According to an exclusive disclosure by Soccer Daily, heavy news came on June 12: the national soccer team will grandly host Zheng Zhi's retirement celebration on June 16, during its showdown with Myanmar.
Zheng Zhi, a shining star in Chinese soccer, has worn the national team's uniform and served as the team's leader. Back on June 2, 2018, he completed his 100th game milestone with the national team in a warm-up match away to Thailand. Immediately following that, his national team career came to a close on January 25, 2019, in a quarterfinal match against Iran in the Asian Cup. According to official figures, Zheng Zhi's contribution to the national team accumulated to 108 matches.
At club level, Zheng Zhi played his final game for Guangzhou against Changchun Yatai on January 1, 2022, in the 21st round of the 2021 season. Although he remained on the roster for the 2022 season, he did not play, and in 2023, when Jankovic took over as coach of the national soccer team, Zheng Zhi transitioned into an assistant coach role.
As a result of the epidemic, the last time the national soccer team made an international appearance at home was back in May 2021, when it played Guam in Suzhou in a World Cup qualifying Asian Zone 40 match. Zheng Zhi was still present as part of the players for that match. After that, the national football team failed to hold any international matches at home, and missed the opportunity to hold a retirement ceremony for Zheng Zhi. on June 16, the decorated player, who was both the captain of the national team and an assistant coach, finally had his own retirement ceremony. The CFA made careful preparations and organized a timely and warm celebration, witnessing the inheritance and continuation of the spirit of soccer.
