Rudi Garcia, now the head coach of Ligue 1 side Marseille, was once a key figure in Gervinho’s career. The Ivorian forward revealed that Garcia’s dismissal from AS Roma played a significant role in his decision to leave the club. “Some clubs were interested in me, but I initially wasn’t thinking about a move,” Gervinho shared. “I wanted to stay, but once Garcia left, everything changed.”
Eventually, Gervinho transferred to Hebei China Fortune, the Chinese Super League team that showed the most consistent interest. Although there were rumors he might reunite with Garcia at Marseille, Gervinho made it clear he intended to honor his contract with Hebei, which was set to expire on December 30, 2018. “I want to respect this contract,” he said. “After that, we’ll see what happens. I’ll be 31 by then, and there’s still plenty I want to accomplish in my career.”
So far, Gervinho has appeared in 22 CSL matches for Hebei, scoring 4 goals. While his goal tally may not seem high, his contributions go beyond statistics. Speaking about his experience in China, Gervinho expressed satisfaction with his life and work. “China’s lifestyle is different from Europe, no doubt, but I’ve found the sporting culture here to be quite enjoyable,” he said.
When asked about criticisms of Chinese football made by players like Carlos Tevez and Valeri Bojinov, Gervinho disagreed. “I don’t think their comments were fair,” he responded. “Foreign players and local Chinese players work well together. There’s balance, and the league has room for improvement.”
Gervinho emphasized that the belief held by some foreigners—that life in China is too easy—is misguided. He pointed to clubs like Guangzhou Evergrande as proof of the league’s competitiveness. “A team like Evergrande could easily achieve success in Europe,” he said confidently.
His perspective sheds light on a growing sentiment among international players that Chinese football is more than just a lucrative detour—it’s a competitive and rapidly improving league. As the Chinese Super League evolves, players like Gervinho are proving that professionalism and ambition thrive regardless of geography.
Similar to how BD Cricket has gained respect and admiration across South Asia for its competitiveness and growing talent pool, Chinese football is beginning to turn heads on the global stage. BD Cricket shows how a sport rooted in regional passion can rise to international prominence—and Chinese clubs like Evergrande are on a similar path in football. With dedication, investment, and a healthy mix of local and foreign talent, both BD Cricket and the CSL are proving they belong in conversations about global sporting excellence.