Veteran midfielder Wu Xi named as 2025 Chinese Men's Footballer of the Year

Shanghai Shenhua midfielder Wu Xi was named as the 2025 Chinese Men's Footballer of the Year at a ceremony in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Monday, making the 37-year-old a two-time winner of the annual honor.

After previously earning the accolade in 2020, Wu enjoyed another impressive season in 2025, scoring nine goals and distributing eight assists in 36 appearances in all competitions. Shenhua finished second in last season's Chinese Super League.

"Last month marked my 37th birthday and I am entering the final stage of my career. This award may be the last individual honor I could receive as a player," Wu said. "As a senior player, I hope to contribute more to my team and set a positive example for the younger players."

Wuhan Jiangda forward Wang Shuang earned her fifth Chinese Women's Footballer of the Year trophy after helping her club win the inaugural AFC Women's Champions League title.

Shao Jiayi, coach of the men's national team, was selected as Coach of the Year after leading Qingdao West Coast to ninth place in the Chinese Super League last season.

China's U23 national team earned the Organizing Committee Special Award on the heels of a historic run to the AFC U23 Asian Cup final in January.

Other honors included Liu Dianzuo of Chengdu Rongcheng picking up the Goalkeeper of the Year prize, teammate Shuai Weihao receiving recognition as U17 Footballer of the Year and Zhejiang forward Wang Yudong taking home U21 Footballer of the Year laurels.