Shuai Weihao (No.21) plays against Bangladesh during the 2026 Asian Football Confederation U-17 Asian Cup in Chongqing on November 30, 2025. The athlete struck twice in the first half and completed a hat-trick to help China win 4-0. Photo: VCG

At a time when Chinese football is searching for its next generation of stars, Shuai Weihao's rapid rise has drawn attention from fans and coaches alike.

Seventeen-year-old forward Shuai has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in Chinese football after a breakthrough 2025 season that saw him become the first player born in 2009 to appear in one of China's professional leagues and a prolific scorer for the national U-17 team.

He became the first "post-2009" player to debut in a Chinese professional league in March 2025, when he represented Chengdu Rongcheng's B team in the China League Two. After scoring for the team in May of that year, he set a new benchmark as the country's youngest professional goal-scorer. 

On the national stage, Shuai's impact has been even more profound. At the national under-17 team level, he became the offensive linchpin during the Asian Cup qualifiers, during which China won all its games, scoring nine goals in five matches. 

His successful 2025 season earned him the prestigious Chinese Football Under-17 Golden Boy award. However, Shuai's story isn't just about statistics, but a tale of relentless passion and a dream to elevate Chinese football onto the global stage.

Those achievements are the result of years of persistence and simple love for the game. When asked about his persistence, Shuai's response was straightforward and heart-felt. 

"Because I like football. I love it very much, so I will always persist in training hard, and train diligently to improve my skills," he told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.

Where the love begins

Shuai's love for the game began innocently enough during a school sports class. 

"Opportunity came when I was in a physical education class as a child. The teacher organized a football game, and I scored two goals at that time. I felt that I really liked playing football, so I started football training," he told the Global Times. 

That simple match ignited a fire that has burned brightly ever since. 

Growing up, television broadcasts played a pivotal role in shaping his aspirations. 

"As a child, I often saw Cristiano Ronaldo on TV screen. He had a very big influence on me," Shuai said. Inspired by the Portuguese star's prowess, Shuai took to imitating his idol. 

"I saw on TV that he shoots very powerfully, so every day after training, I would practice a few extra shots," Shuai said, highlighting how early influences translated into dedicated practice.

Overseas progress

Shuai's journey challenges longstanding biases in Chinese football. As the product of mostly domestic youth training, he has debunked the notion that success requires stints with overseas teams. 

"The advantage of domestic youth training is that it gives you a good foundation in basic skills," he pointed out, emphasizing how local systems build solid fundamentals. Yet, he harbors ambitions to train abroad. 

"I think I will still consider going abroad, because overseas, their rhythm and physical confrontation are better than in China, so I will consider this," Shuai said, viewing it as a step to further hone his skills against top-tier competition.

Shuai's career has, however, included a brief chapter of overseas training. 

In 2025, he traveled with Chengdu's U-15 team to Paris and Sao Paulo, Brazil, for exchange programs. The overseas exposure was eye-opening, contrasting sharply with domestic training, he recalled, noting that Brazilian youth football impressed him with its speed and intensity, which pushed him to improve his physicality and decision-making.

"After coming back from Brazil, I feel that in terms of physical confrontation, and the rhythm and intensity of the game, I'm a bit better than before, having added some strength," he said, crediting the high-intensity Brazilian style for enhancing his physicality and pace.

National team duties

Adapting to the demands of national team play didn't happen overnight, but Shuai approached it with an open mind. 

"At the beginning when I joined, I often communicated with the coaching staff and my teammates, and if I didn't understand something, I would ask my teammates or coaches, and so I adapted quickly," he said. 

His quick adjustment earned praise from U-17 head coach Bin Ukishima, who noted Shuai's ability to create prime scoring opportunities for the team.

Reflecting on his strengths, Shuai identified the key attributes that set him apart. 

"I think my advantages are in pressing and running, and also some like shooting, but technically I still need to improve my goal-scoring instincts," he admitted, acknowledging both his assets in pressing and movement, as well as areas for growth like finishing. 

Hope for the future

With fans now pinning their hopes for Chengdu Rongcheng's new season on him, Shuai is brimming with anticipation. 

"I just hope my debut and first goal come a bit faster. I also hope the team can win the championship this year," he said. 

Looking ahead to May's U-17 Asian Cup, where the top two in the group will advance to the quarterfinals and secure a U-17 World Cup spot, Shuai said he feels the weight of expectations as the team's core forward. 

"It's still quite heavy, because as a forward, you still have to take responsibility for scoring goals. If the striker doesn't score, it's hard for the team to win," he admitted. 

Pressure is inevitable, he said, but emphasized that he can channel it positively. "This pressure will make me train even harder in the future," Shuai said.

Beyond personal achievements, Shuai said he sees himself as part of a larger narrative for Chinese football. 

"When I'm in my 20s, I want the Chinese team to enter the World Cup and play in World Cup matches," he said. 

For aspiring young players eyeing a professional path, Shuai offers sage advice rooted in his own experiences. 

"Playing football will also bring you great happiness. I hope those kids never forget why they started playing football," he noted, stressing the importance of remembering one's initial passion.