CCTV Sports: At 18, she was mocked as a nepotism hire. At 22, the whole world was calling her Queen. From the cold bench to the Ballon d'Or, Li Ling smashed more than just the goalposts. She shattered every prejudice.
After she was photographed touring Japan with a European soccer star, the internet dug up everything about Li Ling:
A national team nepotism hire, the mistress who broke up a celebrity couple, a player who'd spent a thousand years on the cold bench...
She wasn't even allowed in the team's publicity photos.
Yuan Ye, the men's team's midfield engine, was her father's star pupil.
After he made headlines holding hands with a B-list actress, Li Ling, who'd secretly loved him for years, became the target of widespread mockery.
Unlucky in love, triumphant on the pitch.
She made a name for herself at the Asian Cup friendly, face-slapping those who'd spread rumors that she was a nepotism hire.
She scored the winning goal in the World Cup semifinal, led the women's team to victory, and became a beloved star.
European powerhouses competed to sign her to three-year contracts...
Her devoted fan, the second young master of the Huo family, went from timidly asking for her autograph to asking for her WeChat. It took him 200 days.
When she went to Europe, he applied to a British business school for graduate studies...
When she was injured on the pitch, he rushed to see her as fast as he could...
When she returned home to recuperate, he went straight on leave from school...
When the man she had always loved broke up with her, he declared his love with a goal celebration.
This time, Huo Xingchuan couldn't take it anymore!
While she was injured, he trapped her in his arms...
On the night of her retirement exhibition match, Huo Xingchuan's private jet landed in the middle of the stadium.
On a global live broadcast, he dropped to one knee and said:
"Give me one more autograph."
He pointed to his heart. "It's valid for a lifetime."
Theme: She's not just kicking the ball into the goal, she's kicking down every prejudice.
