Chapter 313: Balotelli (Everyday Transition)

Live broadcast room.

A scene of celebration.

-【Li Mingdeng, after finishing this season, will his goal count surpass Lampard's from back then?】

-【It's fine, surpassing Yaya Touré from back then is no problem.】

-【I've already surpassed Simeone back in his youth... but we can't compare like that; Simeone back then played in the 'Little World Cup', and the Serie A top scorer back then didn't score many goals either.】

-【Are all the players you mentioned playing midfield?】

-【Yes, the positions Yaya Touré and Simeone played are still holding midfield.】

-【Invincible Arsenal, dominate the Premier League! From now on I'll cheer for Arsenal every match day!】

-【Calm down, think of Chelsea's 05-06 season: they cruised to an early title, originally aiming to break the record of conceding only 15 goals in a season, but in the last few rounds they deliberately eased off and lost.】

-【If you want to talk about invincibility, it's the 04-05 Chelsea side: they lost only one Premier League game, conceded just nine goals from open play all season, and broke the points record for winning the title.】

-【Come to think of it, Terry started sleeping with a teammate's wife that year.】

-【I was worried Arsenal would falter in the spring, but they still won big!】

-【Professor finally got his revenge!】

Night breeze gently brushed the net.

Van Dijk composed himself and strode up to Li Kang.

A simple gesture exchange.

The two old teammates quickly swapped jerseys.

The flashlights kept flickering, recording the moment.

"We're all improving, but your rate of progress is just too exaggerated..."

Van Dijk laughed and shook his head.

He faces great pressure at both club and national team.

The Oranje shone at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, but in recent years the stars have retired one after another, leaving the burden on the younger generation.

They failed to qualify for the Euro 2016 finals.

Their chance to make the World Cup 2018 finals looks slim based on qualifying results so far.

Welbeck and Morata stood together in front of the advertising board, accepting reporters' interviews.

"Xiao Heidan grabbed the mic and said earnestly, 'I feel a spiritual connection with Li; even with my eyes closed during a match, I can tell where he is.'"

Morata's face darkened.

Is this kid stealing my lines?

"Welbeck kept getting more excited as he spoke, gradually entering the zone: 'Yes, this is the ultimate understanding; he gave me a rebirth—I originally thought I could never represent Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League.'"

"He's like my father... a lighthouse lighting up my career."

"A great poet once said: 'Some people will be your life, your poetry, your light!'"

"Xiao Heidan may look uneducated, but his grades are actually not bad."

"Fleetwood's youth academy places great emphasis on cultural education for young players, producing many stars like Lingard, Rashford, Bartley, and so on."

Post-match press conference.

Pierre returned to his leisurely manner.

"Our players performed outstandingly."

"Van Dijk scored two goals, changing the game twice."

"His stern expression paired with witty remarks instantly made the reporters burst out laughing."

"No problem."

"Van Dijk did indeed score two goals, though one of them was an own goal."

"Southampton's manager is usually stone-faced, but not long ago he actually dressed up as Santa Claus and let loose at the training ground."

A moment later.

Reporters eagerly fired questions at Arsenal's manager.

"Mr. Wenger, most of the starters got rotated in this match; are you confident of winning the first leg of the Champions League round of sixteen?"

"Wenger smiled and patiently answered."

"Leverkusen's overall strength is not weak; they have several quality new signings."

"Balotelli has scored plenty in the Bundesliga; Coach Tuop has helped him return to his peak."

"Also, James Rodríguez; his midfield partnership with Çalhanoğlu is magical, able to produce imaginative combinations even at a slow tempo."

"And there's David Luiz at the back..."

"Lai Nuo? I've noticed him for a few years already."

"Of course, our Li... he's gotten sufficient rest lately; I believe he'll return to Laiyin in top form."

German sports TV channel DSF.

The Champions League knockout stage is about to begin.

"The 'Four Backs' program team specially invited Dortmund's Reus, Mönchengladbach's Rafael, and Leverkusen's Balotelli."

When the host interviewed the first two stars, things went extremely smoothly.

"Reus has not only succeeded in his on-field transition; his off-field 'tsundere princess' complex has also been 'cured,' and now he fully exudes mature male charm."

"No need to say more about Rafael—he only goes berserk when facing Bayern."

Finally.

The camera panned to Balotelli.

"The host asked cautiously, 'Mario, are you confident of winning the first leg of the Champions League knockout? Your opponent is the unstoppable Arsenal.'"

Balotelli had a blank expression, didn't speak, and impatiently picked at the sofa leather.

The host tried to ease the embarrassment, forcing a smile: "Mario, what do you think of Li? Many people compare your talents; last season he led Lewokusen..."

Balotelli immediately shook his head, interrupting: "Li is a bit stronger than me; Wo Le Er said he can tie his own shoelaces."

"..."

The host's face darkened, and he couldn't refute.

At 17, he rose to fame.

He shocked the European Cup.

Terrifying penalty kick accuracy.

Strong physique.

Each has its own merits in free kicks.

Astonishing talent that amazed the world.

Li Kang and Balotelli share too many similarities.

The earpiece transmitted the director's shout: "Continue!"

The host quickly adjusted his mood and pressed: "Mario, are you confident of beating Arsenal?"

Balotelli nodded: "Calhanoglu said we'll crush those women."

After the 2012 European Cup final, he strongly disliked the technical style system.

Although Italy at that time was also a technical style system...

Balotelli once spent a week at La Masia's youth training camp as a child.

Barcelona tried everything but ultimately couldn't keep him.

After becoming famous, when interviewed by *20 Minutes*, Balotelli said: "I won't join Barcelona, and I won't play with those women."

Li Kang returned home.

Although he had showered at the club's locker room, he still habitually showers again when he gets home.

He had just approached the bathroom.

The system notification sounded softly.

【Ding! Congratulations on completing the Premier League matchday task.】

【Task receipt: You're getting closer to the next league trophy...】

【Congratulations on obtaining: Premier League·Golden Treasure Chest.】

The prize pool contains all kinds of miscellaneous items.

No star player modules can be seen.

【Drinkwater's water cup.】

【Wenger's zipper.】

【Ferguson's chewing gum.】

【Mourinho's insulated cup.】

【...】

【The treasure chest is opening...】

【Congratulations on obtaining: Balotelli's fireworks.】

【Effect: No substantive effect, but it makes people feel happy.】

Li Kang gazed at the fireworks that appeared out of thin air in his hand... and the burning little joyful flame.

Pop!

No duplicated fireworks tragedy.

Zizzle.

Li Kang promptly turned on the washbasin faucet.

He smiled, inexplicably feeling refreshed.