Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 188



Only Krnovel

Episode 188 Mirror

I cross a green grassy floor above a space painted black all around.

Run at full speed towards the official ball placed long in front of you, tap tap – when the goalkeeper runs out with quick steps… … touch the ball a second time to the right.

After passing the outside line of the penalty box, he quickly changes the direction of his dribble towards the goal and prepares to finish.

The spectators behind the goal are all on their feet, their eyes sparkling.

His two hands were busy waving here and there, unable to stay still, and his upper body was leaning against the fence as if he would run out of the stadium at any moment.

The goal is empty, so it would be nice to enjoy it a little more.

Any further observation is impossible as Niklas Süle is rushing in from behind.

So just like that-

The official ball is rolled lightly with the inside of the right foot.

Roll, roll, roll.

A leisurely finish.

[Waaaaaaaaaaaa-!!]

Only when the ball crosses the goal line do proper cheers erupt, and the defenders who never gave up also stop running and look dejected.

4 to 3.

With all of the extra time running out, FC Köln had effectively secured a one-goal win, which also had some personal significance.

4 goals in one game.

I added another goal to my hat trick, and it seems that Steffen Baumgart’s strategy of putting me in the front line in the second half worked.

“It’s not easy.”

The sentiment on this is quite simple.

4-3 at home. It was a tough game because it was so intense. My head kept wondering if I could do it in away games.

Is there a next one?

Any momentary doubts are resolved thanks to the crazy author’s sleight of hand.

Exactly!

“Hey #@! Have you seen my fighting spirit!”

“… … .”

Should I kill him?

Unfortunately, I don’t have enough stamina left to deal with the opponent, so I can only savor the tingling sensation on the back of my head.

“You crazy kid, I told you to do 10-10 and go… … You’re really going to do it! Huh? But you buy dinner tonight! You should get paid for the assist!”

“… … I won’t be able to eat much.”

“That’s why I said, Sarah. It would be a waste to pay for it with my own money.”

I was about to say that I would buy dinner for tomorrow, but the words disappeared from my mind, wondering how much I could eat after the game.

Anyway, I said it was annoying.

“hey!”

“… … ?”

“Flip this over? Are you crazy!”

Well, I don’t feel bad about it though.

Remperle, who came after Mark Ut, pushed me towards the stands and started shouting in his characteristic way, followed by Tillman, Duda, Adamian and Dietz who were waiting on the bench and running out to cheer.

Under the endless applause, I enjoy the atmosphere of the stadium until the referee gives me a hint.

[Strong young goat, score a goal. Score one more goal for us!]

[Lead the FC Köln goats to the sky!]

Everyone was singing my cheer, jumping up and down in place, and twirling their red mufflers over their heads.

I liked everything from start to finish.

* * *

There are no more twists.

Beep, beep, beep!

[Wow-!!]

The referee blew the final whistle as soon as play resumed, and the home crowd erupted in repeated, deliberate cheers, while the Dortmund players expressed their disappointment.

And the Cologne players… …are enjoying their sixth victory.

Clap, clap, clap.

Mark Uth high fived with Jan Tillman, I high fived with Ondrej Duda, and Rempale high fived with Schindler on the right flank.

In addition, players who did not play in the game also walked onto the field and added their comments.

“Are we still in first place?”

“Oh, 6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss in the league. 19 points. Since we’re ahead in points, there’s no need to worry about the score.”

“The goats are in great form. I need to play a little bit in the next game.”

“Haha, is that okay?”

Promising young players like Matthias Olesen and Eric Martel, who have yet to establish themselves in the first team, chat. Then their eyes meet and they give each other another high five.

A public address is also added in succession.

“The third goal was absolutely crazy.”

“That’s right, the head coach put his hand on his forehead. He just shook his head like this.”

“… … Head Coach Andre Polak?”

“Yeah, really. But it’s understandable. The ball trapping was amazing, and the shooting trajectory was… … It goes without saying. You just have to see it and feel it.”

It took a while to hear a detailed explanation of what it was like to be outside the stadium.

The core of the meeting is in the space connecting the center line and the benches, so he answers with a faint smile and soon approaches where the players from both teams are gathered together.

“Ha-nul, you worked hard. Take care of the ball and go.”

“huh.”

Immediately after greeting the referee and assistant referee, the sight shows the team’s senior players gathered together, including Schmitz, Whibus, and Skeery.

Some of them are wearing yellow uniforms.

“Oh, Hanul. You did well today. I didn’t think you’d lose.”

“Everyone thinks so.”

“haha.”

“You did well too. You looked like you were in good condition.”

“That’s right. That’s why I feel even more sorry. By the way, do you want to exchange uniforms?”

“Um, sorry.”

Julian Brandt’s request to exchange jerseys, which had been quite threatening throughout the game, was politely declined.

“We meet again.”

“huh.”

“Is this the last time I see you on stage in Germany?”

“… … .”

“I’m kidding.”

Next up is Jude Bellingham.

This one wasn’t ‘quite threatening’, it was just plain awesome, so we both took off our shirts and exchanged them without saying a word.

“Oh, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Did you order the bench to move up to the top position in the second half? Or did you ask for it first?”

“Half and half.”

“Half and half?”

“They are both right.”

In fact, it was the coaching staff’s instructions, but in order to avoid losing the momentum battle, they mixed in some lies.

“Sup, the first half was pretty good. When it ended, it was 4 vs 3. Maybe it’s because you have great finishing ability, but I think you’re better suited to the front line than the second line.”

“I do my part wherever I am.”

“But we ate the center.”

“But we won the game.”

“… … What I’m saying is! You’re a natural striker?”

Yeah, I get it. I get it… … but why are you causing trouble?

Rather than discussing my aptitude for the position, I was more likely to feel aggrieved or regretful. It was hard to understand her bright appearance that seemed to have no regrets.

Moreover, right next to me, a large man who looked familiar was talking to his former coworkers.

“Anthony.”

“Hector, I felt some discomfort in my ankle, so I went to the hospital first.”

“You got hurt? I didn’t notice it during the game.”

“Don’t worry about it. It hasn’t been good since the preseason. By the way, Timo Whivers.”

“Open.”

“Aren’t you preparing too meticulously to catch me?”

“Hahaha, he’s a good striker for a good team. We should treat him well.”

When someone says I’m such a great striker, I think they’re telling me to listen to their own team’s striker.

Even though the person involved must have heard this clearly, he focuses on talking to the Cologne players.

No, rather, they took care of it on our side.

“How is life in Dortmund?

“It’s not easy to compete within the team. It’s Dortmund.”

“I already know your skills, so what? What I mean is, are your teammates taking good care of you?”

“Ah, that’s it… … .”

“If there’s anyone harassing you, tell me. It’s only a two-hour drive away.”

And sometimes, instead of receiving direct advice, I would learn something through the actions of those around me.

Just like right now.

“What kind of person do you think I am? Who would dare to harass me?”

“Hahaha, that’s true. Then should we bully them? I guess that would be better?”

It’s hard to say that it went well even with empty words, but Anthony Modeste and those around him were happy to see an old friend after a long time.

He taps your shoulder, jabs you with his forearm, and even lifts one foot playfully as if he’s going to kick your butt.

Football is war.

It was a fight where everything was at stake, so I wondered why it was so heartwarming, but on the other hand, it was also true that I felt a faint sense of relief.

It would be the same even if I left Cologne.

“Let’s have a meal together sometime. There’s the World Cup… … .”

“Should we try to catch it after round 15?”

“Okay.”

“camping?”

“Oh, you want to bring your family?”

At least those people will.

“Okay, let’s keep in touch.”

“Okay, see you later.”

Even a gorilla, no.

Even Anthony Modeste did so.

Knock knock.

“… … ?”

On the way back to the bench after finishing the conversation.

The two of us would never get along as well as a gorilla and a tiger, a walrus and an eagle. That must have been the case.

He taps my shoulder lightly and then walks out toward the stadium aisle.

This is… … .

“Is this a declaration of war?”

“… … Where on earth are you?”

“Or are you being sarcastic? That you only allow two of my four goals to count?”

“Ha-nul, I was just saying hello.”

“Hello? Say hello? To whom? To me?”

“… … .”

“I guess it’s something like an assassination attempt? Either way, it’s definitely not a good thing. That’s for sure.”

“… … Ah, this damn brat!”

I know it sounds stupid, but I couldn’t help it.

During the game, all the worries that had been weighing on me were gone and I felt free, but after the game was over, realistic problems came back to my mind.

At the last dinner, the words that Werner Wolf uttered filled my mind.

‘You can only draw the future of the team when you transfer. It’s the same for both the prospects and the veterans. Jonas Hector’s retirement is entirely his own will, but the club’s financial issues are also a factor in his decision. Most of the senior players are highly paid. Maybe in the case of Hector or Sciri… . . ‘

‘Mr. Wolf.’

After all the nonsense that Jonas might reconsider his retirement if I left, it was finally my agent Alex Pasek who stepped in and showed me what it meant to be ‘serious’.

Words once spoken, words once heard, cannot be taken back.

However, there were both positive and negative elements at the same time.

The unfortunate thing is that I felt really dirty at the time, but the fortunate thing is that I was able to completely cut off my worries.

“Hanul! Interview!”

“huh.”

“Hurry up and come back.”

“Don’t think too big. Just adjust accordingly. Okay?”

“… … .”

It was Jonas Hector who gently tapped my back when the official called, and Elias Schiri who tapped my left shoulder as well.

That’s enough to tip the scales to one side.

Not for mom, dad, older brother, or friend, but for my teammates.

Surprisingly, the confidence came to me in an instant, and the day after the game, I asked Alex Pasek to communicate with the club.

‘I intend to transfer.’

Of course, I meant to tell the clubs other than FC Köln that are interested in recruiting him.

Werner Wolf, go eat some shit.

okay.

I’m going.