Now, in order to prepare for the third stage of the World Preliminary Asian Zone 18-strong competition, the men's national football team has started its "first training" in Haikou in 2025. According to the previously announced list, a total of 32 players were selected, and among the naturalized players, only Fei Nanduo and Hou Yongyong were called up, but Fei Nanduo refused to participate in this training due to personal reasons.
Speaking of this, it reminds people of October 2021 when Fei Nanduo also refused Li Tie's call-up for the same reason. At that time, he had been recuperating from his injuries in his "hometown" Brazil for more than half a year. Later, some media explained that it was mainly because Li Tie trained three times a day, which caused Fei Nanduo's old injuries to recur, so he did not want to return to the national team. It happened that Li Tie was under investigation at that time, and Fei Nanduo really became a "victim." Looking at this matter now, it seems like the old plot is being replayed again.
Everyone knows that after the loan period of Shanghai Shenhua expired, the contract with Shandong Taishan also expired. Neither of these two teams showed any intention of keeping Fei Nanduo. On December 4th, someone posted photos of Fei Nanduo moving online. What is noteworthy is that this moving company has been doing international transportation business, which further proves his plan to leave China.
Regarding Fei Nanduo's absence, Ivan Kovic said it was due to personal reasons. Then he changed the subject and said, "This training session, the coaching staff mainly focuses on assessing young players. The national team's New Year's goal remains unchanged, which is to ensure a top four finish in the group stage." Ivan also emphasized that the door of the national team is always open to those who are willing and capable, implying that since he doesn't want to come, there's no need to force him.
In addition, Pan Weili, a journalist covering the national team in Haikou, analyzed on social media that although he didn't say it directly, everyone can guess that Fei Nanduo currently has no takers and no contracts in the Chinese Super League. The key is that he is now in Brazil, and his personal characteristics do not quite match Ivan Kovic's tactical style. Taking all these factors into consideration, Fei Nanduo decided to withdraw from the national team. Whether he can return to the national team in the future mainly depends on whether any Chinese Super League team can offer him a satisfactory salary. Simply put, it's: no money, no talk about cooperation.
Ai Kesen chose to go back to Brazil for treatment during the league, and Alan couldn't participate in the national team due to a leg strain several times. The once glorious "Brazilian gang" basically bid farewell to the national team from an objective age perspective. Evergrande spent 870 million yuan on resettlement fees back then, but the number of appearances they got in return was very few, leaving only Jiang Guangtai as relatively reliable. According to incomplete statistics, including Luo Guofu and other several naturalized players, their total number of goals did not exceed ten. How cost-effective was the once轰轰烈烈的"洋务运动", everyone's heart is as clear as a mirror.
As the old saying goes: "The long journey tests the strength of the horse, and time reveals the heart of man." Hou Yongyong, who has never played a game well in the Chinese Super League and is rumored to be restoring his Norwegian nationality, still harbors the ideal of serving the country. However, those "wise men" who have made a fortune have revealed their true faces, making people see through them clearly.
I sincerely wish the former national team members who have returned to their "hometowns" a happy old age, and I truly hope that the national team will achieve good results in the top 18! This painful lesson should remind the Football Association to be serious when selecting people and to keep their eyes wide open!
