“I have made the decision to stay at Espanyol“he proclaimed this Monday Wu Lei in an ad that has drawn praise from fans parakeets of a lifetime, but that in Asia it has meant much more than that. With his words, the winner of the Chinese Ballon d'Or in its last two editions, 2018 and 2019, has not only slammed heated debates in his country. Has also given a pedagogy lesson.
Since Espanyol's descent was certified, and even before – when it was already coming – many of the Chinese fans became obsessed with the present and future of your idol. The present, in case from the western point of view would be held excessively responsible for the disaster season of Espanyol, since he committed some bulk flaws in the completion of plays and, due to its popularity in the Asian giant, cHe waved the parakeet team in quotes to play numerous games during a table time in which the results, certainly, did not accompany.
And as for the future, the dispute was over what suited not only Wu Lei but the country. Could China afford to have its best footballer play in a second division? Would it not be almost an obligation, for its international visibility, that militate in one of the 'big five' (the five major leagues in the world: Spanish, Italian, German, English and French)? He was even linked, without there being a demonstrable base, with some front-line club, such as the Wolverhampton Wanderers, which like Espanyol has a Chinese owner.
But no. Above convenience is commitment. Even the heart. “I have seen that many people were discussing what would be my next destination. But I really have been clear about my ideas for a long time,” said the player on Monday at the China Global Television Network. And it was not the first time that he pedagogied.
“One day we will not talk about whether a Chinese footballer should play in First or Second”
Wu Lei
Last July 10th, the day after LaLiga concluded, it issued a statement through social networks that in Spanish contained only a couple of paragraphs but in Chinese was more extensive. And there he already tried to explain in a veiled way to his fans that he would continue at Espanyol. And, above all, why. “I think there are many ways to improve Chinese football, but we still need to be satisfied and proud. But we have lost sight of the fact that European football has more than 100 years of history, “he wrote.
“When people talk about where should I play or not playSometimes it reflects both confidence and lack of trust. The day will come when we will not talk about whether a Chinese footballer should play in First or Second, because there will be both categories.. Then, we will really have confidence, “said Wu Lei, who has ended up speaking loudly and clearly to settle a state issue.