Chapter 419: Season Settlement

A miracle chest granted him Son Heung-min's curved shot template; another miracle chest fully maximized his physical confrontation talent.

Although he didn't achieve outstanding results, Tang Ye still gained a lot from this World Cup.

After the World Cup rewards were settled, Tang Ye's season settlement arrived.

【Settling 2017/18 Season…】

As Tang Ye had guessed, the system had included this World Cup within the 2017/18 season, so he couldn't receive settlement rewards before the World Cup began.

Fortunately, the system didn't go insane and count the World Cup toward the 2018/19 season, or Tang Ye would've had to wait a long time.

【Club Reward Settlement】

【You received 12,000 Comeback Points】

【National Team Reward Settlement】

【You received 5,200 Comeback Points】

【Ding, Senior Card】

"…"

He thought it would be 22,000, but if it were only 22,000, he'd be vastly underestimating the benefits a 40-year-old athlete could receive.

【You received an additional 20% Comeback Point subsidy】

【You received a total of 20,640 Comeback Points】

Very okay—directly a 20,000 Comeback Point windfall.

During the World Cup, Tang Ye felt nothing about all the commercial contracts, but as soon as the 20,000 Comeback Points hit his account, he suddenly felt his pockets stuffed with cash.

These were all cash from the system, granting Tang Ye a profound sense of security.

Check his current balance.

Account balance: 21,742 Comeback Points

Although his daily quests were done sporadically, thanks to World Cup goals, assists, and the season settlement's massive rewards, Tang Ye was now officially a millionaire.

First, figure out how to spend this fortune!

Hmm…

To grow stronger, he needed to carefully consider his weaknesses.

As Tang Ye himself, he knew exactly where he was lacking.

But if he were to study it thoroughly…

His haters probably understood his flaws better than he did!

Skillfully opening Bilibili, Tang Ye's homepage instantly popped up with football-related videos.

He never followed them, but he often scrolled through the videos.

For some reason, Urea Brother hadn't updated in a month; helplessly, Tang Ye had to rewatch old videos.

【Tang Ye, at 19, became Manchester United's core—what's his endurance like?】

Endurance!

Walking to his desk, Tang Ye took notes in his notebook.

Switch to another video with high views.

【19-year-old king, C-class midfielder in the Premier League—how does his physical confrontation compare to a high school student's?】

Physical confrontation!

Tang Ye wrote down his second note.

Relying on his haters' videos, Tang Ye gained deeper insight into his own flaws.

Endurance, physical confrontation, passing stability, and movement coverage.

These four points were the flaws his haters pointed out—his biggest problems right now.

Being mocked by haters hurt, and to avoid further criticism, Tang Ye now needed to improve his technical traits based precisely on what they said.

Endurance!

【Valdi's Red Bull +7 → Valdi's Red Bull +8】

【Valdi's Red Bull +8 → …】

【Your Valdi's Red Bull +10 has reached maximum enhancement level. You obtained Valdi's Super Red Bull】

【Valdi's Super Red Bull: For the next 2 hours, your endurance increases by 15%, and you digest food faster to gain energy】

7,500 Comeback Points upgraded Valdi's Red Bull three levels straight to +10—the so-called Super Red Bull.

Tang Ye's current endurance is 74; a 15% boost means…

Multiplying two two-digit numbers was still too hard, so Tang Ye pulled out a calculator.

【74 × 1.15】

【85.1】

Although Tang Ye's endurance appeared to be only 74, after drinking the Super Red Bull, he could briefly reach 85 endurance for two hours.

Previously, at Red Bull +7, the boost was 12.5%, which calculated to 83.

This move effectively bought him two endurance points for 7,500 Comeback Points—he got an excellent deal.

After all, these two endurance points became clearly noticeable after the 75th minute of a match.

Then came physical confrontation: football content and Tenghahe 's views agreed—Tang Ye needed to improve his ability to withstand defensive players, so his passing would be more stable and he wouldn't lose possession so easily under pressure.

For physical confrontation, it was 【Ronaldo's Chicken Breast】. Tang Ye's current level was +4; he quickly calculated that spending another 7,500 Comeback Points to upgrade it to +7 would be worth it.

5% extra training bonus + an extraordinary physical talent.

Tang Ye couldn't even imagine how strong he'd become if he trained seriously!

Account balance: 6,742 Comeback Points

Keep the remaining 6,000+ Comeback Points for now—wait and see how the team looks in the new season, then decide how to spend them based on the team's needs.

"Huh…"

After completing all these actions, Tang Ye lay flat on his bed, letting his mind go blank.

…

Dongqiu Di report: Historic first! Croatia defeats England 2-1 to reach the World Cup final, Mandžukić scores in extra time. (Comments: 44,235)

After China's elimination, domestic attention for the World Cup dropped slightly, but not by much.

France and Croatia advanced to face each other in the final, and Kylian Mbappé had won over global fans with his performance.

"If Tom was the sole king of the group stage, then Mbappé and Modrić are the kings of this World Cup's knockout rounds," said a commentator for France Football.

Tang Ye and his Chinese team had been eliminated, yet Tang Ye's presence hadn't vanished from the World Cup stage.

The reason was simple—he had too many sponsorships!

Logically, when a sponsored team is eliminated, sponsors should fall silent.

But for China, reaching the Round of 16 was already miraculous, so sponsors didn't stay quiet—they ramped up promotion during the knockout stage.

After Croatia vs. England ended, CCTV5 aired commercials.

Bam!

On screen, Tang Ye slid down a milk waterfall, stood before the camera, and picked up a classic carton of "Mengniu" pure milk.

【World Quality, Trustworthy】

First ad ended; second ad began.

Still featured Tang Ye: a Pepsi ad with Messi, Tang Ye, and James. This ad was so iconic it went viral even before the World Cup started.

Third ad…

Green expanse—looks like a soccer field.

Phew, finally no Tang Ye.

Bang!

Tang Ye suddenly slid on his knees and charged out, roaring at the fans in the stands.

Fans immediately recognized it.

This was his celebration after scoring the last-minute winner against Senegal in the group stage!

But!

It was cool, but who the hell was behind this ad?

The camera focused on Tang Ye's face, then panned to the grass behind him.

Three faint black skid marks suddenly turned solid black.

Solid black triple stripes!

【adidas】

【ImpossibleIsNothing】

"…"

Fans: 6

【I just want to know how much this cost】

【Best ad of this World Cup, no contest】

【Truly insane, but honestly, I guessed this from his interviews】

【I now turn on the TV and see nothing but Tang Ye—who understands how I feel like a proud father seeing his son succeed?】

【Zheng Xiong: What?】

…

Monte Carlo Radio: After four World Cup matches, Tom's Instagram followers rose from 38 million to 67 million, and are expected to surpass 70 million by the tournament's end. He is the player with the most follower growth in this World Cup, surpassing Kylian Mbappé.

Marca: Real Madrid, unable to meet Cristiano Ronaldo's demand for a 30-million-euro annual salary, is pushing for an exchange between Ronaldo and Tom, offering Manchester United 50 million euros as compensation.

Ronaldo, who won the Ballon d'Or last year, is still in his prime, as evidenced by Portugal's 3-3 draw with Spain in the group stage.

Real Madrid believes Ronaldo holds great appeal for Manchester United, and indeed, United's Gaoceng feel bringing Rooney back to Old Trafford is an excellent choice.

Negotiations for this transfer began in April, but as of July, no agreement has been reached—due to interference from Manchester United's head coach, Erik ten Hag.

Manchester United reporter: Ten Hag does not want to trade Tom for Ronaldo; he wants the team to age down, and Ronaldo, already 33, is nearing the end of his career.

"Eric (Ten Hag) believes no player can replicate Tom's role at Manchester United, not even Ronaldo."

With the France-Croatia World Cup final just days away, rumors of Tom and Ronaldo's exchange have stolen the spotlight from the tournament itself.

Ronaldo returns to Manchester United; Tom joins Real Madrid.

Could this actually happen?

…

Italian journalist Romano: Based on current developments, Ronaldo is highly likely to join Juventus.

"Juventus is willing to offer Ronaldo a 30-million-euro annual salary, second only to Messi among footballers. But the player himself prefers returning to Manchester United."

The reporter revealed that Ronaldo wants to return to Manchester United—even arranging a meeting between his agent and Tom's agent to facilitate the transfer.

Pore is in favor of the Tom-Ronaldo swap, as joining Real Madrid would elevate Tom's influence to another level.

But Manchester United stands in the way.

"Tell Cristiano this deal won't succeed—at least not based on this season's situation."

Pore said to Ronaldo's agent, Mendes.

Beyond the buzz surrounding Ronaldo and Tom, Manchester United's summer transfers continue.

Barcelona has made an outrageous offer of Dembélé plus 100 million euros—targeting only one player: Number 10, Tom.

This news comes from a retired reporter at Marca; its accuracy has yet to be confirmed.

But it's certain that even if Barcelona's offer isn't Dembélé plus 100 million, it won't be far off.

Barcelona official: Midfielder Frenkie de Jong @Frenkiedejong has transferred to Manchester United.

Manchester United paid 62 million euros for de Jong, whose market value is 35 million and who served as a backup at Barcelona—this is their first summer signing.

Unsurprisingly, another overpay.

And unsurprisingly, de Jong has prior experience at Utrecht—he's a genuine member of the Tenghag army!

Manchester Evening News: Manchester United's Gaoceng blocked Ten Hag's overpay for de Jong, but ultimately chose to trust him, as the Dutch coach's performance last season gave them hope.

…

The Sun front page, all bold: Tom was photographed walking with an Asian girl on the streets of Florence; they are roughly the same age.

"The reporter followed them all day—they had dinner together and checked into the same hotel. Unsurprisingly, this is Tom's second girlfriend."

The Sun, upon discovering Tom's scandal, immediately formed a special team and launched a 24-hour surveillance operation.

Guangdong Yongsheng Culture Media: "Piggy Xia: Football Heroes" has officially begun production, with a streaming release expected in June 2019.

【Oh, here we go, guys!】

【Football Heroes!】

【GGBond is the hero, come on!】

【Did the writers ever imagine this Piggy Xia thing would become this popular?】

Apparently responding to fan suggestions, a new episode of Piggy Xia has arrived!

Guangdong Youth: It remains unclear whether "Piggy Xia: Football Heroes" is connected to Tom, but insiders reveal the protagonist, GGBond, plays as a midfielder and excels at one-touch passing.

Who is GGBond based on?

Hmm, hard to guess!

…

France Football: Back at the top! France defeated Croatia 4-2, winning the World Cup for the first time in 20 years—Griezmann and Mbappé scored.

France's victory over Croatia to claim the World Cup instantly dominated trending topics worldwide.

After the match, golden fireworks exploded over Luzhniki Stadium as French players and fans celebrated their triumph.

Besides the World Cup trophy, FIFA also held individual award ceremonies after the match.

Croatia's midfielder Modrić won the World Cup Golden Ball for his outstanding leadership in the knockout stage.

France's forward Mbappé won the World Cup Best Young Player!

Belgium's goalkeeper Courtois won Best Goalkeeper!

"Phew… haha"

Standing on the podium, Mbappé smiled: "It's been tough, honestly. Before the group stage, Osman and I accidentally went to the Chinese team's base. Of course, it wasn't intentional."

Mbappé added.

"Because of our mistake, the team was docked one point before the group stage, so Osman and I were under huge pressure. I think it even affected my performance in the first group match."

"But with the help of teammates and fans, we pulled through."

"Wow!!!"

Fans in the stands screamed; reporters nodded with a smile: "Yes, you are the first team in World Cup history to be docked points before the group stage and still win the title."

"Kylian, you've won Best Young Player this World Cup. What do you have to say?"

"Uh… uh…"

Mbappé held the trophy, speechless for a long moment.

"I think I played pretty well, but…"

"But?"

"Nothing. I'm just grateful for my teammates' support."

"What I mean is, football is a team sport. Even if someone has extraordinary talent, without teammates, no honor is possible. I'm lucky to have their support. I think…"

Mbappé looked into the camera and smiled apologetically.

"If we only compared talent, I might not be the most gifted. But my luck has been incredible."

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

【2018 FIFA World Cup Champion: France】

…

(End of Chapter)