Chinese Youth Football Talent Quits the Game After Legal Battle With Sun Jihai’s Academy

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief

BEIJING — A 12-year-old football prodigy at the center of a high-profile legal dispute with former Chinese international Sun Jihai’s youth academy has left the sport entirely, switching to badminton after months of turmoil over contract terms and registration issues, according to verified reports from Chinese sports media.

Zhang Zhuoyi, once considered one of China’s most promising young football talents, has abandoned the game following a bitter fallout with HiQiu Football Academy, the youth training program co-founded by Sun Jihai, a legend of Chinese football who played for Manchester City and the national team. The case has sparked widespread debate about the ethics of youth football development in China and the power dynamics between academies and young players.

What Happened: A Timeline of the Dispute

The conflict began in April 2025, when Zhang’s parents signed a training agreement with HiQiu Football Academy. The contract stipulated that Zhang would train with the academy until he turned 18, with HiQiu covering all training and development costs. In exchange, Zhang was expected to remain with the academy for the duration of the agreement.

However, tensions escalated earlier this year when Zhang’s family reportedly sought to transfer the young player to another academy. HiQiu responded by filing a lawsuit in August 2025, demanding 2,666,666 yuan (approximately $370,000 USD) in compensation for breach of contract. The lawsuit named both Zhang and his legal guardians as defendants.

The case quickly became a lightning rod for criticism of China’s youth football system, with many accusing HiQiu of exploiting young players and their families. Critics argued that the financial demands were disproportionate and could deter families from pursuing football altogether.

The Breaking Point: Registration Issues and a Change of Sport

On April 28, 2026, Chinese sports blogger “10号沛沛” (No. 10 Peipei), a well-known figure in youth football circles, revealed on social media that Zhang had officially quit football and was now training in badminton. The blogger shared a screenshot of a conversation with Zhang’s mother, who confirmed the decision.

In the screenshot, Zhang’s mother wrote: “以后张卓毅的事情就别问了，孩子改打羽毛球了。一个SX协会、恶霸和他的保护伞，真得恭喜你们了！” (“Don’t inquire about Zhang Zhuoyi’s situation anymore. He’s switched to badminton. Congratulations to the [expletive] association, the bully, and his protectors!”)

The post also highlighted that Zhang had been unable to register with any novel football academy due to the ongoing legal dispute, effectively ending his football career before it had even begun.

Sun Jihai and HiQiu’s Response

HiQiu Football Academy has not issued an official statement regarding Zhang’s departure from football. However, in previous public comments, the academy has defended its actions, arguing that the lawsuit was necessary to protect its investment in Zhang’s development and to uphold the terms of the signed agreement.

Sun Jihai, who has largely stayed out of the public debate, has not directly addressed the case. His involvement in HiQiu has been a point of contention, with some critics accusing him of enabling exploitative practices in youth football.

Why This Matters: The Broader Implications for Chinese Football

Zhang’s case is not an isolated incident. It reflects deeper systemic issues in Chinese youth football, where the pressure to develop elite talent often collides with the financial and contractual realities of running an academy. Several key questions have emerged from this dispute:

• Player Rights vs. Academy Investments: How can young players and their families protect themselves from potentially exploitative contracts while still accessing high-level training?
• Registration Barriers: Why was Zhang unable to register with another academy, and what role did the Chinese Football Association (CFA) play in this process?
• The Ethics of Youth Development: Is the current model of youth football in China sustainable, or does it risk driving away talent due to financial and legal pressures?

The loss of a player like Zhang, who was widely regarded as one of China’s brightest young prospects, is a significant blow to the country’s football development efforts. China has long struggled to produce world-class talent, and cases like this only exacerbate the challenges faced by the sport at the grassroots level.

What’s Next for Zhang Zhuoyi?

With Zhang now focusing on badminton, his future in sports remains uncertain. Badminton is one of China’s most successful Olympic sports, and the country has a robust youth development system in place. However, the transition from football to badminton is not without its challenges, particularly for a 12-year-old who has spent years honing skills in a different sport.

For HiQiu and Sun Jihai, the fallout from this case is likely to continue. The academy’s reputation has taken a hit, and the legal battle may drag on, depending on the outcome of the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the Chinese Football Association has yet to comment on the case, leaving many questions unanswered about the role of governing bodies in protecting young players.

Key Takeaways

• Zhang Zhuoyi, a 12-year-old football prodigy, has quit the sport entirely after a legal dispute with Sun Jihai’s HiQiu Football Academy.
• The academy sued Zhang and his family for 2.66 million yuan ($370,000 USD) for breach of contract.
• Zhang was unable to register with another football academy due to the ongoing legal battle.
• The case has sparked widespread criticism of China’s youth football system and the power dynamics between academies and young players.
• Zhang has now switched to badminton, a sport where China has a strong development pipeline.

How to Follow the Story

For updates on this developing story, follow official statements from the Chinese Football Association and HiQiu Football Academy. Archysport will continue to provide verified coverage as new details emerge.

What do you reckon about Zhang Zhuoyi’s decision to abandon football? Should youth academies have the right to demand such high compensation from young players? Share your thoughts in the comments below.