Mehdi Taremi extended his leg to assist Davide Fratessi, who curled the ball past Wojciech Szczęsny, sending Inter Milan into the UEFA Champions League final for the second time in three seasons. This critical goal against Juventus secured Inter’s place in the final, setting the stage for a continental showdown in Munich, where Asia is guaranteed a winner on European football’s grandest platform.
With Paris Saint-Germain defeating Arsenal in the other semi-final, it means either Lee Kang-in or Mehdi Taremi will bring home a Champions League medal, a first for Asia in 17 years. Taremi, the 32-year-old Iranian striker, has played a crucial role for Inter throughout the competition, registering four assists and one goal, including his impactful semi-final performance. He has mostly come off the bench under Simone Inzaghi but has consistently delivered when called upon.
On the other side, Lee Kang-in, a 24-year-old attacking midfielder for PSG, has shown flashes of brilliance despite limited playtime. With six goals and six assists across all competitions this season, Lee could be the unexpected hero in PSG’s quest for their maiden Champions League title. Though he has yet to score or assist in his 462 minutes of Champions League football this season, the final presents an opportunity to make history.
Only one Asian footballer has previously won the UEFA Champions League—Park Ji-sung with Manchester United in 2008. Although he did not play in the final, his contribution to the campaign was vital. Sir Alex Ferguson later admitted that not including Park in the final was a major regret. Park went on to appear in two more finals, both of which ended in losses to Barcelona.
Asian players often face major hurdles in adapting to European football, from cultural shifts to language barriers. Yet, their presence has grown significantly in recent years. Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, currently valued at €50 million by Transfermarkt, is now the highest-valued Asian player in Europe. Last season saw Lee and Kim Min-jae among the Champions League semi-finalists, a testament to the continent’s rising footballing profile.
Even behind the scenes, Asia’s role in European football is expanding, with club ownership giving the region a stake in top-tier competitions. The Saudi Pro League, like the Chinese Super League before it, has drawn major European names such as Aymeric Laporte and N’Golo Kanté, demonstrating the continent’s growing influence on global football.
Historically, several Asian players have been part of Champions League finals but have remained on the bench during their teams’ defeats. These include legends like Ali Daei at Bayern Munich in 1999, Takashi Usami in the 2011-12 final, and Takumi Minamino with Liverpool in 2022.
Among all, Son Heung-min remains Asia’s most recognized footballer to have played and lost a Champions League final. He featured for Tottenham Hotspur in the 2018–19 final, which ended in a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. After a decade and 451 appearances for Spurs, Son finally lifted a club trophy in his 452nd match, winning the Europa League.
This season marks a significant breakthrough, with Asian footballers playing crucial roles in three league-winning sides across Europe’s top five leagues and now, in both Champions League finalists. The final in Munich promises to crown a new Asian champion after nearly two decades of waiting.
