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Umesh Bhagchandani

Hailing from China, Sam Li Sirong is not only an accomplished football player at only age 19, but also the newest brand ambassador for luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton, among other high-end brands.
With his youthful energy and dynamic talent, Li is quickly becoming a notable figure in both the sports and fashion worlds. Here’s what you need to know about the rising star …
Sam Li Sirong grew up in Europe

Li’s passion for football started at the young age of eight when he began playing in his hometown of Dalian, Liaoning. To provide him with the best opportunities, Sina Fashion reported, Li’s mother took him on a tour of several European countries including Spain, Germany and France.
At the age of 12, Li relocated to the Netherlands and spent over a year training with an amateur team before earning a trial with the professional club Ado Den Haag.

According to Xinhua, Ado Den Haag has confirmed signing a contract with Li that extends until 2024. This makes him the first Chinese player to join the Eredivisie club’s academy.
“Over the past five years, I grew strong, improved my skills and my understanding of football was enhanced. I think I can now observe the game from the Dutch perspective,” Li said, per the publication.
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His father is a former football player, too

It seems that Li’s interest and talent in football runs in the family, as his father, Li Ming, is a former Chinese international footballer. After he retired in 2005, he’s been working as a general manager at the Beijing Guoan football team.
As a father and a former professional athlete, Li Ming has high aspirations for his son’s future in football. He expressed his confidence in his son’s abilities, stating that he continues to improve his skills and has a great attitude towards teamwork, reported China.org.

“Sam keeps improving his skills. He is an open-minded person and can get along well with his teammates. I hope he can represent China one day,” Li Ming said.
Sam’s name is also particularly meaningful, as the Chinese character for “si” in his given name means “inherit”, per Xinhua. This is quite fitting, as he follows in the footsteps of his father, who also plays on the right side on the field, albeit in a different position as a defender rather than a midfielder.
It’s clear that the father-son duo has a strong connection to football, with Sam carrying on the family legacy and making a name for himself in the sport.
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He keeps himself grounded and focused

Despite his young age, Li displays maturity beyond his years, exhibiting finesse, perseverance and humility. According to a statement he made to Xinhua, Li regards his teammates as more skilled than himself and acknowledges that he must work hard to avoid falling behind. However, he compensates for this by relying on his exceptional physique and strategic abilities.
“My physical condition is good and I like using my mind on the pitch,” he said.

The young prodigy also enforced the rigorous personal standards of his Dutch team, which prioritises discipline and respect for others. His father echoed the sentiment, informing Xinhua: “When he was small, I would ask him to apologise whenever he made mistakes. Respect should be top of the list in a club’s culture.”
Li has also persevered through challenges to achieve what he has today. He revealed to CGTN that he was initially the weakest player on the team and a combination of language barriers, studying and training pressure caused him so much stress that his ears even bled at one point.
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He is also a rising fashion model

In addition to being a football sensation, Li is also a successful fashion model and has been featured in several high-profile brand campaigns, such as L’Oréal Men, Puma, Bottega Veneta and Hublot. As part of his work with Hublot, he was invited to the watchmaker’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, where he gained first-hand insight into the production of luxury timepieces, as evident on his Instagram page.

Here’s an interesting titbit from Xinhua: Li’s father was also known for being photogenic during his prime and even earned the nickname “Chinese David Beckham”.
He stars in a Louis Vuitton ad campaign with Jaden Smith

Li recently made his debut as a model for Louis Vuitton’s latest trainer campaign, LV’s Archlight 2.0, in March. He was photographed wearing a variety of oversized garments, including a metallic coat and black hooded jumper, while showcasing the fashion house’s newest trainers. Another star featuring in the campaign? Will Smith’s son, Jaden.












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A post shared by Louis Vuitton (@louisvuitton)



As stated on the brand’s website, the new Archlight 2.0 trainers are made of metallic PVC and represent a fresh interpretation of the iconic LV Archlight platform trainer with a redesigned, geometric rubber outsole. It features an oversized tongue, two adjustable Velcro straps, laces and a back loop in Monogram canvas – a key look in Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2023 collection fashion show.
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Fame and celebrity

Meet Sam Li Sirong, China’s 19-year-old fashionista football star who features in Louis Vuitton’s Archlight Sneaker 2.0 campaign with Jaden Smith and models for Hublot when he’s not on the field

Sam Li Sirong may only be 19, but he’s already a rising star in both football and fashion. Photo: @sam.li.sirong/Instagram

Sam Li Sirong relocated to the Netherlands at the age of 12 to play football. Photo: @sam.li.sirong/Instagram

Football is Sam Li Sirong’s first love. Photo: @sam.li.sirong/Instagram

Sam Li Sirong’s father, Li Ming (right), used to be an international footballer, too. Photo: @sam.li.sirong/Instagram

Sam Li Sirong has the potential to become a famous football player on the international stage. Photo: @sam.li.sirong/Instagram

Sam Li Sirong is humble and works hard to improve his skills. Photo: @sam.li.sirong/Instagram

Rising star Sam Li Sirong making time to hang out with friends during a trip to Croatia. Photo: @sam.li.sirong/Instagram

Sam Li Sirong also has pretty lucrative side gigs, modelling for Puma and Hublot. Photo: @sam.li.sirong/Instagram

Sam Li Sirong showing off a Hublot watch. Photo: @sam.li.sirong/Instagram

Sam Li Sirong has featured in campaigns with Louis Vuitton. Photo: @louisvuitton/Instagram

The rise and return of supermodel Liu Wen: the Chinese star made history as a Victoria’s Secret Angel and American Vogue cover girl, and just returned to the runway for Prada, Givenchy and Loewe

Liu Wen is dubbed to be the first Chinese supermodel. Photo: @liuwenlw/Instagram

Liu Wen is the most famous Chinese supermodel in the world. Photo: @liuwenlw/Instagram

Liu Wen has nearly six million followers on Instagram. Photo: @liuwenlw/Instagram

Liu Wen became the first Chinese model to walk the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Photo: @liuwenlw/ Instagram

Liu Wen walking for Alexander McQueen in March. Photo: @liuwenlw/Instagram

Liu Wen boasts a natural sense of style. Photo: @liuwenlw/Instagram

Liu Wen describes her style as sporty. Photo: @liuwenlw/Instagram

Liu Wen walking the Miu Miu runway in March. Photo: @liuwenlw/Instagram 

Where to go – and stay – in China in 2023: close to Hong Kong, the mainland just reopened its borders to tourists and offers luxurious sojourns from Beijing’s Xitan Hotel to Yunnan’s Aman Resort

Stay at the Amandayan for an unforgettable experience in Yunnan, with stunning views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Photo: @AmanResorts/Facebook

Amandayan’s tranquil outdoor swimming pool in Lijiang, Yunnan. Photo: @AmanResorts/Facebook

The serene rooms at the Jangala Dunhuang make for excellent winding down after a day taking in Buddhist art. Photo: 碧玥Jangala/WeChat

Wild and wonderful Gansu lies between the Tibetan and Loess plateaus and borders Mongolia. Photo: Unsplash

The Sunyata Wenyutan makes the most of its gorgeous bucolic surroundings with terraces throughout the design-led property. Photo: Sunyata 既下山/WeChat

Visitors make the pilgrimage to the summit of Anhui’s Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) before sunrise to witness the stunning sea of clouds effect. Photo: Unsplash

The view from Amandayan’s Tea House overlooking Lijiang Old Town. Photo: Amandayan

Spacious, high-ceilinged rooms await at the luxurious Amandayan. Photo: Amandayan

Lijiang’s stunning Black Dragon Pool boasts the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as a backdrop. Photo: Amandayan

Temple Restaurant Beijing’s Michelin star-winning amuse bouche. Photo: TRB

Just a walking distance from the Forbidden City, TRB Hutong used to be a 400-year-old temple. Photo: TRB

Xitan Hotel is located in a Ming Dynasty village in Mentougou, an hour drive away from Beijing. Photo: @Xitan北京悉昙酒店/WeChat

The Jade Dove Vineyard Hotel is hidden inside the vast Xige Winery in Ningxia. Photo: Xige Winery

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The Jade Dove Vineyard Hotel allows guests to taste vintages direct from the surrounding Xige Winery. Photo: @XigeWinery/WeChat

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Hikaru Utada (middle) spotted at the Sacai fashion show during Paris Fashion Week 2023. Photo: @utadahikaru4ever/Instagram 

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An advocate for representation in the industry, Gemma Chan believes she has a “responsibility” with her platform, and has become known for deliberately rocking Asian fashion designers on the red carpet. Photos: @gemmachan/Instagram

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Gemma Chan glittered in an Oscar de la Renta dress at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2022. Photo: @gemmachan/Instagram

Gemma Chan wearing Shushu/Tong at the Fashion Awards in London in November 2021. Photo: @gemmachan/Instagram

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Gemma Chan wearing a custom Prabal Gurung dress at the Met Gala in September 2021. Photo: @gemmachan/Instagram

Gemma Chan wearing Simone Rocha in December 2020. Photo: @gemmachan/Instagram

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Gemma Chan wearing Phillip Lim in March 2019. Photo: @gemmachan/Instagram

8 Korean fashion models rocking the global runways, from HoYeon Jung of Squid Game and Louis Vuitton fame, to Irene Kim, Shin Hyun-ji and Park Soo-joo, who are besties with BTS’ J-Hope and Blackpink

South Korea’s runway queens: Park Soo-joo, Shin Hyun-ji, Sora Choi and HoYeon Jung. Photos: @soojmooj,  @iamhyunjishin, @sola5532/Instagram; EPA, 

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 Lee Sung-kyung models for many brands, including Chanel and Shiseido. Photo: @heybiblee/Instagram

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Model HoYeon Jung made an massive impact in Squid Game and is a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton. Photo: EPA-EFE

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Shin Hyun-ji is besties with Blackpink’s Jennie. Photo: @iamhyunjishin/Instagram

Park Soo-joo hangs out with G-Dragon and Blackpink’s Rosé. Photo: @soojmooj/Instagram

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Jang Yoon-ju is a veteran model, author, DJ and musician. Photo: @yoonjujang/Instagram

Lee Ho-jung experienced a growth spurt when she was young that opened a career to modelling. Photo: @holly608/Instagram

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At only 19, Sam Li Sirong is a rapidly rising star in both football and fashion – he’s currently signed with Ado Den Haag, making him the first Chinese player to join the Eredivisie club
Thanks to his good looks, the Dalian native has modelled for Puma, Bottega Veneta and Hublot – his biggest deal to date is with LV, starring in its Archlight Sneaker 2.0 campaign with Jaden Smith


From the football field to high fashion, Sam Li Sirong is making waves as a rising star in both industries … here’s everything you need to know about the 19-year-old
