On the evening of January 8th, Beijing time, the award ceremony for the 2024 season of the Chinese Super League (CSL) took place, revealing various annual best awards. Wu Lei won both the annual best player and top scorer awards. Wang Dalei, the goalkeeper from Shandong Taishan, was named the best goalkeeper of the season, while Hu Hezhao from Chengdu won the best newcomer award. Ma Ning received the bronze whistle, and Tang Shunqi received the gold whistle; Muscat was awarded the best coach.
Here is a detailed list of the winners:
Annual Best Player, Annual Top Scorer: Wu Lei (Shanghai Port)
The 33-year-old Wu Lei scored a record-breaking 34 league goals in the 2024 season, helping Shanghai Port win the CSL championship, with an additional 10 assists. In the 2024 season, Wu Lei played 34 games in all competitions, scoring 37 goals and providing 10 assists.
Fair Play Club Award: Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Shanghai Port, Shanghai Shenhua, Changchun Yatai
The selection criteria for the CSL Fair Play Award is a comprehensive assessment of the club's discipline, behavior, and attitude throughout the season. It aims to recognize clubs that adhere to fair competition principles during matches, encouraging teams to actively advocate for fair play and respect game rules and sports ethics.
Popular Venue Award: Beijing Venue, Chengdu Venue, Shanghai Venue (Shanghai Shenhua), Shandong Jinan Venue, Tianjin Venue
The five venues represented by the five winning teams are precisely the teams with the highest total number of on-site spectators in the 2024 CSL season. Representatives from all five teams were present to receive their trophies.
Annual Best Young Player: Hu Hezhao (Chengdu Rongcheng)
In the 2024 season, Hu Hezhao made 16 appearances in the CSL, averaging 1.44 tackles per game. The player also gradually became part of the national team rotation, playing in three World Cup qualifiers for the national team.
Annual Best Goalkeeper: Wang Dalei (Shandong Taishan)
In the 2024 season, Wang Dalei made 23 appearances for Shandong Taishan in the CSL, keeping 7 clean sheets with a total of 29 goals conceded. He helped Shandong Taishan finish fifth in the league.
Annual Best Assistant Referee:
(Golden Flag): Shi Xiang (Jiangsu) (Silver Flag): Ma Ji (Hubei) (Bronze Flag): Liu Xing (Henan)
Annual Best Referee:
(Golden Whistle): Tang Shunqi (Chengdu) (Silver Whistle): Li Haixin (Guangdong) (Bronze Whistle): Ma Ning (Jiangsu)
Annual Best Team (4-3-3):
Forwards: Wu Lei (Shanghai Port), Andre Luis (Shanghai Shenhua), Leonardo (Zhejiang Club)
Midfielders: Oscar (Shanghai Port), Bargas (Shanghai Port), Romulo (Chengdu Rongcheng)
Defenders: Li Lei (Beijing Guoan), Zhu Chenjie (Shanghai Shenhua), Jiang Shenglong (Shanghai Shenhua), Yang Zexiang (Shanghai Shenhua)
Goalkeeper: Wang Dalei (Shandong Taishan)
Annual Best Coach: Muscat (Shanghai Port)
In the 2024 CSL season, Muscat led Shanghai Port to a record of 25 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, successfully defending the league title with a one-point advantage. This is Muscat's first season coaching Shanghai Port, and his current contract will end at the end of 2025.