Zhang Linpeng did express that if he could only be used as a substitute player for a long time, he might choose to retire. This reflects his dissatisfaction with the current state of his career and the importance and love he has for the game.
On the one hand, Zhang Linpeng is a well-known player in Chinese football, who has represented the national team many times and has performed well. Recently, his position in SIPG's squad has been challenged, especially after a poor start against Luneng. Facing the media, Zhang Linpeng admitted that if he could only sit on the bench for a long time in the club, then he would consider retiring. Such a statement may be a dissatisfaction with the status quo, or it may be a desire to motivate yourself to be competitive in the team.
On the other hand, Zhang Linpeng's remarks caused a certain amount of controversy among fans, some people thought that it was an act of showdown with the club, and some people thought it was an emotional catharsis. It is worth noting that Zhang Linpeng also said that after the national team game, he felt that it was time to end his national team career, which also showed his serious attitude towards personal career planning.
Overall, as a veteran football player, Zhang Linpeng's choice will be based on thinking about his career and his passion for football. Whatever his decision, it deserves respect and understanding. At the same time, his attitude may also prompt the club to reflect and adjust its staffing and tactical arrangements in order to better realize the potential and value of each player.