On the background picture of Guangzhou Evergrande's official Weibo, Zheng Zhi with the captain's armband leads a group of powerful players such as Talisca, Paulinho, Exon, Huang Bowen, Zhang Linpeng and others. The "back wave" Wei Shihao and Yang Liyu, who have been able to act independently, are also behind him.

Screenshot of Guangzhou Evergrande's official Weibo

　　In the past two years, Guangzhou Evergrande has been in the process of upgrading. Those veterans who have made the country have left one after another. Young players such as Wei Shihao, Yang Liyu, and Micro Motion have gradually taken over the mantle of their predecessors.

　　However, under the surging waves, Zheng Zhi, who has entered the age of confidence, can still run in the first half of his beloved life, just like the young guy who entered the Chinese Olympic team more than 20 years ago.

A birthday poster made by Guangzhou Evergrande Club for Zheng Zhi.

　　A superstar, even a "superstar" in Chinese football, always seems to have a different career in his career. In 1998, the then national football and Olympic coach Horton made an extraordinary promotion from the local youth team to the Chinese Olympic team. At that time, Zheng Zhi was standing at the fork in his life, struggling in deep despair. The situation of property rights disputes in his Liaoning youth team is urgent, and the young Zheng Zhi faces the dilemma of not having a ball to play. Thanks to Holden's insight and knowledge, so that Chinese football has a dazzling star.

　　Subsequently, Zheng Zhi entered the fast lane of his career under Zhu Guanghu. He once stood on the podium of the Asian Cup runner-up and wrote the "last glory" of the national football in the summer of 2004. He also led Shandong Luneng to win the championship and won the Chinese Footballer of the Year in 2002 and 2006.

　　He also spent 3 years abroad, becoming the core and captain of the English team Charlton, and playing the "Chinese Derby" with Sun Jihai in the Premier League has become an eternal memory. After returning to China, Zheng Zhi became the captain of Guangzhou Evergrande. In 10 years, he won two AFC Champions and was crowned the "Eight Champions" of the Chinese Super League. During the period, he was also awarded the Asian Footballer, becoming the second Chinese player to receive this award after Fan Zhiyi...

Zheng Zhi and Sun Jihai played the Premier League "Chinese Derby".

　　On August 20, Zheng Zhi celebrated his 40th birthday. Under the intensive schedule of this special season, Zheng Zhi, who has entered the age of confidence, may not have much time to commemorate this milestone in his life. Tonight, Guangzhou Evergrande will face the strong team Jiangsu Suning, and he will also lead the team to win the ninth Chinese Super League trophy.

　　For Zheng Zhi, it seems that he has long been used to celebrating his birthday in his busy schedule. Of course, this kind of busyness is also happy for him.

　　Today's Super League has gradually become the "post-90s" world. After veteran Zhou Ting missed the registration for the new season, the "post-70s" in front of him has completely withdrawn from the historical stage of the Super League. Zheng Zhi, born in 1980, is now at the age of the Super League. The biggest player. The 85 generation behind him has also reached the professional age, exerting the last remaining heat.

Data map: In 2013, Zheng Zhi was awarded the Asian Footballer.

　　Compared with other veterans, the traces left by years on Zheng Zhi's body are already gentle enough. In this season, Zheng Zhi is still an important member of Guangzhou Evergrande. In the first 5 games, Zheng Zhi played 3 times, including 2 starts. The calmness on the court really showed his "not confused". The clear muscle contours under the sweat-soaked shirt were the answer to "whether he can still eat". Behind this, it is also a clear proof that Zheng Zhi as a professional player is not slack in self-discipline.

　　Seeing Zheng Zhi, a veteran on the court, as if he has never grown old; but seeing Wei Shihao, Yang Liyu, and Zhang Xiuwei next to him gradually take over the mantle of his predecessors and become more and more able to stand alone, he suddenly realized that the years have actually been As a reminder, Zheng Zhi's first half of his life has entered injury time.

Screenshot of Guangzhou Evergrande announcement

　　When he was a guest on a show in 2017, Zheng Zhi, then 37, said frankly that he hoped to play for another two or three years. Today, this expectation has reached the final year.

　　Two months ago, Guangzhou Evergrande announced that it would hire Zheng Zhi as the assistant coach of the club's first team. This new identity seems to indicate something.

Data map: After the 1/4 finals of the 2019 Asian Cup, the national football captain Zheng Zhi comforted his crying teammates. Picture source: Oriental IC

　　I still remember that on the night of the Asian Cup quarter-finals in 2019, Zheng Zhiman was in tears.

　　Later he recalled: "At that moment, I was really guilty. The national team won too little over the years. At that moment, of course, there were also unwillingness, unwillingness to that game, and unwillingness to my entire national team career."

　　Fortunately, the future will be long. Those who are unwilling, might as well leave it to the second half of life to make up. (Author Bian Liqun)