Tag: China

Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, and Pepe attempt to speak Chinese

Pandering to a developing market in celebration of the Chinese New Year


As one of the big clubs that never misses an opportunity to demonstrate a passing interest in a region they’d like to take more money from, Real Madrid put together an odd video to commemorate the Chinese New Year. In it, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, and Pepe sit down for a meal with a Chinese family, where each player utters an assigned phrase in Chinese.

That’s all fine and good. But what really jumps out as strange is how the kid wearing a Real Madrid shirt at the beginning of the video is apparently so bored that he’s playing drums with his chop sticks. When they get taken away from him, he sulks, apparently oblivious to the fact that CRISTIANO RONALDO, SERGIO RAMOS, MARCELO, AND PEPE ARE SITTING RIGHT ACROSS THE TABLE FROM HIM!

How is he not more enamored by this fact? Are they just over at his house for dinner so often that they’re just a part of the furniture at this point?

That said, I could listen to Sergio Ramos try to speak Chinese all day.


Oscar is a piano player in a Shanghai mall now

The unfathomable greed of modern footballers goes too far

(Oscar/Twitter)

Remember Oscar, the former Chelsea player who recently moved to Shanghai SIPG for £400,000 a week? Well, now he has apparently taken up a side job as a piano player in a mall, showing just has deep his unquenchable thirst for money runs.

Oscar posted a video of himself performing his new side gig on his Twitter account and it looks like no one in the mall (except for the person filming) paid much mind to the Brazil international at the piano.

So what’s next for Oscar? A job working the night shift at a fast food restaurant? Taxi driver? Janitor at a public swimming pool? When will enough be enough?


https://upscri.be/16bb19/

Shanghai Shenhua make big money offer to Santiago Muñez of the Goal! films

The Chinese Super League’s investment in foreign stars extends to fictional characters


Shanghai Shenhua have made an audacious offer of €20 million per season to fictitious Mexico international Santiago Muñez. Portrayed by actor Kuno Becker, Muñez played for Newcastle United and Real Madrid in the Goal! trilogy, released between 2005 and 2009, turning the character into an internationally beloved star. Now Becker is weighing up taking Muñez out of retirement to play for Shenhua.

“After playing Santi in three films, I thought I was finished with the character,” the 38-year-old Becker said when asked about the offer. “And when my agent first told me about Shenhua’s proposal, I didn’t believe him. But I spoke to the club’s executives and Gus Poyet, the manager, and I’m impressed by their belief in this project. I’m still not sure how it would work since I’m not actually a footballer, but it’s difficult to ignore the money they’re offering.”

Shenhua have already paid Disney a transfer fee of €60 million for the rights to the character and it is believed Becker would be required to answer only to “Santiago Muñez” or “Santi” both on and off the pitch for the duration of the Chinese Super League season.

This move follows the signing of Carlos Tevez to a contract that reportedly makes him the highest paid player in the world. It also comes amidst rumors that Guangzhou Evergrande have put in a bid for animated character Captain Tsubasa and Shanghai SIPG are looking to make Gunnersaurus the world’s highest paid mascot.


https://upscri.be/16bb19

Chinese Super League clubs paying big money for prime talent because they can

(Guangzhou Evergrande)
(Guangzhou Evergrande)

Chinese Super League clubs have used the winter transfer window to break Asian spending records on a near daily basis. And unlike most other leagues outside the European elite looking for rapid growth, they’re doing it by snagging valuable players in their primes from top clubs rather than stars pushing back retirement or young unknowns from South American leagues.

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U.S. women lose at home for first time since 2004 in Abby Wambach’s last game

What was supposed to be a joyous celebration of Abby Wambach’s legendary career proved historic for a second reason as the U.S. lost 1-0 to China at home. This loss ended the World Cup winners’ 24-match unbeaten streak overall and astonishing 104-match unbeaten streak at home. Their last home loss was in November 2004 to Denmark, just three years after Wambach made her international debut.

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Paulinho scores ridiculous free kick from distance to taunt Spurs

Paulinho didn’t score once in 15 Premier League appearances for Tottenham last season, but eight weeks after joining Guangzhou Evergrande, he did this.

One of two things is happening here. Either he developed an intense hatred for Spurs during his two unsuccessful seasons there and is now fueled by that, or China has weaponized Paulinho. Or maybe China hates Spurs and that’s why they’ve weaponized Paulinho? I don’t know. But there’s definitely an intense revenge/Bionic Man angle at play here.