Zhao Lina (simplified Chinese: 赵丽娜; traditional Chinese: 趙麗娜; pinyin: Zhào Lìnà; born September 18, 1991) is a retired Chinese footballer who played as a goalkeeper for the Chinese national team and for Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank (Shanghai RCB) in the Chinese Women's Super League.

Zhao Lina
Personal information
Full name Zhao Lina
Date of birth (1991-09-18) September 18, 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Shanghai, China
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2023 Shanghai RCB
International career
2015–2023 China 38 (2)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  China
Asian Games
Silver medal – second place 2018 Palembang Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 June 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 June 2016

Club career

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Zhao played club football for Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank from at least 2005, and was playing for the team at the time of her retirement in April 2023.[1][2] As of 16 May 2018, she earned 10,000 yuan (US$1,500) per month as the team's highest-paid player.[3]

International career

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In April 2015, Zhao Lina was called up to play for team China in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[4] She also played for China in the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup, which China won, qualifying the team for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[1]

On 14 April 2023, Zhao announced her retirement on her Weibo account.[1][5]

Personal life

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Zhao is a drummer and was inspired to play drums by the Japanese anime Nana. Her club team arranged a practice space where she played drums after training sessions. Her favorite footballer is Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.[2]

Honours

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China

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Drummer goalkeeper! Zhao Lina's unconventional journey as a Chinese football star" (Press release). FIFA. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Goalkeeper by day, drummer by night". New Straits Times. 23 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  3. ^ "She's gloving it: China goalkeeper rejected catwalk for football". World Soccer Talk. Agence France-Presse. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Zhou Lina Profile". Archived from the original on June 10, 2015.
  5. ^ "China PR's Zhao retires from football". Asian Football Confederation. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
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