Wu Lei received his fifth Chinese Footballer of the Year award on Thursday in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, in recognition of an outstanding season. Despite his past feelings of unworthiness when he previously accepted the award, this season's performance, in which he netted 34 goals in 30 Chinese Super League games, cemented his status by helping Shanghai Port secure the league title and set a new goal-scoring record without converting any penalties.
In the ceremony, Wu Lei expressed his thoughts on encountering career challenges, underlining the importance of perseverance despite setbacks, failures, and difficulties. His comments resonated with the dedication and passion required in football, a sentiment that has helped shape his storied career. Wu's contributions were not limited to club football; he also scored four goals in nine appearances for the Chinese national team in 2024 after making a comeback from a knee injury.
Other notable performances were recognized during the same event. Midfielder Xie Wenneng of Shandong Taishan, aged 23, was awarded second place in the top honors, while club teammate and national team first-choice keeper Wang Dalei received the Golden Gloves award. Additionally, Chengdu Rongcheng’s left back Hu Hetao, who made his national team debut in October 2024, was honored as the Youth Footballer of the Year in the under-21 category.
The award, often regarded as China’s version of the Ballon d'Or, was established in 2017 by Football Weekly magazine to celebrate the best performing Chinese players of the season, thereby emphasizing excellence and the enduring spirit of determination in the world of football.
10 Comments
Rotfront
“The fact that he overcame self-doubt and a major injury makes this achievement even more commendable.”
Karamba
“This narrative motivates so many young players to push through challenges and excel.”
Matzomaster
“What an impressive season! Scoring 34 goals in 30 games is no small feat.”
Karamba
“Wu Lei’s season, coupled with other young talents being recognized, shows a bright future for the sport in China.”
Rotfront
“It’s refreshing to see an athlete credited not just for statistics but for the spirit of his comeback.”
KittyKat
“Absolutely inspiring! Wu Lei’s journey shows that hard work and perseverance really pay off.”
Loubianka
“His record-setting season is proof that talent coupled with determination can break new barriers.”
Noir Black
“It feels like this narrative is constructed to boost national pride rather than critically analyze performance.”
Katchuka
“Not converting any penalties? That seems like a glaring weakness in an otherwise praised performance.”
Michelangelo
“The ceremony really captured the essence of Chinese football tradition and excellence.”