offensively aside from his goal due to the opponent's prolonged possession, he contributed defensively by making three interceptions, matching his season high. The South Korean, a key player for his team, has tallied 16 shots, two goals, and no assists in 12 Bundesliga appearances this season.

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Late Harry Kane penalty bails out blundering Bayern Munich against bottom-of-the-table Mainz as 17-year-old sensation Lennart Karl shines again

Rock bottom Mainz were mightily close to shocking Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena before a late Harry Kane penalty rescued a fortunate po...

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • goal

Late Harry Kane penalty bails out blundering Bayern Munich against bottom-of-the-table Mainz as 17-year-old sensation Lennart Karl shines again

Kane rescues Bayern from slipping to first Bundesliga defeat of the season against last-placed Mainz

Harry Kane has rescued Bayern Munich from an embarrassing home defeat to the last-placed team in the Bundesliga

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • Associated Press

Nets first goal of season Lee scored a goal while taking two shots (one on goal) and crossing once inaccurately during Saturday's 4-3 loss to Leverkusen.

Impact Lee found the back of the net in the 34th minute scoring Mainz's first goal while finishing with the second most shots on the team. The goal was the first this season for Lee as he's combined for two shots, a chance created and five crosses over his last three appearances since returning from a hamstring injury.

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Trains with team Lee (hamstring) is back in team training, according to his club.

Impact Lee suffered a hamstring injury a few weeks ago but is now back in training, with the forward joining the team Wednesday. This is good news for the club, as he started in their first two games of the season before their injury. That said, he will hope to see the start when facing Dortmund, that is, if he is deemed fit.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers minor hamstring injury Lee suffered a minor hamstring injury in Saturday's 2-0 victory against the United States in a friendly and is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Mexico, according to Korea JoongA...

Impact Lee was forced off in the 50th minute of Saturday's 2-0 victory against the United States in a friendly due to a minor hamstring injury in his right leg. The midfielder is a doubt for Tuesday's clash against Mexico and will likely be assessed upon his return to Mainz to determine if he will miss any time. That said, if the injury proves to be serious, his absence will force a change in the frontline with Arnaud Nordin as a possible replacement.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Three shots in draw Lee recorded three shots (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Wolfsburg.

Impact Lee racked up three shots for a second straight game but has yet to land one on target. He also delivered his first chance created of the season and completed a minimum of 19 passes for a second straight appearance. Additionally, he registered at least one tackle won for a second straight game and is up to three tackles won in total.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Three shots despite loss Lee Jae-Sung generated three shots (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 1-0 loss to 1. FC Koln.

Impact Lee got the start in attacking midfield, as expected and was the most aggressive part of the first team for large parts of the match. The forward has plenty of upside, especially if Mainz can find the form that earned them a spot in European competition last season. Lee will hope to build on this volume, especially with injuries likely making him a focal point of the attack early in the season.

AUGUST 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Features in friendly Lee (face) featured in a pre-season friendly against Strasbourg on Saturday, confirming he is back available for Mainz.

Impact Lee suffered a double fracture to his cheekbone in a pre-season friendly but is now back available for Mainz after resuming team training in recent days and featuring against Strasbourg in a pre-season friendly on Saturday. This is good news for Mainz since he is an undisputed starter for the team, and it means the forward can play with a mask without any issue.

AUGUST 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back in team training Lee (face) was spotted back in team training wearing a mask, according to BILD.

Impact Lee suffered a double fracture to his cheekbone in a pre-season friendly after hitting the post and has since then been working individually in training. Lee was however spotted back in team training this week wearing a mask which is good news since he will be able to train with his teammates for the final part of the pre-season to prepare for the start of the Bundesliga. The South Korean is expected to be a starter on the left wing for Mainz therefore seeing him in team training is excellent news for the club. That said, if the mask somehow does not allow him to play to his full potential and he has to miss or start on the bench for upcoming fixtures, Nelson Weiper will likely take his spot in the frontline.

AUGUST 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Late Guirassy goal seals win as Dortmund cuts Bayern's Bundesliga lead to 3 points

Late Harry Kane penalty bails out blundering Bayern Munich against bottom-of-the-table Mainz as 17-year-old sensation Lennart Karl shines again

Kane rescues Bayern from slipping to first Bundesliga defeat of the season against last-placed Mainz