I AM the Football Star

This is quite normal.

But no one can question Mr. Winter’s eye for talent.

Whether it’s Nelka, known as the ”French Lima,” or the young captain of Arsenal who defected to Barça, or even Raphael Vent retiring at Ajax, all were superstars discovered by Professor Winter.

They all had endless potential during their peak.

There are many such players.

Even the current La Liga rising stars Enriquez and Mancini, when they were just gaining fame, received offers from Mr. Winter, almost signing them.

After Barça’s new king, the Argentine Emperor Mateo, finished his first season in La Liga, Arsenal also made an offer, but since it was not even a fifth of Mateo’s release clause, Barça decisively put them on the transaction blacklist.

Such examples, can’t they demonstrate Mr. Winter’s extraordinary eye for talent?

Lu Yang said, ”Which players did Mr. Winter fancy before? Nelka! Vent! Mancini! Mateo! Which one of them isn’t a superstar or a superstar in the making?”

”But now? Be it Lock, Hoyt, or Nils, does anyone talk about them besides Arsenal fans? Do they even warrant a second glance from others in World Football?”

”No!”

”Doesn’t this still prove Mr. Winter’s significant decline in judgment?”

”I can say with full responsibility, with this midfield composed of Nils and Lock, our San Remo could tear them apart in minutes.”

The journalist was ecstatic and questioned Lu Yang, ”Do you know what you’re saying? Arsenal’s midfield is by no means weak this season, ranking high in the Premier League!”

Lu Yang was straightforward, ”That’s because Plazza is strong enough! I think he’s the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League, bar none! Arsenal’s midfield only reaches this level because of him.”

”But even so, combined with the French super left midfielder Little Moustache Ruborg and the Russian top right midfielder Tsar Olic, they still aren’t the best midfield in the Premier League, just because Lock and Nils aren’t competent enough.”

”Lock is too soft, strong at attacking but weak at defending, with insufficient distribution ability.”

”Forget Nils, all he sees besides dribbling is nothing. Their appearances in the Premier League this season are even less than the veteran Smith Luo!”

”Don’t ask me who Smith Luo is! I had already outplayed him back in Chapter 52! I was only seventeen then, and hadn’t even moved up to the Italian Third Division yet!”

”So don’t talk to me about players like Lock, Nils, or Hoyt; I’m not interested in them at all. Their biggest role on the pitch is just to prove that Mr. Winter has aged, and his judgment isn’t what it used to be, that’s all!”

Click!

In a luxury hotel in Stockholm, the Swedish Capital, Mr. Winter, with a calm expression, crushed the screen of his phone.

His daughter Lola awkwardly smiled.

Pointing to her boss on the TV, she said, ”Dad, should I... quit my job?”

Mr. Winter, continuing to stare at the idiot being interviewed, shook his head, ”It’s fine, many people have doubted me; he’s not the first. Back in the day, neither Nelka nor Vent was worth much before coming to Arsenal, but afterwards, they became the most expensive players of their age group.”

”So I’ve long since become immune to such doubts.”

”What Lu Yang asked you to do is very meaningful; if I weren’t so tied up now, I’d even want to join your football work team.”

Lola knew her dad just didn’t want her freeloading at home. Men’s words, deceitful devils.

”Then digest it well, don’t let it upset you; the game day is only a couple of days away,” Lola said, carrying her luxury handbag towards the door, ”I’m dining out tonight; I need to report to Lu about the recent work... mainly the expenses!”

”Come back early.” Mr. Winter nodded, and after she left, he suddenly felt something weird.

Report work.

Does it require red lips and Diva Blue eyeshadow?

And wearing a deep V-backless evening gown?

Can’t jeans and a T-shirt suffice?

Is it necessary to care so much about appearance?

He’s just your boss, not your boyfriend.

Though I’d always hoped someone would take over my football legacy... don’t you say, Winter looked at his daughter leaving in a chauffeured car and thought of a plan.

No pain, no gain!

If this succeeds, would you still not come to Arsenal next year or the year after?

Are you crazy?!

...

High-end restaurant in Stockholm.

It’s less than seven kilometers from here to the Sorona Friendship Stadium where the UEFA Europa League final will be held.

So both Arsenal and San Remo chose to stay in this city, feeling the spirit of the Nobel Prize.

Theoretically, if football is played well, there’s a chance to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sports projects can indeed sometimes play a huge role.

The concept described in our textbooks of small balls moving big balls also proves this.

”If you intend to influence my father’s lineup with such tactics, then you’re gravely mistaken.” Lola slowly sat down opposite Lu Yang, ”Sorry I’m fifteen minutes late.”

As she sat down, some inevitably tantalizing sight appeared in her cleavage.

This might be her compensation for being late.

Lu Yang awkwardly smiled; this was his first face-to-face meeting with Lola...they hadn’t interacted in person before.