On May 11, Chinese football legend Nian Weisi celebrated his 93rd birthday, and he expressed special thanks to his disciple Xu Genbao and his wife for their care and support.
The 82-year-old Xu Genbao posed for a photo with his 93-year-old mentor Nian Weisi.
Nian Weisi’s disciples have spread across Chinese football, with Xu Genbao in Shanghai, Wang Junsheng in Beijing, Zhao Shutian in Qingdao, and Yang Limin from the Bayi team all moving on to coaching or administrative roles, raising a new generation of players.
Three generations of mentors and disciples were captured in one frame.
“I haven’t been in the best health lately, but I promised coach Nian that this gathering must happen. Of all Coach Nian’s former teammates, he is the only one left. And many of his former students have already passed away. At our age, reunion is precious; we cherish every day we have together. The most important thing is gratitude,” Xu Genbao said, explaining the significance of traveling to Beijing each year to celebrate Nian Weisi’s birthday. It is a living example of passing on gratitude across generations. “Wang Shenchao was supposed to come today, but he’s injured. Lv Wenjun is leading the team in matches. They’ve inspired me—every year on the second day of the Lunar New Year, they come to the training base to visit me, no matter the weather or traffic. Sometimes they even have afternoon training but still make time to see me.” Xu Genbao praised his disciples for carrying forward the spirit of gratitude. “Saying ‘thank you’ or ‘I’m grateful’ is easy, but keeping it in your heart—that’s the hardest thing.”
Shanghai Port players Wu Lei, Yan Junling, and Zhang Linpeng also traveled to the event to offer their heartfelt birthday wishes to the football patriarch.