In the early morning hours of March 1, a flagship figure of Chinese soccer, Wang Song, the player with the highest number of career appearances in the top league, announced on his own media platform the shocking news that his two-year contract with Sichuan Jiuniu Ubiquitous had come to a successful end. Although he regrets not being able to contribute more to Sichuan soccer last season, he is confident that he will keep his original intention and move forward no matter where he is in the future. In the face of the recent storm in the Chinese Super League about salary arrears and salary restrictions, Wang Song said that although he understands, but the high salary is not the key, the construction of soccer infrastructure is fundamental.
Born on October 12, 1983 in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, Wang Song was discovered by Li Bing in 1998 and joined Sichuan Quanxing, where he spent seven seasons before moving to Chengdu Sheffield United, where he helped the team get promoted to the Chinese Football Association Super League in the 2007 season. Since then, he has played for Guangzhou R&F and Jiangsu Suning, becoming one of the leading midfielders in Chinese soccer and an important member of the national team.
As the record holder of 417 appearances in the top flight, Wang Song enjoys a high reputation in the industry. His feat of scoring in all 16 seasons is legendary. It is worth noting that this record is not exclusive to him, as Cao Yang also unlocked the achievement in the final game of his career. Given Wang Song's statement at the end of the 2019 season, it's widely believed that it's only a matter of time before he surpasses Cao Yang and takes sole ownership of the record.
Although Wang Song held on to the 2021 season, he failed to appear on Sichuan Jiuniu's roster due to tensions with celebrity and coach Li Yi, and had to train alone to maintain his competitive status. He was teased by netizens, "Wang Song's sky is dark!" However, during the summer window of last season, he joined Hebei Kung Fu Football Club on loan and led the team to a successful run to the first division. He created another Chinese soccer record, scoring goals for 20 consecutive seasons, which is rare among midfielders.
At the stroke of midnight on February 28, Wang Song announced that he was once again a free agent. He wrote on his self media, "With the clock striking twelve, my two-year contract with Sichuan Jiuniu Ubiquitous has come to an end! Special thanks to the Ubiquity owner and management who brought me back to this team and the start of my soccer career, and to the JiuNiu club for their professionalism! At the same time, I am happy to have spent time with my teammates, coaches and staff over the past year, and I wish you all the best wherever you are in the future!
"In this year or so in Jiuniu, my biggest regret is that last year, for some reason, I was not able to wear the yellow robe more often and show myself in front of the many Sichuan fans and friends who supported me. But fortunately, I found that joy and fulfillment in Hebei Kungfu! I will continue to work hard in the future to find my love and dedication to soccer, and no matter where the future takes me, I will pursue my beginnings and continue to move forward in this world of soccer."
In recent years, the "golden dollar era" of Chinese soccer is gradually coming to an end, a number of Chinese Super League clubs last season appeared in arrears of wages, the international footballer Artemisia Junmin has also through the media to Wuhan team to ask for wages. As the promoter of the "golden dollar soccer", Guangzhou team this season players limited to 600,000 yuan, only one-tenth of the peak period of the main force.
As for the problem of salary arrears and salary restrictions in Chinese soccer, Wang Song was blunt: "The problem of salary arrears exists not only in the Chinese Super League, but also in the whole soccer circle. Economic difficulties can be understood, I believe that the players and clubs can work together to get through the difficulties, but the players, as a vulnerable group, do not want the eventual arrears to become irrecoverable dead accounts. To make up the arrears of wages is the key, which is also a reflection of the contractual constraints and moral character, but also respect for the youth and sweat of the players!"
Wang Song said: "The salary limit is mainly to cope with the previous bubble investment pressure, social opinion and the phenomenon of high salary and low ability. It is understandable and necessary to make restrictions in the short term when the general environment permits. However, healthy club development requires blood production, combined with market value, which is the development law of professional soccer. Restricting the income may dampen the confidence of many parents to let their children engage in soccer. What really raises the level is not high wages, but the issue of infrastructure."
With the arrival of March on the solar calendar, it is still unknown when the new season of the Chinese soccer league will start. As a legend in the soccer world, Wang Song's strength is undoubted, and his future path is also in the spotlight. Let's expect him to create new legends!
