No More Avoidance! How Hong Kong Player Xu Hongjie "Masters" the Fate of Falling into the Abyss Twice with Serious Injuries

Reporter Lu Mi reports Having been recovering in Chongqing for several months, Xu Hongjie looks toward the meeting point of two rivers, a scene in the mainland as vibrant as Victoria Harbour. His mind drifts from the busy traffic to the alley where he played football as a kid, a “street field” commonly used by children in Hong Kong.

At six or seven years old, he and his neighbors held a football, running around the open area downstairs until drenched in sweat. Without professional coaching or standard facilities, the pure joy of chasing the ball became his most treasured childhood memory. “Back then, I didn’t understand much, just felt really happy playing football. A bunch of us chasing the ball, falling and getting up again, never feeling tired at all.”

This pure passion accompanied Xu Hongjie through his naive youth. At 15, he reached the first turning point in his football career: joining a youth team for formal training. Yet in rapidly developing Hong Kong, academics always took priority, and football was often a side pursuit. “Back then, we trained only one day a week plus one match day; the rest of the time was for studying.” This training intensity was far from enough to satisfy his hunger for football, but he never considered giving up. After school every day, he practiced fundamentals, passing against walls and shooting on open grounds until dusk before going home.

In his first year with the Hong Kong Rangers youth team, he mostly sat on the bench with few chances to play. Watching teammates run on the field while he could only watch filled Xu Hongjie with disappointment. Fortunately, at 17, through relentless effort, he was selected for the Hong Kong youth national team, and training intensity increased to two or three days a week plus a match day. Though still balancing studies and football, during this more professional training period, he eagerly absorbed football knowledge and honed his skills, laying a solid foundation for his future career.

At 18, standing at life’s crossroads, Xu Hongjie was studying for an associate degree but realized after just two weeks that he disliked academics. “Sitting in class, all I could think about was football; I couldn’t focus at all.” Meanwhile, family financial pressure weighed heavily: his mother was unemployed, and his father earned very little. After much thought, Xu made a bold decision to quit school and become a professional footballer.

This decision met strong opposition from his father. “My parents knew nothing about football; they thought playing was irresponsible and that studying for a stable job was better.” As the family’s only child, he had many talks with his father, expressing his passion for football and promising that if football didn’t work out in ten years, he would take public service exams to ensure a stable life. Perhaps moved by his persistence or seeing the determination in his eyes, his father eventually relented and accepted his choice.

In 2018, at 20 years old, Xu Hongjie received a major opportunity in his professional career. Thanks to his outstanding performance in the “Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup,” he was invited by Meizhou Hakka Club, becoming one of the Hong Kong players moving north to play in mainland China. For the young player, leaving his familiar hometown and family was a tough decision.

“I was only 20 and had never left home before; at first, I really missed it,” Xu said. It was the encouragement of teammates that helped him make up his mind. “Senior players told me the mainland league platform was better than the Hong Kong Premier League, offering exposure to higher-level football, which would greatly help my growth. They wanted me to seize this chance and gain experience.”

Upon arriving at Meizhou Hakka, being young and introverted, Xu was afraid of making mistakes on the field, hesitant to fully express himself or communicate actively with teammates. “My first season was okay, but I wasn’t satisfied; I felt I hadn’t shown my true level.” The discomfort of leaving home made him consider returning after the season.

In 2020, he returned to the Hong Kong Premier League to join Lee Man FC. By then, he felt his skills had improved significantly and his understanding of football deepened during his two years in the mainland. In July 2022, he was selected for Hong Kong’s final 26-man squad for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship. In the third round of the 2024 East Asian Football Championship qualifiers, in the 87th minute, Xu scored the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory over Chinese Taipei for Hong Kong.

In 2024, Xu helped Lee Man win the Hong Kong Premier League title. Standing on the champion’s podium, he didn’t stop moving forward, as he still harbored an unfulfilled “Chinese Super League dream.” The invitation from Yunnan Yukun Club offered him such an opportunity. “Yukun is an ambitious, promising team aiming to make an impact in the CSL, which aligns perfectly with my goals.”

However, fate seems to test people unexpectedly. Shortly after joining Yunnan Yukun, before fully integrating into the team, an accident happened. After a cup match against Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Xu injured his calf during training. Just as his Yukun career began, he had to leave the field for three months to recover. “It was really tough; I had just joined and wanted to prove myself through matches to earn more playing time, but the injury cruelly interrupted my plans.” During that time, he endured not only physical pain but also psychological torment.

In the final stages of that China League One season, he rushed back but the leg pain never fully eased, affecting his performance. “My recovery wasn’t good; my leg still hurt during matches. But I really wanted to play and contribute to the team, so I pushed through.”

Last year was Xu and Yunnan Yukun’s first season in the CSL. To perform well, he doubled his efforts during winter training. “My calf injury recovered, and I actively worked on my physical and mental state, preparing thoroughly.” Eager for the CSL, he faced Shenzhen New Pengcheng in his first CSL match. The day before, he suddenly had a high fever and felt awful. “I was really anxious, not wanting to miss the game due to illness.” Despite discomfort, he resolutely took the field. Perhaps due to hard work or sheer willpower, he played excellently, scored a crucial goal, and helped the team secure their first-ever CSL victory. This win boosted team morale and strengthened Xu’s belief that their inaugural CSL year would improve steadily.

Just as things seemed to be going well, a bigger blow followed. In June, during a match against Beijing Guoan, Xu suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, a season-ending injury. When he received the diagnosis, this tough player who never feared confrontation on the field completely broke down. “I cried for a long time, really hard,” Xu’s voice choked with emotion. “I was in great form the first half of the season and thought I could shine in the CSL, but then this serious injury happened. I asked myself, why me? I worried whether I could ever return to my peak or achieve my goals.”

Sometimes, Xu finds it hard to empathize with his own sadness. Especially when he thought everything was within reach, fate seemed to snatch it all away. Facing extreme frustration, his choice was clear: “No escape, I must take control of my life.” Behind him are family responsibilities and his commitment to his career.

The road to recovery has been long and arduous, with Xu traveling through Germany, Belgium, and Chongqing. Post-surgery pain and spending most of the season as a bystander tormented him. During the six months of rehab in Chongqing, the monotonous daily exercises were a constant challenge.

During these hard times, his wife’s companionship became his strongest support. “Since my surgery, she has stayed by my side, whether abroad or in Chongqing, never leaving me,” Xu said. His wife sacrificed much, learning rehabilitation techniques to massage him every night to ease muscle soreness. She even learned video editing to capture and share his rehab progress on social media. “She said when I recover, watching these videos will remind me of my hard work and serve as precious memories.”

By January 2026, his recovery had reached the final stage. Xu felt as if he had stepped into a different world, full of emotions. When fate struck him twice, he didn’t succumb to pain and despair but gritted his teeth to face the abyss head-on. Through repeated decisions not to yield, he reclaimed control over his life and let his dreams grow anew from the ruins.

During his two injuries, Yunnan Yukun Club never gave up on him but provided comprehensive support. “The club has been great; since my injury, the investors frequently called to check on my recovery and life,” Xu said. The club reassured him early on not to worry about contract renewal and focus on rehab, promising to extend his contract. This gave him great confidence to concentrate fully on recovery.

When the renewal contract was finally signed, Xu felt joy and gratitude. “After my injury, to still receive the club’s trust and recognition really moved me. I vowed that once I recovered, I would repay their faith with my best performance.” For Xu, the club’s tolerance and support not only kept his mindset positive during rehab but also profoundly influenced his future career. “Every player wants to feel needed, and Yukun gave me that feeling,” he said. “During my toughest moments, the club supported and encouraged me. I hope to return soon and give my all to help the team.”

Unconsciously, Xu and Yukun have built a deep bond of mutual trust and support. “This connection is two-way: the club helps me when I face difficulties, and as a player, I give my all on the field. This relationship is truly precious.”

Due to his unique family environment, Xu has made many life choices alone. When asked if he ever felt lonely in his career, he answered no. “I’m not lonely at all because football has brought me many friends. In every team and phase, I have good teammates and coaches whose companionship warms me. Also, I’ve always done what I love, so even when facing difficulties, thinking about football fills me with strength.”

After years of moving through different stages in football, Xu has gained different insights from varied experiences. “When playing in Meizhou, my understanding of football was shallow, mainly focusing on defense. Returning to the Hong Kong Premier League with mainland experience, my understanding deepened, and my skills improved greatly.”

Regarding Hong Kong football’s progress in recent years, Xu credits the CSL platform. “Many Hong Kong players now play in mainland leagues. The CSL’s high competitive level allows us to learn advanced football concepts and skills. On this platform, we compete with better players, constantly improving. When we return to the Hong Kong team, we can apply what we’ve learned to help Hong Kong football achieve better results.”

Having experienced two injuries, Xu’s understanding of professional football has changed. Previously, he played partly out of love and partly to earn money to support his family. Now, football is more about passion and pursuit. He wants to enjoy the joy football brings on the field and realize his football dreams.

During Xu’s recovery, many fans left encouraging messages in comment sections. “I read every message carefully and was deeply touched. Thank you all for your ongoing support and encouragement.” Now, Xu’s recovery is progressing smoothly, with plans to fully train with the team by March and possibly return to the field by April.

Looking forward to continuing with Yunnan Yukun, Xu is full of anticipation. “The team has a new coach and many high-level new teammates, many of whom have won championships and have rich match experience. I feel honored to fight alongside them and look forward to learning more from them. I hope the team achieves better results than last year, and I will do my best to help accomplish our goals.”

From a street football boy in Hong Kong to a professional player chasing dreams in the mainland, from the lows of two injuries to the resilient fighter in recovery, from the club’s unwavering support to the mutual care between husband and wife, Xu Hongjie’s football journey is full of hardships and challenges. Yet, it shines brighter through love and gratitude. He demonstrates through action that no matter how great the difficulties, having passion and faith makes every obstacle surmountable. He also embodies the mutual commitment between player and club and conveys the warmest strength in the world of football through gratitude.