Swiss Super League club Grasshopper has officially announced the introduction of 29-year-old Chinese national football full-back and Beijing Guoan player Wu Lei. Since then, the national football team has finally had another "stay in the ocean" player, and Li Lei has also become the second person in the national football team to stay in the ocean after Wu Lei. Under the Chinese Football Association's plan to stay in the West, Li Lei also became the first active international to "go out".
Of course, compared to the La Liga Espanyol team played by Wu Lei, Li Lei's Swiss grasshoppers joined this time are much less famous, and many fans who are not very old may even hear about this team for the first time. In addition, in Europe, the Swiss Super League level is not comparable to La Liga.
So, why did Li Lei choose to join such a team instead of landing directly in La Liga like Wu Lei? In a recent interview, Li Lei also gave a clear answer. Li Lei said that the fundamental reason why he did not play for the clubs of the five major leagues was that he felt that his level was not enough and he could not play the game.
"I feel like I'm going to the big five leagues and I'm not capable enough. Join the Swiss Super League, first go to see the level of play in the Second-Rate League in Europe. To be honest, now that I have gone to the five major leagues, if I can't play football at this age, then there is no point in staying in the Ocean. Li Lei said.
You know, in fact, if Li Lei wants to go to the five major leagues, then through today's operating means, he can completely join a team at the level of the five major leagues. Especially in La Liga, with the popularity of Wu Lei in the Chinese market, many clubs have targeted Chinese players, but they are suffering from the lack of suitable candidates. An active national footballer like Li Lei is not without a market in the five major leagues, especially considering the huge Far Eastern football sponsorship market behind him.
However, Li Lei, out of his own perspective, refused the temptation to go to the five major leagues to "gild", and it should be said that his mind is still very sober. After all, as China's best player, Wu Lei can only play as a substitute in La Liga; if Li Lei goes to the five major leagues, it is difficult to fight for a place for himself if he does not play against the sky. Therefore, choosing a league like the Swiss Super League may be "just right" for Chinese players.