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Stephy Zhang

Former Chinese Super League star Qiu Zhonghui has stated that he started working as a food delivery rider to gain life experiences, not more followers online.
The 48-year-old previously played for the Jianlibao Youth Team, a famous youth development project sent to Brazil in the 1990s to nurture young Chinese talent through an intensive programme. He also played for Qingdao Hainiu and Beijing Guoan, before committing to youth training.
He drew widespread attention after posting videos on social media following the Chinese New Year about his new role as a food delivery rider.
While his videos received substantial praise and encouragement, they also drew plenty of negative comments.
“They all move in the same circle and have connections and friends, so it shouldn’t come to delivering food, right?” one netizen commented under his video.
Another user wrote, “Delivering food is just a good way to gain [online] traffic.”

In an interview published on Tuesday, he explained the original intention behind his new career, stating that every job deserves respect.
“Many local media outlets and CCTV have interviewed me, but delivering food is just an ordinary job. The more worldly experiences one goes through, the better they can recognise their true self,” he said.
He admitted that his easy early life detached him from reality and made him impulsive, adding that entering a grass-roots industry allowed him to clear his mind and find what he truly wanted.
According to Qiu, delivering food is similar to playing football.
“First, you need a good physique to run up and down residential complexes. Second, you need good skills and brains to know the most time-saving and effortless routes. Finally, you must be eager to learn and consult others when facing problems,” he said.
Qiu revealed that he earned around 8,000 yuan (US$1,100) in his first month. Although close friends offered him better-paying opportunities, he declined because he did not want to burden them or ask others for help.
Addressing scepticism that he changed jobs solely to seek fame online, Qiu calmly responded that it was his own choice to share his daily life on short-video platforms to raise awareness among the public.
“I just believe that one cannot lie flat in life. If you can do this job [food delivery rider], you can also give it a try,” he said.
He did, however, not deny that this experience brought him more attention, adding that he always hoped to enrich his life experiences, whether by sharing his thoughts on online platforms or through various interviews and exchanges.
Aside from delivery work, he was asked by a local radio station to commentate on Chinese Super League matches and ran marathons.
Qiu said that football remained his deepest passion.
During the May Day holiday, he went to Shenyang to coach players preparing for university sports recruitment exams.
“As long as there is an opportunity, I still want to pass down my football experiences,” he said.
During the interview, Qiu shared his unique insights, advocating for phased training based on children’s age characteristics and opposing placing too much emphasis on winning or losing too early in the development of children.
Qiu spent over a decade involved in youth football training, but high rent for venues and enrolment difficulties made it unsustainable.
“In the past, I always overestimated myself, thinking I could handle many difficulties, but in the end, I realised that reality is incredibly tough,” he said.
Qiu, along with his family and friends, admitted that delivering food is only a temporary arrangement until he can find a suitable opportunity back in football.
“Brother Qiu will eventually return to football and youth training; he loves football too much,” a friend said.
“I am also waiting for a suitable opportunity, or truly like-minded people. I don’t really want to leave [football],” Qiu said.


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Qiu Zhonghui (left), here in action for Beijing Guoan in 2004, has attracted widespread attention after posting videos on social media about his new role as a food delivery rider. Photo: Imaginechina

Former Chinese Super League star Qiu Zhonghui takes a selfie in his food delivery uniform. Photo: Douyin/Qiu Zhonghui

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Sport

China

Football

The 48-year-old played for the Jianlibao Youth Team, a famous youth development project sent to Brazil, Qingdao Hainiu and Beijing Guoan


The 48-year-old played for the Jianlibao Youth Team, a famous youth development project sent to Brazil, Qingdao Hainiu and Beijing Guoan.


Ex-Chinese Super League star swaps football pitch for food delivery to gain life insights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 48-year-old played for the Jianlibao Youth Team, a famous youth development project sent to Brazil, Qingdao Hainiu and Beijing Guoan

The 48-year-old played for the Jianlibao Youth Team, a famous youth development project sent to Brazil, Qingdao Hainiu and Beijing Guoan