Chapter 1 Announcement

Announcement: All the remaining content of Champion, including the last chapter, epilogue, and postscript, will be updated in batches today. Stay tuned!

※※※

February 14, 2015, is the traditional Western Valentine's Day, a day that should be very romantic and happy. However, not everyone could smile on this day.

For example, those fans who liked Zhang Jun.

Their favorite player announced today that he would retire after the season. Although he wasn't retiring today, it was too cruel to know the specific time of his retirement and then count the days he could still play, watching him run for as long as he could.

Countless fans flocked to Fiorentina's official website and Zhang Jun's personal official website to leave messages, all expressing the same sentiment in different languages: Please don't say goodbye!

These messages were like raging floods that directly overwhelmed the two websites. Fiorentina's official website and Zhang Jun's personal website were forced to close. Even so, in other corners of the internet, many people were still gathered together, either reminiscing about the days they spent with Zhang Jun, tearfully trying to persuade him to stay where Zhang Jun couldn't see, or angrily condemning the rude defenders and utilitarian football... Any posts with the name "Zhang Jun" were forwarded to countless places.

And the video of Zhang Jun's retirement press conference was watched countless times, as people watched and wept, scaring those around them.

Some impulsive fans even said they would commit suicide to keep Zhang Jun.

The media began to search their archives, finding classic moments and records of Zhang Jun for their readers. Some critics even sadly said it was the end of an era.

But their sorrow was not even a tenth of Li Yan's.

Which reporter had followed Zhang Jun from his debut until now? Which reporter had a relationship with Zhang Jun as good as brothers? And which reporter had so firmly supported Zhang Jun, never doubting and persisting for twelve years?

Only Li Yan.

For him, looking back on Zhang Jun's career was like watching his own twelve years. Zhang Jun's career was no longer just Zhang Jun's, but Li Yan's own.

But at this time, he did not put extra energy into crying. He transformed the sadness in his chest into a motivation. He decided to write a "simple" career summary for Zhang Jun before his retirement, from his perspective as an observer of these twelve years.

He even had a name in mind, the name of the song that echoed in his mind when he watched Zhang Jun turn and leave: *Life is Like Summer Flowers*.

No words were more suitable to describe Zhang Jun's career than this song title.

This "summary" would not contain expert-like numerical analysis, only words filled with his emotions. He wanted to let everyone in the world, whether they liked or disliked Zhang Jun, see what kind of person he was.

※※※

Of course, not everyone was trying to keep Zhang Jun. There were always discordant notes.

When Li Yongle learned that his team would be Zhang Jun's opponent in his farewell match, his reaction was intriguing. When interviewed by reporters, he remained silent, unlike before when he would eagerly say that he longed for every collision with Zhang Jun.

Perhaps in his heart, there had never been a time like now when he didn't want that day to come soon.

And in Inter Milan, a rising star on the Italian defense in the last two seasons, a young center-back hailed as the "successor to Nesta," said: "I will not hold back in that game. You always ask me about Zhang Jun, Zhang Jun, but in fact, I have only faced him once. If I have to say, I think it's best for old men like that to choose to retire. What are they still doing on the field? They can't do anything. Do you want people to say you're old? Old guys should make way for people like us. I know you won't like me saying this, but that's the truth! Don't expect that game to go the way Fiorentina wants. Even if it's an away game, I will take away three points! I will show you that I mean what I say!" This arrogant young man was named Rafael Bellini. He was now an absolute mainstay of Inter Milan's defense. Although only twenty-three years old, he had played in the European Champions League for two seasons and was named the best newcomer in Serie A last season, and was shortlisted for the top ten candidates for the best defender in Serie A. Many other top clubs had set their sights on him, hoping to bring him away from the Meazza, but he was a loyal Inter Milan fan, and so was his whole family. So, let him leave Inter Milan? Unless Inter Milan kicked him out.

After these words were reported in the media, they aroused the indignation of fans and the media. Many people ridiculed him for spouting nonsense before he even grew hair down there, and that he wasn't afraid of the wind blowing his tongue out. Others said that this person didn't even have the most basic respect for the elderly, and predicted that he wouldn't have a great future either, even using Diego Mori, who had already been relegated to Serie C, as an example to prove that anyone who insulted or hurt Zhang Jun would not have a good ending. More people demanded that he publicly apologize to Zhang Jun in the media—of course, most of them were angry Chinese fans.

But this time, Rafael Bellini was completely different from Diego Mori. He was a person with a wild and strong personality. Facing the overwhelming abuse, he responded to the provocateurs with good form in consecutive games. And he did have some strength. In the Milan derby, it was he who completely sealed off Milan's forwards Gilardino and Sobis in their bombardment, ensuring that the goal was not lost, and then allowing Li Yongle to launch a surprise attack and win the Milan derby on the road! From this point of view, saying that he could defend against Zhang Jun didn't seem like bragging.

Li Yongle, as the team's captain and the person who led Rafael Bellini into the first team, naturally could not remain silent on this matter. He called Zhang Jun privately, but his intention in calling Zhang Jun was not to explain the matter, but to add fuel to the fire, making Bellini seem incredibly ugly. This made Zhang Jun feel strange. What kind of captain would say such things about an important player on his team?

In the end, Li Yongle revealed his purpose: "Hehe! It's just... I know that kid from Liverpool, the center-back who was turned upside down by you in the European Super Cup at the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, what was his name? That's right, Mark Jones! I saw the Champions League final the season before last. Although he still couldn't defend against you, his performance has improved a lot. Now he's the main center-back for England. You know what I mean, right? Don't be polite with me then, teach that bastard kid a lesson, Rafael Bellini."

It seemed like he was treating this place as a youth training camp! Zhang Jun shook his head and smiled wryly.

And when the media asked Zhang Jun how he viewed Rafael Bellini's words, he smiled at the reporter who asked the question: "It's good to be young." The reporter was stunned for a long time before he understood.

※※※

At the end of February, Zhang Jun returned on schedule. Under his leadership, the old guys in Fiorentina rallied around him and launched Fiorentina's relegation storm, winning successive important matches. Fiorentina's fans once again sang loudly in the stadium stands: With Zhang Jun, we are invincible!

But they never thought about what to do after Zhang Jun retired. Zhang Jun wasn't the bronze statue in front of the Franchi stadium, standing there faithfully guarding the green field, no matter the wind, rain, shifting stars, changing days, or flowing years.

That was Zhang Jun, who had been deified by Fiorentina's fans, not Zhang Jun, who was still fighting hard on the field to keep the team from being relegated.

And every game became an opportunity for people to miss Zhang Jun. CCTV5 even changed all the Serie A games it broadcast afterward to Fiorentina's games—they reached this agreement with Sky Italia.

He was still scoring goals, although the number of goals was already very small. By April of this season, his goal total was only thirteen. In previous years, he would have had more than thirty by this point.

From this statistic alone, people could see that the person they once loved, admired, and revered as a god was indeed getting old. No one could block the erosion of time like flowing water. Everything happened when people were unaware. Zhang Jun's hair was turning white, his once resolute face was being smoothed out, his smooth skin was covered with wrinkles, and his wind-like speed was becoming faltering...

"Zhang Jun is old." Watching him fall again and again, and miss the goal several times, people had to sigh like this. Even those who didn't admit it on the surface had to face this reality.

But what they could still feel a little proud of was: in this world, the only thing that could defeat him was time.

※※※

The outside world was full of farewell emotions, but Zhang Jun had no way to put his mind on saying goodbye, because the team's performance was not ideal, and the team needed to avoid relegation. Now was not the time to talk about those things.

The only thing that could give him comfort was the time he spent at home. He went to the team every day to train hard, then drove home to play with his children. Jia Rui had grown up. He could walk without his parents' support, and he could say "Papa," "Mama," and "Grandma."

He knew that his father played football. Every time he saw a football game on TV, he would rush to the TV and shout "Papa! Papa!" even if Zhang Jun was sitting on the sofa behind him. This embarrassed Zhang Jun and made Sophie laugh at him every time. But compared to his father's great football talent, he seemed to have no talent in this area at all. He had been uninterested in football since he was a child, because every time he leaned on the football, he would fall down... face down. Every time, it hurt so much that he cried uncontrollably, and he couldn't be coaxed. Compared to playing with that round thing, he preferred to snuggle in his mother's arms and act spoiled.

Zhang Jun had once had the idea of teaching him how to play football, but because of the painful memories of his childhood, the little guy would cry when he saw the football rolling towards him. In the end, Zhang Jun gave up the idea of "passing on the family business" and let him develop freely. He didn't care what he liked, as long as he grew up healthy and happy.

Just like his name, auspicious and wishful. May he live a lifetime without disaster or illness, and live a peaceful life, even if he was an ordinary person.

※※※

As Zhang Jun's homeland's largest television media, CCTV specially sent a fifteen-person crew to Florence, Italy. They would contact all levels of society before Zhang Jun's last game, learn everything about Zhang Jun from their mouths, listen to what these foreigners had to say about Zhang Jun, fully present Zhang Jun's last game, and finally enter the stadium to film that game and complete a documentary about Zhang Jun's retirement.

This three-hour documentary was called "The Legend's Back." The person who came up with this name was Qi Wei, who had interviewed Zhang Jun and Yang Pan in Volendam, Netherlands, twelve years ago. Now, he no longer hosted programs or commentated on games. He had become the head of CCTV's sports department. This time, he also personally came to Florence to witness the last moments of Zhang Jun's career.

※※※

But God seemed unwilling to see this player, who had once been so close to him, leave easily. In the penultimate round, in the team's most critical game to avoid relegation, Fiorentina lost to Lazio 1-3 on the road. Zhang Jun scored a goal but could not prevent the team's defeat, and his goal in the eighty-seventh minute was more like a consolation.

The loss of this game made all Fiorentina fans' hearts sink. This meant that they would have to fight Inter Milan to the death in the last round, at their home stadium! The latter had won the league title one round in advance in the just-concluded game...

That last game was the captain's farewell game! How could it have turned out like this? Because of his mistake, which led to Lazio's first goal, Lio Dalno cried in the locker room after the game. No one could persuade him except Zhang Jun, and Zhang Jun happened to be staying on the field to be interviewed by reporters—he was surrounded by reporters as soon as the game ended. For those reporters, they really wanted to know Zhang Jun's thoughts at this moment: seeing his farewell game turn into a bloody fight, at the very least, they had to draw with Inter Milan to successfully stay up.

Zhang Jun faced these microphones and still smiled as he answered their questions: "For me, there is nothing more memorable than helping the team successfully avoid relegation as a farewell gift."

"Then do you already believe that your team will definitely stay in Serie A?"

"We will do our best."

Back in the locker room, Zhang Jun looked at Dalno, who was still crying, and his teammates, who were all silent with their heads down. He frowned: this was not the atmosphere needed before a relegation battle.

If that madman Sabato was here, he would definitely use unreasonable methods to restore everyone's morale. Dilivio had won everyone's respect, but he couldn't solve this kind of problem. Now was the time for him to stand up.

He first walked to Dalno and knelt down in front of him, looking at him: "Don't cry." Zhang Jun's voice was hoarse, all because he had been constantly shouting in the game, telling his teammates to press up and attack, not to give up.

Dalno was still crying.

Looking at Dalno like this, Zhang Jun shook his head and stood up, then suddenly roared at him: "Don't cry!!" This startled the teammates, including Dalno, and Dalno looked up at Zhang Jun in fear. He thought Zhang Jun was angry because of the loss.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Jun then put his arm around his shoulders: "Where did the strong Lio I know go? Where did the Lio who still maintained an optimistic attitude even when he was injured go? Isn't it just a loss in one game? We still have one more chance. Don't worry, we will definitely stay in Serie A..."

"But... Captain, your farewell..."

"Ah, speaking of this, I still have to thank you." Zhang Jun was facing all his teammates when he said this, and everyone was startled by his words. They didn't understand why the captain was saying this, when they had clearly messed things up, why would he thank them?

Only Cru looked at Zhang Jun calmly, without saying anything. He didn't even raise his eyebrows.

"The team's situation is critical, and we must force a draw or even defeat a powerful opponent to successfully avoid relegation. Don't you think this is the best stage? For my last game, isn't this the best situation? People will always remember this game, not a friendly match where everyone is happy." He winked mischievously.

Some people understood, but more people were still worried: "But, Zhang Jun, our opponent in the last game is Inter Milan, who just won the championship and is in high spirits!"

The person who asked this question was an old member of the team, Paccini, who had always been his partner on the front line.

"Gian," Zhang Jun called Paccini by his nickname, "remember the last game of the 2006-2007 season? Our situation was even more dangerous than it is now. We had to defeat AC Milan to avoid relegation. What was the result?"

Paccini had a look of sudden realization, but not everyone was clear about that game. Someone couldn't wait to ask: "What was the result?" as if they had heard an interesting story.

Looking at those faces that were eager to hear the answer, Zhang Jun smiled slyly: "The result was that we won. 3-2, a great reversal. We defeated AC Milan at the last moment and stayed in Serie A. Today is the same. We are just repeating the scene from eight years ago. Eight years ago, we only used fifteen minutes to score three goals and successfully avoid relegation. And this time, we have a full ninety minutes... Eight years ago, we defeated AC Milan when no one thought we could. Why can't we use the same momentum to defeat Inter Milan eight years later?" Finally, he asked loudly.

"Yes! Why not?! Fortunately, Inter Milan won the championship in advance, otherwise we would definitely kick their championship away!!" Frey responded loudly, and everyone else in the locker room laughed. The atmosphere suddenly returned to the state that Zhang Jun had hoped for.

Dilivio watched this scene in the corner of the locker room. He felt very ashamed. As a head coach, he actually needed his players to solve these problems for him. He was far from Sabato... Why did he leave in the first place? If he hadn't left, everything would still be the same, and Fiorentina's glory would continue until now... Zhang Jun's retirement would be infinitely glorious, and no one could have the capital to criticize him, like that kid from Inter Milan.

He was as impulsive as a child back then.

He found that Zhang Jun was looking at him, so he quickly said loudly: "That's right! In the last game, we must not let your captain have any regrets!"

After speaking, he saw Zhang Jun give him a slight nod of thanks, and he felt even more ashamed. He was the one who should be expressing gratitude.

"See, the head coach has said it. Let's pack our things and go back, back to our home stadium. No matter who the opponent is, let them come in standing and go out sideways!" Zhang Jun raised his arms and shouted, fully mobilizing his teammates' emotions. Only then was he satisfied and walked to his locker to change his clothes.

In his heart, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief for the time being...

※※※

After learning the result of the game against Lazio, Li Yan called Zhang Jun, wanting to hear his opinion on the result.

"Brother Li, don't you think I have a lot of affinity with avoiding relegation?" Unexpectedly, Zhang Jun's question confused him right away. Before Li Yan had time to retort, Zhang Jun continued on his own, "If we're talking about farewells, I've only had two real farewells in my career, right? This time, and the last time in Volendam."

Li Yan suddenly understood.

"The difference should be that this time it's a farewell to everything, and last time it was just a farewell to a period of time. But both are related to avoiding relegation. My last season in Volendam was also a close call to avoid relegation, and this time it's even more thrilling than last time. Do you know what I'm trying to say?"

Li Yan nodded: "I understand everything. For you, this is the best possible farewell."

"You really are the reporter who has been by my side the longest, haha!" Zhang Jun smiled relaxedly. Li Yan knew that those were all his true feelings.

"I'm only worried about one thing. You're not who you used to be, but Inter Milan is still strong. How much of a chance do you have to win?"

"One hundred percent." Zhang Jun replied without thinking. "You have to know that even if we don't avoid relegation, I have a reason to win against this team."

Li Yan nodded again. "Okay, nothing more needs to be said. I'm going to rush to write my article. Good luck!"

"Good luck..."

Li Yan looked at the mobile phone in his hand, recalling every word that Zhang Jun had just said.

Facing the strong opponent Inter Milan at home, shouldering the responsibility of leading the team to avoid relegation... Other people's farewell games hope to be safe and sound, with everyone in harmony, but you hope for it to be a little more troublesome, a little more complicated. That's right, this is quite in line with your consistent path in your career over the past ten years: everyone hopes that you will have smooth sailing, but you always encounter this and that kind of trouble; everyone doesn't want to worry about you, but you always find trouble for yourself; even at the end, when they thought "this time it's finally good, you've withdrawn from the national team, so you don't have to consider anything and can focus on the club," you announced that you were going back to the national team, dragging your injured leg to fight for the World Cup for your country. No one except the Chinese understands what you're doing... not at all understanding the hearts of those who want you to have less trouble and less setbacks, you selfish "devil" who doesn't know how to make people feel at ease, doesn't know how to make people happy, doesn't understand romance, and only knows how to satisfy your own wishes!

But why do I like this kind of "selfishness" in you? Yes, I just like this kind of "selfish" you! Why?

Zhang Jun, you have to stand well for this last shift!

※※※

The media linked Zhang Jun's farewell game with Fiorentina's relegation battle. For them, this was the best hype material, although it was a bit cruel for Fiorentina fans... They wanted to see their captain leave without any worries, and at the same time, they didn't want to see their beloved team be relegated to Serie B.

Li Yan's article stood out from the monotonous nostalgia and grief. He told those Fiorentina fans, told all the fans who liked Zhang Jun, that there was no need to be in a dilemma for Zhang Jun, because Zhang Jun believed that this was the best farewell stage in his life, and there was nothing better or more eye-catching than this. Through him, Zhang Jun promised Fiorentina's fans: Fiorentina will definitely stay in Serie A, and your captain will not abandon the team.

Subsequently, Fiorentina's players also admitted in interviews that Zhang Jun was indeed very excited to be able to face Inter Milan in the relegation battle. They, like their captain, were eager to defeat their opponents and help the team successfully stay in Serie A.

Before the relegation battle, the entire team's morale was high because it coincided with Zhang Jun's farewell game. It seemed that they really could successfully avoid relegation.

And what about their opponents? Li Yongle told reporters in an interview: "Of course I know that Fiorentina is currently in difficulty, but I am not a Fiorentina fan. On the contrary, Fiorentina has ruined our good deeds many times. Why not take this opportunity to get revenge? Even if we win the league title, we will not let them off easily. If we really did that, the first person to kill me wouldn't be Inter Milan's fans, but Zhang Jun himself. So, if he wants Fiorentina to continue staying in Serie A, he has to defeat us."

Li Yongle's words were certainly not very friendly, but considering his long-standing relationship with Zhang Jun as opponents, these words were reasonable. Fiorentina fans could still accept them - after all, no one would open their mouth to beg their enemies to let their team off. Therefore, they could only take it by force. Compared to him, the statements of another guy were not so likable.

"I will not apologize for what I said before, and I will also say: Fiorentina should not think about getting a single point from us! Even if they are relegated as a result, I will not feel the slightest bit of guilt, because it is because they are not strong enough. I have heard about Zhang Jun's intentions, and I understand what he wants. He wants to beat us. I tell him that this is wishful thinking!" The person who spoke so arrogantly was naturally Rafael Bellini, who had achieved early success and had a smooth career.

Coach Roberto Baggio said: "I will say goodbye to Zhang Jun in my own way."

It seemed that this game would not be easy to play.

※※※

All the players were gathered in the locker room, looking at their coach. Dilivio was also looking at them. This was the last game of the season. He had just repeated the tactical arrangements for today's game to them. He deliberately didn't let himself think about Zhang Jun, because that would distract him, make him feel uneasy, and affect the morale of the entire team. Now was not the time to cry and say goodbye.

No one spoke. The songs of the Fiorentina fans outside were clearly audible. They were the Fiorentina team songs that they were all familiar with.

Raise the purple banners high!

On the field of challenge and courage,

An eternal hope inspires us,

Inspiring eleven players and one heart!

Oh, Fiorentina!

You are the queen of this world!

Oh, Fiorentina!

No matter where you are, you fight bravely.

In the years of failure and victory,

History records all of your legends!!

The players listened quietly to the song until the fans finished singing it once. At this time, Zhang Jun suddenly stood up from his seat, and everyone's eyes were drawn to him. He looked around the locker room, even the substitutes were there, everyone was there.

"Listen up, we have been training non-stop for the past week, carefully preparing for this game, not daring to be the slightest bit slack. Now is the time to show our training results!" Zhang Jun said this with clenched fists. He remembered what that old rogue Sabato would say at times like this.

Thinking of this, Zhang Jun bent over and buried his head deeply, his breathing beginning to become heavy. He was brewing... until he thought it was okay, he suddenly raised his head and roared at his teammates: "Let those bastards see who's home this is! Let that arrogant kid know the consequences of provoking Fiorentina!"

"Roar—" The teammates were like a pack of hungry wolves, roaring madly, "Let them be glad that they have already won the championship in advance!!"

"Invincible! Fiorentina! Unconquerable! Fiorentina!"

"Victory belongs to Fiorentina, belongs to us!"

"Fuck those Inter Milan bastards! Let them roll out of Franchi!"

...

One by one, their eyes were red, as if they were enraged bulls. Only Cru remained calm among these roaring crowds. He didn't join in these activities—he couldn't afford to lose face...

Zhang Jun looked at Cru, who had a calm face, and slapped him hard on the back. This startled him, and Zhang Jun was very satisfied with Cru's expression: "I almost thought someone had transported your wax figure here."

"Your method is only useful for those simple-minded guys. It's useless on me." Cru's face returned to calm after the initial surprise.

"You're not giving me any face. Tell me, what can I do to ignite the flames of your fighting spirit?"

"..." Cru was silent for a moment, and then said, "As long as you always stand in front of me."

Zhang Jun was stunned. He re-examined Cru, and then slapped him hard on the back again: "Then I'll just stand in front of you forever!"

The teammates were still going crazy, and some even raised their chairs. When Dilivio saw that the situation was about to get out of control, he quickly pulled open the door of the locker room, and then shouted loudly: "Let's go on! Our time is up!"

The Fiorentina team song came roaring in with Dilivio's action of opening the door. The players, who had just been going crazy, suddenly calmed down. Dalno threw the chair in his hand on the ground. At this time, Zhang Jun thought of cleaning up the "disaster" he had caused. He tied the captain's armband on his left arm, and then touched the Fiorentina team emblem on his chest.

"Let's go, don't let the Inter Milan people think we're afraid of them."

He took the lead and walked out, and a group of people followed him out with gritted teeth and a look of murderous aura on their faces. On each person's chest, below the Fiorentina team emblem was a line of small golden words: 2004-2015. This was the time that Zhang Jun had played for Fiorentina.

Below this line of golden words was another line of golden words: 2015.5.27.

This was the time of Zhang Jun's retirement.

When the afternoon sun shone on it, it was dazzling, and no one could look at it directly.

In this way, each of Fiorentina's players appeared on the field with golden light radiating from their chests. What awaited them would be a difficult game, and... an ending that no one was willing to accept.

※※※

Before the game, no one would think that either side could easily win this game. Whether it was Fiorentina or Inter Milan, they would have to do their best to get three points. Especially since Inter Milan had a player in their lineup who had secured a starting position as a center back in the Italian national team at the age of twenty - Rafael Bellini. With him and Li Yongle protecting the goal, Inter Milan became the team that conceded the fewest goals in Serie A this season!

Zhang Jun, whose body and condition were not as good as before, how would he face this solid wall-like defense?

Just three minutes after the game started, Zhang Jun gave everyone a clear answer.

He raised his hands high and stood there smiling as he celebrated his first goal of the game. His teammates rushed towards him like crazy, as if the rising tide was drowning him in the crowd...

At that moment, the Franchi stadium was plunged into a storm created by the home team's fans.

"Too wonderful! I can say for sure that this is the most beautiful free kick score in Zhang Jun's career! He kicked the football from only twenty-one meters away from the goal and bypassed the tall wall of people! Straight into the dead corner!" The Sky Sports commentator excitedly used words to repeat the goal process again.

And not far from his position, in the commentary box of China's CCTV5, the well-known domestic commentator Wang Jianxiang, who had come all the way from Beijing to provide on-site commentary for this game, was waving his arms and roaring: "No one can insult him and still be safe! Rafael Bellini, did you see that? This ball flew over your head!!"

Yes, it was his foul more than two minutes into the game that tripped Cru, who was breaking through with the ball, giving Zhang Jun the opportunity to take a free kick. Then, under Baggio's deliberate arrangement for the tall him to line up in the wall, hoping to cause some interference to Zhang Jun's free kick, Zhang Jun beautifully kicked the football over his head and into the corner of the goal, completing his response to Bellini.

But Bellini, who had been condemned by Wang Jianxiang, did not lower his head in frustration to admit defeat at this time. On the contrary, he raised his head and looked at Zhang Jun in the distance. This time, there was something more fiery in his eyes.

Including Inter Milan captain Li Yongle, he had the same expression.

※※※

The subsequent game fell into a stalemate. Neither side could form an overwhelming advantage over the other. It seemed that there were opportunities, but it also seemed that something was missing. Until Inter Milan took advantage of an opportunity when Fiorentina launched a full-line press attack. Their core and captain, Li Yongle, launched an attack with a long pass, accurately sending the football to the feet of Argentine young forward Javier Fernandez, and then letting him easily score a goal.

Inter Milan finally tied the score near the end of the first half, and the cheers of Inter Milan fans celebrating the goal finally sounded in the stands of the Franchi. However, this burst of cheers did not last long before their voices were drowned out by the harsh boos of Fiorentina fans.

For nine years, as long as there was a home game for Fiorentina, Zhang Jun would almost always hear Fiorentina's fans express their love for him and their disdain for the enemy in this way. This cheering method, which was criticized by some media as "notorious," sounded very亲切to Zhang Jun.

It was just a pity that after today, he would no longer be able to personally experience such a scene.

The referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the first half. The temporary draw was enough for Fiorentina to successfully avoid relegation. Only then did Zhang Jun have the mind to look around the stadium. Everything was almost the same as before, those swaying flags, his huge portrait, and countless slogans... But there was a different side to these familiar scenes: the slogans that used to cheer for the team and a certain player were uniformly replaced with words of thanks to Zhang Jun and trying to persuade him to stay...

Looking at these lovely fans, even if Zhang Jun had already made up his mind to retire after this game, he couldn't help but feel a sense of reluctance to leave in his heart. It was difficult to express in words what kind of feeling it was, it was as if he was forcing himself to leave the person he loved...

Cru stood next to him, looking up at the stadium like Zhang Jun. "If you don't want to leave, then stay." His voice without any emotional color sounded in Zhang Jun's ear.

Zhang Jun looked at the fans who were still hanging slogans on the railings of the stands, and gently shook his head: "I have stayed long enough."

At this moment, the four referees of this game walked towards Zhang Jun. He thought they were going to talk to him about the issues of fouls and being fouled, but they smiled and shook their heads: "You're leaving, let's take a photo."

Seeing this scene, Cru also smiled. Then, ignoring his somewhat stunned partner, he walked past him and returned to the locker room alone.

So Zhang Jun took the most unique group photo of his career with several referees in turn. No one was worried that this would affect the fairness of the game, because this was a treatment that Zhang Jun deserved. The referees also had their own professional ethics, and they had to distinguish between on the field and off the field.