Rural teen soccer star in Xinjiang scores with tactical vision

A sixth-grade soccer player from a small village school in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region captured millions of viewers on China's popular short-video platform Douyin with his tactical insights and leadership skills.

Muhmet Abusatar drew a strategic game plan on a classroom blackboard to prepare his team for the final match in a local school tournament, ensuring each teammate understood their role.

"We've got two midfielders and three strikers. We need to control the ball carefully and avoid solo plays — let's wear them out with passing," says Muhmet. "They're strong, but our goal is to win this game and take the championship."

With his guidance, his team secured a 1-0 victory, clinching the school championship. His tactical clarity and infectious enthusiasm have earned him the nickname "China's young Josep Guardiola" from fans nationwide.

The young boy's love for soccer stems from his father who played in local amateur matches. Growing up on the sidelines, Muhmet absorbed the game's rhythm and passion and joined his school's soccer team in the third grade.

"His speed, dribbling and energy are outstanding, inspiring the whole team both on and off the field," says his coach, Arshin Bolat.

"It's like having a mini assistant coach," Arshin adds, highlighting Muhmet's ability to analyze opponents' weaknesses and devise tactics.

As vice-captain, Muhmet's influence extends beyond being a player. Known for rallying his teammates during games, he also gathers and organizes the equipment after every practice.

"We're one united team. Even if a teammate makes a mistake and the opponent scores, we pick each other up and keep going until we win together," says Muhmet.

The boy's story underscores the rapid growth of soccer in the autonomous region of western China that has seen substantial investment in sports infrastructure in recent years. The development plan by local authorities aims for every elementary and secondary school to have or share access to a soccer field by 2025 to boost youth participation to a competitive national level by 2030.

Local officials transformed the old field at Aktubek Town Central Primary School in Gongliu county, where the boy studies, into grass turf, allowing more children to take up the sport and dream big.

Many in China's soccer community see the autonomous region as an emerging talent hub, with players like Behram Abduweli, who recently made history as the first player from the region to play on the country's national soccer team in an official match.

"Soccer builds strength, teaches kids cooperation and shows them the importance of hard work," says the coach Arshin. "We want more kids to experience the joy of this sport."

Muhmet, too, has big dreams for the future. "My dream is to grow up to be a professional player and represent China on the world stage," he says.