Zhu Baojie Interview: Sichuan Jiuniu's Road to Transcendence
Sichuan Jiuniu's superstar Zhu Baojie revealed in an exclusive interview with Oriental Sports Daily that he and his team's determination to go above and beyond is unwavering despite the challenges encountered on the road to pursuing their dreams. His soccer career began at Shanghai Shenhua, where he carried his dream, although he retired from the game with regrets.
In the 2023 season, Sichuan Jiuniu won the Central League Championship, and veteran Zhu Baojie was honored with the title of Central League Assist Champion with 28 appearances, contributing an outstanding performance of 1 goal and 10 assists.
Zhu Baojie expressed his excitement when he talked about how he felt about reaching the Super League three rounds ahead of schedule. He recalled that when he joined the team, he never thought that he would be able to reach the Super League, but after 17 years, China's top soccer league finally has a new army with the title of "Sichuan", which makes him feel extremely excited.
In fact, the team's goal of surpassing the target set at the beginning of the year went through many setbacks, but the feat was eventually accomplished ahead of schedule. According to Zhu Baojie, the team's unity and selfless dedication were the key to success.
Regarding the turmoil at the beginning of the season, Zhu Baojie said that after in-depth discussions with the management, he saw the team's ambition and determination to go beyond. He emphasized that the team's goal is very clear, and that it must achieve transcendence this year, which will also greatly benefit the growth of young players.
Zhu Baojie said he chose to join the Sichuan Jiu Niu team because the club's plans and ideals impressed him. He praised the club's sustainability and development of young players.
City Football Group's focus on the Chinese soccer market and its successes around the world also gives him confidence in the team. He believes that the team's championship and transcendent achievements in the First Division have been remarkable, despite not currently being in the top division.
Sichuan Jiuiu team never owes wages, which also makes Zhu Baojie feel at ease. The management of the club solved various problems for them before the matches, and this kind of care made the players feel the warmth of home.
Talking about the possibility of the team surpassing, Zhu Baojie believes it is a natural outcome. He praised the management's decision-making and thinking about the team's development.
Zhu Baojie also shared his regrets about Shenhua and his 17-year career in Chinese soccer. He lamented that his career has given him a deep understanding of the meaning of "letting nature take its course" and expressed his gratitude to all those who have supported him.
