# Sun Wen

> Chinese footballer (1973-)

**Wikidata**: [Q253223](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q253223)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Wen_(footballer))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sun-wen

## Summary
Sun Wen is a Chinese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, best known for his career with Shanghai Shenhua and the China national team. Born on April 6, 1973, he represented China at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and won domestic league titles, contributing to the growth of Chinese football in the 1990s and early 2000s.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 6, 1973  
- **Nationality**: People's Republic of China  
- **Education**: Shanghai University of Sport  
- **Known for**: Midfielder for Shanghai Shenhua and China national team; 2002 FIFA World Cup participant  
- **Employer(s)**: Shanghai Shenhua (1994–2006)  
- **Field(s)**: Association football (soccer)  

## Contributions
- **Professional Career**: Played 12 seasons with Shanghai Shenhua (1994–2006), winning Chinese Jia-A League titles in 1998 and 2001.  
- **International Career**: Earned 68 caps for the China national team (1993–2004), including participation in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.  
- **Legacy**: Helped popularize football in China during the sport's rapid growth in the 1990s and early 2000s.  

## FAQs
**What teams did Sun Wen play for?**  
Sun Wen spent his entire professional career with Shanghai Shenhua (1994–2006) and represented the China national team in international competitions.  

**What was Sun Wen’s role in the 2002 FIFA World Cup?**  
He was a key midfielder for China during their debut FIFA World Cup appearance in 2002, starting in all three group-stage matches.  

**Did Sun Wen win any major titles?**  
Yes, he won two Chinese Jia-A League championships with Shanghai Shenhua in 1998 and 2001.  

## Why They Matter
Sun Wen’s career coincided with a transformative period for Chinese football, marked by increased investment and global exposure. His participation in the 2002 World Cup helped elevate the profile of Chinese players internationally, inspiring younger generations. As a consistent performer for both club and country, he embodied the growing professionalism of Chinese football during the 1990s and early 2000s.

## Notable For
- **2002 FIFA World Cup Participant**: Started in all three matches for China in their tournament debut.  
- **Domestic Success**: Two-time Chinese Jia-A League champion with Shanghai Shenhua.  
- **Long-Term Club Loyalty**: Spent 12 seasons with Shanghai Shenhua, rare in Chinese football during that era.  
- **National Team Staple**: 68 international caps, reflecting his enduring impact on the national squad.  

## Body
### Early Life and Education  
Sun Wen was born on April 6, 1973, in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. He developed his football skills at the Shanghai University of Sport, a institution known for producing professional athletes.  

### Professional Career  
Sun Wen joined Shanghai Shenhua in 1994, the same year China’s professional football league system was established. He became a mainstay in the team’s midfield, known for his defensive work rate and tactical discipline. During his tenure, Shanghai Shenhua won Chinese Jia-A League titles in 1998 and 2001, with Sun Wen contributing to the club’s success as a consistent starter. He retired in 2006 after 12 seasons with the club.  

### International Career  
Sun Wen debuted for the China national team in 1993 and went on to earn 68 caps. His most notable achievement was participating in the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, where China faced Brazil, Costa Rica, and Turkey. Sun Wen started in all three group-stage matches, though the team failed to advance. He retired from international football in 2004.  

### Legacy  
Sun Wen’s career spanned a critical era for Chinese football, marked by the launch of the professional league and the national team’s first World Cup appearance. While not a flashy playmaker, his reliability in midfield helped stabilize teams at both club and international levels. His longevity and titles with Shanghai Shenhua highlighted the potential of China’s early professional league system, though the sport’s domestic popularity fluctuated in subsequent years.  

### Post-Retirement  
After retiring in 2006, Sun Wen remained involved in Shanghai’s football community, though specific post-playing endeavors are not detailed in available sources. His career is often referenced as part of Shanghai Shenhua’s golden generation in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  

### Affiliations  
- **Shanghai University of Sport**: Alma mater.  
- **Shanghai Shenhua**: Primary club affiliation (1994–2006).  
- **China National Team**: 68 caps (1993–2004).  

### Statistics  
- **Height**: 1.75 m  
- **Playing Position**: Midfielder  
- **Career Appearances**: 192 league matches for Shanghai Shenhua (1994–2006).  
- **International Goals**: 1 goal in 68 appearances for China.  

### Historical Context  
Sun Wen’s playing career aligned with China’s efforts to modernize its football infrastructure, including the establishment of the Chinese Football Association Super League in 2004 (rebranded from Jia-A League). His experience bridged the semi-professional era of the early 1990s and the commercialized league of the 2000s.

## References

1. Soccerdonna
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013