Hou Yongyong, a naturalized player who has just joined Norwegian League side Lanheim, recently spoke to Norwegian TV channel TV 2 to reflect on his career in China over the past four years, which the media described as "both heaven and hell".
Speaking to the Norwegian media, Hou Yongyong recounted his first contact with Chinese football, and in 2018, when he showed his talent at the Stabek club, Beijing Guoan decided to bring him to China and arranged a short trip for him.
"They started with some crazy ideas, like asking me to change to a Chinese passport or something. For me, everything is so crazy and exciting. A new culture, a new teammate, I was 20 years old. It excites me very, very much.
"You know, it takes a long time to apply for a Chinese visa, and I had a transit visa, which allowed me to stay in China for 24 hours and then I had to leave. My shortest stay was about 12 hours and then I came back. The journey was longer than I was there. After obtaining a Chinese passport, 20-year-old Hou Yongyong embarked on a journey he will never forget.
At the beginning of this year, the 25-year-old Hou Yongyong returned to Lanheim to start a new daily life, which is far from what he has experienced in China:
"Everything that happened to me was originally distant to me, and I pinched myself to realize it was true. In less than a year, I went from playing Nadrud, who was only 4,000 at the best time, to playing in front of 55,000 people in Beijing, which was crazy, and I was completely immersed in it, it was a great experience. ”
"I came from Stabek to a place with top facilities, top coaches, more than the players, you have everything you need and a real professional life in everyday life, which is very interesting for me at 20 years old."
At the same time, Chinese clubs have money burning in their pockets, and stars from all over the world want to join the Chinese Super League under the lure of sky-high salaries.
"When I came here in 2019 [in the Chinese Super League], it was really a culture shock. China's economy means you can get access to some crazy stars. I remember the first game I played, with Hulk standing next to me and Oscar on the court. When you have players like that, the level of the league is greatly improved. ”
For Hou Yongyong, another big increase is his salary, in less than half a year, Hou Yongyong earned the money he could only earn in Norway for a year, and spent a year's salary to buy a new watch:
"Before I went to China, I wasn't very interested in watches, just to the extent that they were fine. Then when I got to China, I was a little surprised when I saw that everyone on the team was interested in it, they were very interested in watches, and then I was more and more interested myself. He then bought an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph for 383,000 crowns (about 250,000 yuan).
After suddenly having so much money, Hou Yongyong said:
"It means that it's easy for you to change and become a slightly different person, that is, a little bit 'arrogant,' with a change in personality. But I feel like I'm handling it well, I'm still the same person I used to be. When you're in your 20s and there's an opportunity in front of you that can make a complete difference in your life, it's easy to make a decision. ”
Despite buying the watch, Hou firmly stated that he had a sensible approach to his private finances:
"Luckily I have nice people around me and I think I'm good at (financial management) too. I always get help when I need it. I didn't completely lose my mind, I didn't go completely crazy, and I got help from around me throughout the process, which helped me a lot. ”
After returning to Norway, it does not mean that Hou Yongyong has cut off all ties with China, because during the epidemic, the economy of Chinese football clubs collapsed and began to stop paying salaries.
"I was owed wages for a year, and I still have some money, and I hope I can get this money back, but they have given several deadlines and the results have not been met, so let's wait and see, whether the probability of me not getting the money is five or five or seven or three (laughs)."
It is reported that Hou Yongyong is owed millions of dollars, and even with the help of a lawyer, it will be difficult for the 25-year-old to get his salary back.
"If I had a Norwegian passport, I might have received the money, but as a Chinese player it's hard. As a Chinese player, you don't have a chance to appeal to FIFA, so if I want to go further to collect my salary, I will go to the Chinese Football Association, and then things will be a little bit like this: Do you say they should help me, or do they help one of the biggest clubs in China? It's not so easy when you're a Chinese player. ”
At the end of the interview, Hou Yongyong said that he was not too worried about whether the money owed in China would be obtained, and the most important thing now was to find the fun of football.
"In a way, this [joining Lanheim] is a new beginning for me. Everything about Lanheim and Trondheim will be a new start in my football career. I just turned 25 and I'm not old, so I still have time and I think life is going on a good side. ”
Hou has only played seven minutes since September 2020, but believes he is still at the level he once was: "I'm still the same player I used to be, but I've been out for too long due to injury. For me, I just need to keep myself healthy and don't have to worry about getting hurt while running. If I can do that and at the same time get back the money I want to get back, this year will be great. ”
In addition, he said that at some point in the future, the door to new Chinese adventures will open again: "I feel that I have grown during this time [four years in China], and I can go back with a new attitude, with more experience, a stronger mind and a stronger body." Although the past few years have been really tough, I think I will come again when I have the opportunity.
文章节选自《Chinese millionfest ended with legal aid - now a Trøndersk "fjære" 》,
https://www.tv2.no/sport/fotball/kinesisk-millionfest-endte-med-advokathjelp-na-venter-ei-trondersk-fjaere/15494012/
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