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FIFA Player of the Century (in conjunction with USA’s Michelle Akers)

Winner of the adidas Golden Shoe: FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 1999 (in conjunction with Brazil’s Sissi)

China’s greatest-ever finish in a major international competition was a silver medal, but Sun’s best individual performance was yet to come.

She would go on to score seven goals in the following FIFA Women’s World Cup, propelling China to second place and winning the Adidas Golden Ball. China may have lost to the United States in the final, but Sun and her teammates were called the ‘Steel Roses’ for their courageous performance.

4. She was a defender’s worst nightmare

On the field, the brilliant No. 9 was unbeatable, mesmerizing opponents and fans alike with her magnificent skills. She was a defender’s worst nightmare, with an uncanny nose for goal and the ability to score with either foot.

Despite being adored by the Chinese people throughout her career, Sun kept a modest profile off the field, with her humility charming critics and opponents alike.

In 2010, she was appointed vice-director of the Shanghai Youth Sports Training Centre, and she is on a mission to pass on her football knowledge to the future generation.

5. Her father influenced her to take Football

Sun, who was born in 1973, began playing football at a local sports school when he was eight years old.

Her skill soon shone through, influenced by her father, who took her to see matches in the Chinese men’s league, and her individual success began to develop hand-in-hand with the development of the national squad.

6.  She claimed the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the World Cup

, , via Wikimedia Commons

China, captained by Sun, reached the semi-finals of the second World Cup in Sweden in 1995, but went one better the following year at the Atlanta Olympics, losing narrowly to the United States in the final.

Sun, though, earned her name at the 1999 World Cup in the United States. She had a fantastic tournament, scoring seven goals and winning the Golden Boot for top scorer as well as the Golden Ball for best player.

Sun remembers the final against the hosts fondly, despite the nail-biting loss on penalties.

7.  Sun aided China to regain the Women’s Asian Cup in 2006

Sun played for the Atlanta Beat in the Women’s United Soccer Association for two seasons beginning in 2001, though her appearances were limited due to injury.

By early 2003, she had returned to the Chinese league to assist in the preparations for that year’s World Cup, which was once again hosted in the United States.

Sun withdrew after the ‘Iron Roses’ failed to go past the quarter-finals. However, she was convinced to return in late 2005, helping China win the Women’s Asian Cup back in 2006.

8. She finished her career with 152 international caps

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Sun was a leader on the field and in the locker room, as well as a player with excellent ball skills and passing talents.

She concluded her international career with 152 caps and 106 goals. Sun’s accomplishments were recognized in 2000 when she shared the FIFA Women’s Player of the Century award with Michelle Akers of the United States.

Read 25 Women Footballers With the Most International Goals

, , via Wikimedia Commons

As we all know, the majority of female footballers have gone through the school system. There was no Football academy for female footballers at first. The majority of footballers, particularly males, begin their careers at an academy.

If one does not choose to participate in the academic, he is free to do so. Further, we have many female footballers, if not all, who have university degrees.

Sun Wen is a skilled footballer who attended university. She attended the University of Shanghai and majored in Chinese literature.

10. She is considered one of the all-time greats of the women’s game

Sun previously captained the China national team and the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) Atlanta Beat.

She and Michelle Akers shared the FIFA Female Player of the Century award in 2000. Sun earned both the Golden Ball (best player) and the Golden Boot (best scorer) at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She is regarded as one of the greatest female athletes of all time.

11.  Sun was tied for second place on an all-time scoring list in 1999

She previously captained the China national team and the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) Atlanta Beat.

She and Michelle Akers shared the FIFA Female Player of the Century award in 2000. Sun earned both the Golden Ball (best player) and the Golden Boot (best scorer) at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She is regarded as one of the greatest female athletes of all time.

12. She returned to the Chinese women’s team from a two-year retirement

Sun was a member of the national squad that won the Asian Cup in 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997.

She guided China to a silver medal in the Athens Summer Olympics in 1996. Sun scored seven goals and won the Golden Ball (best player) and Golden Boot (highest scorer) at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

On December 15, 2005, she returned to the Chinese women’s squad after a two-year hiatus. Sun retired again after winning the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2006 due to injuries.

13. She played and started every match for China

Sun appeared in 28 matches and scored 16 goals for China in four world cup tournaments and two Olympics. China in 1991, Sweden in 1995, Atlanta in 1996, the United States in 1999, Sydney in 2000, and the United States in 2003.

Sun Wen and her China teams earned a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. They finished second at the 1999 World Cup in the United States.

14. The first woman to be nominated for the Asian Football Confederation

Many have won it, but have you ever wondered who was the first Asian woman to be nominated for Asian Football Confederation Player of the Year? This is the answer if you have no idea.

Sun, a strong striker with exceptional talents and passing abilities, won both the Golden Boot (which she shared with Brazilian Sissi) and the Golden Ball for the 1999 Women’s World Cup and became the first woman to be nominated for the Asian Football Confederation player of the year award.

15.  She won the FIFA Internet Award

There are numerous prizes in football that these great footballers are expected to win. Apart from tangible accolades, these great footballers are also eligible for internet honors.

These include fan votes cast via the internet. In the FIFA Female Player of the Century poll in 2002, she got the FIFA Internet Award. While American Michelle Akers won the overall award, Sun garnered the most internet votes on the FIFA website.

Sun will always have a long-written history about her in football and in shaping Chinese Women’s Football.