🏆 Football fans worldwide are saying goodbye to a trailblazer: Ai Kesen (Elkeson), the Chinese Super League icon and first foreign-born player to represent China’s national team, announced his retirement today at 36. His emotional social media post marked the end of an era for Asian football.
Born in Brazil, Ai rewrote history in 2019 by joining Team China 🇨🇳 through naturalization – without Chinese ancestry – becoming a symbol of football’s evolving global identity. His record speaks volumes: 4 goals and 3 assists during China’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers campaign. 🥅
⚡ From Rio to Guangzhou: Ai’s CSL journey began in 2012 with Guangzhou Evergrande, where he clinched back-to-back league titles and China’s first AFC Champions League trophy 🏆 in 2013. After stints with Shanghai Port, a Brazilian return, and final games with Chengdu Rongcheng, he leaves with:
🌟 5 CSL titles
⚡ 2 AFC Champions League wins
🔥 1 CFA Super Cup
While critics debated his trailblazing role, Ai told Global Times in 2020: ‘My heart beats for China. This is home now.’ 🇨🇳 As grassroots Chinese football develops, his legacy as a boundary-breaking icon is secure. What’s next for the striker-turned-ambassador? We’re keeping our DMs open. 👀
