Wu Lei's soccer journey
At about 9:30 p.m. on the evening of May 19, after returning from Spain, testing and isolation of Wu Lei, was placed in Gusu closed bubble type transit to China's men's football World Preliminary Round 40 resident hotel, at the same time, the national football team coached by Li Tie also arrived at the same time.
Tracing back to March 30, 2019, Wu Lei made his debut as a La Liga player in the Catalonia Derby, and even though the tournament ended in failure, countless Chinese fans lamented over the fact that, "Lionel Messi, Wu Lei has really come a long way to stand in front of you!"
On May 18, 2021, Wu Lei's flight landed at Shanghai Pudong Airport, a full 579 days since his last return. Once again as a member of the national soccer team, Wu Lei also experienced a long journey.
According to the time line, review the major events after Wu Lei's return to his home country, witness how this "only college student in the village" walks through the road back home, to show his style to the fans who love soccer.
First break into the Western Conference Time: January 28, 2019
At the beginning of 2019, Wu Lei participated in the Asian Cup on behalf of the national football team, and despite a shoulder fracture, he still fought with the injury and helped the team get out of the line smoothly. On January 28 of the same year, he officially transferred from Shanghai SIPG to La Liga club Espanyol.
Due to the intensity of the tournament, Wu Lei treated his injury conservatively, but still scored three goals and one assist in the second half of La Liga to help his team advance to the UEFA Cup.
A Teacher's Favor Time: June 15, 2019
After half a La Liga season of wonderful performance, as the only Chinese player in Europe's top five leagues, Wu Lei returned to Shanghai the first time to take his wife and a pair of children to Chongming Island Gembao soccer base, to visit his mentor Xu Genbao.
After the end of the vacation back to Spain, Wu Lei did not expect, due to the impact of the epidemic, again back to the country even have to wait a long 579 days.
Goal Barcelona Time: January 5, 2020
Compared to the first season of smooth sailing, Wu Lei stayed in the "second year" career due to frequent changes in the team's marshal and ups and downs. In the Wu Lei play skill characteristics of the skipper Ruby left, the Spaniards a season changed four head coach, but still hard to escape the fate of relegation. Wu Lei's La Liga games played intermittently, constantly subject to the new requirements of the new coach.
The only highlight of this season, and one thing Wu Lei can be proud of, is that he broke Barcelona's goal in the Catalan derby and equalized the score for his team. This goal fully demonstrated Wu Lei's speed and ability to run the ball.
Victory over the new crown Time: March 2020
On March 21, 2020, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) confirmed that Wu Lei, who now plays for La Liga club Espanyol, had been diagnosed with the new coronavirus. Wu Lei then posted a video on his personal social media, stating that he was in quarantine at his home in Spain, in good spirits, and that his symptoms had largely disappeared.
Wu Lei also revealed in Wu Lei weekly journal, his wife also infected with the new crown. He said: "Look at the accompaniment of my wife is still some symptoms, we are now experiencing, can be said to be the most difficult moment of life so far, before going abroad which would have thought that the road to stay in the ocean will be full of this test of life, human beings in the face of nature is so small, compared to the rankings of the soccer field winners and losers is even more so minuscule, wait until the reopening of the day! I'm going to enjoy this rebirth on the field."
Lowveld Renewal Time: August 17, 2020
After recovering, Wu Lei also found his competitive status. Although the Spaniards were relegated to the West B, Wu Lei chose not to leave the team when it fell into the doldrums. Spaniards club 17 officially announced with our international player Wu Lei renewed contract, the new contract will expire on June 30, 2024.
Renewal of Wu Lei said in an open letter to the fans, "I think, when one day, people no longer discuss a Chinese player is to play the European mainstream league, or perhaps the sub-level league, when the European countries of all levels of the field have Chinese players running figure, China's national soccer will hit the bottom of the heart really confident up! "
Return to La Liga Time: May 8, 2021
"It's great that we're back!" Wu Lei exclaimed on social media on May 9, Beijing time, after the Spaniards returned to La Liga four rounds ahead of schedule. Three of the six images posted by Wu Lei were of him clenching his fists as he roared, a moment of pressure release.
Playing in the Western Second League, Wu Lei has gradually transitioned from starting at the beginning of the season to playing the role of a substitute odd man out due to a combination of injuries and illnesses. Wu Lei made 31 appearances in the Liga B this season, including 8 starts and the remaining 23 as a substitute, scoring 2 goals. As a member of the team, Wu Lei contributed to the Spaniards' return to La Liga.
After the game, the Spaniards and the hardcore fans celebrated together, Wu Lei shouted "I like you" in Spanish, and the hardcore fans sang "Wu Lei's song" in response. The fans thanked Wu Lei from the bottom of their hearts for his loud singing, which is undoubtedly the best reward for his perseverance in staying in the world.
Finally back home Time: May 18, 2021
At 10 o'clock on May 18, after a 12-hour long-distance flight, the IB2821 flight that Wu Lei took landed at Pudong International Airport. This is after starting to return to Spain on October 17, 2019, Wu Lei returned to the country again after 579 days.
After returning home, Wu Lei updated his personal microblog, lamenting the maturity of the domestic epidemic prevention system. Wu Lei wrote: "18 months, after the epidemic finally returned to the country, from last night's entry to the present, felt the domestic epidemic prevention system of prudent and orderly. Also appreciate our country's firm and meticulous attitude towards prevention and control. This is the strongest guarantee for everyone's health! From getting off the plane to entering the hotel, every step of the way, such an organized system, I firmly believe that our country is the only country in the world that can do it! How many frontline staff members have persevered and worked in between. Comparing some of the difficulties encountered on the way back home, they are the ones who worked the hardest and deserve the most respect! Greetings to them!"
On the evening of the 19th, Wu Lei arrived in Gusu, and the national football team will be combined and stationed in the tournament area, and then with our national team to prepare for the 4 games of the World Preliminary 40 matches. Let's look forward to Wu Lei, the Chinese national team have a wonderful performance.
