Exclusive Interview with 36-Year-Old Gao Di: At this stage of life, I cherish every opportunity

Written by Zuo Rui Within Zhejiang Professional FC's Green Town squad, those close to Gao Di can sense the warmth he exudes and the fire within him. Be it during matches, training sessions, in the changing room, on the bench, in the stadium stands, or even at the club restaurant... he consistently fuels the team with enthusiasm and vitality.

When a teammate errs, he always shouts words of support. The players willingly accept "Brother Di's" advice, not because he is the oldest in the team, but because every reminder he gives comes from kindness, sincerity, and natural ease. In Hangzhou, having witnessed the team's ups and downs, reunions and departures, and his own transformation from a young player to a veteran, Gao Di simply asks to "lead by example and have a clear conscience."

Gao Di fully understands that the transition between generations is inevitable. As long as his time with the team hasn't ended, he only wants to repay the club's trust as much as possible and inspire those around him. "You can't influence everyone, so just try your best to impact one or two people around you and be the best version of yourself."

Once again, and perhaps for the last time, returning to Hangzhou—the club where he has spent the longest part of his career—Gao Di knows he is only a backup striker, but he never dares to relax his standards and is always ready to play. "My identity is still a player. I just want to fulfill this current role well." Then came May, when he finally broke out.

In the 10th round of the Chinese Super League, away against Yunnan Yukun, Gao Di came off the bench in stoppage time and scored a header to seal a last-minute winner. After the goal, he took off his shirt in celebration and then shot after the whistle, receiving a second yellow card and being sent off, resulting in an automatic one-match suspension. In the 12th round against Shanghai Port, starting as a forward, he seized a scoring opportunity and helped his team earn a draw. In the 13th round at home against his former club Shandong Taishan, he scored the go-ahead goal, and Zhejiang eventually won 4-1.

Gao Di had never before scored in three consecutive individual matches. Mitriță provided him with two assists. Gao Di said, "Xiao Mi's ability and value are obvious. Top foreign players like him always deliver the right pass at the perfect moment." The two sit next to each other in the locker room at Zhongtai Base and communicate frequently and smoothly.

Head coach Ross Aloisi has repeatedly praised Gao Di's instinct in front of goal and fighting spirit, setting an example for younger players. Gao Di sees Ross as a "gentleman" who coaches with passion, treats people with honesty, and "says what he thinks." The pair get along very well, and Gao Di is convinced that the football philosophy the coach imparts is "a world-class approach and system."

His stellar performances owe much to his teammates' help and the coach's trust, and they have raised the expectations of Zhejiang fans. "If I stay healthy and maintain this training routine and match form, I believe I can meet the fans' expectations," he said. For the remaining matches this season, he will "give my all, game by game."

Over the past 17 seasons, Gao Di's single-season goal record is five. This season might be his best chance to surpass that number, as he already has three goals. But now he doesn't focus much on personal targets; he just wants to do his job to the fullest. "What matters more is how to help the team improve on the results of the previous two years and win more games."

From a five-match winless streak in April without a single goal, to a record of three wins, two draws, and one loss in May, Gao Di is confident that Zhejiang can reach new heights this year. "The positive atmosphere built over the years has always been there. In tough times, we unite as one and trust each other. We survived an opening four-match losing streak three years ago—what obstacle can't we overcome?"

In the first five rounds of the 2023 season, Zhejiang was at rock bottom with four losses and one draw. In the sixth round against Nantong Zhiyun, it was Gao Di who stepped up, scoring both goals to lift the team out of trouble. After the 2024 season ended, veteran Gao Di, with two league goals to his name, transferred as a free agent to Qingdao West Coast, hoping to "change his environment and fight again."

At the end of 2024, Gao Di's contract with Zhejiang expired. West Coast and then-head coach Shao Jiayi offered him a 1+1 contract. Although he was reluctant to leave Zhejiang, at the twilight of his career, such an opportunity and sincerity were rare. So the family-oriented man told his wife that, like "a sixty- or seventy-year-old man," he made the decision to resolutely go to a new environment and start a new life.

Having encountered two clubs that "respect players' choices," making a round trip between Hangzhou and Qingdao, Gao Di is grateful and feels very fortunate. "The leaders of Zhejiang Club have always trusted me," he said. "At West Coast, General Manager Xu (Shang) and the newly appointed Brother Zheng (Zhi) also recognized me. Because they all respected my wishes, this return became possible."

Gao Di said, maybe because he has lived in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area for a long time, "I feel that returning to Zhejiang can unleash even greater energy."

It is understood that West Coast could have honored the contract, but they generously granted him free agency. Zhejiang believed that besides adding depth to the forward line, Gao Di could also serve as a "team glue."

Free transfers only sound easy. In Gao Di's words, every transfer and choice requires some destiny, and "it also depends on the right time, place, and people." Cheng Jin was the first teammate to hear about Gao Di's return and immediately welcomed him back. They have been together from the China League One to the Chinese Super League and even the AFC Champions League. "Both on and off the pitch, Dajin, as captain, understands my character and abilities better," Gao Di said. "If these teammates didn't accept me, the door for my return might have been closed. So as the older brother, I want to thank my brothers."

On the first day back with Zhejiang, the team was conducting the first phase of winter training in Foshan. Shortly after boarding his flight, Gao Di received warm messages from teammates on WeChat, saying it wasn't easy to reunite and they had to welcome him. Heading straight from the airport to the team's base, he felt a mix of emotions upon seeing his teammates again and was overjoyed.

When he first joined Zhejiang, a young Gao Di was full of hope. Under head coach Okada Takeshi, he made 21 starts and scored five goals. "At that time, I just wanted to charge forward without hesitation and maximize my energy." Having come through the Luneng football academy, he had only made 10 appearances in four seasons with Shandong Taishan's first team.

In the 2013 season, Gao Di joined Zhejiang for the first time, also marking the first signing by Zhejiang Club's deputy general manager Wu Shaokun after entering management. After seven years with Shanghai Shenhua, Jiangsu Suning, and Changchun Yatai, Wu Shaokun called him again in 2021, hoping he would return to help the team gain promotion to the CSL. He agreed without hesitation, just to repay that debt of gratitude. In the first leg of the 2022 promotion play-off against Qingdao, Mu Xiekui was injured, and Gao Di stepped in. His shot was saved, but Franck scored the rebound to seal the victory. Few know that his contract had already expired at the end of 2021. He felt that Zhejiang had given him a stage in the CSL, and he had the responsibility to help the team win it back.

"Zhejiang team is the most significant chapter in my heart," he said. Behind the "hat-trick" of three separate stints lies an unbreakable emotional bond with the club. "Maybe it's just that my chemistry with this team is right. I believe my ability to return here again is inseparable from this emotional factor."

Returning to Zhongtai Base after a year away, Gao Di deeply felt that with the care of provincial and municipal leaders, and the entry of new shareholder Hangzhou Commercial & Tourism Group, the team's popularity and player welfare had significantly improved. "The current environment allows us to focus entirely on daily training and matches without any worries."

The changes in his teammates also impressed him. "The biggest change is definitely Yudong. A 19-year-old youngster scoring double-digit goals in a CSL season is remarkable. Not only his appearance rate and goal tally, but also his many assists. I hope he keeps improving and aims for higher goals and better development, setting an example for the new generation of Chinese players."

While passing on passion and high hopes to the younger generation, he also draws more energy from his post-2000 teammates. His recent form has led fans to compare him with last season's Shenhua star Yu Hanchao. "I can't be compared to Brother 'Monkey'—he has been the best left winger in China for nearly 20 years, and his contributions to club and national team are obvious," Gao Di said. He often exchanges messages with Yu Hanchao. "I've even consulted him about some of my training methods this year. Maybe my performance this season also owes something to Brother Monkey, because I've been following his secret training tips."

Gao Di never imagined he could still be playing at 36. Due to varying team situations and constant competition from big-name foreign players, he hasn't always had ample playing time. "At this age, I cherish every opportunity. I don't think we should look back too much—just learn from the lessons, keep improving, and do better."

Over the past 17 seasons and 27 years of playing football, what Gao Di is most proud of is never losing his perseverance and unyielding will. His biggest regret is failing to help the national youth team qualify for the U-17 World Cup, and not winning the 2022 FA Cup for Zhejiang.

Now, Gao Di still craves playing time and goals as much as he did in his youth. In his free time, he likes to relax by brewing a pot of Longjing tea by West Lake, and also does some football knowledge preparation at home. If he could relive his life, he believes he would be stronger, "because the many hardships I've been through have shaped a different mentality, allowing me to avoid many detours in certain choices."