China is investing heavily in football, drawing top talent and coaches to improve its national league, driven by President Xi Jinping’s vision of elevating its status and using the sport as a tool for nationalism. The nation seeks to host the FIFA World Cup and aims for world champion status by 2050.

China is actively transforming its football landscape, attracting substantial investment from wealthy owners and drawing top players and coaches from Europe. This initiative is part of a broader effort to elevate its national league and shape future talent through newly established football academies. The surge in football enthusiasm can be largely traced back to President Xi Jinping, who prioritizes the sport as a promoter of Chinese nationalism and global stature.

Original Source: www.france24.com