No one has scored more goals in the Chinese Super League this season than Eran Zahavi. The Guangzhou R&F striker has found the net 25 times and is on pace to break the Chinese Super League record.

The 30-year-old joined R&F from Maccabi Tel Aviv last year on June 29 and signed a two-and-a-half year contract with transfer costing 6.3 million euros. The forward has been making frequent headlines for his play on the pitch — and off it as well — comments about former Guangzhou Evergrande player Paulinho's transfer to Barcelona, and his sudden departure from the Israeli national team, being the most prominent.

As the latest subject of Sports Scene’s special series known as Tackling China, CGTN had a chance to discuss those incidents as well as his reasons for coming to China, and what the future might hold for the Guangzhou R&F striker. 

A month ago, Zahavi made headlines after Spanish giants Barcelona plucked Paulinho from the CSL to help fill the shoes of the departed Neymar. The Israeli was reported as saying his talents would be better suited for the Catalan club than the Brazilian’s skills.

But the R&F forward claimed his words were taken out of context. He clarified that he thought that it was the right move for big-name footballers to play in the CSL, but they should make sure they don’t come just for money, but also to help improve the league. He felt that when Chinese players see the foreigners work hard on the field, they will ask themselves to train more.

The forward also got into hot water earlier this month during a World Cup Qualifying match against Macedonia. After he was booed by fans in a home defeat, Zahavi threw his captain's armband on the ground in frustration, prompting Israel’s football federation to suspend him – indefinitely. 

The 30-year-old, however, decided to retire from the national team, after 39 appearances.

Zahavi said that he had thought a lot before he did it. He felt for now that he does not need to be on the national team because there is too much pressure on him. He said he loves the national team, even though he knew that sometimes they will lose games. But the pressure finally pushed him to leave.

Zahavi has played for two of the fiercest rival clubs in his home country, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv, and talked about how difficult it was to transfer from one side to another. Zahavi said he first played for Hapoel, and then after a stint in Italy chose Maccabi, adding that it turned out to be the best decision of his professional life.

Zahavi was the Israeli Premier League’s top scorer for three consecutive seasons, and his scoring touch has followed him to China, where the striker has a chance to break Elkeson's CSL league record of 28 goals in a campaign. His scoring exploits have been noticed by other clubs, as Tianjin Quanjian and SIPG have reportedly shown interest in his services.

But when asked whether playing in Guangzhou R&F is a stepping stone to another team, the Israeli said he is loyal to his current side, although he has also learned that anything can happen in football. 

He added that winning trophies for himself and his team is what excites him, and while he has a passion for getting better and better, he’s only focused on this season at the moment.