After 12 months of the Chinese Super League being held up as a cautionary tale for Saudi Arabia not to follow, the 2023 season ended with much to be positive about. The first season free of COVID-19, lockdown and bubbles since 2019 saw supporters return to stadiums in numbers with an average attendance of close to 20,000, despite the fact that almost all the stars that headed east in the previous decade have long since departed.
Two were left and went head-to-head in the title race. Brazilian midfielder Oscar ended up winning the championship with Shanghai Port, while former Belgium international Marouane Fellaini settled for second with Shandong Taishan. There was quite an exciting climax as Shanghai, who looked to have the trophy in the bag with weeks to go, ended up stumbling over the line in the face of a late run from Shandong.
It was perhaps not a surprise that these are two big clubs who have won titles before and during the Chinese Super League’s spending spree of a few years ago. Their past spending was not fuelled – as were the likes of Guangzhou Evergrande and the majority of top tier teams – by big-spending property developer owners who then fell on hard times.
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin December 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin December 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team