2024 Chinese Footballer of the Year kicked off in Hangzhou on February 13. Bora Milutinovic who is the only former head coach of Chinese Football Team to lead the team to enter the World Cup, together with Branko Ivankovic as the current head coach of Chinese Football Team, grants the Award of Chinese Footballer to Wu Lei as the excellent player.

After the award ceremony, Bora Milutinovic said: "I hope Branko Ivankovic, the current head coach, can once again lead Chinese Football Team to enter the World Cup."

If Chinese Football Team can defeat Australian Team during a major event at the third stage of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers to be hosted in Hangzhou next month, this will increase the chance of promotion.