On the evening of June 13, the 2015 Red Bull Street Style Football World Cup concluded at the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall. Four Chinese street football players who had qualified on June 12 competed fiercely alongside the world’s top 12 street football stars. In the end, Akbari from Iran defeated his opponents with his high-difficulty creative moves and indomitable spirit after getting injured, taking home the championship. Although the Chinese players were eliminated in the quarter-finals, they delivered impressive performances. Present to cheer them on, former national team players Zhou Ting and Lang Zheng both remarked that they saw hope for Chinese street football through the young players’ displays.
Akbari Breaks Down in Tears After Winning the 2015 Red Bull Street Style Football World Cup Finals
Akbari Gives His All to Win the Championship Despite Injury
Even an unexpected mountain rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of young fans as the Red Bull Street Style Football World Cup finals kicked off amid excited anticipation. In the first round of qualifying, each of the 16 players performed a one-minute solo creative routine, which was judged by three referees to rank them from 1st to 16th. Then, based on the rankings, players faced off in head-to-head matches, each duo showcasing their skills in three-minute duels. The Chinese players gave their all but were still stopped at the quarter-finals.
The subsequent intense battles among the world’s top eight players brought the event to a nail-biting stalemate. Despite injuring his leg during his first match against China’s Song Zhu in the qualifying round, Akbari refused to back down. After a brief treatment, he returned to the field and ultimately claimed the title. Poland’s Szkola and Mikolajczak, as well as Mexico’s Esteban, also wowed the crowd with their incredible skills—flawless ball circling, thrilling handstands, sole juggles combined with one-knee ball holds, the most challenging aerial triple leg wraps, ball-between-the-legs fused with street dance blocking combos, and continuous ATWs with crossovers—all left fans and spectators in awe. Even the three judges found themselves in disagreement several times when faced with these outstanding and fearless athletes, struggling to make their decisions.
The final showdown between Akbari and Szkola grew increasingly intense as the two evenly matched players delivered nearly seamless combinations of moves—including heel wraps, sole stops, and double-leg circles—igniting the stadium with energy and tension. Ultimately, Akbari’s exceptional display of skill and determination earned wild applause from fellow competitors and secured him the title at the 2015 Red Bull Street Style Football World Cup Finals.
Akbari Wins 2015 Red Bull Street Style Football World Cup Finals in an Unexpected Upset
How the World’s Top Street Football Players Are Made
Street football mainly attracts young people, acting like a powerful magnetic field that draws youth to the sport, encouraging continuous learning, perseverance, and turning it into a way of life. A small soccer ball, skillfully controlled by players, is full of freedom and beauty, yet appears so effortless and casual. But according to Lucas, an international referee, while players and audiences enjoy these magical few minutes, what lies behind is countless hours of effort and dedication that most people can hardly imagine.
In an interview, Lucas said that playing street football requires endurance of solitude because it’s not about proving something to others. Giving up trying and training due to failures or honors goes against the essence of street football. Therefore, persistence is key. Akbari embodies the very nature and spirit of street football, making his championship well-deserved.
After the competition, Akbari said, “I love this feeling of having complete control—it brings me a lot of joy, but also makes me put in more time and sweat. Of course, the most important thing is that I love it, and that’s why I keep going.”
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Bringing Chinese Street Football Closer to the World
Street football, known as Freestyle Football in Europe and America, is a sport that blends dance, music, soccer, and street culture. It is rich in creativity and imagination, infused from the start with individuality, freedom, and passion, making it a favorite among many young people.
Street football started relatively late in China, with fewer promotional activities, leaving both professional players and enthusiasts lacking opportunities and platforms for exchange and learning. One player who traveled from Tianjin to compete noted that the gap between domestic and international street football is still significant, with most learning coming from online videos and even fewer chances to interact with top international players. The Red Bull Street Style Football World Cup, currently the highest-level street football event in China, allows every fan passionate about the sport to participate and gives grassroots heroes a platform to engage in high-level exchanges, learn new skills, and challenge greater possibilities.
The stunning performances of the street football athletes surprised former national team player Cao Xiandong, who was present to support the event. He expressed approval of how promoting street football can greatly benefit the development of Chinese football, especially in youth training—helping children develop coordination, ball familiarity, and touch from an early age. The Red Bull Street Style Football World Cup has driven the growth of street football among youth, and he believes Chinese street football will get closer and closer to the world’s top players and standards.
Luo Ming, an international football expert, the only Chinese media judge for the Ballon d’Or in China, and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Sports Illustrated Weekly, also noted in an interview that European and American football have a century-long history, during which the freestyle phase played an important role. However, in the relatively short history of Chinese football, street football has been missing, and there’s little atmosphere for youth to engage in it. But he emphasized that Chinese street football has the potential to be among the world’s best, just like acrobatics and gymnastics, because Chinese people’s physical traits—such as flexibility—make it easier to develop interest and fundamentals through street football. While there's still a big gap, he believes breakthroughs will come soon.