According to the Oriental Sports Daily, recently, the domestic 3A game masterpiece “Black Myth: Wu Kong” has become a sensation, not only showcasing Chinese culture to the world but also bringing Journey to the West and Sun Wukong back into the spotlight once again. Coincidentally, in the domestic football arena, there is also a player nicknamed “Monkey Brother” in the “Blue Shenxin” team – Yu Hanchuo. This 37-year-old veteran contributed a crucial goal in the recent Shanghai Derby and also completed his 500th professional club match in the FA Cup game against Beijing Guoan.
Whether it’s for the heroic Monkey King who was suppressed for 500 years yet remains valiant, or for Yu Hanchuo, who has fought through 500 matches like an old horse that never tires, we can’t help but exclaim sincerely: Monkey Brother, Monkey Brother, you are truly remarkable!
The report states that more than eight months ago, or more precisely, before Slutske, the new head coach of Shenxin, started the winter training in Haikou at the beginning of this year, the name “Yu Hanchuo” did not differ much from any other name on the list of players he held.
Yu Hanchuo did not take too long, and with his outstanding performance during the winter training, he earned the trust of Coach Slutske, who entrusted him with important responsibilities. When the national team players participating in the Asian Cup were absent, Slutske gave Yu Hanchuo the captain’s armband. As insiders familiar with Slutske put it, “Whether in terms of tactical play or personal conduct, he (Yu Hanchuo) has won the trust of Coach Slutske.”
The media also mentioned that before the home game against Shanghai Port in the 23rd round, he had only played 532 minutes in total across 19 games, averaging only 28 minutes per game, scoring only one goal, but this did not affect his seriousness and dedication in daily training.
In addition, the report wrote that after the 2-1 victory over Guoan and advancing to the semi-finals of this year’s FA Cup, according to statistical data, Yu Hanchuo, who came off the bench, completed his 500th official club-level match as a professional footballer. He thus became the fifth active player and the 12th in history to achieve this milestone.
From the young “Little Yu” to “Brother Chao” and “Monkey Brother,” and now to the “uncle generation” in the mouths of the “Gen-Z” players, Yu Hanchuo himself doesn’t have too many feelings about it. No matter where he plays, “doing his best” is not only his goal but also his requirement of himself. At the same time, he hopes to influence the young players in the team through this approach.