At dawn Beijing time, China's soccer player Li Lei embarked on a journey from Shanghai, destined for Zurich, Switzerland, via Vienna, Austria. After a short time with his family, he will embark on a European tour again. As Li Lei is about to return to the team, his Swiss club Grasshopper has just announced the signing of Japanese player Teruyuki Hara, a versatile defender who will undoubtedly make Li Lei face more fierce competition. Li Lei's contract with Grasshopper will expire at the end of June this year, and in the next six months, he not only has to do his best to prepare for the game, but also needs to think deeply about his future blueprint. The Grasshoppers finished all their 2022 tournaments last November 12, and Li Lei finally returned to his home country for a vacation at the end of November for the first time in 11 months since he left for his European tour on January 4 last year. Outside of the field, Li Lei is a family man who loves and enjoys life. Taking advantage of the holiday to spend quality time with his family, Li Lei arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on the evening of January 1 and flew to Zurich, where he is expected to arrive at noon local time on January 2, where he will spend the day on this long journey. Facing the challenge of 2023, Li Lei's pressure is no less than last year. Grasshoppers FC announced the loan of Japanese player Teruyuki Hara on December 30 last year, a defender who has made a name for himself in the J-League and has great potential for the future. The Grasshoppers already have three Japanese players in the squad, including young defender Ayumu Seguro, and the 31-year-old Li Lei will face even tougher competition, but he is keeping his cool. "From the day I stepped out of my house, I was ready for the challenge of facing difficulties far beyond my imagination. But since I have stepped out, I must face it positively. The only thing I can change is myself." Li Lei said this. According to the plan, the Grasshopper team will regroup on January 3, local time, and go to Spain for training on the 5th. Li Lei's contract with the Grasshoppers will expire at the end of June this year, and he needs to consider whether to stay in Europe or return to the Chinese Super League after his contract expires. The competition in the next six months will be an important basis for his decision. In addition, the new national soccer team will travel to New Zealand for training and warm-ups in March this year, and Li Lei, as the only active player studying abroad, may also be drafted in. In any case, he will have to prepare actively before the restart of the Swiss Super League (late January this year) to maintain his best form and try to impress the coaching staff.
