Du Wei (L) of China plays against Denilson of Brazil in a group game of 2002 FIFA World Cup in Seogwipo, South Korea, June 8, 2002. It is the first and only time that China made it to the World Cup finals. [Photo/IC]

"Three wishes" for Chinese soccer

In July 2011, Xi expressed his "three wishes" for Chinese soccer after receiving a soccer ball autographed by South Korean footballer Park Ji-sung during his meeting with Sohn Hak-kyu, leader of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party.

Xi's three wishes were: "To qualify for World Cup finals again, host the games and win the prestigious tournament."

Xi, the then vice-president, receives a Los Angeles Lakers basketball jersey signed by NBA star Kobe Bryant and a LA Galaxy soccer jersey bearing David Beckham's autograph. Beckham and former Lakers' star Earvin 'Magic' Johnson presented the jerseys to Xi when he went to watch an NBA game in LA during a visit to the US, Feb 17, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

David Beckham

In February 2012, Xi watched the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Phoenix Suns before wrapping up his visit to the US. The Lakers gave Xi a No 1 jersey bearing his name on the back and a pair of shoes autographed by Kobe Bryant. Soccer star David Beckham also gave Xi an autographed jersey.