Chapter 238: Draw Ceremony! (Transitional Chapter)

Monaco, Grimaldi Conference Center, North Gate.

Blue carpet.

Blue cordon.

The neatly arranged cameras were set up early, like machine guns lying in wait for the arrival of the stars.

The LED billboards of nearby office buildings continuously rolled photos of the star players of the 32 clubs.

Wo Le Er, Tuopu Laotou, and Brandt got off the business car.

After the fans on both sides recognized the badges on their chests, they let out scattered cheers.

The media reporters also seemed not so enthusiastic.

"Damn it, what attitude is this? Our Lewokusen this year is a first-pot team, a seeded team!"

"Don't say that; the second-pot teams like Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Manchester City... are definitely more popular than us."

"Li!"

Accompanying Brandt's shout.

A business car slowly approached.

The human wall formed by security personnel began to loosen.

Fans and reporters fell into a frenzy: that's the dazzling young midfielder of the European Cup! The golden boot that shattered European history!

Lewokusen and Arsenal have a great relationship, like a honeymoon.

It's definitely not just because of the two hundred million.

Wenger and Tuopu Laotou exchanged a few pleasantries.

Wo Le Er and Brandt then greeted Li Kang with concern.

"Are you still getting used to London's climate?"

"Li, have I lost weight!"

Several people chatted as they walked into the conference center.

The crowd behind them instantly erupted with an even grander momentum.

"Messi!"

"!"

"o!"

"!"

Wenger was still a bit nervous.

It's not that he fears any particular team.

It's just that this season's Champions League third- and fourth-pot teams hide many strong sides.

With good luck, drawing Ludogorets, Warsaw... such teams...

With bad luck, drawing something like Monaco, Eindhoven, Lyon, Mönchengladbach—those knife-edge teams... even a cosmic team would get shredded playing them.

The congested schedule tests the players' stamina and will.

Next month, Arsenal will start playing the EFL Cup, then think about the FA Cup later...

Wenger is having a big headache.

Make sure not to be drawn into the group of death, or you won't be able to endure it.

Under the accompaniment of UEFA staff.

Everyone arrived at the conference hall.

Wo Le Er, Wenger, and Tuopu Laotou proceeded adeptly to the club representatives' seats.

Brandt glanced at his and Li Kang's number plates, wondering:

"Why is your seat among the women?"

"How come I'm so far from you?"

This year's player representative seats are arranged according to the clubs' Champions League seeding.

Lewokusen was last season's Bundesliga champion; according to the Bundesliga's European competition points, it naturally became a first-pot seeded team.

La Liga is different.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are both first-pot.

Li Kang didn't care about these details; he followed his number plate to the spectator seats and quickly found his seat.

Second row, third column.

All around are women's football players.

Some of them have muscles even bigger than his.

The girl beside him wearing a purple floral long dress is quite cute; she looks somewhat familiar, as if I've seen her a few times at Barcelona.

The women's football stars who can attend the Champions League draw ceremony certainly aren't simps.

They merely smiled politely and then stopped disturbing the European genius.

The main stage lights kept changing.

The sound systems in every corner of the venue played the Champions League anthem.

The empty seats gradually filled up.

"Li, long time no see."

Bale laughed as he sat down next to Li Kang.

He felt his playing style was similar to Li Kang's, and subconsciously he developed a bit of affection.

Right after him came Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Real Madrid superstar's expression was no longer as stern as before; instead, he smiled at Li Kang.

The three of them ended up sitting next to each other.

The magnesium lights flashed wildly.

The reporters suddenly realized: "The top three nominees for UEFA's Player of the Year are... Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Li Kang!"

CTV live broadcast room.

-【What's going on? How did Messi not make the UEFA Player of the Year shortlist?】

-【He's won it twice before, but this summer he played in the Copa América.】

-【Griezmann was so close, finishing fourth! If it weren't for his injury in the Euro semi‑final...】

The prelude to the draw ceremony always makes people feel drowsy.

After Pedro Pinto finished spouting a bunch of platitudes, the stirring music swelled again.

Liverpool legend Ian Rush entered, holding the big‑eared cup!

This Welsh legendary star was the UEFA Champions League ambassador for the 2016‑17 season.

Because the venue for this season's Champions League final is none other than Wales' Millennium Stadium in Cardiff!

Ian Rush dislikes small talk; after answering the host's few questions briefly and pointedly, he eagerly tried to urge the draw ceremony to speed up.

He couldn't hurry it.

Draw guest Clarence Seedorf was hiding in the side stage, chatting and laughing with the supermodels.

When it comes to the Champions League, this Milan veteran is definitely a heavyweight.

He has represented three different clubs and lifted four Champions League trophies!

The LED big screen began replaying the top ten goals from last season's Champions League.

Li Kang alone took up five spots!

The Camp Nou's war god has possessed him!

Bei lai yin's lone rider leaves everyone in the dust!

Stanford Bridge's immortal points the way!

Bernabeu's riding clouds and mist, hanging upside down golden hook!

Even though the audience had already seen it many times in online news, they still exclaimed in admiration.

Finally, the image froze on Barcelona's MSN trio's dream goal of perfect cooperation.

The venue erupted in thunderous applause.

On the coaches' representative seat, all the coaches turned their gazes toward Barcelona's head coach Enrique.

One million...

Two hundred million...

"The summer transfer window isn't over yet; we should pay more attention to La Masia's youngsters — besides, they're cheap!"

Enrique's expression was very calm.

He couldn't care less about outside ridicule.

He must endure.

In the new season, I will let the whole world know: the dream dynasty of peak Barcelona will set sail!

Seedorf finally took the stage.

The draw ceremony still couldn't get underway quickly.

Pedro Pinto again spouted a bunch of platitudes.

"Mr. Seedorf, you always manage to win the Champions League with different clubs — do you have any secret?"

The Milan legend shifted his gaze from the supermodel and said seriously: "At the right moment, go to the most suitable club."

Everyone burst out laughing.

Looking back at Seedorf's career, at every crucial period he always managed to meet the world's finest group of teammates.

A glass cylinder containing 32 small balls was placed on the stage.

The newly appointed UEFA Competition Department head, Marcello, appeared silently.

What about Infantino's bald head?

He has already been promoted to a position in FIFA...

After a long while.

The draw ceremony finally began!

Everyone couldn't help but feel nervous.

Ian Rush eagerly twisted open the first ball.

Pop!

"Barcelona, Group C!"

All the coaches of the second‑pot clubs felt a jolt in their hearts.

Barcelona spent 150 million euros on signings this summer; if Enrique solves the midfield problem, next season's Camp Nou will absolutely be hell on earth!

Even Atlético Madrid's coach Simeone furrowed his brow.

Only Bayern's new coach Ancelotti remained calm, his eager‑to‑try expression... as if he were still waiting for something.

All eyes turned to Seedorf's big black hand.

The players' representative section.

Li Kang suddenly sensed that the girl beside him was breathing increasingly rapidly.

Could she be from Barcelona's women's team...

Should be, right?

Bei er excitedly nudged Li Kang with his elbow.

"Arsenal, Group C!"

The crowd erupted.

No one knew who first burst out laughing.

Xiduo fu shook his head in self-mockery.

UEFA officials gave no time for the audience to react.

The teams from pot three and pot four were quickly drawn.

"Eindhoven, Group C!"

"Monaco, Group C!"

CTV5 live broadcast room.

The barrage exploded.

-【Congratulations!】

-【What a huge black hand you have, Xiduo fu!】

-【Li Mingdeng is up against the Group of Death again!】

-【Is he just jinxed? The Euro Cup is also a death half.】

-【Eindhoven, Eredivisie champions!】

-【Monaco, Ligue 1 runners-up boasting Mbappé, Fabinho, and Falcao!】

-【If we get out of the group stage, won't we suffer terribly?】

-【It's better to have a good draw than to play well.】

-【Poor professor, after spending two hundred million, can't he enjoy some good fortune?】