Zhang is known by the nickname “Zhangmos” for his similarity in looks and playstyle to Sergio Ramos. An offensive minded defender, Zhang is also known for his tackling ability and aerial game in China.[2] He was highly praised by Italian manager Marcello Lippi who described him as "the best Chinese footballer in the Chinese Super League".[3][4]
Club career
Zhang Linpeng would play as a youngster for the Genbao Football Academy before he graduated to the Shanghai East Asia's first team at the beginning of the 2006 league season. With the club in the third tier, Zhang quickly made an impression within the team when he was part of the squad that won promotion to the second tier at the end of the 2007 league season.[5] Within the second tier, Zhang played a major part in ensuring the club remained in the division and by the 2009 season, the club finished fourth and just missed out on promotion.[6] His performance for his club then saw him receive an unexpected call-up to the Chinese national team where he impressed many by scoring on his debut against Jordan, and he became one of the most sought-after players in China.
He made his debut for the club on 2 April 2011 in a 1–0 win against Dalian Shide.[8] Throughout the season, Zhang was used as a squad player as Guangzhou won their first ever league title at the end of the 2012 season. He soon established himself as a mainstay in the team's backline during the 2013 season, leading the club to a third straight league title as well as an AFC Champions League title, the first in the club's history.
During preseason before the 2015 season, Zhang sustained a medial accessory ligament tear on his left knee joint on 7 February 2015 in a friendly match against Hangzhou Greentown.[9][10] While recovering from his surgery in Italy, Zhang was linked with Serie A side Inter Milan[11] with manager Roberto Mancini also confirming his interest in Zhang.[12] However, Guangzhou insisted that Zhang was worth €10 million which far exceeded what Inter was willing to pay.[13] After recovering from injury, Zhang came on as a substitute and scored a goal on 3 April 2015 in a 2–1 loss against Henan Jianye.[14] He then went on to score a 60-meter goal on 12 April 2015 in a 6–1 win against Liaoning Whowin.[15] On 28 May 2015, he suffered a reoccurrence of a left knee strain on 27 May 2015 in a 2–0 win against Seongnam FC.[16] On 20 July 2015, Zhang extended his contract with Guangzhou until 31 December 2020.[17] Zhang returned from injury on 12 August 2015 in a 1–0 win against Jiangsu Sainty.[18] On 28 August 2015, Premier League side Chelsea made an offer to Guangzhou for Zhang, hoping to complete the transfer before the summer transfer window closed;[19] however, the deal couldn't be completed due to limited time while the two clubs failed to agree on certain terms during negotiations.[20] Zhang stayed at Evergrande and won his second AFC Champions League title with the team at the end of the season.
On 29 April 2022, Zhang transferred back to his old side Shanghai Port after 12 years.[21] On 29 October 2023, Zhang won his ninth league title and the first one with Shanghai Port after a 1–1 home draw against league competitor, Shandong Taishan. [22]
Despite the under-23 national team's failures, Zhang's performances were considered good enough for then manager Gao Hongbo to unexpectedly call him up to the national team even though he was playing for a second-tier side. He made an impressive international debut on 30 December 2009 in a 2–2 draw against Jordan, scoring on his debut as well.[25] After his debut, Zhang was called up to the squad that won the 2010 East Asian Football Championship before establishing himself as a regular for the team that took part in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
Zhang played in all three of China's matches at the 2011 Asian Cup, scoring in the team's 2–0 win over Kuwait. He also started in all four of China's matches at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, where the team reached the quarter-finals, losing to hosts and eventual winners Australia in Brisbane.[26]
Zhang appeared at his third AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and played the full 90 minutes in all of the team's first four matches. However, he was suspended for the quarter-final against Iran, which China lost 3–0.[27]
In December 2023, Zhang was named in China's squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, again played full 90 minutes in all 3 group matches in his fourth tournament and captained the team in the first two.[29]
In March 2024, Zhang announced his retirement from international football after an embarrassing performance against Singapore during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, before reversing his decision two days later.[30]
Personal life
Zhang is of Hui ethnicity and was known to be rebellious in his youth.[31][32] He married his girlfriend Wang Qiaozhi on 21 May 2011 and their son was born on 1 September 2014.[33][34]
