China yearns for future soccer glory
Young Chinese soccer players stretch during training at the Evergrande International Football School near Qingyuan in Guangdong Province, China.
The sprawling 167-acre campus is the brainchild of property tycoon Xu Jiayin, whose ambition is to train a generation of young athletes to establish China as a soccer powerhouse. The school is considered the largest soccer academy in the world with 2,400 students, more than 50 pitches and a squad of Spanish coaches through a partnership with Real Madrid.
All photos taken on June 12-14, 2014.
Qingyuan, China
A young Chinese student balances the ball on his nose as he walks to a training match at the Evergrande International Football School.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players take part in band practice after training at the Evergrande International Football School.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players attend classes after training.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese students practice sprints.
Qingyuan, China
A view of some of the 50 pitches at the at the Evergrande International Football School.
Qingyuan, China
A Chinese coach interacts with students during training.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players help an injured player off the field during training.
Qingyuan, China
A coach from Real Madrid stands with a young Chinese student before subbing him to a training match.
Qingyuan, China
A young Chinese soccer player leaps up to head the ball during training.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players exercise on pull-up bars.
Qingyuan, China
A Chinese coach shouts to players as young students wait to be subbed in during a training match.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players eat lunch in the canteen after training.
Qingyuan, China
A view of the main stadium at the Evergrande International Football School.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players wait on line for lunch after training.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players drink water from a communal tap after training.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese students play during a match on a practice pitch.
Qingyuan, China
A Chinese student heads the ball during training on the main pitch.
Qingyuan, China
A Chinese student waits his turn during training on the main pitch.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players watch others training.
Qingyuan, China
A Chinese student heads the ball during training on the main pitch.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese students listen to instruction from a coach prior to a training match.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players walk to training grounds.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players line-up to have their fingernails checked for cleanliness before training.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players sit together in the campus as they wait to head to training.
Qingyuan, China
A Young Chinese soccer player eats his lunch on the canteen.
Qingyuan, China
Chinese students wait their turn as they practice before a training match.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players eat lunch under caricatures of famous footballers in the canteen.
Qingyuan, China
Young Chinese soccer players sit on the bench during a training match.
Qingyuan, China
A view of some of the 50 pitches at the at the Evergrande International Football School.