Wang Dalei

Despite being only seventeen years old, Wang started his football career with Shanghai United, making his debut on 11 March 2006 in a 1–1 draw against Inter Xian which made him the youngest professional goalkeeper in Chinese football history. He quickly made an impact within the team by establishing himself as their first-choice goalkeeper.^[1] This saw Serie A club Internazionale interested within and invited him to train with them during the summer break.^[2] Wang returned to Shanghai where he continued to be the club's starting goalkeeper, making 22 appearances in his debut season at the end of the 2006 season and winning the Chinese Football Association Young Player of the Year award.^[3]

The following season saw Shanghai United merged with Shanghai Shenhua, leading to Wang having to fight for his position as the first choice goalkeeper for the significantly larger squad.^[4] Nevertheless, at the end of the 2007 season, Premier League club Manchester City decided to give him a trial along with several other Shanghai players.^[specify][5]

Although nothing came out of the trial, Wang's form significantly improved after a disappointing 2007 season. He established himself as the starting goalkeeper the following season, where he saw the club almost miss out on the league title.^[6] During the league break, Wang had another trial, this time with Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven. However, as a result, he missed out on the club's preseason and lost starting role to Qiu Shengjiong. With the appointment of then-coach Miroslav Blažević in the 2010 season, Wang was placed as the club's first choice goalkeeper again. Moreover, his commitments to the Chinese under-23 national team saw him miss much of the season.^{[citation needed]}

On 1 January 2014, Wang transferred to fellow Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng. On 25 February, he made his debut for the club in a 1–1 home draw against Buriram United in the 2014 AFC Champions League group stage. Wang won the 2014 Chinese FA Cup with Shandong and was awarded with the Chinese Football Association Goalkeeper of The Year award in November 2014.^[7] He was part of the club that won the 2021 Chinese Super League title.^[8]

Wang was part of the Chinese under-17 national team that won the 2004 AFC U-17 Championship. He also appeared several times^{[clarification needed]} for the Chinese under-23 national team in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics. However, Wang was dropped from the final squad because he had lost his place to Qiu Shengjiong. Despite this, Wang earned his place back into the team in time for the 2010 Asian Games. Moreover, after the match against Japan which the Chinese under-23 national team lost 3–0. He later posted on his microblog: "It would be flattery to call you, fans. You're just a bunch of dogs. You bunch of morons are the main reason why Chinese football can't make progress. You throw in stones after a man has fallen into a well." His comments would see him suspended from the team despite making an apology.^[9]

Wang received his first call-up to the Chinese national team in May 2006 for a friendly matches against Switzerland and France.^[10] Six years later, on 6 September 2012, he made his debut for the national in a 1–0 loss against Sweden and was named man of the match after an impressive performance.^[11]

Wang was China's first choice goalkeeper for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, where China reached the quarter-finals, losing against hosts and eventual winners Australia in Brisbane.^[12] In the opening group stage match against Saudi Arabia on 10 January 2015, his 26th birthday, Wang saved a penalty when the score was still goalless. China eventually scored a late winner and won the match.^[13]

Wang was also a member of the Chinese squad for the 2019^[14] and 2023 AFC Asian Cups.^[15]