Chapter 573: Mercedes TY Mutual Destruction

Manchester United beat reporter: Ashley Young is confirmed to stay; he will fulfill the remaining half-year of his contract with Manchester United.

"Ashley Young offered to play for Manchester United for free during the remaining half-year, but after consideration, the club ultimately decided not to adjust his contract; the former team captain will leave as a free agent once the remaining half-year contract ends."

【Shooting: 82→83】

【Physicality: 86→87】

Tang Ye (41 years old)

【Ball Control: 90; Passing: 94】

【Shooting: 83; Heading: 62; Set Pieces: 90】

【Pace: 79; Stamina: 80; Physicality: 87】

【Defending: 77; Vision: 99】

Overall Rating: 91

On the training ground, Tang Ye's Shooting and Physicality attributes improved at the same time.

Shooting needs no explanation; since the start of this season, Tang Ye's shooting training has become increasingly frequent.

As for Physicality, one can only say that the improvement in talent has brought Tang Ye great help.

A 【Peerless】 level of physical talent means that even after reaching 87 in Physicality, Tang Ye still feels no bottleneck.

Looking at it this way, perhaps I should have chosen Talent back when I had to pick one of two?

Hiss...

This is a question; Talent represents the future, while Infusion represents the present.

He really wants Talent, but it cannot be denied that a Set Pieces rating of 90 has indeed brought Tang Ye great help; his indirect free kicks and corner kicks can help the team break open situations in some matches.

Forget it!

Shaking his head, Tang Ye decided not to think about the reward choice anymore.

"Hey, don't zone out!"

Ten Hag shouted, "Focus, Tom, focus!"

Right after speaking to Tang Ye, Ten Hag turned around and started chatting with Fan Fan Dejiahe beside him.

"Hiss... I think Tom's next direction for improvement should be Shooting, to increase his threat level!"

Ten Hag's eyes were glowing.

Getting stronger bit by bit, he seemed to see the day when Tang Ye would be invincible.

To Ten Hag, Tang Ye's improvements felt as if they were happening to himself.

Because Ten Hag had truly watched Tang Ye's entire journey!

"What about Heading? I think practicing Heading is also part of Shooting, right?"

This wasn't the first time Fan Fan Dejiahe suggested Tang Ye practice Heading, but once again, Ten Hag rejected the idea.

Practicing something one is inherently bad at would likely not yield good results; it would be disastrous if developing Heading ability interfered with Tang Ye's passing judgment.

"The Champions League is still uncertain, but anyway, we have no issues in the league right now."

Actually, Manchester United's luck has been quite good.

During the Champions League group stage, Escrivá showcased his midfield jumping tactic against Premier League teams, causing Manchester United to nearly face disaster.

At that time, the Manchester United coaching staff was very worried, fearing that other teams in the same league would emulate Dortmund.

However, Ten Hag ultimately made the right gamble.

Developing such a tactic just to take points off one Manchester United team is a loss for most Premier League sides; it's simply not worth it.

Manchester United has very good luck!

"Actually, I'm just afraid of Liwupu."

Fan Fan Dejiahe stuffed his hands into his pockets, squinting his eyes slightly.

In the first half of the league, Liwupu lost to Manchester United, and as a strong contender for this season's Premier League title, will Klopp seek to become Escrivá's disciple?

ESPN: The Lakers will invite TY to watch their home game against Philadelphia live.

Sports Weekly — Tang Ye has already arrived in Los Angeles; he will receive the Laureus Award after concluding his commercial event with Apple.

"Wow, KB."

At the Los Angeles filming site, Tang Ye shook hands and embraced Kobe.

This is Apple's largest promotional campaign in recent years; a football player and a basketball player joining forces allows for coverage of the European, American, and Asian markets simultaneously.

"Tom."

Kobe embraced Tang Ye, then pulled his daughter forward: "Honestly, Tom, my daughter is a die-hard fan of yours."

"Really?"

Tang Ye looked at Gianna: "You're very tall; you should be playing basketball. The female football players I know aren't tall."

"I never lie about this."

Kobe placed his hand on Tang Ye's shoulder.

Bryant was a bit too tall, making Tang Ye, who was just over 1.8 meters, look like a child.

"I heard we're going to play basketball; I'm very good at that."

Walking along the road, Tang Ye suddenly jumped up and took an air shot: "Three-pointer!"

"Damn!"

Landing on the ground, Tang Ye tripped over the steps in front of the Apple company building.

"Haha!"

"Careful, careful, Mr., careful!"

Several Apple employees acting as guides quickly helped Tang Ye up from the ground; the latter shook his head.

"So why am I playing basketball? Is this an advertisement requirement?"

Tang Ye wanted to find a basketball to dribble, but alas, there were no basketballs available on site at the moment.

Kobe, holding his daughter's hand, said: "I play soccer, you play basketball; that's the requirement, but I truly don't know how to play soccer."

"Haha, then you're going to lose, KB."

Tang Ye placed both hands on his head: "I can play basketball, but I can't dunk. If things go well, I'd like to film a dunking commercial."

"..."

Snap!

The director gave a hand signal; Tang Ye dribbled the ball, slowly approaching Kobe.

A feint to the left!

A feint to the right!

Breakthrough down the baseline!

Under Kobe's intentional lax defense, Tang Ye successfully reached the baseline.

Jump up and shoot!

Whoosh!

Swish!

It went in!

"Nice!"

Tang Ye and Kobe shouted simultaneously.

Tang Ye's three-point shooting percentage was too low, causing even a small commercial to take a long time to film.

However, they finally succeeded now.

"No, no, no!"

The director's voice came through: "Bryant, you need to jump higher; going easy is too obvious. Higher, so the effect looks better!"

"TY, you shoot higher too, making the block more difficult!"

"Oh!"

Tang Ye spread his hands toward the director: "Let's switch to a lower rim, bro. I'll just dunk one, and you can Photoshop it to look like a standard rim in post-production."

"Hmm..."

Tang Ye's words gave the director inspiration, which ultimately led to the final plan for the basketball segment.

Tang Ye, wearing a tank top with a white Apple logo, acted as the offensive player going one-on-one against Kobe.

Kobe spread his arms to defend.

A fake move to bypass him!

Jump up!

Boom!

Tang Ye delivered a dunk.

"Roar!!!"

It was indeed a lowered rim, but Apple Company had many photography experts; a rim over two meters high could be filmed to look like a four-meter effect, making Tang Ye appear like a god of war.

The soccer segment was similar; Tang Ye pretended to be the goalkeeper but unfortunately failed to save Kobe's long-range shot.

【Slofie slow motion: every moment is eternity】

"Wow, that's very cool."

Tang Ye blinked; indeed, his and Bryant's efforts were not in vain—this commercial looked invincible when viewed on a mobile phone.

The video was scheduled for release in one month; by then, fans would be able to witness the dunking divine power of the GG King!

At the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony: "Male Athlete of the Year..."

"Tang Ye and Lewis Hamilton!"

Clap clap clap clap!!!

The lights at the ceremony venue flashed so brightly they were almost blinding; Tang Ye and Hamilton stood up together, embraced before the cameras, and then walked together toward the podium.

"..."

"It is worth mentioning that this is the first time two athletes have simultaneously received the Best Athlete award: TY from Manchester United and Hamilton from Mercedes. Both have delivered sufficiently outstanding performances in their respective fields..."

"Is this your first time meeting?"

The female host asked.

Tang Ye prepared to answer, but Hamilton was faster.

"We interacted online before; our first offline meeting was last night because we stayed at the same hotel. To be honest, I do watch some soccer matches."

Hamilton pointed at himself; he is British, and Tang Ye happens to play in the Premier League, making it a remarkable coincidence.

"Hmm... so what were your first impressions of each other?"

"Oh, nice (not bad)"

Hamilton answered quickly, and so did Tang Ye.

"Actually, I've known Lewis for a very long time."

Tang Ye's words surprised both Hamilton and the female host simultaneously.

"What? You yes—"

"Haha, because you didn't ask."

Tang Ye took a step back, then walked forward again: "Hmm... I don't remember which year it was, anyway you weren't at Mercedes back then."

"Mercedes-AMG Petronas."

The host corrected him.

"Oh, oh, not at Mercedes-AMG Petronas, it must have been McLaren or something; I've seen you race, I remember you were already quite formidable back then."

"Wow!"

The guests in the audience started teasing; Hamilton jokingly pointed at himself: "Then I feel greatly honored; I thought this was our first meeting."

"It truly is our first meeting, because the first time I only saw you, you didn't see me; I was in the stands."

"Haha!"

Tang Ye laughed heartily, and the two each received a trophy from the guests.

Although they won the award simultaneously, their trophies were separate, meaning each person received one.

Check Dongqiu Di pinned post: 2020 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Tang Ye, Hamilton (F1)! (47,823 comments)

【Is everyone here just to see Tang Ye... are there any old Hamilton fans?】

【Tang Ye is awesome.】

【Some people might not grasp what it means for football to win a Laureus; winning Best Athlete in an 11-player game means Tang Ye has maxed out heroism.】

【Awesome! So what about James? Why wasn't James on the candidate list, and why wasn't Kobe either?】

【I won't say much, I just have one request: Old Hamilton, please, whatever you do, don't let Tang Ye drive your car, otherwise Manchester United's season is done.】

【To the person above, I can't tell for a moment if you're an anti-fan or a true fan.】

Tang Ye, who is skilled at driving, winning the Laureus alongside a racing athlete puts immense pressure on Manchester United fans.

Hamilton, if you let GGBond drive your car, I'll be your anti-fan for the rest of my life!

Time moved to the day after the awards ceremony concluded.

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Announcement: The team's race car did not accompany Lewis Hamilton to Los Angeles to accept the Laureus Award, therefore there is no possibility of TY test-driving an F1 race car.

Additionally, we have contacted the accompanying team; as a sponsor, during the awards period Mercedes will provide TY with vehicles and professional driver services; currently, rumors circulating on Twitter and Instagram regarding "TY Mercedes car crash" and "Mercedes TY mutual destruction" are all false.

The Washington Post: James scored 3 points in the third quarter against Philadelphia, surpassing Kobe's career total scoring; Kobe expressed congratulations to James on Twitter.

On the cover of The Washington Post, James, wearing a Lakers jersey, held the small figure of Tang Ye in his arms.

The timing and location of the Laureus Awards were cleverly arranged, allowing Tang Ye to witness his friend's historic moment live on site.

SLAM—Charity again! Insiders reveal TY will donate to the Mamba Sports Foundation designed by Kobe.

Some fans did not know what the Mamba Foundation was, so Check Dongqiu Di provided a special introduction when reposting the news.

This is a charitable organization spearheaded by Kobe, with the goal of providing opportunities for young people through sports.

Many fans know Tang Ye is enthusiastic about donating, and his friend Bryant's foundation is naturally his best choice for donations.

To demonstrate his support for the sports foundation, Tang Ye, at Kobe's invitation, will go to the Mamba Sports Academy to watch a basketball game.

This is Kobe's daughter's game.

"To be honest, I'm not really keen on going."

Sitting in the back row next to Kobe, Tang Ye said in a low voice.

Of course, he needed to control his volume, otherwise it would be awkward if Kobe's daughter, who was about to play in the game, heard him.

"Haha."

Kobe had just finished praying at church a few hours ago and now looked extremely energetic: "You said you wanted to do charity; you can't just donate money without showing up, can you?"

"Hey, come on, man!"

Kobe spread his hands: "It's just a basketball game; support our Mamba Sports Foundation! I'll have them put your name on the foundation's website!"

"That's not necessary, Kobe; I will watch the game, I just wanted to complain a bit."

Tang Ye hung his head: "Then can I go up and play a bit; is this a women's game?"

Kobe didn't answer; Kobe's daughter, sitting in front, said: "You can come up and join us."

"It wouldn't be appropriate for me to join a women's game, would it?"

"Don't worry; you're not necessarily going to beat them."

Kobe mocked.

"Hey, how is that possible; you're overthinking it, Bryant; I must win."

"The rims there aren't low; you won't be able to dunk!"

The driver dropped Kobe, Tang Ye, and the others off at the airport.

Counting the accompanying staff for both Kobe and Tang Ye, there were eleven people in total here.

"I guarantee you, you will feel the purest basketball at the foundation!"

Walking toward the airport terminal, Kobe repeatedly emphasized this to Tang Ye.

Just like recommending a TV drama to a good friend, Kobe tried every method to make Tang Ye feel that the basketball charity match was interesting.

"Alright, alright, Bryant; I'll participate; I've already come all the way here."

"Haha!"

Kobe patted Tang Ye's arm, and under the guidance of the travel agent, they arrived at the tarmac.

The pilot was a bald man; Kobe had a good relationship with him.

"Tom, let me introduce you; Ara Zobayan! We've been friends for several years; he pilots my plane for most of my daily travels."

Zobayan extended his right hand to Tang Ye: "Ballon d'Or winner! Haha."

With Kobe's permission, Captain Zobayan introduced Tang Ye to the Island Express Helicopters company where he worked.

This was a helicopter company offering charter flights and aerial tour services.

"If you need to travel within the United States, just contact this company!"

"NBA and NFL players all have partnerships with them!"

Kobe said to Tang Ye as the group prepared to board the aircraft.

"Mainly, I don't live in the United States, so I rarely have the chance to use it."

"Haha, if the frequency is low, we can provide our services to you free of charge. Mr. Tang, it would be our honor," Zobayan said with a smile.

"Come on, man!"

Kobe spread his hands: "I paid for this; why is Ty getting it for free? Come on, don't treat the Mamba like this!"

"Haha!"

(End of Chapter)