Why does China's soccer always look inferior in table tennis, badminton, volleyball and tennis? Sports commentator Zhao Zhen hit the nail on the head: Zheng Qinwen saw Li Na win a Grand Slam and aspired to become a professional tennis player; Pan Zhanle vowed to surpass Sun Yang at the age of 10. This is exactly where the power of sports idols lies. Often, following their idols becomes the source of their faith in the rigors of training and their initial passion for sports. However, our soccer seems to have neither brilliant achievements nor dazzling idols.
Admittedly, there is truth in such a statement, but it is also too one-sided.
Women's soccer, on the other hand, has had great success in recent years and has been full of icons.
In the 1996 Olympics, the Chinese women's soccer team reached the final for the first time, almost beating the United States to win the gold medal; in the 2022 Asian Cup, the Chinese women's soccer team won the title by defeating Japan and South Korea; and between 1986 and 1999, the Chinese women's soccer team won the Asian Cup for seven consecutive times. Aren't these Asian titles something to be proud of? Furthermore, Wang Shuang's role as a star of women's soccer is unquestionable.
In comparison, the performance of the men's soccer team is indeed worrying. Since the 2002 World Cup, China's men's soccer team has had no success. When it comes to idols, there are almost no vacancies, and none of the top Asian players such as Yung Chi-Hsing, Lin Qiang, Fan Zhiyi, etc.; Zhang Yuning, who has both strength and idol, is also hard to find. Nowadays, the national team players level mediocrity, professional players off the field negative news frequently.
Even though, young boys playing soccer can follow the example of Ronaldo and Messi, they lack a sense of identity and honor. It would be a very different scene if our country could produce outstanding players such as Sun Xing and Li Gangren, who, like South Korea and Japan, beat Germany and Spain in the World Championships.
If we manage to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, I'm sure countless children will fall in love with soccer and take up the sport. Parents will also support their children. The impact and effect would far exceed the gold medals won by table tennis, swimming and even tennis at the Olympics. After all, soccer is truly the number one sport in the world.
