Almost every boy’s ambition in Argentina is to become a professional footballer and join a big established club like River Plate or its eternal rival Boca Juniors.
The country is generally well-known as a breeding ground for and exporter of new football talent.
While young local players actually dream of a better, more privileged life abroad and emulate their national team football stars-most of them are active in Europe-and have followed exactly the same career path.
Talents and famous players that went through River Plates` youth ranks: Hernan Crespo, Gonzalo Higuain, Radamel Falcao & Javier Mascherano.
FIRST CHINESE PLAYER IN RIVER PLATES HISTORY
River Plate recently also welcomed a Chinese football “prodigy” to their renowned youth academy ranks;
The 15-year-old football talent and defensive midfielder Liu Sunhao signed an agreement with the professional club from Argentina`s capital Buenos Areas, which is also the very first Chinese player in the clubs` history.
It is a remarkable fact that today`s majority of Chinese people involved in football still see Brazil and Argentina as the ideal football education countries for players.
Player Liu who reportedly received football training from the age of 11 in his hometown Xiangshang, Zhejiang.
Latin American recruiters actually were informed by the local football school of his abilities and they went over to have a look last summer.
They discovered Liu who reportedly showed a remarkable difference in football skills and game insight with that of his team mates and match opponents.
According to his proud coach Gao, it did not take long before he was officially invited for a 2-month trial period in Argentina, July 2018.
The Chinese youngster was able to convince and after finishing his school year and undergoing some medical tests, he was able to join the renowned River Plate academy this summer.
Liu considers this as a logical next step to further chase his dream to become a professional footballer or maybe a China National Team player.
CHINA-LATIN AMERICAN FOOTBALL TRADE
Latin-American clubs through the years have been very active in China with the purpose to get a foothold or anchor in the local football industry.
Picture: South-American professional clubs have a long history in setting up football business relations with China
They often try to accomplish that by setting up affiliations with Chinese professional clubs and exchanging of-or organizing professional coaching staff.
Participating in local tournaments fortifies the cross-cultural connections as well; i.e. the popular Weifang Cup is being held annually, an under 18 international tournament which both Boca Juniors as well as River Plate have already won.