Pedri visits China, tries ancient football ancestor 'cuju'

Spanish football star Pedri is enjoying his post-World Cup vacation in China, embracing local culture and engaging with fans. He was the guest of honor at a major amateur league match in Jiangsu province, known as 'Su Chao,' which has transformed from a local tournament into a phenomenon attracting large crowds and significant revenue.

Pedri appeared on the field wearing a jersey blending the colors of the competing teams, Suzhou and Wuxi. Local media reported he greeted fans in a regional dialect, shouting "Hello, Suzhou! Let's go, Suzhou!" before the match, which Wuxi won 1-0. The presence of the World Cup and European champion drew immense attention online, with the hashtag "world champion Pedri praises 'Su Chao'" garnering over 9 million views on Chinese social media platforms within 24 hours.

Beyond the stadium, Pedri explored China's cultural heritage. He posted a video on his Weibo account, China's equivalent of X, wearing traditional attire while trying his hand at 'cuju.' This ancient ball game, dating back approximately 2,300 years, is considered by many to be the earliest ancestor of modern football. Pedri also shared photos and videos from his time in Beijing on Instagram, visiting iconic landmarks like the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven, and interacting with fans, even trying his hand at playing with a diabolo.