(Sports Focus) Chinese Tang Shi trains with Real Madrid Castilla
Xinhua, January 25, 2015 Adjust font size:
Multi-talented Botafogo player Tang Shi may become the first Chinese to play for Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, albeit for its reserve team.
The 20-year-old, who had trained with Real Madrid Castilla for nine days in early January, is waiting for a call from Real Madrid's reserve team coached by French star Zinedine Zidane.
Tang, a fast and dominating left winger who is also able to handle the right wing, signed with Brazilian club Botafogo last May.
He had a shining performance at last year's Asian U-19 Championship as he helped China enter the top eight.
Real Madrid and Botafogo have a partnership in youth training, which gave Tang an opportunity to be tested with Real Madrid Castilla from January 9 to 17. Coach Zidane will report to the club that will decide whether to bring in Tang.
"I think I have a solid performance during the test training," said Tang on Saturday.
"I will know Real Madrid's decision soon, probably by the end of this month. If I can go to Europe and Real Madrid to play, that will be perfect."
Real Madrid Castilla, which plays in Spain's third division, is Real Madrid's reserve team, and is therefore an integral part of Real Madrid's youth academy.
Tang is a player from China's Shandong Luneng Football School. He caught the eye of Botafogo scouts during an Asian tour by the Rio de Janeiro club's under-19 team in 2013, which included "Luneng Weifang" Cup International Youth Tournament in China. Endi