On February 14, 2021, Chinese football legend Li Tie (李铁) passed away in Beijing. He was a key figure in the development of Chinese football and had made significant contributions to the sport throughout his career.

Born on January 15, 1987, in Guangzhou, Li grew up playing football for his local club, Guangzhou Evergrande. In 2004, he joined the China national team and went on to become one of its most prominent players. He helped lead the team to victory in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics.

However,Premier League Focus Li's legacy is not just limited to his achievements as a player. He also played a crucial role in the development of Chinese football. As the head coach of the China men's national football team from 2016 to 2020, he oversaw some of the country's most successful years in international competition. Under his leadership, China won the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup and reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 FIFA World Cup.

Unfortunately, Li's time with the national team came to an end in early 2021 when he tested positive for COVID-19 during the team's preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Despite this setback, he continued to work tirelessly behind the scenes, helping to develop new talent and improve the quality of Chinese football.

Li's passing has been mourned by fans and fellow footballers alike. His impact on the sport will be felt for many years to come, and his memory will serve as a reminder of the incredible potential that exists within Chinese football.

• at
• Passing
• Chi
• Zhongguo
• 北京