Chapter 324 – Happening (1)

324

The Korean national team headed to Andalusia, a representative region in southern Spain.
Malaga, in Andalusia, is the 6th largest city in Spain.

The national team unpacked their luggage in a secluded place called Marbella.
Andalusia is generally inaccessible, but Malaga was different. As one of Spain’s leading cities, Costa del Sol International Airport was there, so the Korean national team was able to start camp relatively comfortably.

“What about Gil-seok?”
“I got a call from Myeong-geun to join me for dinner.”
“Good. The jockey joined… Hyuk and Yohan said they would join tomorrow. Oh, what does Sehyun say?”
“I heard you departed from Costa Airport earlier, so I will join you soon.”

Park Ki-young, the captain of the Korean national team, shook his head as he checked the list given to him by the head coach.

When leaving for the 2038 World Cup in Spain, the national team was already convened. Even before leaving the country.

Unlike Europe, where the season is over, the Asian Football League is still in season.
Ahead of the second half of the season, when the competition is intensifying, which moves from the middle to the second half, which team will prefer to select only ace-class players.

Still, I understand that it is an A match recognized by FIFA, and it is also a World Cup, so it is a selection… Will they understand even the early convening a week ahead of schedule to match their organizational skills?

‘What… It’s understandable and it’s nabal, but I couldn’t refuse it due to public sentiment.’

After recreating the semifinal myth at the last World Cup in Italy, national expectations for this World Cup have risen to a frightening level.

After Hong Min-joon, an outstanding player, made his debut like a comet, the national team was on a winning streak.
From the Sydney Olympics to the 2034 World Cup in Italy, the Dubai Olympics and now just before the 2038 World Cup in Spain.

The Korean national team has won overwhelming victories in A-matches over the past few years.
In addition, Hong Min-joon’s Ballon d’Or was awarded as the peak of Hwaryong.

Refusing early convocation in a state where national expectations are soaring?
No matter how much I think about it, I can’t see anything good.

Park Ki-young succeeded in summoning domestic groups early, but that didn’t mean he was good.

‘If this World Cup fails, I’ll have to stop thinking about coaching in Korea.’

Rumor has it that the team that lost its ace is chewing on itself, but is it performing poorly in the World Cup, where national interest is heightened?

Shouldn’t he have to leave Korea for several years, let alone coach in Korea?
Anyway, thanks to the (non-)voluntary cooperation of the K-League teams, it is the national team that flew to Spain with the domestic team that was convened a week earlier.

The Europeans who decided to join the locals also arrive at the camp one after another.

The core of the national team, Dortmund duo Yoon Hyuk and Seol Yo-han, Torino’s Gil-seok Choi and Fiorentina’s Myung-geun Cha, Real Betis’ Kim Ki-soo, and Marseille’s Se-hyeon Oh have joined or are about to join—

“Director!!”
“Ah. I know it even if you don’t tell me.”

Park Ki-young laughed at the commotion coming from outside the dorm.
A huge crowd that can be seen through the window.

Isn’t it obvious that this quiet small town is the reason why so many people suddenly flock to it?

“That’s true, even the appearance is noisy.”

It must be to see the irreplaceable ace of the national team.

“You appear very squeamish. What kind of hero are you?”
“That’s the main character. Admit?”
“Admit it, bastard.”

After exchanging high-fives with senior Choi Moon-tae, the captain of the national team, and looking around, all eyes were focused on him.

Uh, um… It’s a bit burdensome.

“Brother! Did you bring the Ballon d’Or trophy!?”
“Why bring that?”
“Ah~~ I really wanted to hear it!! Then tell me how it feels!!”
“It’s just a trophy, what a texture.”
“And… These are the feet of a Ballon d’Or player… I want to touch you…”
“You calm down. Hey, don’t squat. If you really touch it, it sprays tea. Seriously. Did you warn me?”

As the national team changed drastically and a generational shift took place, I became a decent senior level before I knew it.

25 years old isn’t enough to be a senior, but it’s more about skill than age.
My career, which is rewriting the history of the EPL, including the Ballon d’Or, is enough to qualify.

Even so, the feeling when I was with the seniors and when I became a senior was very different.
Until then, even if I was an ace, I lived a comfortable life in the national team receiving the cuteness of my ‘senpai’, but now, as an ace and ‘senpai’, I have to be nice to my juniors.

So I’ve been helping my juniors adapt, giving them some advice, petting them, and playing the role of a senior… The kids who usually show respect in their eyes are chasing after the Ballon d’Or award.

‘… I’m dying of burden.’

I like you, but whatever you say.

After my shocking appearance at the Sydney Olympics, I became a role model for many young athletes.
There’s no choice but to do that.

He’s handsome, he’s good, he’s sincere.
Kya~ What is Hong Min-joon really bad at?

I’m not kidding. It’s true.
First of all, it’s like that from the story.

I was happy, but strangely, from childhood when I had a bad image, through middle school, where I was selected as a national team for each age group, high school student who fell to the bench, college leaguer who failed to advance to the pros, and became the best in the world.

A story packed with human victories, a splendid individual play that every soccer player dreams of, a successful European settlement, and the Ballon d’Or.

If I am not a role model, who can be a role model!
Since those ‘Hong Min-Jun Kids’ have already entered the national team as the youngest, how will they treat me?

What… It’s good that you listen well and are enthusiastic.

* * *

The eyes of the football world, which had been heated by the announcement of the transfer of Hong Min-jun and Jorge Garcia, turned again to the World Cup, which is about to open.

“I respect Jorge. He understands people claiming to be GOAT. It’s a valid enough opinion, and it’s an understandable argument.”

Of course, the broadcasting companies that faced the World Cup special organized their own specials, and the analysis broadcast currently being aired on the BBC was part of that.

“Wayne, are you promoting Jorge’s hand?”
“Oh please! Waza (a combination of WAZZAㆍWayne and GAZZA, the nickname of the legendary English football hero Paul Gescoin), did you even lose your eyes to watch football because you quit your managerial career?”

World Cup special broadcast featuring Manchester United legends Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdnand.
This analysis is for 4 countries in Group B.

Among them, ‘Korea’ was being analyzed.

“Everyone, calm down and listen. I just said I respect your opinion. In my opinion, Hong is an unusual player.”
“Then let’s listen to Wayne’s analysis.”
“I watched his play over and over again. He gets the ball, passes players, and scores. Hong’s ability to make a difference.”
“It’s just too disappointing. Hong’s personal ability is well known.”
“To explain, Hong always does what he wants. With the ball at Hong’s feet, he decides everything. Everything about what the opponents will do, even how they play!”

Rooney’s face is red with excitement, and the MC who has been watching her cleans up with her laughing voice.

“So Wayne is saying that Hong limits the opponent’s play?”
“More than that! You know what your opponent will do if you have the technique and physical ability to overcome whatever the opponent does! Now you’re even forcing your opponent to play! Because of this, I can’t steal Hong’s ball!”

Calming down Wayne Rooney, who passionately praised Hong Min-joon, the MC turned his attention to Rio Ferdnand.

“Leo, what is your opinion as a defender?”
“Agree. Hong is such a disgusting person to deal with. Therefore… He is like Messi.”
“But. Have you tried messi directly?”
“Of course. Dealing with Messi is really hard. But that’s it. I think Hong will be harder than Messi. I thought that such a player would come out in Korea… Oh, it’s not like discrimination. You all know How close I am to Ji.”

After the analysis of Korea centered on Hong Min-joon was over, the analysis of the Netherlands continued.

“Oranje’s power is solid. I like the balance.”
“Agree. This is a team with no obvious weaknesses. In my opinion, the Orange Legion is one of the two teams to watch out for in this World Cup. The other is Korea.”
“I also think the Netherlands and Korea are the dark horses for this World Cup. I’m making a prophecy, keep an eye on those two teams.”
“Uh huh. It’s very polite. The team that the two people pay attention to is tied up as a group. The first match in Group B is Korea and the Netherlands.”

Coincidentally, the first match of Group B held at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, the home stadium of Sevilla FC located in Seville, Andalusia, was between Korea and the Netherlands.

“Then, what do you two think of the results of the first match?”

At the MC’s question, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdnand made eye contact for a moment and shouted in unison.

“Korea!”
“The team led by Hong will advance to first place.”

* * *

“Ah… Group B’s first match between Korea and the Netherlands… Korea suffers an unfortunate defeat.”