Gao Feng

Gao Feng was born on April 22, 1971, in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. In 1984, at just 13 years old, he joined the Liaoning youth team and began receiving systematic football training. However, in 1998, when the Liaoning team reorganized to prepare for the second Youth Games, Gao Feng was not selected. After learning of his exclusion, Hong Yuanshuo of the Beijing youth team visited Gao’s family in Shenyang eight times and eventually persuaded him to join Beijing’s youth side. Around the same time, Zhu Guanghu recommended Gao to the China youth team, laying a foundation for his professional career.

In 1993, with the start of the professionalization of Chinese football, Gao became one of China’s first professional footballers by joining Beijing Guoan. In the 1994 Jia-A League season he made 19 appearances and scored 9 goals, showing strong ability. Between the 1995 and 1996 seasons Gao began to stand out at Beijing Guoan. In 1995, under head coach Jin Zhiyang, he displayed his “small, quick, clever” style and helped lead the team to the top of the league table for a time. That year Beijing Guoan finished as runners-up in the Jia-A League, the club’s best result in that competition.

After the 1996 season with Beijing Guoan, Gao transferred to Qianwei Huandao (later renamed Chongqing Longxin), where he kept a regular place in the team until 1999. In 2000 he joined his hometown club Shenyang Sea Lions, and in 2001 he moved to Tianjin Teda. During his career he was suspended for five matches for reacting to fouls by opponents in fierce contests, and due to violations he officially announced his retirement in 2003.

On the national team front, Gao first represented China in 1992 and gradually became an important member of the squad. He earned 30 caps and scored 9 goals for China, taking part in the 1994 Asian Games and the 1997 World Cup qualifiers, earning a runner-up finish and various national honors.

In his personal life, Gao dated singer Na Ying in 1995; the two had a son, Gao Xing, in 2004 but later split for personal reasons. In 2000 a second son of his was confirmed by DNA testing. On October 6, 2011, Gao married Fan Chunling in a lavish wedding attended by many former football stars and celebrities.

After retiring, Gao has maintained a strong interest in football and golf, actively participating in sports-related activities, and has made some appearances in the entertainment and fashion worlds. He currently serves as CEO of the China Celebrity Football Club and continues to be involved in promoting football.