Is Chinese football witnessing the rise of its next generational talent?

At just 18 years old, Wang Yudong has emerged as the breakout star of the 2025 Chinese Super League season, currently sitting atop the scoring charts with eight goals — tied with foreign veterans such as Tianjin’s Robert Gils and Beijing Guoan’s Fabio. The Zhejiang FC forward netted twice in the recent 4-2 away defeat to Shandong Taishan, underlining his growing influence and clinical touch.

Remarkably, Wang has started all 11 matches since missing the opening round due to U20 Asian Cup duty. He opened his CSL account on April 1 in a 4-0 thrashing of Wuhan Three Towns, and hasn’t looked back since. Goals followed against Shanghai Shenhua, Meizhou Hakka, and Qingdao West Coast. A double against Changchun Yatai in Round 10 was followed by another brace against Shandong, all within a staggering 40-day spell that has captured the imagination of Chinese football fans.

Wang’s rapid rise is no overnight miracle. He has been quietly building his foundation within Zhejiang FC since the age of 16. Between 2023 and 2024, he made 15 league appearances (just two as a starter), three in domestic cup competitions, and nine in the AFC Champions League, scoring his first goal and assist in that competition against Lion City Sailors in November 2024.

Debuting in the CSL at just 16 years and 9 months — a club record — Wang has progressed through China’s youth national ranks at an accelerated pace, featuring for the U17s, U20s, U23s, and even receiving early national team attention. His experiences against top Asian sides at each level have not only sharpened his game but also fast-tracked his development.

“I believe if you’re playing well at U17, you should aim higher,” Wang told this reporter in an earlier interview. “Why would anyone mind progressing too quickly? If I have the chance to move up, my friends, coaches, and family will all support me.”

Zhejiang head coach Sergio Caneda has been effusive in his praise. “Technically, Wang is top-tier. But it’s his humility and work ethic that truly set him apart. He’s a game-changer, and I’ll always give players like him the opportunity they deserve.”

For over a decade, Chinese domestic strikers have found themselves pushed to the margins by foreign imports. Wang’s rise is not only refreshing but potentially transformative — opening doors to a future move abroad and reigniting hope for a homegrown national team striker.

Competition in the senior national team remains stiff, with established names such as Wu Lei (33), Wei Shihao (30), Zhang Yuning (28), and Lin Liangming (27) still vying for the striker's role. But a closer look at their early careers reveals that none were as impactful as Wang at 18.

Wei only saw real playing time in Portugal’s second division at 21, while Zhang spent three underwhelming seasons in the Eredivisie before returning to China at 22. Lin played in Spain’s lower leagues before his CSL debut at 22. Even Wu Lei — the most decorated Chinese striker of his generation — scored his first professional goal in China’s second tier at 17 and didn’t hit double figures in a season until 19.

Wang’s trajectory, in contrast, is nothing short of phenomenal.

Could he become the long-awaited successor to Wu Lei — or perhaps even chart his own path on the global stage? With China set to face Indonesia in a crucial World Cup qualifier on June 5 in Jakarta, eyes will be on Wang. If his current form continues, that long-term vision of him leading the national line might not be so distant after all.