In July 2011, after a meeting with Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of South Korea's Democratic Party, Xi Jinping stated his three wishes about soccer: first, that China hosts the World Cup; second, that the national team qualify for the final stage again; and, third, that one day the Chinese team would win the prestigious tournament.

In February 2012, Xi wrapped up his visit to the United States by watching a live NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Accompanied by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Xi watched part of a regular-season game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns.

In a March 2013 meeting with Brazilian media, Xi proclaimed himself a sports enthusiast who loves swimming, hiking and soccer, before departing to visit several Latin American countries.

In April 2013, Xi invited Gong Lei, head coach of Chinese Super League club Guizhou Renhe, to join a welcome banquet for visiting French President Francois Hollande. Gong, who used to play in Tahiti, French Polynesia's capital in the 1990s, wrote on his micro blog later that he felt honored to meet Xi and Hollande at the banquet and was inspired by Xi's interest in Chinese soccer.

On Thursday, Xi mentioned Frenchman Alain Perrin, who is the head coach of the Chinese national men's soccer team, in his speech to hail Sino-French relations during his visit to France. Xi said Chinese fans have high expectations of Perrin and Xi wished him good luck.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/30/2014 page3)