Isnik Alimi leads Dalian Jingbo to first Chinese title

Isnik Alimi played a central role as Dalian Jingbo completed a sensational late comeback to win the Chinese championship on November 8, 2026, securing the first league title in the club’s history.

Decisive final round drama

In a dramatic finish to the season, Dalian beat Tianjin 3:1 at home while long-time leaders Chengdu suffered a 3:2 defeat away at Shandong, despite needing only a single point to clinch the title. The double result produced one of the most remarkable conclusions to a title race this year.

Both clubs finished the campaign level on 52 points, but Dalian were crowned champions because of a superior head-to-head record. Chengdu’s collapse was spectacular: the side that led the table by 12 points earlier in the season lost its last four matches, opening the door for Dalian’s surge.

The triumph also guarantees Dalian Jingbo a place in the AFC Champions League next season, a major prize for the newly crowned Chinese champions.

Alimi, a regular under coach Blagoja Milevski with the national team, enjoyed an excellent season in China — 27 appearances, two goals and an average rating of 8.2. At 32, he has been left out of current coach Goce Sedloski’s plans amid a midfield rejuvenation, yet his performances at club level this year were outstanding.

Earlier in his career the Italian club Atalanta of Bergamo reportedly paid €1,000,000 for Alimi. With Dalian’s title, Alimi becomes the first Macedonian footballer to lift a Chinese league trophy.

Photo: press material from the event