AFC Women's Asian Cup
Named to the China PR squad for Asia’s flagship women’s national team competition in India, Li made her tournament debut as Shui Qingxia’s side ended a 16-year trophy drought by clinching a record-extending ninth title.
Having come from behind to triumph in both the last eight and semi-finals, it was perhaps fitting that the Steel Roses mounted the most stunning of comebacks in the final. Trailing 2-0 at the break to Korea Republic, they drew level after two goals within four minutes in the second half before a 93rd-minute strike from Xiao Yuyi sealed ultimate glory in dramatic fashion.
Having come from behind to triumph in both the last eight and semi-finals, it was perhaps fitting that the Steel Roses mounted the most stunning of comebacks in the final. Trailing 2-0 at the break to Korea Republic, they drew level after two goals within four minutes in the second half before a 93rd-minute strike from Xiao Yuyi sealed ultimate glory in dramatic fashion.
#WAC2022 - FINAL | China PR 3 - 2 Korea Republic
“I still get very emotional and excited when I think about that (tournament),” Li told the-AFC.com, reflecting on her experience.
“We faced Japan in the semi-finals and Korea Republic in the final, and I felt that the entire team were determined not to back down and give everything we had until the final whistle, be it 90 minutes or 120 minutes or penalties. Nobody gave up until the end, and we believed that anything could happen.”
“We faced Japan in the semi-finals and Korea Republic in the final, and I felt that the entire team were determined not to back down and give everything we had until the final whistle, be it 90 minutes or 120 minutes or penalties. Nobody gave up until the end, and we believed that anything could happen.”
The champions were welcomed home by fans in Suzhou—a full-circle moment for Li, who was born in the city, located in the southern Jiangsu province, and only picked up football by chance.
Following in the footsteps of her father, a former long-distance runner, Li discovered an aptitude in track and field, where she competed at school-level in the 400 and 800 metres, as well as long jump. Her speed caught the eye of then-Suzhou Sports School football coach Wang Jianjun, who recruited her in 2006.
“To be honest, at the beginning I had no football knowledge whatsoever,” she said. “But after switching, I found it very interesting and just continued to play until now. I (also) learned about the illustrious history of Chinese women’s football and now, we are determined to follow in the footsteps of those legendary teams and players.”
Following in the footsteps of her father, a former long-distance runner, Li discovered an aptitude in track and field, where she competed at school-level in the 400 and 800 metres, as well as long jump. Her speed caught the eye of then-Suzhou Sports School football coach Wang Jianjun, who recruited her in 2006.
“To be honest, at the beginning I had no football knowledge whatsoever,” she said. “But after switching, I found it very interesting and just continued to play until now. I (also) learned about the illustrious history of Chinese women’s football and now, we are determined to follow in the footsteps of those legendary teams and players.”
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It has been quite the journey for Li, a composed and tenacious full-back who relishes one-on-one duels as well as supporting the attack, augmented by offensive instincts from playing as a striker and winger earlier in her career.
From 2009 to 2022, she won one league title and six cup trophies with her first club, Jiangsu Women’s FC, before joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on loan in 2022/23 to become the second Chinese player in French top-flight history after Wang Fei in 2015 with Lyon.
The defender’s impressive performances, including in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, helped PSG finish second and subsequently secured a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's Super League for the 2023/24 season.
From 2009 to 2022, she won one league title and six cup trophies with her first club, Jiangsu Women’s FC, before joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on loan in 2022/23 to become the second Chinese player in French top-flight history after Wang Fei in 2015 with Lyon.
The defender’s impressive performances, including in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, helped PSG finish second and subsequently secured a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's Super League for the 2023/24 season.
Li’s loan stint with West Ham United in 2024/25 meant that she became the first Chinese player to appear in more than one campaign in England’s top tier and the 31-year-old remains in Europe, having signed for Rangers FC in September. Apart from Li, Wang Yanwen and Wu Chengshu, both of France’s Dijon FCO, are the only other overseas-based national team players.
“I feel very fortunate that I have had these opportunities to play in Europe,” she said. “(I decided to take up these opportunities) because having played at the Olympics and Women’s World Cup and witnessed the standards of the other teams there, I wanted to test myself at a higher level, in order to improve and get better.”
While Li acknowledged the challenges of adapting to different cultures and training environments, she believes that “Europe is a very good platform for Asian players to showcase their ability and make their mark”.
“I feel very fortunate that I have had these opportunities to play in Europe,” she said. “(I decided to take up these opportunities) because having played at the Olympics and Women’s World Cup and witnessed the standards of the other teams there, I wanted to test myself at a higher level, in order to improve and get better.”
While Li acknowledged the challenges of adapting to different cultures and training environments, she believes that “Europe is a very good platform for Asian players to showcase their ability and make their mark”.
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At the international level, Li pulled on the China PR jersey at various age-groups starting from the Under-13s, before making her senior bow in August 2018 at the Asian Games where they won the silver medal.
Li also has a bronze medal from the 2022 Asian Games and was part of the 2021 Olympic Games squad, featuring in the decisive qualifying win against Korea Republic that was played in her hometown and made her the first ever person from Suzhou to take part in an Olympic football tournament.
Making her World Cup debut in 2023 was another milestone for Li, currently capped 39 times with two goals, both scored in early 2025. Now an established member of the China PR roster, Li cherishes every moment in the national team and is eager to fulfil the next goal: retaining their Asian crown.
Li also has a bronze medal from the 2022 Asian Games and was part of the 2021 Olympic Games squad, featuring in the decisive qualifying win against Korea Republic that was played in her hometown and made her the first ever person from Suzhou to take part in an Olympic football tournament.
Making her World Cup debut in 2023 was another milestone for Li, currently capped 39 times with two goals, both scored in early 2025. Now an established member of the China PR roster, Li cherishes every moment in the national team and is eager to fulfil the next goal: retaining their Asian crown.
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“To me, it means everything to play for China PR,” she asserted. “To be able to represent my country fills me with immense pride and honour... And of course, our aim is to bring the trophy back to China PR—just like we did in 2022.”
Along the way, Li hopes to inspire the next generation at home. “What keeps me going is the desire for more girls to know football and fall in love with the sport, and to go on and enjoy playing and eventually also play for the national team,” she added.
Along the way, Li hopes to inspire the next generation at home. “What keeps me going is the desire for more girls to know football and fall in love with the sport, and to go on and enjoy playing and eventually also play for the national team,” she added.
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