China has embarked in a nationwide ambitious and costly campaign to bring national soccer to world class levels. The effort spearheaded by President Xi Jinping, who loves the sport, includes the selection and training of thousands of football players from the youngest age as well as the import of world champions to improve the level of the National League plagued for decades by corruption scandals.

A student at the Evergrande Football School practicing headshots.

The Guangzhou Tianhe stadium is full for a Chinese League game between Evergrande, the local team and league leader, and Changcun Yatai F.C.. After cleaning itself from decades of corruption scandals, China's Football League has seen increased inter

At The Guangzhou Tianhe stadium Evergrande supporters cheering during a Chinese League game against Changcun Yatai F.C..

At The Guangzhou Tianhe stadium Evergrande supporters cheering as their team just scored a goal during a Chinese League game against Changcun Yatai F.C..

Outside The Guangzhou Tianhe stadium Evergrande supporters buying the Jackson Martinez T-shirt. The Colombian striker has been acquired by Evergrande for a whooping $46 million in 2016. He has quickly become a favourite for the club supporters. In t

Outside the Workers Stadium in Beijing, a booth selling players stickers to supporters.

Outside the Workers stadium in Beijing, supporters of the Beijing club Guoan waiting for friends by a statue representing workers.

Supporters of the Beijing club Guoan cheering before the start of a game at the Workers Stadium. Guoan supporters are among the most fierce and unruly of Chinese football.

Guan supporters waving during a game at Beijing Workers Stadium.

A cook and friends watching a game of the 2016 Eurocup, late at night on a street of Beijing. International football tournaments draw huge audiences in China, in spite of the absence of the National team which poor performances don't allow a presenc

A giant model of the World Cup trophy outside the Evergrande Football school in Guangdong. The school, the biggest in the world with hundreds of students and dozens of football fields has become a symbol of China's efforts to become a world cla

Gardeners working at the entrance gate of the Evergrande Football School, the world’s biggest soccer boarding school and a showcase for China's ambitions to groom talents of international caliber.

Students at the Evergrande Football School playing soccer during the training classes. The school counts 48 football pitches

Students of the Evergrande football school having breakfast at the school's canteen decorated with drawings of football players.

A student book in hand running to class through Evergrande football school park decorated with the statue of a player with the world cup trophy in hands.

Students of the Evergrande football school training.

Students of the Evergrande football school doing stretching exercises under the eyes of a spanish coach. The school football training has been set up in partnership with the Real Madrid and number of Spanish coach work there.

Students of the Evergrande football school practicing their dribbling.

A 9 years old student preparing his bed for the night at Evergrande Football school.

An employee sweeping the alleys of the Evergrande Football School manicured gardens where a mosaic represents a giant soccer ball.

175 Meters

The traveling opera