China's Cucurella: Questioned a Year Ago, Now the CSL's Strongest Full-Back

In the 26th round of the 2026 Chinese Super League season, Dalian Yingbo hosted Qingdao Hainiu and won 2-1, moving the team up to second place in the league. Impressively, Dalian's home attendance was outstanding, with 62,388 spectators entering Suoyu Bay Football Stadium for the match, matching the reputation of being the 'No. 1 home ground in Asia.' Such a high attendance and passionate atmosphere could greatly enhance the home advantage and put pressure on visiting teams if national team matches are arranged there in the future. Dalian Yingbo's home win rate ranks first in the CSL, with a record of 9 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses in their first 13 home matches. This is closely linked to the powerful atmosphere created by their supporters, and other teams face the challenge of playing in front of more than 60,000 fans.

Returning to the match itself, Dalian Yingbo took the lead in the 10th minute through Stanciu, but Qingdao Hainiu equalized in the 23rd minute through Ye Boya. Then, in the 45th minute just before halftime, Luo Jing scored after receiving an assist from Mao Weijie, giving Dalian Yingbo a 2-1 lead that they maintained until the final whistle. After the match, Dalian Yingbo's points tally moved them into second place, two points ahead of third-placed Beijing Guoan. Qingdao Hainiu remained at the bottom of the table, six points behind Wuhan Three Towns, and relegation appears increasingly likely.

This season, in addition to Dalian Yingbo's improved results, the performance of 'Prince' Mao Weijie has been particularly notable. His transformation has been closely related to finding a suitable new position. When the team was promoted to the CSL, Mao Weijie played as a forward, but he struggled to adapt to the physical battles and pace of the top division. His performance throughout the season was poor, ending with only one goal and one assist, and many fans even believed his ability was only enough for the second-tier league.

However, after the start of the 2026 season, the coach decided to move Mao Weijie to the full-back position. This decision not only unlocked his potential but also helped him find his true role. So far, Mao Weijie has played 22 matches for Dalian Yingbo, starting all of them, with a total playing time of 1,869 minutes, twice as much as last season. His performances have improved significantly, recording 2 goals and 3 assists, far exceeding his output from the previous campaign.

Although Mao Weijie is only 1.75 meters tall and weighs around 65 kilograms, appearing relatively slight, this has not prevented him from becoming a strong defensive wide player. This season, he has completed 80 tackles, ranking second in the league, and contributed 69 clearances. Despite his smaller frame, his defensive awareness and ability in physical duels are excellent. As a player originally developed as a forward, Mao Weijie's attacking strengths are also clear, as he frequently contributes to build-up play and attacks, with his 2 goals and 3 assists serving as evidence. Mao Weijie has now become one of the CSL's strongest left-backs, and his balance between attack and defense has led fans to affectionately call him 'China's Cucurella.' Barring any unexpected developments, he is expected to be a highly competitive candidate for the national team's left-back position over the next decade.