Because of Wu Lei, today we want to talk about Chinese football again.
For many people, the mention of these four words is like a spittoon in front of them. From "no face anymore" to "white chicken", to "can't run college students" some time ago, there are always endless stories about Chinese football.
No one is to blame. You can't stand up on the field, your job is not done well, and sometimes even the counterattack feels short. But everything is scored on both sides. There are bad things about Chinese football, but there are also inspirational people.
Image source: Espanyol club announcement
Wu Lei is one of them.
Last night, the news that "the hope of the whole village" Wu Lei had renewed his contract with the Spaniard for four years caused quite a stir in the football circle. The Spaniard officially announced that Wu Lei will renew his contract with the team until June 30, 2024. He chose to lower his personal salary and will play in the Spanish League with the team next season.
Although the news of Wu Lei's staying team had been heard before, when the boots landed, the fans really felt Wu Lei's courage to chase his dreams, as well as the benevolence engraved in his genes as a Chinese player.
Data map: Beijing time on January 5, La Liga ushered in the Catalan Derby, the Spaniard sitting at home 2:2 draw against giants Barcelona. Wu Lei scored in the 88th minute to help the team tie the score.
At the beginning of last year, Wu Lei, who had completed the Asian Cup, started his overseas career and joined the Spanish club, becoming the "single seed" of Chinese players in the five major European leagues. Looking back on the one and a half seasons of playing for La Liga, Wu Lei has experienced the bright moments of breaking Barcelona's door, and also experienced the disappointment and sadness of sitting on the cold bench.
Along the way, Wu Lei had a hard time. He also confided to the fans the difficulty and difficulty of studying abroad in the weekly diary released every week. In fact, if he had stayed in the Super League, Wu Lei could have lived more comfortably, but he still chose a long journey at the age of 28.
Data map: On February 16, Beijing time, the Spaniards drew with Sevilla 2:2 in the 24 round of La Liga. Chinese player Wu Lei made his debut and scored in the 49th minute of the game to help the team lead the score 2:1.
Due to the poor performance of the team this season, the Spaniard once again dropped into the second division after 27 years. At the moment when the club was downgraded, people's attention to "Where is Wu Lei going" reached its peak. After all, the secondary league means lower levels and exposure. As the "hope of the whole village," Wu Lei, many people feel that the Spaniards who descended into West Second are "not worthy" of him.
In fact, only with the huge Chinese market behind Wu Lei, he can go to a higher-level league and find a more famous club. Foreign media have also reported that there were Premier League and Bundesliga teams that liked him. Even if it is to return to the Super League, Wu Lei can earn a higher salary and reputation than now.
Data map: On May 23, local time, Barcelona, Spain, the Spaniards trained for battle. The picture shows Wu Lei in training. Image source: Visual China
But in the face of temptation, Wu Lei chose to stick to his original intention: "I have always wanted to stay with the Spaniard very firmly. Because the Spaniard is the first team I came to Europe, it is very different to me. Meaning, and I already have a deep feeling for this team. After here, I can feel everyone’s enthusiasm for me. We have great fans. The teammates and staff of the team have given me a lot of Great help, I am very happy here."
After confirming to stay in the team, Wu Lei's wish is to help the team return to La Liga next season. Not to mention whether this goal can be achieved smoothly, just because Wu Lei dared to renew his contract with the Spaniard for 4 years at the age of 29, this is not only a heavy commitment to the team, but also shows his willingness to share the joys and sorrows with the club. And courage.
Data map: Last season, Wu Lei helped the team reach the Europa League in the final round. Image source: Visual China
Going forward, "Benevolence, justice, courtesy, wisdom and trust, loyalty, filial piety, integrity, shame and courage" have always been the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation. Although Wu Lei’s salary cut to stay on the team is not as arrogant as a man of lofty ideals, but at the moment he chose to stay in the team, he abandoned some of his personal interests and showed that he "shares the wealth and the suffering" and "does not abandon," The chivalry and righteousness of not giving up.
Data map: On July 9th, Beijing time, Barcelona sent the Spaniard 1:0 to relegation 3 rounds ahead of schedule. The picture shows Wu Lei coming off the bench.
Many people tend to lose their heart in the face of fame and fortune, but obviously Wu Lei does not. As the Spaniard commented on him: "He has shown loyalty and commitment to the team, and will firmly fight for the team to return to La Liga."
To borrow a line from Stephen Chow's movie "The God of Cookery": "Love and meaning are worth a thousand dollars." As the saying goes, "It is easy to cherish a hundred flavours, but human touch is the hardest." Regardless of Wu Lei's future performance in the West Second League, his wave of staying in the team is already worthy of everyone's applause and praise. (Finish)