I AM the Football Star

Talista was dumbfounded, do all you San Remo people speak so sarcastically?

Are you praising me or mocking me?

”The gap between a player and a star is strength,” Lu Yang explained, ”but the gap between stars, especially those at the same level, is mainly fame.”

”If there are two stars, one well-known and the other only known locally in San Remo, would you, as a major club, offer them the same salary and transfer fee?”

Talista understood Lu Yang’s point but didn’t agree: ”But if the well-known star is famous for having poor discipline, being irrational on the field, quarreling and even fighting with fans, and demanding high salaries, will that star still have a high salary and transfer fee? No club would dare want him, right?”

Morici was taken aback: ”So you know what kind of trouble you are, huh?”

Talista’s fists clenched tightly. He really didn’t understand how someone like Morici survived in Italian Football.

Isn’t there a hot-blooded man willing to come out and beat him to death?

If not, then I, Talista, will do it!

”That’s the old way of thinking.” Lu Yang looked at Talista and said, ”In the past, emotions were heavily emphasized in football. Between players and fans, players and clubs, players and coaches, and so on.”

”But with the progress of professional football, especially the advent of Moneyball, the mobility of excellent players and head coaches will greatly increase.”

”And capitalism demands that we possess a high ’professional quality’, which essentially strips away the emotional impact traditional football brings to us, focusing our attention on the Golden Yuan, making circulation more convenient!”

”Professionalizing players does enhance their abilities, benefiting both players and teams in progressing. But the premise of emphasizing professionalism is not to forget human moral standards and legal boundaries. If forgotten, then money will drive everything.”

Talista didn’t quite understand: ”So what does this mean? What does it have to do with what I said?”

Lu Yang said: ”In short, for problematic players with distinct personalities like you, as long as their ability is strong enough, teams driven by money will not worry about you. Especially if you show a keen interest in salaries.”

”Because this means that as long as you’re paid enough, all your drawbacks will disappear, and you’ll transform from a low-cost product into a high-cost-effective product. So for others, you might be a player they don’t want, but for some clubs, you’re their best choice!”

Talista pondered for a long time, then said gravely: ”So Lu, do you think I’m playing football for money? Or rather, am I playing football now for money?”

Five years ago, playing football for money would have been understandable for Talista.

He needed to survive, to live, to improve his quality of life, to repay his parents for their upbringing, and to provide financially for his family.

But now, he lives comfortably.

There are three types of people in this world who can push football to its limits.

One is those who have a genuine love for the sport, like most of the highly disciplined top stars.

Another is those naturally talented in football, like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

And the last are the Bounty Hunters, the tough characters who risk their lives for money.

Talista was very angry because he felt Lu Yang misunderstood him.

He is not a Bounty Hunter; he is the first type of football player who loves the sport.

This is why he would resort to any means within the rules, even underhanded tactics, to win matches.

He is so frustrated with Inter Milan not because his salary is only two million euros.

But because Inter fans and executives never truly accepted Talista.

They are blind to his dedication!

They think Talista plays dirty!

Others might consider Finger as Inter’s backbone and think Talista plays dirty, but Inter Milan must recognize that Talista is carrying them forward! He’s dirty for Inter Milan!

This is Talista’s pride.

But now it’s clearly being betrayed!

”I didn’t misunderstand you, Talista,” Lu Yang said, ”Believe me, in the future, all the best players will go to those Golden Yuan teams. Even if you can resist the temptation of a high salary, what about other players?”

”So, if there’s a chance, going to a Golden Yuan team will bring you closer to the pinnacle of the world.”

”Not just you, any player would make such a choice at the right time. When you have that opportunity, don’t hesitate, or your football career is likely to be filled with regret.”

”Keep your style, remember your purpose, do what you feel is right, and you’ll grow great!”

”I know you’re someone who truly loves football, so I don’t want you to have any regrets.”

”Alright, it’s about time. We still have training tomorrow with the team.”

Lu Yang finished, pulling Morici along as they left.

Talista stayed on the small field for over ten minutes, then left San Remo and returned to Milan City.

He understood clearly now.

Lu Yang was right.

If the peak of football will eventually belong to the Golden Yuan, then what Talista should do now is to attract the attention of the Golden Yuan, thus qualifying to join in the future.

And what kind of player will the Golden Yuan notice?

Like Gutierrez and Izalelt?

Of course!