Asian Icons: Hao Haidong (China)

Age: 47
Clubs: Bayi FC, Dalian Shide, Sheffield United
International appearances: 107 (41 goals)
Honours: Chinese league titles (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002), Chinese Player of the Year (1998, 1999)

Part of the only generation of players to reach a FIFA World Cup with China, Hao Haidong’s place in the country’s footballing folklore is well secured. Only Li Weifeng has more than his 107 caps and no one even comes close to the former striker’s 41 international goals.

Indeed, with just five goals scored in eight FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifiers to date, it’s fair to say modern-day China could do with a forward of the caliber of the legendary Hao.

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How it began

It all started from a young age when, at 10 years old, the Shandong native joined Bayi FC, China’s Armed Forces team. After progressing through the youth ranks, Hao would go on to make his debut as a teenager before being handed his first international cap in 1992.