Chapter 1

There were still 4 days until the opening ceremony of the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Li Kang, who had no training tasks, arrived in Moscow accompanied by staff.

The Russian capital in June was cool and pleasant.

The young assistant scrolled through her phone, repeating the handicrafts she wanted to buy.

"I've written it down, I need to buy Russian nesting dolls, carp lanterns, and Matryoshka dolls."

Of course, the main purpose wasn't to buy souvenirs.

But rather that Li Kang and Messi had jointly become the advertising protagonists for "Mengniu" Dairy's 2018 World Cup campaign.

For the first time since 1930, a dairy brand appeared on the list of World Cup sponsors.

Shooting location.

Messi simply waved and said hello.

He hesitated, just shyly touching his ear.

Where was the demeanor of a superstar?

"Li, your injury..."

Li Kang shook his head, indicating that it wasn't a big deal.

"Barca is different from before."

Indeed, it was different. Valverde, as Cruyff's most admired disciple, had created Barca's best defense and most balanced overall team in twenty years.

Messi had also truly transitioned from a right-wing core attacker to a deep-lying midfielder.

His position was moved back, sitting in the midfield axis, doing the work of "Xavi + Iniesta" alone. Although it was tiring, his ability to organize and connect, the precision of his passing and receiving, his game reading, vision, and imagination had ushered in leapfrog-like progress.

Barca fans were very unhappy, and they launched bombardments, believing that Valverde would ruin Messi.

Clap clap clap!

The bearded director applauded loudly, interrupting Messi's "village, partners, and bonds."

"Everyone's here! Let's get to work!"

The shooting content was very simple.

Messi lay on his back on the grass.

Narration would be added in post-production: "I am Lionel Messi, I..."

And Li Kang, with his arm in a cast, simply attempted a few volleys.

Mengniu Dairy's 2018 World Cup promotional theme was "Born to be Strong."

Messi, from dwarfism to football giant, and the Gunners' core player who played with bandages in the Champions League final, were the most suitable for this theme.

At the time of parting.

The bearded director took out Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Atletico Madrid jerseys from his bag and handed over a signature pen diligently.

Li Kang smiled and shook his head.

The little assistant looked disgusted: "Sign it after the transfer is complete. There are no numbers on these jerseys! Didn't you say you were an Arsenal fan last time?"

The bearded director's expression was serious: "Whichever club Li goes to, that's the club I'm a fan of."

Li Kang and Messi didn't have much time to reminisce. The two might meet again in the Champions League next season.

He and his little assistant hurried to the 2018 World Cup Organizing Committee office.

The person in charge, Alexei Sorokin, warmly welcomed them.

He hurriedly poured two cups of tea.

People in Moscow like to drink tea. According to statistics up to 2017, Russia's tea consumption ranked fifth in the world.

After a few words of greeting, this guy surreptitiously closed the Venetian blinds.

"We were a little hesitant when we saw Ms. Skaya's proposal, even though she was responsible for the endorsement fee."

"It was Mr. Wenger's suggestion that led us to finally decide: to make you the 2018 World Cup Ambassador!"

"Mr. Wenger's suggestion?"

The little assistant looked dumbfounded.

Sorokin smiled and nodded: "Soon, Mr. Wenger will become FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development."

FIFA?

The little assistant couldn't help but nudge Li Kang with her elbow excitedly.

Bayer's legal team + FIFA, this backing's depth of defense was too strong.

Without too much redundant process.

The two sides quickly signed the contract for the 2018 World Cup Ambassador.

As for the work content, the organizing committee hoped to arrange it after Li Kang's injury had healed.

June 17th.

The banks of the Neva River were resplendent with colorful lights.

The Saint Petersburg Stadium was like a large ship, quietly lying on the shore of the Gulf of Finland.

Tens of thousands of fans from all over the world gathered here.

The opening match of the 2017 Confederations Cup officially kicked off.

The Russian President, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Pelé, and others were present.

After a round of speeches.

A beautiful opening performance began on the green field.

The mascot, Zabivaka, bounced onto the stage.

On the Spanish bench, Diego Costa nudged Li Kang with his elbow.

"Look, it's Robileva!"

"A beautiful and generous Russian supermodel!"

"I heard she's 34 years old this year and a mother of four!"

"Li, don't you like this kind of energetic older sister?"

The short and enthusiastic opening ceremony made Li Kang unconsciously applaud along with the cheers of the audience.

He couldn't hear what his companions were saying at all.

"Ctv5! Ctv5! Hello, viewers!"

"We are now broadcasting the opening match of the 2017 Confederations Cup for you!"

"Group A first round: Russia vs. Spain!"

"A contest between the host and the European Cup champion!"

"This Confederations Cup can be seen as a preview of the 2018 World Cup, and vAr replay technology will be used in an international competition for the first time!"

"Next, I will introduce the starting lineups of both sides."

"Russia is fielding a 3-4-3 formation!"

"Goalkeeper: Akinfeev."

"Defenders: Zhirkov, Vasin, Kudryashov."

"Midfielders: Samedov, Glushakov, Erokhin, Zhirkov."

"Forwards: Poloz, Smolov, Golovin."

"On the other side, Spain is fielding a 4-3-3 formation!"

"Goalkeeper: De Gea."

"Defenders: Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Alba."

"Midfielders: Saul, Fabregas, Koke."

"Forwards: Nolito, Morata, Pedro."

Live broadcast room.

The barrage flew.

-

[Robileva has a really good figure, I like her healthy skin tone.]

-

[Can these two lineups even compare? The host isn't even enough to fill the European Cup champion's teeth!]

-

[Don't underestimate CSKA Moscow and Zenit Saint Petersburg, these two Russian Premier League powerhouses! Almost all the players in Russia's starting lineup come from these two clubs.]

-

[The strength and tacit understanding of the Champions League Round of 16 is enough to give Spain a hard time.]

-

[The biggest problem with the national team is that the overall cohesion is not as good as the club.]

-

[Watch the game carefully, Confederations Cup group stage, it's not a life-or-death battle, no one will go all-in, right?]

-

[Li Ming Lamp and Diego Costa didn't play?]

After the game started.

Russia's performance stunned all the viewers.

The host didn't shrink back and park the bus in the opening match!

They showed momentum at home and launched a fierce attack against the Matador Corps.

"Beautiful!"

"Saul steals the ball in the frontcourt and hands it over to Fabregas to handle!"

"Perfect lob pass!"

"Morata inserts!"

"Goal!"

"Spain breaks the deadlock!"

"Huh?"

"Goal disallowed!"

"Morata makes vAr video replay technology debut on the international stage!"

"Offside!"

"Hmm, was it his hair that was offside?"

"Goal canceled!"

Morata spread his hands towards the linesman

The linesman smiled and shook his head, indicating that it had nothing to do with him.

Sorry sorry, got home too late.

(End of this chapter)