I AM the Football Star

”That’s the CCTV filming crew, backed by Lu Yang.”

”It’s almost equivalent to Lu Yang’s personal filming team. They’ve released several documentaries on Lu Yang at San Remo, the European Youth Championship, the European Cup, and the UEFA Europa League, which have caused quite a stir.”

”The authoritative video footage of Lu Yang on the market is basically copied from them.”

”There are only two places with the most authoritative news about Lu Yang. One is from the ’Live Football Report’ Hans column. The other is from the sports channel of CCTV.”

”Do you know how many people watch their show? It’s said to exceed 300 million! 300 million, huh! That’s more than twice the population of Western Europe!”

”Alright, I understand the media, but what’s the situation with that team of young players?”

”Black hair, black eyes, yellow skin, are they Chinese players?”

”If you didn’t mention it, I’d even think Lu Yang was participating in some event during the off-season! This is too disrespectful to the Champions League final!”

”What exactly is San Remo’s situation? Don’t they know this will affect the players’ training?”

”Perhaps they know they will definitely lose, so they start enjoying the vacation early!”

”After all, who has the mood to participate in such an activity after losing a game?”

Foreign media were very dissatisfied with this.

But there’s nothing they can do.

Since Lu Yang is the one who decides everything for San Remo.

If he says it’s okay, it is.

”Hehehe, Naji, can you be a bit more serious? We’re training here!” Lu Yang clapped his hands to get his teammates’ attention.

They were engaging in simple training drills.

The young players were observing from the side.

Naji was slightly distracted and Fernandez managed to sneak in a goal.

Naji shrugged: ”I’m just a little curious about these little guys. You know, your place is called a football desert. I’m not sure if they can understand what we’re actually doing.”

Saint One Peak is quite straightforward, he says what he thinks.

He’s genuinely curious.

After all, these players are too young, and their height...even smaller than their age.

”There’s even a little girl!” Naji shook his head.

This is before any boxing teacher became popular; otherwise, with just a single punch from a master with twenty years of skill, Naji might have decided to retire then and there.

”What’s your name?” Lu Yang pointed at the smallest girl.

The little girl was somewhat timid, lowered her head and said: ”Zhang Linyan.”

Lu Yang’s mind flickered; he was aware of this child.

Luo Cheng specifically brought up this little girl to Lu Yang when he was here.

At eleven years old this year, she is making a decision between playing football and studying.

Her parents currently tend to encourage her to focus on her studies.

Playing football is just for entertainment; getting too deeply involved may not be a good thing.

After all...in the mainland, playing football isn’t considered promising.

Even Lu Yang hasn’t qualified to dip into the muddy waters of the National Team, let alone an ordinary family.

But this young player truly has talent, and last month, she led her team to win the Lu Yang Cup at the national children’s football competition hosted by Lu Yang’s foundation.

The team scored fifty-four goals, and she alone scored forty-eight.

With an incredible sense of the ball and strong dribbling skills, she’s jokingly called ”Jiangyou Mateo” by Luo Cheng and others.

Referring to that New Real Madrid Mateo at Barça.

”Zhang Linyan, we’re fellow hometown folks, I’m also from Jiangyou!” Lu Yang spoke Sichuan language, as his parents were originally from Sichuan Mianyang Jiangyou.

”Ah?” Zhang Linyan felt much less nervous instantly.

Fellow hometown folks?

”Do you want to play football?” Lu Yang asked.

Zhang Linyan nodded.

”Do your parents approve?” Lu Yang continued.

Zhang Linyan’s eyes started to water and she shook her head.

Lu Yang smiled and pointed to Naji: ”See that tall guy? Dribble past him, and I’ll talk to your parents about letting you play football.”

After speaking, without waiting for Zhang Linyan to refuse, he kicked the football towards her.

He kicked it fairly high, so it’s difficult for an ordinary person to catch it properly.

But Zhang Linyan lifted and placed her calf, and the football stuck to her foot, landing smoothly.

The players from San Remo were dumbfounded.

”Whoa! Is this Brother Lu’s signature ball control?” Bai Zhami was admiring.

If he had this stopping skill, his threat level would be doubled!

For a speedy striker, controlling the ball well could potentially double your chances for a one-on-one shot!

And Bai Zhami is incredibly stable with his one-on-one chances.

”Kid, who’s your favorite player?” Bai Zhami assumed it would be Lu Yang.

But Zhang Linyan replied: ”Mateo! Because everyone calls me Jiangyou Mateo!”

The next moment, the entire San Remo team burst into laughter.

The football idol of Lu Yang’s fellow hometown folks wasn’t Lu Yang?

Hahaha!

As they spoke, Naji stepped forward, ready to play with this eleven-year-old girl.

Of course, he wouldn’t use physical strength.

But his height of 1.91 meters was already overwhelming.

Stretching his leg, Zhang Linyan had to run five or six steps to even have a chance to get around it.

This is simply a lopsided battle.

Zhang Linyan slowly charged towards Naji with the ball, and once she had the football, she focused, no longer shy.

Cycling!

She started cycling!

Yet Naji’s balance remained unmoved.

Zhang Linyan flicked the ball, preparing for a breakthrough.

Naji stretched his leg, preemptively blocking Zhang Linyan’s direction for flicking the ball.

But Zhang Linyan feigned a body movement with just a false move.

Pretending right, actually left.

Naji quickly adjusted his balance, or rather, he hadn’t shifted his balance over there at all, he just stretched his leg.

He’s seen too many of these balanced-changing breakthroughs.