Paris Saint-Germain and China midfielder Wang Shuang arrived in Paris in August 2018, for the first time realising her dream of playing in Europe. As she reaches the end of her debut season in France, we take a look back at her stunning start in the Rouge et Bleu.
'Wang Shuang has conquered Paris' read the headline from French newspaper Le Parisien after a debut goal against rivals Paris FC just five days after arriving in France. The bright start was particularly special as Shuang had barely stopped to rest before joining up with her new teammates.
Just 10 days ahead of her debut, the midfielder represented her country in the final of the Asian games in Indonesia. After a breathtaking tournament for Shuang, peaking with a stunning hat-trick in a 5-0 victory against Thailand, China had to settle for a silver medal after a heartbreaking 90th minute goal gave Japan the trophy.
Putting international disappointment behind her, Wang leapt straight into the new challenge with her new club and country. Displaying the quick feet and skilful slaloms that helped her previous club Dalian Quanjian win the Chinese Women’s Super League title two years in a row, the China international quickly became integral to her new French side.
After gradual progression whilst the no.28 grew into her new surroundings, Wang Shuang started making her own imprint on matches, adding the goals to her game she’d become renowned for over nearly 100 national appearances. Fast becoming a complete player in the Rouge et Bleu, the 24 year old helped her side’s European exploits with two vital goals in the Champions League against Linköping and Lyon, adding consecutive strikes against Montpellier and Fleury 91 in the new year. At the time of writing, in mid March 2019, Shuang has 7 goals over 15 appearances this season.
With such an impressive year on both the domestic and international stage under her belt, it was inevitable that individual honours would follow, most notably the Asian Football Confederation’s Player of the Year 2018. It's a title Wang may well be in the running for next year as well if she can lead her nation to success in her adopted country this summer. China open their Women's World Cup account on the 8th June against Germany in Rennes before a homecoming for their star player at the Parc des Princes against South Africa five days later.
Thanks for the recognition.âš½ï¸â¤ï¸#AFCAwards2018 https://t.co/u4a181Lh24
— Wangshuang (@wangshuang7) November 28, 2018
The Chinese sensation will be hoping the individual recognition is a hint of the collective honours for club and country to come in the near future!