Xie Wenneng

Xie Wenneng (born 6 February 2001) is a Chinese professional footballer who plays as a winger for Chinese Super League club Shandong Taishan and the China national team.

Early career
Born in Meizhou, Guangdong, Xie started his football career with Shandong Taishan, where he was a part of youth side which won a Chinese U-16 League title in 2017, and was selected as a candidate for the 2017 Golden Boy at the under-16 level.

Zibo Cuju loan
On 20 October 2020, Xie Wenneng was loaned out to China League Two side Zibo Cuju on a short-term deal. He made his professional debut on 24 October 2020 in a game against Hubei Chufeng United, as he started in the game for Zibo Cuju. On 5 December 2020, Xie scored his first senior goal as he helped Zibo Cuju secure a 2–0 victory over Nanjing Fengfan.

China U20 loan
On 9 May 2021, Xie was called up to the China U20 football team to compete in the 2021 China League Two. On 21 May 2021, Xie was responsible for both goals in a 2–1 win over newly promoted Dongguan United.

Qingdao Hainiu loan
On 29 August 2021, China League Two club Qingdao Hainiu announced the loan signing of Xie from Shandong Taishan. He scored his first goal for the club on 11 September 2021 as he produced the winner against Shanghai Jiading Huilong in a 1–0 victory. He went on to score six more goals for the club before returning to his parent club, including a brace on the final day on 22 November against Guangxi Pingguo Haliao in a 2–2 draw, which saw Qingdao Hainiu lift the 2021 China League Two title, winning promotion to China League One.

Second Qingdao Hainiu loan
On 3 May 2022, Xie went out on loan to Qingdao Hainiu for a second season, and Xie's first season in China League One in his career. He would experience his breakthrough season in China League One as he provided 10 goals in 32 league appearances for Qingdao Hainiu, and helped the club secure back-to-back promotion, this time to the Chinese Super League, with a second-place finish.

Return from loan
Xie was named in the first-team squad for Shandong Taishan ahead of the 2023 Chinese Super League season, but his appearances for the majority of the season were largely limited by national training camps abroad which saw Xie out for club football for long periods of the season, only making two appearances in the 2023 Chinese FA Cup before August. On 4 August 2023, Xie made his Chinese Super League debut in a 6–1 home win over Meizhou Hakka, his hometown club, having scored against them a week earlier in a Chinese FA Cup tie. On 15 September 2023, Xie scored his first goals in the Chinese Super League as he scored twice in a 4–2 win over his former club Qingdao Hainiu. Xie made his AFC Champions League debut four days later on 19 September 2023 in a group stage match against Filipino side Kaya, scoring a goal that was ultimately ruled offside. Xie Wenneng finished the 2023 league campaign with 3 goals in 7 appearances.

International career
Xie has been selected by China youth teams at the under-16, under-20 through the China League Two-participating side in 2021, under-21, and under-23 levels. In 2023, Xie was called up to an under-23 training camp in Croatia and Belgium; Xie scored in friendlies with NK Solin, Club NXT, and NK Zagora Unešić.

On 8 March 2024, Xie Wenneng received his first call-up for the senior national team, in preparation for two matches in the second round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, both against Singapore. Xie made his debut on 6 June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier against Thailand. He substituted Xu Haoyang in the 68th minute as the game ended in a 1–1 draw.

Personal life
Xie Wenneng married his wife Zhan Liang on 2 January 2024.

Honours
Qingdao Hainiu
 * China League Two: 2021