10 Chinese Super League players to represent 7 countries at World Cup

The Chinese national team are not competing in the World Cup in Russia this summer, but there are still reasons to celebrate - 10 players have been honored to serve their countries in the world's most popular sporting event. 

Renato Augusto [Photo: Xinhua]

Renato Augusto

Beijing Guo'an, Brazil

Renato Augusto joined Beijing Guo'an in January 2016 from Corinthian as MVP of the 2015 season in Brazil's Serie A. It took Augusto a while to fit in and find his place in the team. Under new coach Roger Schmidt, Augusto's full potential has been unleashed as he exerted his influence on both the offensive and defensive end in the midfield. Now Beijing Guo'an's captain, Augusto has led the team to 3rd place in this season's Chinese Super League, only one point short of the joint leaders. Beijing Guo'an have also reached the CFA Cup semifinals scheduled for June 9 – a game that Augusto will be absent for as he prepares to serve his country at the World Cup. 

Paulinho[Photo: IC]

Paulinho

Guangzhou Evergrande from 2015 to 2017, Brazil 

Paulinho may not be playing in the Chinese Super League anymore, but he is a successful product of the CSL and still has a loyal following of fans in China. 

Paulinho arrived at Evergrande in June 2015, after an unhappy spell at the Premier League's Tottenham Hotspur. He was an indispensible part in the midfield, and helped the team come away with three Chinese Super League titles during his tenure. He was also considered the missing piece of the puzzle in the Evergrande squad when they were crowned Asian champions in 2015. 

Paulinho moved to Barcelona on a 40 million Euro deal in August 2017. 

He will be spearheading Brazil's efforts as captain of their five-star team at the World Cup. 

Javier Mascherano [Photo: Xinhua]

Javier Mascherano

Hebei China Fortune, Argentina

Javier Mascherano is one of the most experienced and decorated players in the Chinese Super League. The 2014 World Cup runner-up called an end to his seven-year spell at Barcelona and joined Hebei China Fortune in January 2018. 

Mascherano said in an interview that he was happy in China, and believed that no matter which team he plays for, he needed to work hard to convince Argentina's national coach Jorge Sampaoli that he is World Cup material. 

Jose Fonte (in blue) [Photo: Xinhua]

Jose Fonte

Dalian Yifang, Portugal

Jose Fonte became the first overseas recruit at Dalian Yifang in February 2018, shortly before the beginning of this year's ongoing Chinese Super League season. He will be hoping to repeat the success they had at Euro2016 in France alongside Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Fonte is now teammates with Belgium's World Cup midfielder Yannick Carrasco, who was officially introduced at Dalian Yifang only days after Fonte's introduction. 

Yannick Carrasco [Photo: Xinhua]

Yannick Carrasco

Dalian Yifang, Belgium

Yannick Carrasco left Atletico Madrid for Dalian Yifang after not being a regular starter at Los Colchoneros. Carrasco did not receive the warmest welcome in his Chinese Super League debut – Dalian Yifang going down to Shanghai SIPG 8-0 on this season's opening match day. If Belgium coach Roberto Martinez had any doubt about Carrasco's form, Carrasco's performance in Dalia Yifang's victory against Guangzhou Evergrande should have convinced Roberto to include him in the squad. 

Axel Witsel [Photo: Xinhua]

Axel Witsel

Tianjin Quanjian, Belgium

Axel Witsel has been linked with the Chinese Super League since after Euro2016. He switched from Zenit Saint Petersburg in January 2017. Witsel refuted that playing in the Chinese Super League, which is weaker than the elite European leagues, will hurt his chances at the World Cup. 

Dusko Tosic [Photo: IC]

Dusko Tosic

Guangzhou R&F, Serbia

Barely two weeks after Dusko Tosic joined the Chinese Super League's Guangzhou R&F from Turkish heavyweights Besiktas in May, the Serbian defender was called up for national duty at the World Cup. Tosic arrived in China having been named the best defender in the Turkish Super Lig last season. His two-year contract will give him a good chance to make an impact in China. 

Kim Young Gwon [Photo: IC]

Kim Young Gwon

Guangzhou Evergrande, South Korea

Kim Young Gwon has been with Guangzhou Evergrande since July 2012, when he transferred from Japanese club Omiya Ardija. The central defender has won every Chinese Super League title with Evergrande since and was part of the champion's squad when Evergrande won two AFC Champions League titles. 

Odion Ighalo [Photo: IC]

Odion Ighalo

Changchun Yatai, Nigeria

After a few close calls for relegation from the Chinese Super League, Changchun Yatai obtained striker Odion Ighalo from Premier League side Watford in February 2017. It immediately proved a good move, after Ighalo became the team's top scorer with 15 goals last season. It made sure Yatai safely survived the season with a seventh-place finish. 

John Obi Mikel [Photo: IC]

John Obi Mikel

Tianjin Teda, Nigeria

John Obi Mikel put his 11-year Chelsea career behind him and landed at Tianjin Teda in January 2017. Until he was drafted for the World Cup squad, Tianjin Teda has been the priority for Mikel. The striker will have to quickly forget Teda's bitter loss in their last CSL game before the summer break as he heads to Russia for Nigeria's campaign.