Wang Jianlin's personal fortune has reached $42.6 billion. (Photo : Forbes)
Chinese billionaire and the country's richest man Wang Jianlin expressed his interests in helping China raise its global soccer profile and host a World Cup.
After Wang was spotted with FIFA president Sepp Blatter at the federation's elections in May, spectators are wondering how China stepped into the FIFA mess.
Just four days after Blatter's electoral victory, the Swiss football administrator said he would resign from the FIFA presidency.
In his resignation statement, Blatter said that he felt compelled to stand for re-election, believing that it was the best thing for the organization.
At the time of the acquisition, Wang said that buying Infront “would speed up the progress” toward achieving the dreams of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
President Xi was keen to elevate his country’s soccer stature, as China's national team ranked 79th in the world.
“Comrade Yandong spoke to me in person, hoping that I would take the task to help rebuild Chinese soccer,” Wang said at a ceremony, referring to a Chinese Vice Premier Li Yandong who leads soccer development in the country.
Meanwhile, Wang's Dalian Group Co. bought Infront Sports and Media AG. It's a company where Blatter also works as the CEO.
The sports-marketing company has produced millions of dollars worth of business with FIFA.
The property giant owned by Wang already bought a 20-percent stake in Atletico Madrid in April.
Aside from Atletico Madrid, Dalian Group also plans to buy at least three more sports companies.
As Beijing bids for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, the company is aiming to increase its influence in the global sports business, as confirmed by Wang.
Wang was ranked by Forbes as the richest man in China and 29th in the world.
The Chinese billionaire's real-time net worth is $37.6 billion.
