During the Golden Yuan era of Chinese football, many top players chose to go to clubs with more lucrative money. However, Du Zhenyu, the former Chinese Footballer of the Year, chose a different path. In a recent interview with Wang Wei, a reporter from Football Daily, Du Zhenyu shared some of his thoughts and memories, especially about why he did not choose to join Guangzhou Evergrande, a Chinese league team that was newly promoted at the time.
Du Zhenyu said: "Actually, Evergrande looked for me when I first participated in the Chinese League, but I didn't go. For those of us who have been trained by Changchun Yatai, feelings always come first. Some of our Yatai players are really dedicated to this city and this team. Du Zhenyu's words reflect his pure love for football and his adherence to the original value of football, even in the face of the temptation of money, he can maintain his original intention.
Talking about the experience of never going abroad, Du Zhenyu said: "At that time, I was contacted by many clubs in Europe, including teams in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Ligue 1. The last time was Manchester City in the Premier League, and the visas were all done, but in the end it didn't happen. Despite this, he admits that he is very envious of the players at Evergrande back then, because they have the opportunity to work with world-class coaches and foreign aids, and have gained rich experience and valuable lessons.
When looking back on these unfinished career opportunities, Du Zhenyu seemed a little emotional: "If I could persist back then, maybe my career would have a different scenery." But many of the decisions we made at the time were not up to us. His words reveal a reflection on past choices, and at the same time reflect a deep helplessness and acceptance of his career.
Although Du's career path did not lead him to the international giants, he still left a deep mark on the Chinese football scene and continues to develop new talent for Chinese football as an assistant coach in Guangxi Pingguo Hayi. His experiences and perspectives remind us that the world of football is not just about glittering halos and huge transfer fees, but also about a deep understanding of loyalty, love and sacrifice. (Lao Qiu Super League Ball Review)