Leonardo's Goal Breaks CSF Foreign Player Drought

On Wednesday, Leonardo scored the first goal for China in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Kuwait. The Brazilian forward has been absent from the national team since his departure to Europe and this was a moment that he had been waiting for.

Leonardo, who played for Brazil's under-17, under-20, and under-23 teams, made his debut for China in 2015. He played 44 games for the Chinese Super League side, Jiangsu Suning, scoring 16 goals.

His performance at Jiangsu Suning earned him a move to the Italian Serie A club Roma where he spent two seasons before joining Manchester United last year. However, he struggled with injuries and fitness issues during his time in England and returned to Italy in January this year.

In June, he joined the Chinese Super League side, Guangzhou Evergrande, on loan but could not play due to injury. His absence from the national team meant that he missed out on the opportunity to represent his country at the FIFA World Cup and the Asian Cup.

But now, after almost five years away from the national team, Leonardo finally got his chance to score for China against Kuwait. The goal came in the 88th minute of the match, as he headed home from a corner kick to give his team a 1-0 lead.

The victory over Kuwait was also significant because it marked the end of a drought for the Chinese Super League club, Guizhou Hengfeng, which had not won any major competition in four years. It also marked the beginning of a new era for the Chinese national team, as they will be hoping to make a strong showing in the AFC Asian Cup later this month.

Leonardo's goal was a testament to his talent and determination, and it will be remembered by fans of both the Chinese and Brazilian football scenes. As he looks ahead to the upcoming AFC Asian Cup, it is clear that he is ready to make his mark on the international stage once again.