Football player, once coached by PSG and Ajax, now residing in his dream city
**Raphaël Merkies: From French Youth Teams to Hong Kong's National Hero**
Raphaël Merkies' football journey has been nothing short of remarkable, taking him from the prestigious youth teams of France and the Netherlands to becoming a key player for Hong Kong's national team and a professional in the Chinese Super League.
*Early Development and Youth Career*
Merkies' early football education was impressive, training at renowned European clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Ajax. These formative years provided a strong foundation for his future success.
*Move to Hong Kong*
Initially, Merkies harboured doubts about his football future when he moved to Hong Kong in 2016. However, he quickly integrated into the local football scene and qualified to play for the Hong Kong national team through residency rules. This was a crucial step in launching his international career with Hong Kong.
*Hong Kong National Team*
Merkies made his official debut with Hong Kong’s senior national team, becoming a recognised squad member in recent years. He has participated in various international fixtures, including Asian Cup qualifiers and friendlies, establishing himself as a key player for Hong Kong.
*Professional Club Career*
Merkies' club career includes playing for Shandong Taishan in China's top-tier Chinese Super League. His recent transfer to Shandong Taishan signifies a significant step up, competing in one of Asia’s strongest leagues and showcasing his growing professional stature.
*Achievements and Recognition*
While specific individual awards are not detailed, Merkies' milestones include becoming an integral part of Hong Kong's national squad and advancing to a prominent club in the Chinese Super League. Shandong Taishan, his current club, is a four-time Chinese Super League champion.
*Naturalization and Ambitions*
Merkies obtained a Hong Kong passport last year, a decision based on the benefits it would provide for his football career. Despite his mother's initial reservations about his naturalization due to the strength of the French passport, Merkies' ambition is to represent Hong Kong, not France.
*Recent Milestones*
Merkies made his city team debut in January's Hong Kong-Guangdong Cup, and he is set to add to his three caps at the forthcoming East Asian Championship finals in South Korea. Nine years after his move to Hong Kong, Merkies is an increasingly important figure for the representative team. He aims to repay the trust of his coach and the support of the Hong Kong fans.
In summary, Merkies' progression from elite youth training in France and the Netherlands to becoming a key player for Hong Kong’s national team and a professional in the competitive Chinese Super League with Shandong Taishan marks important achievements in his football career. His journey highlights the benefits of naturalization for his career and his growing commitment to representing Hong Kong, the place where he grew up and started his career.
*Merkies' football career in Hong Kong has been soaring, as he became a pivotal player for the national team and joined the Chinese Super League club, Shandong Taishan.
*With his recent naturalization, Merkies shows his devotion to Representing Hong Kong, despite his mother's initial reservations about his French passport, and continues to make his mark as a key figure in the local sports landscape, especially in football.
