As Li Sicong himself said, those boring trainings and hard persistence are all worthwhile. "People who have experienced it at that time have not lived in vain and have already begun to gain."
Football: As far as you know, how many people in the same team (The Hague U 18) have got professional contracts at present?
Li Sirong: Besides me, two other players have signed up, including our captain. The others haven't. The coach is still evaluating them.
When did you know that you could sign the contract?
The Friday before signing the contract, the assistant coach called me before training and asked me to go to the office. The head coach and the technical director of the academy are here. I didn't know what to do at first. An exchange coach like this usually asks about the current situation, academic situation, training tactics and so on. I didn't think it was about signing a contract. I was surprised at that time, even when the coach asked me to sign the contract, I thought I heard it wrong.
How did you describe this to your family at the first time?
After talking to the coach, I finished training that day. I said it when my mother came to pick me up, and then I told other family members when I came home at night. It's a surprise for the whole family, right No one thought of it.
What month is your birthday?
On May 4th, I was not yet 18 years old.
Getting the first professional contract is the best rite of passage?
For me, this is a good gift from the club at this stage.
Did anything interesting happen on the signing day?
I was very serious when I took the autograph photo. The general manager of the club joked with me and said that I should smile more at this moment. This is also an episode.
The Hague is a Chinese team. Have you ever been taken care of for this?
I think this contract was won by my hard work and competition for so many years. Of course, The Hague Club certainly wants me to have a better development, and I am very grateful for the club's recognition.
Is your first professional contract the same as you expected?
It feels like everything is quite sudden. Actually, I never thought I could get such a good contract before 18. My idea is to play hard, prove myself here and enter the professional team, so I am really happy to get this contract, which means that I have achieved my phased goals and got a reward.
Have you and your family made careful preparations for the signing day?
Actually, there was no training before signing the contract that day. The coach knew I was going to sign a contract, and at the end of the training, he asked me to leave early for a while. I changed my clothes and went to the club to sign the contract.
Did the coach and teammates encourage you after learning that you signed the contract?
There must be. I can get the contract description, and the coach agrees with me. Of course, my signing is also an incentive for other players. The coach usually tells us that if you are willing to work hard, you will have a chance. My signing also proved this to other players. Before the start of training every day, we will form a circle and the coach will say a few words. In the training class on the day I signed the contract, the coach told everyone the news of my signing the contract, just like saying a happy event, and everyone applauded.
How to celebrate the signing day?
We just had a simple meal at home, nothing special. Because it is still during the epidemic, it is not convenient to call many friends over.
How long is the term of this contract?
Three years, by 2024.
Have you confirmed your jersey number?
There is no fixed number of youth teams, but it depends on the starting of the game. In the starting lineup, if I play full-back, I prefer No.2. If I play full-back, I like 1 1.
Football: What qualities do you think a good professional player has?
Li Sirong: First of all, you must have a certain talent, but more efforts are acquired. Without hard work, it is difficult to climb to a higher stage with talent. In addition, we should have professional requirements for ourselves, such as diet, rest, preparation before training and self-recovery after training. These things may be boring, but as professional players, we must face them and work harder every day.
Do you think you are more talented or work harder?
When I was very young, I played football in China. Compared with children of my age, I may be very talented and confident. But when I came to Holland, I found there were too many talented players here. The football foundation here is very good. It seems that everyone can play football, and each has his own strengths. However, many people who are talented in football have not chosen this path, or have not worked hard enough, but have given up their talents after all. So after I came, I made it clear that I would work harder.
How are you strict with yourself in your daily life?
For example, I pay special attention to my diet, especially when I recovered from an injury last year. Diet is more important to me. The coach and the rehabilitator will make a diet plan for me, the intake ratio of protein, the intake of calories and so on. I will have obvious feelings myself, such as eating high-calorie food the day before and feeling heavy after training the next day, so I pay great attention to my diet. Because I eat something different from my family, my mother often cooks two meals, and each person prepares one for me. Of course, because I am still at school, sometimes I may not be able to eat and drink completely according to the plan, but I will try my best to do it.
What is the purpose of your first annual salary?
I want to give some to my family, and the other part to make some investments by myself. Because I'm studying related knowledge now, and I'm going to develop my major in economics and business at school, so I prefer to invest rather than spend money on useless things.
Football: Which position do you play now?
Li Sirong: Right-backs play more.
Were you the main force of the team before the injury?
Yes, it occupied the position of the main force, but unfortunately it was injured.
How many games can you play in Holland a week?
Before the epidemic, my games were about once a week, sometimes twice a week, and I played more. I remember playing about 50 games a year.
When did you become the main force?
Since 15 years old, the technology has gradually taken shape and is relatively stable in all aspects. At that time, our main right-back was a Dutch player, but he was unstable and I gradually took his place.
Where did you start playing?
At first, he played in the frontcourt in China. After coming to Holland, he also played winger and right midfielder.
When did you decide on the right back?
I don't think I have been fixed in a certain position until now. My development in this position now also depends on the arrangement of the coach and my positioning. Now that the team has a new coach, it will take some time to observe. I want to get back in shape first. The right-back is more suitable for me at this stage.
I've hardly seen you play. What kind of player are you?
Compared with two years ago, my style has changed a lot, and my explosive power is excellent, even among Dutch local players, which is very good. Now pay more attention to technology and consciousness while paying attention to the body, and use technology combined with explosive force to play this position well.
After listening to your description, I think you still have aggressive blood in your bones?
Personally, I feel that the offensive attribute is stronger than the defensive attribute, but first of all, I have to complete the task assigned by the coach, so I still have to defend well on the court before I have a chance to show my offensive performance.
Do you feel deeply that some witches often appear in the European youth training system, especially in the middle and front court?
Yes, take our team as an example. There are really strong players in the center and frontcourt. For example, they are very fast. They will be very prominent in a certain link, but they will also have shortcomings. At this stage, they are not very comprehensive.
You just mentioned that the state two years ago was completely different from now. What was the situation then?
Two years ago, I didn't have enough confidence and didn't play that many games. At that time, in U 15, my technical development was slow, but as I played more games gradually, my self-confidence improved, my language also improved greatly, and the overall situation changed greatly.
Your explosive power is not bad even among Dutch players. Is it a gift or an acquired effort?
Work harder the day after tomorrow. If you look at my photos four years ago, it's completely different from now. I was a little overweight then (laughs). I really worked it out bit by bit.
Can you practice by yourself?
Yes, when other players are resting, I may be training, especially when I first arrived in Holland. My father will take me to various technical coaches for training, including physical training.
Football: Was it difficult to play football as a child?
Li Sirong: To be honest, I don't remember what it was like at that time. My dad told me to have two or even three trainings a day, and take a break between trainings. Often get on the bus and sleep, get off and train. Now I feel that what I experienced at that time was not in vain, and I have begun to gain something.
Can you practice now?
I will strengthen my own shortcomings, for example, I will often go to the physical fitness teacher to continue to strengthen explosive training and improve the strength of some small muscle groups. My goal is not to be equal to my Dutch teammates around me, but to be better than them. In the same team, if a China and a Dutchman are about the same level, the coach may prefer to use the Dutchman. Only if you do better than them, the coach will give you more opportunities.
As a young player, or a young man, is it boring to do these exercises every day? Sometimes it will be boring, but as long as the balance is good. I will add some before and after training now, and then I will have some training on the weekend. Boredom is bound to happen, but in order to achieve your goal, you must pay. These are all necessary processes.
When did you start playing football?
Actually, I like playing football since I was a child. My father was still working in Albin at that time. Once I went to the stadium to play football and was watched by a French coach. He said that I am very talented and I can try to cultivate it.
What role did your father play in the growth of your football?
He is more like a guide. When I am confused, there are some questions I don't understand. He will give me some key suggestions to clear my mind and even help me solve them.
Your father was strict when he was a coach. Is he also strict with you?
He was also very strict with me, especially when I was young. But now he will come to discuss with me and communicate with me in a suggested way. He will also listen to my thoughts, after all, football has been changing.
When Sun Xingyi was a child, his father asked him to bat the ball thousands of times a day. If he fails, he will start all over again. Would your father do the same?
My dad also said that the ball is very important, so let me practice more. In fact, no matter what training, his requirements are very strict, but my father will not force me, or help and encourage me more.
Have you ever seen my father play football before?
I have seen some videos, and what impressed me the most was the corner kick he punished.
Talk to your father about some short stories about "training"?
We practice together now, and once last weekend. Dad has solid skills under his feet. He will tell me some technical essentials and help me complete some special training together. His footwork is really good, but now it always hurts when training. One minute he pulls here, the other he hurts, but his skills are really there.
Do you often talk about football between your father and son?
We can chat, but my father works longer in China, and we have time difference. We don't talk as much as before, but every time he comes home, we go to watch the ball and practice together.
Is the second generation of Ball Star more advantageous or more stressful? To be honest, I don't think too much about this problem at this stage, but I know that there will be people in the future. Let's make a comparison. For me, there is definitely pressure, but I will turn it into motivation. I also hope to surpass my father. If I can be better than him, he will be proud of me.
Do you have the confidence to surpass your father?
I have this goal, but I don't think too much now. At this stage, I'm just trying, step by step.
Football: How long did it take you to participate in everything in Holland?
Li Sirong: Actually, it took a long time, about two to three years. When I first came to Holland, I was still young, and I quickly adapted to the environment and diet, mainly the language. I didn't know at the time, but it was much better later.
You went through a difficult trial earlier. How did you gradually regain your confidence?
Actually, there is no shortcut. Only by hard training, my ability has improved, and I have gradually adapted to the football here, and I have gradually recovered my confidence. It's also very simple here. When your ability is reached, you can be accepted and recognized.
What do you know about the concept of Dutch football youth training and the youth training competition?
Dutch football has its own characteristics, the offensive and defensive ends are relatively front, and the game rhythm here is very fast. The Dutch youth football training not only pays attention to the football level, but also pays attention to the training of being a man. For example, respect is very important here. We should respect coaches, teammates, opponents and people around us.
What was the most impressive game?
It should be the first game I played. According to Dutch regulations, you can't play without registration. 12 years old just registered. I remember one day at home, the club suddenly called my mother and told me to go to the game quickly. The opponent in that game was Ajax, and this was my first game for The Hague. I can't remember the course of the game. I only remember sitting on the bench, and I was still dumbfounded after the game. I was really too young at that time.
You're seriously injured. What about the situation at that time?
Last February or so, I was injured in a confrontation in a friendly match between us and the Dutch western national team. At that time, the cruciate ligament, meniscus and medial collateral ligament of my left knee were broken. This kind of injury is very serious for football players.
Are you worried that your football career will be interrupted?
The result of this injury is probably that I can't continue playing football, and I will think about it in my mind. It was a real blow to me, but I didn't flinch. I am afraid of these things, so I actively adjust my mentality. During this period, the rehabilitation center gave me a lot of confidence. During that time, I recovered very well. The therapist gave me a lot of good advice. I think I must try my best to get back on the court. I have this belief. Now that I have returned to the team, I can practice with the team.
Will the injury leave you behind?
That's true. I think other teammates will definitely make progress if they train on the court. I can't go to back in the game for the time being, so I will improve myself in other ways. I will do more strength training and go to the gym every day. But I haven't trained and played for a long time, and my feeling of the ball has definitely dropped, but I can recover slowly.
Football: What's your hobby?
Li Sirong: I like listening to music, listening to some HIPHOP popular in Europe and America, and chatting with friends.
In April, the Dutch college entrance examination, were you under great academic pressure?
It's still quite stressful. If you don't study well in Holland, you won't be allowed to play football. Learning this aspect is also very important to me. Personally, I also attach great importance to learning. Whether from the perspective of football or from a longer-term perspective of life, learning is very important, and what you have learned can also be transformed into football, and some flexible thinking can also be applied to the court. The pressure of the exam is there. Now I have applied for two schools, the direction of economics and business. I also want to try sports, such as sports performances.
Your sister was admitted to St. Martin, the world's top design school. Is she also a role model?
Yes, my sister studies very well. She is a headmaster.
Which teams do you usually watch? Do you have a favorite team?
See more Premier League. Each team has a different style, and there is no saying which team they particularly like.
Zhang Yuning played in The Hague before. I think there is still a lot of interaction between you. How to evaluate predecessors?
Brother Yuning works hard. He also experienced some twists and turns during his stay abroad, but he persisted. Now he can play the main force in Guoan, which is also the recognition of his ability.
How do you evaluate your face value?
I don't really care about this matter, because most of my energy is still in football and school, and I don't want to think much about this topic.
Does the girl think you are handsome?
She never thought I was handsome. (Laughter)
I will be 18 years old soon. Will my family talk about love with you?
My family doesn't interfere much in this matter, because it is a personal matter after all. I don't have much time to distract myself now. The most important thing is to recover from injury first.
Next, you can enter U2 1. What preparations have you made in the face of more fierce competition?
We've arranged it. We will draw 6 players to play with U2 1 and the reserves of the first team. The coach said that everyone will have similar opportunities. I have always been mentally prepared for the competition, because since the day I came to Holland, there have never been fewer competitions like this.
What's your next goal after completing your first career contract?
The goal of the next stage is to recover first, return to the state before injury as soon as possible, and then develop into the first team step by step. The long-term goal is to gain a foothold in Europe and win a leading position. Including the national name level, if the national name team needs me, I will be ready at any time. It is my dream to play football for my country.