The Chinese and Brazilian football culture are very much intwined. To some this may seem like a bold statement, but for most people following modern day football this is no strange fact. Over the recent past we have seen a big increase in Brazilian nationals making the move to the Chinese mainland, all the way across the world. So why do these opposites attract?
To answer this question we have to zoom in a bit on some of these countries cultures and ambitions. In 2015 Chinese president Xi released his 50-step master plan to ensure maximum growth of Chinese football. Most of these steps were focused on developing the local facilities to such extent, that talented youngsters would develop to their full potential. Prime example of this is the construction of the worlds largest football facility in Guangzhou.
So the goal for China becomes very obvious. Find their place amongst footballs world elite together with countries like Brazil. Because the South American giants have been on top of the world for a long time now. In the process producing some of the worlds most famous athletes like Pele, Romario, and more recently Neymar. It is no surprise that football is the number one sport in Brazil.
But in order for the Chinese to go trough the same development they need more than just a strong national team. That is why some of the worlds biggest stars are being lured to the Chinese Super League. Recently Hulk (Zenit), Paulinho (Tottenham), and Alex Teixeira (Shaktar Donetsk) made the move. As a result of these and many more additions the Chinese national premier league has been gaining in strength. Beyond those previously mentioned, a total of 24 Brazilian nationals are currently active as a player in China’s top division.
To put that in perspective: the second most represented foreign nationality is South-Korea with 12 active players. And one of the reasons Korean nationals are so popular is because they are eligible for the +1 spot in China’s foreign players policy. This policy states that all teams can have at most 4 foreign players registered, +1 player from another AFC (Asian) country.
Over the years Brazil has outgrown all others when it comes to reinforcing the Super League. With the first arrival of Adilson dos Santos to legendary Dalian Shide back in 2004, a true exile of Brazilian players started. Today the number of Brazilians proving their luck in China has been run up to 167. Again, to provide some perspective: that is more than the total number of players from the whole continent of Africa – also a popular fishing pond for Chinese clubs.
For a country where football is the number one sport, Brazil sure seems eager to turn their local heroes into export products. As always in Brazilian football, the blame belongs to those in suits. More specific the club bosses and league officials who have failed to create the economic conditions that would allow teams to keep their best athletes. Most of the Brazilian players who leave their native country do so with a heavy hart, vowing they will return to their clubs.
The offers they are receiving from the far east are just too good to turn down – for both financial reasons and their footballing ambitions. Because it stands beyond doubt that the Super League has outgrown many other destinations in both competitiveness and working conditions. Where before the careers of those making the cross where written off instantly, these days more of a positive trend has been developing. To name an example: in the most recent Copa America two of the representatives for Brazil are currently active in the Chinese Super League and they were both starters.
With the Chinese football ever rising this positive trend is very likely to advance. The Super League will continue to expand and look around for talented athletes to build on. Only because of thorough scouting they are able to find players that are ready to carry the league and help with the development of the local talent already in place. As for now the Brazilian and China football connection will continue to be a very successful collaboration.
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