Mao Jianqing started his professional football career in 2004 with Shanghai Shenhua after graduating from their youth team. He made his debut in a league game against Shenyang Ginde on June 13, 2006 in a 0-0 draw where he came on as a substitute.[1] In his first season for Shenhua he played in four league games; however, he did not score his first goal and establish himself for them until the 2006 season where he was a significant part of the team that came second in the Chinese Super League.[2] The following seasons saw his speed, strength, confidence, strong shot and intelligent ball control make him one not only the club's first choice winger but also the national team.
In December 2008 Mao Jianqing was arrested for his involvement in a bloody restaurant brawl in the city where a local man was beaten and two women were hurt. The fight started in an apparent fit of jealousy over a woman and came hours after the Shenhua team suffered a disappointing tie that cost them the league title. After being held in custody for one week and making a public apology, Mao was allowed to return to Shenhua.[3] His public assault charge saw him dropped from the team, although he briefly regained his place within the team until the transfer window opened and he was loaned out to Shenzhen Asia Travel for the remainder of the season.
On 1 December 2016, Mao rejoined his former club Shanghai Shenhua.[6] The move would see him go on to re-establish himself as an integral part of the team and see him win his first piece of silverware when the club won the 2017 Chinese FA Cup.[7] The following season saw Mao's game time significantly reduced after a flare-up on his left knee from previous injury required him to have surgery.[8] With persistent injuries on both his legs, Mao would announce his retirement from playing on 4 March 2020 and that he would looking to move into coaching.[9]
International career
Mao Jianqing was included in the under-23 squad to play Football at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha; however, he missed the tournament due to injury. Mao Jianqing still went on to join the senior team and made his debut against Palestine in a 2-0 win on October 11, 2006 where he also scored to send them to China to the 2007 AFC Asian Cup finals.[10] Under the head coach Zhu Guanghu he became the first choice left-winger within the Chinese team and was included in the Asian Cup Cup tournament. Within that campaign he started in all of China's games where they were knocked out in the group stages and scored his only goal of the tournament against Iran in their 2-2 draw.[11]
Career statistics
Club
Statistics accurate as of match played 31 December 2019.[12]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Palestine
Iran