China’s soccer fans have found a new star to cheer for at the World Cup: Ma Ning, a referee known for his strict officiating style. Despite China’s national team failing to qualify for the tournament, Ma has become a source of national pride, with many fans taking to social media to express their support.

Ma Ning’s Rise to Fame

Ma, 46, has been a FIFA-certified referee since 2011 and has refereed numerous international games, including the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League. He made his World Cup debut in Qatar four years ago, serving as a fourth official for multiple matches.

Ma’s reputation as a strict referee has earned him the nickname ‘Card Master,’ with some fans joking that his luggage is filled with yellow and red cards. His social media following has grown significantly, with over 210,000 followers on the Chinese social media platform RedNote.

A Symbol of National Pride

Ma’s participation in the World Cup has become a symbol of national pride for China, with many fans seeing him as a representative of their country on the global stage. His presence has also sparked interest in the tournament, with some fans admitting that they don’t normally follow soccer but will tune in to watch Ma referee.

Ma has secured sponsorships from major Chinese brands, including Lenovo and Hisense, and has become a viral sensation on social media, with hashtags related to him generating millions of views.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.