Chapter 207: The Monster of Iberia Lands on Thunder Island (A routine transition, a bit of filler)

United States, New York Mets Stadium.

The Centennial Copa América final is underway.

A sea of people, every seat filled.

Argentina vs. Chile.

All around the stands are banners cheering for Messi, yet Argentina, boasting South America's top front line, is stuck in a quagmire...

The 90 minutes of regular time ended in a draw.

The 30 minutes of extra time ended in a draw.

Both sides entered the penalty shootout.

The atmosphere tensed to the extreme, and the tens of thousands of spectators in the venue involuntarily held their breath.

"Messi stands at the penalty spot."

"Even for him, the pressure will be great."

"He is facing his Barcelona teammate, Bravo."

"Take a deep breath."

"The run-up distance is not large."

"Shoot!"

"Whoa! The ball flew wide!"

"Messi missed the penalty kick!"

The whole crowd gasped.

Messi lowered his head and silently walked back to the center circle.

His inner sorrow isolated him from the stadium's clamor.

Players from both sides successively scored their penalties.

When the fifth Argentine player approached the penalty spot,

Everyone's hearts tightened.

"Biglia from Lazio, his expression twisted into a knot, even his eyes trembling."

"Argentina now stands on the brink of a cliff!"

"Wow!"

"Bravo saved the penalty kick!"

"This is too cruel for Argentina!"

"The match is over!"

"The champion of the 2016 Centennial Copa América is the Chile team!"

"In the Copa América finals of two consecutive years, the Argentina team led by Messi has fallen before Bravo!"

"Bravo! A goalkeeper who created a Copa América myth, he is the nightmare of all South American shooters."

"Those who want to break his record must wait another hundred years!"

"Argentina, please don't cry for me."

"At this moment Messi is isolated and helpless; fate always toys with him— the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa América, the 2016 Centennial Copa América— in three major tournaments he always falls just short!"

"Messi has won everything at club level, but the national team championship trophy feels like the farthest distance in the world— like a mirage."

"Even the greatest superstar of this era will experience regret."

"How we wish we could see him lift the Copa América and the World Cup in the not-too-distant future!"

"Losers will be forgotten, but Messi's Argentina team will not be forgotten!"

Messi silently walked back to the bench.

Sitting in his seat, he stared blankly.

Higuaín stood with hands on hips, his eye sockets red, he again wasted the many chances Messi created.

This Serie A Golden Boot winner, why does he always miss a sure shot in the World Cup final and the Copa América final?

The defense, as thin as a cicada's wing, if not for Mascherano's desperate recovery, the Chileans would have ended the match within ninety minutes.

The Chile team is celebrating.

Bravo was lifted high by teammates, coaching staff, staff, and fans rushing onto the pitch.

At this moment, he is the hero in the hearts of the Chilean people.

As a main member of the Messi Fan Group, he very much wants to comfort Messi.

Their relationship behind the scenes at Barcelona is very good, but he simply cannot get away at the moment.

At this historical juncture, the commercial influence and attention of the Copa América have long been far inferior to that of the European Championship.

But Messi's influence spreads across the world.

Media all over the world feel regret for Messi and Argentina.

A transfer news item quietly appeared on the secondary pages of major sports media: "Manchester City officially announces the signing of Barcelona goalkeeper Bravo."

Etihad.

Guardiola is accepting a public interview, saying:

"Joe Hart is a legend of Etihad; he fully understands my decision and my thoughts on the goalkeeper position."

"Bravo's determination to leave a club like Barcelona is indeed not easy."

"Messi will always be the best player in my heart, regardless of whether he has won a national team championship."

Dare not overly praise Bravo.

Joe Hart's opinion is not important, but we must consider Manchester City's other veteran stalwarts...

The reconstruction work of the Blue Moon cannot be completed in just one summer transfer window; even with more money, you still need to find suitable players.

In Manchester City's existing squad, several players already feel that they might be cleared out in the near future.

The new coaching staff needs their support to help the team get through half a season or a full season.

Chaos.

A tangled mess.

Premier League veterans have pointed out that Guardiola's first season in charge of Manchester City will yield nothing.

Camp Nou, the Little Chapel.

Enrique and Robert are being interviewed by various major media outlets.

"Mr. Enrique, why did you choose to let go of the Americas' goalkeeping god Bravo and keep ter Stegen?"

"Barcelona's players have performed quite averagely in this European Championship; Bosque has given them playing opportunities since the group stage."

"According to sources, Manchester City only spent 18 million euros to acquire Bravo, and it's even being paid in installments…"

Barcelona's head coach's face darkened.

His expression was as if he were writing: "I don't want to explain all this to you lot of onlookers, damn it."

After slightly adjusting his emotions, he slowly said:

"National team and club are two different levels of competition."

"Ter Stegen's failure to help the German team reach the European Championship semifinals is a regrettable matter."

"Barcelona's players' performance in the European Championship not being outstanding? That proves nothing; too many factors are involved."

"We will make major signings in this summer transfer window; Barcelona is building a one‑of‑a‑kind future!"

"Next season's Champions League, you will witness Barcelona's greatness."

Barcelona, the white tower.

The building's façade is covered with graffiti slogans of curses.

"Cruyff, you are Barcelona's cancer cell!"

Two painters are busy, complaining through their masks.

"Mr. Cruyff has finally returned to Barcelona for a visit, and those damned extremist fans are again scribbling all over the place here!"

"It's not self‑inflicted; Barcelona doesn't need a godfather right now!"

"Eight years ago he blocked Mourinho from coaching Barcelona in the board, and recommended his own disciple Guardiola… the extremist fans almost set fire to this tower!"

"That choice was correct; Guardiola built the peak Dream Team III, giving Barcelona the glory of a sextuple!"

"Cruyff now wants Barcelona to use all of its 200‑million‑euro transfer budget to bid for Lewokusen's talented midfielder."

"Crazy—sell for one million euros, then buy back for two hundred million? Does Lewokusen agree to installment payments?"

"Whether Li is La Masia's crown prince or not, if the Barcelona high command agrees, wouldn't that be slapping themselves in the face?"

"So he will never be able to return to Barcelona in his lifetime."

"The most ironic joke in football history."

"Lewokusen is really cunning; Li hasn't yet signed an endorsement deal with Nike or Adidas, so no club can acquire him through advance sponsorship fees… this summer's transfer battle over Li will be fought with hard cash."

On the treetop, two blue magpies happily shook the branches.

A tender green leaf slowly drifted down onto the white leather shoes.

Nature often allows phenomena that violate natural laws to occur.

Cruyff gazed at the vicious curse slogans on the outer wall, listening to two ordinary fans' criticisms of the times, and couldn't help but smile.

He had long received death threats from Catalan extremist fans, and he didn't care.

Just being La Masia's crown prince, he might never be able to return to Camp Nou.

Bernabeu.

Real Madrid club chairman Florentino attended the press conference for the summer transfer window.

"Looking at Real Madrid's current squad, it's hard to strengthen through signings."

"Before August 31, anything could happen."

"Many players in our club have reached the European Championship semifinals; I'm proud of them."

"Li fits Real Madrid's temperament…"

He lifted his glasses; Florentino's face showed little emotional fluctuation.

He had bitterness he couldn't voice.

Unlike the previous "one star per year" recruitment strategy, hampered by many special factors, Real Madrid has over the past two years shifted its recruitment focus to digging up little monsters.

But now even those little monsters are expensive.

For example, Brazilian 16‑year‑old prodigy Vinícius, Flamengo club offered a jaw‑dropping price.

As for the 18‑year‑old Li…

Damn it, this feeling is just like missing Kaká in 2002 and Ronaldinho in 2003!

"Real Madrid currently doesn't need a player like Kaká, because he'd be hard‑pressed to bring us anything."

"We know Ronaldinho's level, but he's too ugly, which would lower Real Madrid's brand value."

Half‑true, half‑false Florentino quotes remain, years later, fodder for fans' after‑dinner chatter.

Ré Island, by the coast.

Spain's national team players started playing beach volleyball.

This is a training method Bosque learned from Bayern's coaching staff, very helpful for players to relax before major matches.

Li Kang and his teammates were having a great time.

He teamed up with De Gea, and thanks to the jump‑boost from the "Sky‑Shattering Echo" module, he crushed the other teammates' combinations, leaving none intact.

Even discovered that the 'Environment Adaptation' module could actually let one easily adapt to sandy terrain!

Historically, football matches in muddy sandy terrain are not uncommon.

In the pine forest.

Yes.

The pine forest and beach on Thunder Island blend together to form an 'alternative' beautiful scenery.

Two French reporters were furtively filming nonstop.

"My god, that Spanish kid is a monster, his jumping ability on the beach is terrifying!"

"His muscle lines... are truly shocking! Definitely not something you can train with ordinary methods!"

"This isn't praiseworthy; no matter how strong one's physique, you can't break through our French midfield!"

"Damn, does this kid have no quirks at all? These photos won't sell for much!"

On the other side.

Bosque, old but vigorous, was shirtless wearing a gaudy red pair of big shorts, exchanging blows with the coaching staff.

Mininano worried: "Boss, after playing volleyball all afternoon, they'll instinctively use their hands to touch the ball on the grass—what do we do?"

The Spanish head coach laughed: "Who would be that stupid?"

Moments later.

Li Kang took the dry towel handed over by Yin Si Ke and sat on the canvas chair to rest.

"Li, let me help you apply sunscreen! This one…"

Morata immediately interrupted: "Get lost, there are still paparazzi over by the pine forest!"

While speaking, he quickly handed Li Kang a bottle of water.

Diego Costa yanked a bit of Yin Si Ke's leg hair: "It's fine, I don't mind—you can help me apply sunscreen!"

Coke felt a chill, instinctively stepping back a few paces to distance himself from this bunch of monsters.

Saúl, however, couldn't resist moving forward and joined the sunscreen squad.

Li Kang refused his teammates' good intentions.

For this beach volleyball training, the coaching staff specially relaxed the rules on carrying phones.

He unlocked the screen and, during the break, continued watching the French team's match footage.

He still couldn't see the uniqueness of Deschamps' tactical system.

There are many problems with the defensive line's coordination and cooperation.

The ability shown by French goalkeeper Lloris is still far below that of Cech and Buffon for now.

Will the semifinal really be that easy?

Yinniesita held up a small tactical board, worried: "The French midfield is deep; if the starting double pivot is Kanté and Matuidi, our formation's advance will become very difficult."

Matuidi: Paris Saint-Germain's starting midfielder, 2015 French Footballer of the Year, top scorer for the French national team over the past three years...

Kanté: Creator of the Leicester City myth, Premier League's average tackles per game leader.

Busquets added: "We also have to count Pogba and Sissoko; this French team is still young, a strong contender for international cup titles in the coming years, their midfield hardness is too high, including speed and foot technique also not bad, my suggestion is…"

David Silva waved his hand, cutting off their conversation: "You two might not even get to play."

"Don't overthink it; this match will be much easier than facing Germany, as long as we build around Li."

Cazorla raised a hand to block the sun, squinting: "One thing to note: the French team's disruptive actions are big; we should try to help Li reduce the pressure of passing."

Several midfield maestros pulled down a tarp and launched into a heated tactical discussion.

Both head coaches hadn't even had a chance to speak before the match.

The sports media of both countries have already rolled up their sleeves.

A war without smoke is about to erupt!

That night.

The French media struck first.

"Yin Biliya's Monster Lands on Thunder Island Beach!"

Several mosaic photos occupied the front-page headline, the text extremely visually impactful.

There were also several 'intimate' photos of Yin Si Ke and Diego Costa, described as weird and strange content.

The Spanish media immediately lost the will to retaliate.

Even Marca remained silent.

The fans went crazy with joy.

-【Come on, it's obvious they're wearing shorts—why put a mosaic on the key spot?】

-【French newspapers are just weird, using all sorts of messy ways to attract traffic and grab eyeballs.】

-【Li Mingdeng really is a monster, playing beach volleyball so fiercely! Though I feel he's gotten a bit thinner lately.】

-【The perfect midfield physique template in the five major leagues still has to be Pogba, with Black racial talent added!】

-【The peerless duo of the new-generation midfield position: Pogba vs. Li Mingdeng.】

-【Both have strong teammates supporting them, the coaching staff and tactical system are also very strong; this match will decide their standing in European football for the next few years!】

-【Don't just look at the body—Pogba's brain can't compare to Li Mingdeng's.】

-【Nonsense, Li Mingdeng will end the battle within 90 minutes.】