Chinese, Brazilian youths forge closer ties through football

A youth football team from Rongjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province poses for photos at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Handout via Xinhua)

A recent visit of Rongjiang youth football team to Rio de Janeiro has forged closer ties between Chinese and Brazilian youths, serving as a testament to promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Pan Cuicui, a girl from Rongjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, made her first visit to Brazil. She was excited and nervous when she found herself in a heaven for football enthusiasts.

Recently, Pan, along with five other representatives from Rongjiang - the cradle of China's Village Super League, organized a youth football team to Brazil and initiated a trip for football exchanges and communication.

The Guizhou Village Super League, also known as "Cun Chao", was initiated in Rongjiang in 2023 and quickly became a hit in China and globally, making this small county with a population of 385,000 well-known far and wide.

In Rio de Janeiro, Pan met with groups of young people and children playing football in the streets, on the beaches or in the forests.

Rongjiang youth football team is training with Brazilian teenagers. (Handout via Xinhua)

On November 16, all the team members were invited to watch a Brazil Brasileriao women's Serie A1 league match, and appeared on the field as ball boys and girls for CR Flamengo.

"I was very excited to meet with Brazilian female football players. They are very tall and full of smiles, showing their confidence and pride in their eyes," said Pan.

"I really want to invite Brazilian players to Guizhou and play football with us," she added.

As the venue of the 2014 World Cup final, the Maracana Stadium could accommodate about 80,000 spectators, witnessing the brilliance of football and the fanatic fans in Brazil.

Xu Xiangyang, another representative of Pan's team at just 10 years old, has visited many cities including Shenzhen in the name of football. Xu has also been to France for competitions and even played along with former Brazil international Kaka.

"Brazilian kids are very friendly. We all love football and get along very well. Although we speak different languages, we communicate very well," Xu said.

Xu Xiangyang (L3) from Rongjiang in action in a football friendly with Brazilian youngsters. (Handout via Xinhua)

The enthusiasm of the Chinese kids got a positive response from the Brazilian counterparts.

Laura from Brazil, who played a friendly with the Chinese kids, said that she was very grateful to join such an event, and she hopes there will be more opportunities for such exchanges in the future.

Yang Xianze, a teacher accompanying the Chinese team, hopes that this event can sow the seeds of football in the kids and help them build their own dreams and goals to fight for.

Chinese and Brazilian youngsters pose for photos after their football friendly. (Handout via Xinhua)

While the Village Super League is on its trip to the world, it also welcomes guests to Rongjiang.

In May 2024, Kaka visited the Village Super League in Rongjiang County and watched a match featuring students from elementary schools in the county.

Despite being on a workday, the stadium was full of spectators cheering and welcoming Kaka as he entered the stadium.

"I thought the love for the game was really important, and I saw those girls love the game. For me, it's a great experience to come to China and be an ambassador to inspire the young generation to play football and help them achieve their dreams," Kaka said.

Former Brazilian football player Kaka (C) in action with local players during a Village Super League match in Rongjiang on May 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Xu Bo, head of the Rongjiang County government, said that football exchanges help promote social and economic development of the county and people-to-people exchanges.

"The Village Super League is just like a door which enables people around the world to see the vitality of Rongjiang and rural China, enhance mutual exchanges and understanding, and build a community with a shared future," Xu added.

Zhou Qingjie, director of the sports international exchange research center of China Foreign Affairs University, said that sports builds a bridge between China and Brazil and even Latin American countries, and plays a unique role in enhancing political mutual trust and deepening friendship among countries.