Li Ming (footballer, born 2000)

Li Ming (Chinese: 李明; born 21 January 2000), is a Chinese footballer who plays as a forward for Guangzhou City.

Li Ming
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-01-21) 21 January 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth Qingdao, Shandong, China
Position(s) Forward, midfielder
Team information
Current team
Guangzhou City
Youth career
2010 Qingdao Luyin
2011 Qingdao
2012 Qingdao Zhongneng
2013 Qingdao FA
2013–2018 Atlético Madrid
2017–2018Alcalá (youth loan)
2019–2021 Guangzhou City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Guangzhou City 0 (0)
2021Sichuan Minzu (loan) 2 (0)
International career
2013 China U14
2013 China U15
2015 China U16
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:14, 30 January 2023 (UTC)

Club career

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Born in Qingdao, Shandong, Li started playing football as a child, joining his primary school football team at the age of ten, the same year he joined Qingdao Luyin.[1] In 2011, his performances at the Mayor's Cup drew the attention of football fans throughout China, where he was described as "Maradonna-possessed" by a commentator, as well as earning the nickname "Qingdao little Messi", for his immense performances, scoring numerous goals and being noted for his dribbling ability.[2] He was also recruited into the Qingdao team in the same year.[1]

He once again garnered national attention the following year, this time for his performances at a primary school championship final, where he scored four goals and recorded one assist in a 5–2 victory.[3]

In 2013, Li was selected for the Wanda Group's "China's Future Football Star" initiative, to encourage the development of young Chinese players.[1][3] He joined the academy of Atlético Madrid, progressing through the youth ranks and representing the club at under-17 level.[2] However, despite a promising start in Madrid, he was loaned to RSD Alcalá for the 2017–18 season, making eleven appearances for the under-19s.[1]

He returned to China at the beginning of 2019, signing with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou City.[1]

International career

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At the age of thirteen, Geng received call-ups to both the under-14 and under-15 national teams.[3] He was called up to the Chinese under-16 team in 2015.[1]

Personal life

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Li is of Korean ethnicity.[3]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 30 January 2023.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Guangzhou City 2021 Chinese Super League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sichuan Minzu (loan) 2021 China League Two 2 0 1[a] 0 0 0 3 0
Career total 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Notes
  1. ^ Appearances in the Chinese FA Cup

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f ""青岛小梅西":经历风雨,再见彩虹" ["Qingdao Little Messi": After experiencing the wind and rain, goodbye to the rainbow]. new.qq.com (in Chinese). 3 April 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b "青岛"小梅西"当年多火?15岁留洋西甲马竞,现成富力未来之星" [How popular was "Little Messi" in Qingdao? At the age of 15, he studied abroad in La Liga Atletico Madrid, ready-made R&F future star]. toutiao.com (in Chinese). 24 March 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "中国足球怪事!小将12岁成名,循孙兴慜模式留洋,却撞上了一堵墙" [Chinese football weirdness! The teenager became famous at the age of 12, followed the Son Heung-min model to study abroad, but hit a wall]. sohu.com (in Chinese). 25 March 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2023.