Chapter 841: With No Way Out, the Chinese Team Chooses to Sacrifice a Flag Before the Match

Pepsi reminds you: On November 22, in the Group C World Cup spotlight match between China and Argentina, Tang Ye faces off against Messi.

Although Argentina, as the home team, technically enjoyed the home dressing room for the first Group C match, Pepsi was extremely meticulous; in their advertisements deployed in China, they chose to place "China" and "Tang Ye" at the forefront, crafting a headline of: China vs. Argentina.

However, in advertisements for other countries, you will discover that the home team, Argentina, is still listed before China.

Of course, these minor details actually make little difference, at least for the sponsor Pepsi; they are one of the few commercial companies to have signed both Tang Ye and Messi, making them the outright winners of this World Cup group stage.

For the match on the 22nd, the Chinese team conducted their pitch familiarization and warm-up at Lusail Stadium on the 20th.

Speaking of which, the Chinese team was quite fortunate; their first match was scheduled at the largest football stadium in all of Qatar, which also happens to be the venue for this World Cup's final.

"80,000 seats... that's about the same as Manchester United's 【referring to Old Trafford】, then."

Zhang Zhang Xizhe sighed: "I've never played at Old Trafford before."

"It's very different."

Tang Ye said.

"Very different? No, aren't they both 80,000 seats? Uh... maybe this one has a few more, but it's not up to 90,000, right?"

"No, haven't you noticed this stadium is brand new? Old Trafford isn't this new."

"Haha!"

Everyone originally thought Tang Ye was going to speak up for Old Trafford, but instead, he rarely took Qatar's side.

"Wait, Tang Tang Qiuwang, how did you become a traitor?"

Zhang Zhang Yuning put his arm around Tang Ye's shoulders.

"How the hell is this being a traitor? I'm just stating the facts, okay? This stadium even has air conditioning. Really, if I were a Manchester United shareholder, the stands at Old Trafford would have to be filled with air conditioners; Manchester is so stuffy, at 20 degrees it feels like 20 degrees of humidity, and after playing for 20 minutes your shirt sticks directly to your flesh."

While speaking, Tang Ye tugged at his jersey.

The temperature in Qatar in November is still relatively high, but Lusail Stadium is indeed well-designed; not only does it filter out a certain amount of sunlight, but it also features cool air conditioning.

This thing called air conditioning is truly amazing; if Tang Ye knew who invented air conditioning, he would definitely award them a certificate of merit.

"Tang Ye!"

"Wow!!!"

"Wu Lei is awesome! Go China!"

Walking out from the player tunnel, the Chinese football players raised their hands to respond to the cheers from the fans in the stands.

Although this was merely a pitch familiarization and warm-up, the organizers still sold 5,000 tickets to the public.

Well, strictly speaking, they were given away; Qatar wasn't looking to make money off 5,000 tickets; they simply hoped the attending fans would create a suitable match atmosphere to help the team better adapt to the upcoming World Cup proper.

This arrangement was indeed very necessary for the Chinese team, because currently the players within the national team had fallen into a very awkward psychological state: knowing it was difficult for them to advance to the knockout stage, the Chinese players felt somewhat embarrassed when facing their own fans.

"Keep a balanced mindset; it's fine."

Feng Feng Xiaoting comforted his teammates.

Check Dongqiu Di pinned post: 48 hours until the China-Argentina clash; Chinese team players conduct pitch familiarization and warm-up.

"Today's Headlines" — Tang Ye's wife appears in the stadium stands with mini-Bond, thanking fans for their support.

The Qatar Football Association reposted news of the national team's pitch familiarization: Lusail Stadium welcomes the King of Asia. #china #manunited #ballond'or #ty #Tang Ye #ggbond.

Xinhua News Agency on-site reporter feedback: During the pitch familiarization, a small number of English, Portuguese, and Dutch fans were spotted in the stands.

"The fans on-site were very enthusiastic; despite the national team facing a challenge in the first round of the group stage, the fans still sent their most fervent cheers to the team they support."

Perhaps due to both belonging to Asia, the organizers of this World Cup showed the Chinese team a respect that could be described as "nearly exaggerated"; however, upon closer inspection, this respect seemed to be specially prepared for Tang Ye.

A four-time Ballon d'Or winner, the legendary King of Asia.

Even though the Chinese national team he belongs to encountered some difficulties in the group stage draw, they still symbolize the highest competitive level of Asian football, bearing the hopes of football fans across the entire continent.

If the Chinese team falls in the group stage, the anticipated timing for the "rise of Asia" will likely have to be postponed.

"Um... I think I'm quite surprised; the stadium design is excellent. We've played matches in Qatar before, but the current Qatar has changed greatly from the past; the stadiums have become more advanced. I particularly like the air conditioning; I think installing air conditioning in stadiums is really great, especially for a relatively hot place like Doha."

Tang Ye spoke very quickly.

"Regarding the match the day after tomorrow, is there anything you'd like to say to the fans?"

"Um... actually, haha."

Tang Ye smiled bitterly: "Everyone knows the match won't be easy to play, but we won't just give up; after all, that's the first match, so our decision is to go all out. As for the result, we'll just have to wait until the match ends to see; right now, we know nothing."

"Today your family also came to watch the pitch familiarization..."

The reporter brought up Tang Ye's son.

Although less than one year old, Tang Rui can be said to be a household name and a huge star in China.

This guy already had a nickname before he was even born:

The Chosen One of the 21st Century — Mini-Bond!

"Do you think your son will become a professional player in the future, like you?"

"This... actually, I knew you would ask me this question."

Tang Ye pondered: "To be honest, if he wants to play football, that's fine too, but I would prefer him to take the conventional route; after all, playing football is indeed... um, a bit tiring."

"It would be great if he were willing to go to school."

【Tang Tang Qiuwang, don't!】

【Don't let Mini-Bond study; I beg you, that's going astray!】

【Really, Mini-Bond should play football; isn't it just 20 years? I'll wait!】

【Typical Chinese parent! Tang Ye, I'm so disappointed in you; if Tang Rui takes the college entrance exam, I'll unfollow you on Weibo immediately!】

This was Tang Ye's line of thinking: as a professional player, he felt playing football was too tiring, so he hoped his son would follow a more conventional development path, the very path he himself had not taken — study hard and become a respected intellectual.

But from the fans' perspective.

The sons of star players generally carry the hopes of the fans.

Although the probability of a star player's son making it through football is low, everyone still harbors illusions, hoping Mini Bond will become a great figure just like his father, GG Bond.

After all, if you calculate the timeline, in twenty years, after GG Bond retires, Mini Bond will take his place.

You've seen people inherit family fortunes, but have you ever seen someone inherit fans?

By then, the moment Mini Bond debuts in one of the top five leagues, he'll bring 1 billion fans with him the instant he joins the team, utterly devastating heaven and earth!

Of course, this premise relies on Mini Bond actually possessing the talent to play in the top five leagues.

That evening, the Chinese team players returned to their hotel and gathered in the conference room.

Today was not only the Chinese team's pitch inspection and warm-up, but also the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup.

The opening match featured the host, Qatar, versus Ecuador.

"Qatar has no chance of winning this."

Tang Ye sat on the floor in front of the multimedia screen watching the opening ceremony's cultural performance, while behind him, his teammates sat at various tables.

"Lower your head; I can't see the subtitles."

"Eh? I shouldn't be blocking your view, should I?"

Finding it a bit strange, Tang Ye nevertheless shuffled backward, ensuring he could no longer block his teammate's view.

"Must you sit on the floor? There are so many chairs here."

Escrivá complained, though it was merely a complaint; he had long grown accustomed to Tang Ye's bizarre behavior.

Li Tie beside them wanted to say something, but Escrivá stopped him: "A genius is a genius; if you want to be a genius, you cannot act like a normal person."

"..."

Well, alright then.

Li Tie had nothing more to say about it.

【Sky Sports】

"FIFA World Cup Qatar..."

"2022 FIFA World Cup..."

"Next to enter is the host nation of this World Cup, the Qatar National Team!!!! (English)"