On the evening of January 3, the Shanghai Football Association officially announced that Li Jiayue joined the Galatasaray women's soccer team in Turkey, becoming the 13th women's soccer team. In Turkey, Li Jiayue hopes to play more matches, keep her form and have a chance to represent the women's soccer national team in the World Cup; as for the club's goal, it is to help the team to win the league title and qualify for the Champions League.32-year-old Li Jiayue said it has nothing to do with the proofs, "all the proofs have proved it."
◆Football: Let's start with why you joined Galatasaray. What's the story? Can you talk about the details?
Li Jiayue:Actually there is no story, that is to say, there were Spanish, Norwegian and Italian teams that came to me, and there was Galatasaray in Turkey. I thought about it and chose Galatasaray.
Now, halfway through the European season, the lineup is relatively complete. I think if I went to Spain I would play on the bench, and the Norwegian league is strong. Through my understanding, I know that Galatasaray is investing a lot now, and I've watched their matches, and I think the game is a bit European, fast-paced, and good against the run of play. I heard that they are now trying to get close to the top soccer clubs in Europe, with a big effort to develop the women's soccer team, and most importantly, the whole team is also very good, so I chose Galatasaray because, at least, I can be guaranteed playing time and games, and if I go to Spain, Norway and these places, I can't be guaranteed to play as a main player.
Also, the Turkish league qualifies for the Champions League. If Galatasaray wins the Champions League this season, I can play in the Champions League. If I choose the Spanish and Norwegian teams, maybe the teams are in the middle of the league and are not eligible for the Champions League. All things considered, I chose Galatasaray. This team is now at the top of the league and is likely to compete for Champions League qualification.
◆What is the difference between studying abroad this time and going to Korea before?
I think the biggest difference is that I'm older, so I'm not scared, I'm not nervous, and I'm relatively mature. If I encounter some problems, at least in my mindset, I don't worry about them, I deal with them calmly. In the team, if I encounter some problems with the coach and teammates, I should be able to deal with them better, because I have a better mentality, so I won't feel nervous and scared in an unfamiliar place, and I hope to integrate into the team as soon as possible.
◆Soccer: Many people will think that you are 32 years old, how can you still study abroad.
Li Jiayue: I am 32 years old. In China, I might think I'm 32 years old, very old. But I think if I'm abroad, everyone goes on the field. I don't think age is a problem. In fact, most foreigners don't look at age. They think how you are when you are old. In my opinion, age is just a number. As long as there is no problem with my competitive form, level and ability, what about 32? Messi is 35 and didn't just win the World Cup. He's in the last phase of his career. But at the end of the day, everyone comes to this point. Everyone comes to the end of their career. But that doesn't mean you can't shine at the end of your career, doing what you want to do, realizing your dreams.
Actually, I don't see 32 as the end of a career, really! You could say it's the latter part of a career, but I don't think it's the end, the end, a bit of a stretch, and at center back, 32 is OK.
What do you hope to "get" out of this study abroad program?
Personally, I want to learn from foreign teams' fast pace, high confrontation and their confidence on the pitch. In addition, I want to learn about different understandings of soccer.
◆ Do you have any goals?
Help the team win the league this season and fight for a Champions League place next season.
◆ Are you familiar with your teammates? How was the atmosphere? What impressed you the most?
Familiarity, the relative openness of foreign players, the foreign atmosphere, which is the atmosphere in which the ball is played, is more relaxed, more joyful, and the players are more friendly, more welcoming, and everyone gets along well.
◆ Before you, 12 Chinese women soccer players studied abroad, 9 in Europe, 2 in Australia and 1 in the big leagues. In the last World Cup in France, there was only one Wang Shuang. Four years later, the number of people studying abroad has reached double digits. What do you think this means for Chinese women's soccer?
I am glad that so many players are studying abroad. As for the significance, I think it is to improve the players' individual abilities, and then to improve the players' vision in all aspects, as well as their overall understanding of soccer. If overseas players go back to play soccer, I think they will have more confidence on the pitch and a deeper understanding of soccer.
◆Soccer: It's been almost a year since the Chinese women's soccer team won the Asian Cup. Can you talk about what you've gained this year?
Li Jiayue: I think more fans recognize and pay attention to us. Before, it was only a small percentage that followed us.
◆ You're a very competitive player, studying abroad at 32, trying to prove you're still on top?
I don't want to prove anything, I just want to fulfill my goals and dreams. I don't think I'm trying to prove anything, and I don't have anything to prove. I'm 32 years old and I've proved everything I'm supposed to prove.
◆ What are your goals for the World Cup? You've been to two but didn't get a chance to play, what about this time?
If I can make it to the World Cup, if I can play and do well, that's certainly my goal. But if maybe it's because I'm older or it doesn't work out for some other reason, I'm not going to lose. It doesn't matter. Soccer is more than just the World Cup. If I can't go, I think I can enjoy my soccer career overseas.
◆Talking about life, you said in your circle of friends, "It's only a week since I came to Istanbul, and the boss of the fruit stand is already familiar with me buying fruits for 1020 yuan cheaper for me" Is the boss Chinese?
The owner is Turkish, Galatasaray is in Istanbul, it's a very famous team here, and a lot of people are fans of Galatasaray, so every time I wear a Galatasaray jersey to buy something, and then it's Chinese faces that come and go, and the owner knows me well enough to give me a cheap price or a little bit of fruit.
◆What preparations have been made for Turkey?
It's more about being prepared for life, more fully, I overpacked and brought a lot of daily essentials. I had an experience of studying abroad. If I come to this place for the first time, I may not be familiar with supermarkets and hotels. Therefore, there will be some trouble in buying daily necessities. Therefore, I will bring all the daily necessities with me for the next three months to make sure that I won't have any major living problems until I get familiar with this place.
