Photo from Xinhua.

Dec 31, 2013

A picture on a shelf in Xi's office is one where the president kicks a Gaelic football during his visit to the Ireland. The photo was released when Xi sent his first Lunar New Year greetings to Chinese people.

September 2013

Xi expressed his opinion of football when asked to predict Chinese and Indonesian performances during the qualifying campaign for the 2015 Asian Cup during an interview before his 2013 Southeast Asian trip.

"I hope both our national teams will make it to the World Cup finals in the near future. Football's charm comes from its unpredictability and it is all about cooperation … that's one of the reasons I like it so much."

June 6, 2013

Xi recalled his love of football and an old acquaintance of the two countries in a speech addressing the Senate during his state visit to Mexico.

"I am a football fan. The Chinese football team has always been working hard, but has only made it to the World Cup finals once. The coach who led China to achieve the record was the one who has also coached the Mexican national soccer team - Serbian coach Bora Milutinovic."

March 3, 2013

Xi sent his wishes when answering a Brazilian reporter during a joint interview ahead of his departure for the 2013 BRICS summit in South Africa.

"I am a sports lover, and I often take part in swimming and mountaineering activities. I enjoyed playing football and volleyball when I was young." Xi also wished the Brazilian national team good luck for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on home soil.