'The wealthy Korean Messi'

Lee Seung-woo, formerly known as "the Korean Messi," earned a substantial income playing in his home country.

Lee Seung-woo was once a sensation in South Korean football.

According to a 2025 report from the Korean Football Association, Lee is currently the highest-paid domestic player in the K.League. He earns a total income of 1.59 billion won per year (approximately $1.2 million USD ), including salary and allowances.

In a reality show in his hometown, Lee's salary unexpectedly came up for discussion. When asked about being among the highest-paid players in the K.League, the 1998-born striker was quite modest, saying he "might be in the top 5."

The striker, dubbed the "Korean Messi," also revealed a meaningful plan to use a portion of his income to buy his parents a luxury car.

Lee was once a promising young talent in South Korean football. He, along with two compatriots, Paik Seung-ho and Jang Kyul-hee, were selected to join Barcelona's La Masia academy, but were unable to play for the first team due to a FIFA ban in 2014.

Lee when he played for Barcelona B.

Currently, Lee plays in his homeland for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, after a disappointing spell in Europe. In the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the striker only scored a total of 8 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions.

At the national team level, Lee was last called up in 2024 but made no significant contribution. In total, the striker has only made 12 appearances for the national team. His chances of being included in the South Korean squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are not high.

Nevertheless, with his charisma both on and off the pitch, the 28-year-old striker is still asserting his special position in South Korean football.

Source: https://znews.vn/messi-han-quoc-giau-co-post1645756.html