Legendary Striker
Wu Lei (1979-), Chinese footballer
a flashy turn
La Liga, Inspire China
women's soccer
Players to stay in the ocean feat.
On August 12, 2022, at nightfall in Beijing, Wu Lei, who officially bid farewell to La Liga, said a heartfelt farewell on social media platforms in both Chinese and Western languages.
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Fans. Although the three and a half years of staying in the ocean has come to an end, but Wu Lei in La Liga's mark has been deep in the hearts of the fans, his struggle continues to inspire Tang Jiali, Shen Mengyu and Wang Shuang and other Chinese players with the dream of staying in the ocean to go forward.
"Dear 'parrots', the parting of the heart is full of love. Over the past three years, my mind repeatedly echoed from the team's initial entry into the UEFA, the group stage out of the line, to the fierce battle with Barcelona, and then the team's relegation and promotion, in the Bernabeu to witness Real Madrid's victory in the championship, every moment is like a dream, real and beautiful." Wu Lei was overwhelmed with emotion and mentioned that the most memorable fan interaction was after the team broke into the UEFA Cup, the fans flooded into the venue to celebrate the victory with the players, lifting Wu Lei high in the air.
As he packed his bags for his homecoming, fans recognizing Wu Lei were everywhere in the streets, restaurants and supermarkets of Barcelona, wishing him all the best for the future. Wu Lei said: "Since the moment I stepped on this land, I have felt the love and passion of the fans, and I will always remember it in my heart. Love you all forever.
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It's my home team forever and I'll always be a part of the Parrots."
Wu Lei also made a special trip to the base to say goodbye to his teammates and staff, holding the China Golden Ball Award trophy as he walked into the
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home, looking around the stadium that witnessed his laughter and tears, and in the end he left the trophy here. In the club's official interview, Wu Lei summarized the more than 1,200 days of his career as a foreigner, with both joys and regrets, but he believes that the most important thing is the value of this personal experience.
Wu Lei will soon return home and, not surprisingly, he will represent Shanghai Harbour in the Chinese Super League in September. Although Wu Lei has ended his career as a foreigner, his story of struggle continues to inspire Chinese players who follow their dreams. Shanghai women's soccer striker Tang Jiali, after finishing her stay in the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur, recently joined Spanish women's soccer club CFF Madrid, becoming the first Chinese women's soccer player to land in La Liga. Tang Jiali forwarded the news of Wu Lei's return to Shanghai Harbor on social media platforms and said, "You are a legend and have proven yourself. I am now coming to Spain to take your baton, and I hope we can plant the flag and pass on the experience of staying in the ocean for Chinese women's soccer. The dream remains the same, and the future is promising. May we, and may the Chinese women's soccer team get better and better!"
Shen Mengyu, who is also a Shanghai player, specially sent his blessing to Wu Lei during his stay at Celtic in the Scottish Premier League: "Welcome Lei home! From the time you stayed in the ocean, you are the 'hope of the whole village', never stopping, has always been the target of my study. I also want to be like you, to go farther, see a brighter light. May all things prevail and all be well!" Shen Mengyu is a highly talented midfielder who was shut down by the South Korean coach during her time with the national youth team, before choosing to stay abroad to improve herself and become a potential organizational midfielder for the Chinese women's football team.
Like Wu Lei, Wang Frost of the Chinese women's soccer team is unique and far superior in the professional league. Despite being more comfortable playing domestically, Wang Frost has also recently chosen to stay overseas again. Recently, the Chinese women's soccer team officially released a video that recorded Wang Frost saying goodbye to all the Chinese women's soccer team members who were practicing in the United States. Previously, Wang Frost officially joined the Louisville Athletic Club of the NWSL in the United States, following the South Korea and France to stay in the ocean, to start their third overseas soccer journey. It is reported that Wang Frost will wear the No. 77 gown, and the two sides signed a contract until the end of 2023.
With Wu Lei's return to Shanghai Harbour, Chinese men's soccer players playing in Europe's top five leagues have achieved dynamic zero. However, Chinese women's soccer girls have taken over the flag of staying in the ocean, including Wang Frost, Tang Jiali, Shen Mengyu and so on, at present, there are 8 Chinese women's soccer girls staying in the European and American leagues. It is believed that Wu Lei's outstanding performance in La Liga will have an incentive effect on Chinese women's football international players to adhere to the road of staying in the ocean, and the twists and turns he encountered in the process of staying in the ocean will also provide a reference and inspiration for those who come after him.
