Chapter 1 The Metropolitan Stadium

America, New York Metropolitan Stadium.

The Copa America Centenario final is underway.

A sea of people, every seat filled.

Argentina vs. Chile.

The stands are filled with banners cheering for Messi, but Argentina, with its top-tier South American frontline, is mired in a swamp...

The 90 minutes of regular time end in a draw.

The 30 minutes of extra time end in a draw.

The two sides enter a penalty shootout.

The atmosphere is extremely tense, and tens of thousands of spectators hold their breath.

"Messi stands before the penalty spot."

"Even for him, the pressure must be immense."

"Facing his Barcelona teammate, Bravo."

"Deep breath."

"Short run-up."

"Shot!"

"Oh! The ball is blasted over the bar!"

"Messi has missed the penalty!"

The whole stadium gasps.

Messi lowers his head and walks silently back to the center circle.

The desolation in his heart isolates him from the clamor of the entire stadium.

...

The players from both sides successively score their penalties.

As the fifth Argentine player approaches the twelve-yard mark.

Everyone's heart tightens.

"Biglia from Lazio, his expression twisted, even his eyes are trembling."

"Argentina now stands on the edge of a cliff!"

"Wow!"

"Bravo saves the penalty!"

"This is too cruel for Argentina!"

"The game is over!"

"The champion of the 2016 Copa America Centenario is Chile!"

"In two consecutive Copa America finals, Messi's Argentina has fallen before Bravo!"

"Bravo! A goalkeeper has created a South American myth, he is the nightmare of all South American strikers."

"If anyone wants to break his record, they'll have to wait another hundred years!"

"Argentina, please don't cry for me."

"At this moment, Messi is isolated and helpless, fate is always teasing him, the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa America, the 2016 Copa America Centenario, three major tournaments always just out of reach!"

"Messi has won everything at the club level, but the championship trophy with the national team feels like the most distant thing in the world! Like a mirage."

"Even the greatest superstar of this era will experience regrets."

"How we hope to witness him lift the Copa America and the World Cup in the near future."

"The losers will be forgotten, but Messi's Argentina will not be forgotten!"

Messi walks silently back to the bench.

Sitting in his seat, he stares blankly into space.

Higuain stands with his hands on his hips, his eyes red, he wasted many good chances created by Messi again.

Why does this Serie A Golden Boot always miss clear-cut chances in the World Cup final and the Copa America final?

The defense is as thin as cicada wings, if it weren't for Mascherano's desperate defending, the Chileans would have ended the game within 90 minutes.

...

The Chilean team is celebrating wildly.

Bravo is lifted high by his teammates, coaching staff, staff, and fans who rushed onto the field.

At this moment, he is a hero in the eyes of the Chilean people.

As a key member of the Messi fan group, he really wants to comfort Messi.

The two have a very good relationship in private at Barcelona, but he can't get away at the moment.

...

In this historical period, the commercial influence and attention of the Copa America is far less than the European Cup.

But Messi's influence extends all over the world.

The world's media is feeling sorry for Messi and Argentina.

A transfer news item quietly appears on the secondary pages of major sports media outlets: 《Manchester City Officially Announces the Joining of Barcelona Goalkeeper Bravo.》

Etihad.

Guardiola is giving a public interview, saying:

"Joe Hart is a legend at the Etihad, he knows very well the decisions I have made and my thoughts on the goalkeeper position."

"It was not easy for Bravo to make the decision to leave a club like Barcelona."

"Messi will always be the best player in my mind, regardless of whether he has won a championship in a national team event."

He doesn't dare to praise Bravo too much.

Joe Hart's thoughts are not important, but he has to take into account the other veteran players at Manchester City...

The rebuilding of the Blue Moon cannot be completed in one summer transfer window, no matter how much money you have, you have to find suitable players.

Several players in Manchester City's original squad already feel that they may be cleaned up soon.

But the new coaching staff needs their support to help the team transition for half a season or a season.

Chaos.

A tangled mess.

Premier League legends have pointed out: Guardiola's first season in charge of Manchester City will be fruitless.

......

Camp Nou, small auditorium.

Enrique and Robert are giving interviews to various media outlets.

"Mr. Enrique, why did you choose to let go of the American goalkeeper god - Bravo, and keep Ter Stegen?"

"Barcelona players performed very poorly in this European Cup, Bosque gave them opportunities to play from the group stage."

"According to relevant sources, Manchester City only spent 18 million euros to get Bravo, and it's still in installments..."

The face of the Barcelona coach darkens.

His expression is as if he's writing: I don't want to explain so much to you bystanders.

After slightly adjusting his emotions, he slowly said:

"The national team and the club are two different levels of competition."

"It is a pity that Ter Stegen did not help the German team reach the semi-finals of the European Cup."

"Barcelona players didn't perform well enough in the European Cup? This doesn't prove anything, there are too many influencing factors."

"We will make great signings in this summer transfer window, Barcelona is building a unique future!"

"Next season's Champions League, you will witness the greatness of Barcelona."

...

Barcelona, White Tower.

The facade of the building is covered with graffiti of cursing slogans.

《Cruyff, you are the cancer of Barcelona!》

Two painters are busy, grumbling through their masks.

"Mr. Cruyff finally came back to Barcelona, and that group of hateful extremist fans are messing around here again!"

"Isn't it self-inflicted? Barcelona doesn't need a godfather now!"

"Eight years ago, he prevented Mourinho from coaching Barcelona in the board of directors, and recommended his disciple Guardiola... the extremist fans almost set this tower on fire!"

"This choice was correct, Guardiola created the peak Dream Team Three, and created the feat of six championships for Barcelona!"

"Cruyff now wants Barcelona to use all of the 200 million euro transfer funds... to bid for the Leverkusen genius midfielder."

"Crazy, sell it for one million euros... buy it back for 200 million euros? Does Leverkusen agree to pay in installments?"

"Whether Lee is the crown prince of La Masia or not, if the Barcelona executives agree, wouldn't they be slapping themselves in the face?"

"So he can't return to Barcelona in this life."

"The most ironic joke in football history."

"Leverkusen is really cunning, Lee has not signed an endorsement contract with Nike or Adidas for the time being, no club can buy him by pre-paying the sponsorship fee... This summer transfer window, the battle for Lee's transfer is all about real money."

On the treetops, two blue magpies happily shake the branches.

A tender green leaf slowly falls on a white leather shoe.

Nature often allows phenomena that violate the laws of nature to occur.

Cruyff looked at the vicious curse slogans on the outer wall, listening to the criticisms of the two ordinary fans, and couldn't help but smile.

He had received death threats from Catalan extremist fans many years ago, and he didn't care about it.

It's just that the crown prince of La Masia is afraid that he will never be able to return to the Camp Nou.

.....

Bernabeu.

Real Madrid Club President - Florentino, attended the press conference for the summer transfer window.

"Looking at Real Madrid's current lineup, it is difficult to complete reinforcements through signings."

"Anything can happen before August 31st."

"Several players in our club have reached the semi-finals of the European Cup, and I am proud of them."

"Lee is very much in line with Real Madrid's temperament..."

Pushing up his glasses, Florentino's face did not show too much emotional fluctuation.

He has unspeakable suffering in his heart.

Different from the previous "one superstar a year" signing strategy, due to the interference of many special factors, Real Madrid has re-adjusted its signing direction in recent years: discovering young talents.

But now young talents are also expensive.

For example, the Brazilian 16-year-old genius - Vinicius, Flamengo Club gave a staggering offer.

As for the 18-year-old Lee...

Damn it, this feeling is very similar to missing Kaka in 2002 and Ronaldinho in 2003!

"Real Madrid does not need players like Kaka for the time being, because it is difficult for him to bring us anything."

"We know very well Xiaoluo's level, but he is too ugly, which will reduce the brand value of Real Madrid."

The half-true and half-false Florentino's remarks are still the content of fans' after-dinner jokes after many years.

....

Re Island, France, by the coast.

The Spanish players are playing beach volleyball.

This is a training method that Bosque learned from the Bayern coaching staff, which is very beneficial for players to relax before a major competition.

Lee Kang and his teammates are having a great time.

He and De Gea formed a partner, and with the jumping bonus brought by the "Sky Resounding" module, they slaughtered other teammate combinations.

He even discovered that the "Environmental Adaptation" module can easily adapt him to the sandy environment!

Historically, football matches in muddy sand are not uncommon.

Pine forest.

Yes.

The pine forest and beach of Re Island connect to form an "alternative" beautiful scenery.

Two French reporters are secretly taking pictures.

"God, that Spanish kid is a monster, his jumping power on the beach is still so terrifying!"

"His muscle lines... are really terrifying! Absolutely not the kind that can be trained in the usual way!"

"This is not worth praising, no matter how strong the physical fitness is, it can't break through our French team's midfield!"

"Damn, doesn't this kid have any quirks? These photos can't sell for much money!"

...

On the other side.

Bosque is still strong, wearing a gaudy red floral shorts with his bare chest, and playing back and forth with the coaching staff.

Mignano worriedly said: "Boss, what if they subconsciously touch the ball with their hands on the green field after playing volleyball for an afternoon?"

The Spanish coach laughed: "Who would be so stupid?"

A moment later.

Lee Kang took the dry towel handed over by Isco and sat on the deck chair to rest.

"Lee, let me help you rub sunscreen! This one..."

Morata immediately interrupted: "Get out, there are paparazzi reporters over there in the pine forest!"

As he spoke, he quickly handed Lee Kang a bottle of water.

Diego Costa vigorously pulled Isco's leg hair: "It's okay, I don't mind, you can help me rub sunscreen!"

Koke felt a chill, and couldn't help but take a few steps back, away from this group of monsters.

Saul couldn't help but leaned forward and joined the sunscreen army.

Lee Kang declined the kindness of his teammates.

This time, the coaching staff specially relaxed the rules for carrying mobile phones for beach volleyball training.

He unlocked the screen and continued to watch the French team's game video during the rest of the time.

Still can't see the unique features of Deschamps' tactical system.

There are many problems with the cooperative defense on the defense line.

The ability shown by French goalkeeper Lloris is still far less than that of Cech and Buffon.

Is the semi-final really going to be that simple?

....

Iniesta held a small tactical board with a worried expression: "The French team has a strong midfield thickness. If the starting double defensive midfielder combination is Kante and Matuidi, our formation will be difficult to advance."

Matuidi: The main midfielder of Paris Saint-Germain, the 2015 French Footballer of the Year, and the top scorer of the French national team in the past three years...

Kante: The creator of the Leicester City myth, the top stealer in the five major leagues.

Busquets added: "We also have to count Pogba and Sissoko. This French team is still very young and is a strong contender for the international cup championships in the next few years. Their midfield is too strong, and their speed and footwork are not bad. My suggestion is..."

David Silva waved his hand and interrupted the two's communication: "You two may not be able to play."

"Don't think too much, this game will be much easier than the game against Germany, just play around Lee."

Cazorla raised his hand to cover the sun and squinted his eyes and said: "One thing to pay attention to, the French team's harassment movements are very large, we must try to help Lee reduce the pressure of passing the ball."

Several midfield magicians tore off a piece of canvas and started a heated tactical discussion.

....

The coaches of both sides have not yet had time to make pre-match speeches.

The sports media of the two countries are already gearing up.

A war without gunpowder smoke is about to start!

That night.

The French media took the lead.

《The Iberian Monster Lands on Re Island Beach!》

Several mosaic photos occupy the headlines, and the text content is very visually impactful.

There are also a few "intimate" photos of Isco and Diego Costa, which are described as strange content.

The Spanish media suddenly lost their interest in fighting back.

Even "Marca" was silent.

The fans are going crazy.

-【Funny, it's obvious that he's wearing shorts, why put mosaics on the key positions?】

-【French newspapers are very strange, they use all kinds of ways to attract traffic and attract attention all day long.】

-【Lee Mingdeng is really a monster, playing beach volleyball is so fierce! But I feel that his body shape has become a little thinner recently.】

-【The most perfect midfield body template in the five major leagues is still Pogba, the racial talent bonus of black people!】

-【The peerless double pride in the new generation of midfield positions: Pogba vs Lee Mingdeng.】

-【Both of them have strong teammates to support them, and the coaching staff and tactical system are also very strong. This game will determine the status of the two in European football in the next few years!】

-【Don't just look at the body, Pogba's brain can't compare with Lee Mingdeng.】

-【I am optimistic that the semi-final between Spain and France will end in a draw, extra time, and then enter a penalty shootout to determine the winner. The final European Cup champion belongs to Portugal, and Ronaldo will realize his dream!】

-【Impossible, Lee Mingdeng will end the battle in 90 minutes.】