Li Weifeng

Football player infobox
playername = Li Weifeng
李玮峰


nickname = Big head (大头)
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1978|12|1
cityofbirth = Changchun
countryofbirth = China
currentclub = flagicon|China Wuhan Guanggu
clubnumber = 44
height = 1.82 m
position = Defender
youthyears = 1997
youthclubs = Tianjin Locomotive
years = 1998–2002
2002–2003
2003–2005
2006–2008
2008–
clubs = Shenzhen Shangqingyin
Everton
Shenzhen Shangqingyin
Shanghai Shenhua
Wuhan Guanggu
caps(goals) = 92 (4)
01 (0)
58 (4)
47 (8)
0 (0)
nationalyears = 1999–
nationalteam = flagicon|China China
nationalcaps(goals) = 105 (13)
pcupdate = 20 September 2008
ntupdate = 27 March 2007

Li Wei-Feng (zh-c|c=李玮峰, born December 1, 1978 in Changchun, People's Republic of China) is a Chinese footballer who has represented the Chinese national football team over 90 times. He also played in 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Li is a central defender and is known for his heading ability which earned him the nickname "Da Tou" (Big Head). Aside from his soccer skills, Li is also involved in various off-the-field controversies, such as him earning two red cards for the Chinese team in the 2005 East Asian Invitation, as well as allegedly forcing out manager Chi Shangbin in Shenzhen, earning him the nickname "Qiu Ba" (soccer bully).

Li has previously played for Shenzhen Pingan and had a short trial at English side Everton immediately after the 2002 World Cup, as part of an Everton deal with Chinese sponsor Kejian. However, Li was unable to convince the Everton coaching team for a permanent deal and returned to Shenzhen.

In the beginning of 2006, Li Weifeng left Shenzhen Jianlibao due to the club's financial difficulties, and followed many of his fellow stars out of the club. Shanghai Shenhua bought him for 6 million Renminbi Yuan, despite reported interest from Serie A team Fiorentina. In September 2006, he was thrown of the Chinese national football team for hitting a player and hence earning his sixth red card in 14 months during an AFC Champions League game with Shanghai Shenhua. His captain position in the national team was later assigned to Zheng Zhi.

February 20, 2008 Li grabed Keita Suzuki of Japan by the throat while playing a soccer game of East Asian Cup 2008 in Chongqing, China [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7254748.stm BBC Day in pictures ] ] .

Club Career Stats

Last update: 22 March 2007

References