Wu Lei, global star: 4,450 euros for three shirts

Wu Lei is a global player, icon in China and Ballon d’Or in his country twice. In moments in which audiences or impact of LaLiga footballers are measured, the Espanyol forward is always in the lead, at the height of players like Karim Benzema in the present or Leo Messi in the past. The latest example is the auction to raise funds for the dramatic aftermath of the volcano in La Palma in the #LaLigaconLaPalma initiative.

The auction ended this afternoon after three weeks in which fans could bid on the players’ jerseys in the last few days. Espanyol has finally raised 8,328 euros of which 4,450 correspond to the Chinese striker, whose three shirts have been sold for 2,200, 1,450 and 800 euros. Far behind the rest of the players. 414 euros have been paid for RdT, 340 for Sergi Darder and 289 for Diego López, who this Wednesday celebrates his 40th anniversary.

Espanyol has been one of the Primera clubs that has raised the most thanks to the pull of Wu Lei. His three shirts have been sold in China, where he has millions of followers who have not missed the opportunity to have a memory of their idol. None of the current Barcelona players has reached that amount: Frankie de Jong has reached 2,750 euros. Karim Benzema’s has reached 4,200 euros.

The initiative has left other curiosities in Espanyol. Darder’s jersey has traveled to France. The main bids came from the neighboring country, where the midfielder played for Olympique de Lyon until his arrival at the Parakeet club in 2017. Those of Óscar Melendo and Nico Melamed, for 285 and 200 euros, have gone to Japan, a country that both players could represent due to their smallness and style of play. Both have sold more than Adrián Embarba, whose shirt has been tendered for 197 euros.