China's World Cup Qualifiers: A Look Back at Players with Chinese Super League Ties

As the 2026 World Cup qualifiers approach, China's Beijing Youth Daily has analyzed the participating players' connections to the Chinese Super League, a topic that evokes a sense of nostalgia and perhaps regret.

The publication noted that while only one player currently active in the Chinese Super League will be part of the national team's campaign, a significant number, ten players, have previously played in the league. This statistic underscores a shift in the league's influence or the players' career paths over time.

The article also referenced former player Kim Min-jae, whose past involvement with the league is remembered. The sentiment appears to be one of looking back at a more successful era, with the phrase '황사머니 때가 좋았지' (roughly translating to 'Those were the days of the 'yellow dust money,' implying a period of significant investment and success) suggesting a wistful reflection on past glories.