I AM the Football Star

On July 24, Barça kicked off its three pre-season matches in China.

Today, their opponent is Shanghai Shanggang.

Eighty thousand fans flooded into Shanghai Stadium to witness this clash of titans.

Due to Moreira’s transfer, although Barça’s lineup hasn’t changed much, pre-match testing of their fighting strength is crucial.

Therefore, Gudiola almost fielded the full-strength lineup.

However, the loudest moment of the entire stadium was not when Barça’s players took the field, but when Lu Yang appeared with crutches on the pitch.

Before the match, Lu Yang spoke into a microphone for a moment, saying a few words about hoping football develops better domestically, sounding a bit like the host.

When Lu Yang arrived at the stands, he didn’t sit directly with Barça because he hasn’t officially reported to them yet; technically, he’s still in the vacation stage and doesn’t need to follow the team.

Naturally, Lu Yang sat in the VIP seat.

“Lu Yang, many thanks to you this time!” The chairman of Shanghai Port Football Club beamed as he sat alongside Lu Yang.

Lu Yang has bridged connections for domestic clubs more than once or twice.

But previously, it was only San Remo visiting.

No matter how awesome their record was, they were still just a rookie.

But this time, it’s Barça.

That impact is much greater.

This friendly match has made a notable entry in football news globally.

“No, no, Shanggang itself secured this opportunity; I’m just doing a favor.” Lu Yang said this modestly, but he really did put in a lot of effort.

Aside from salary and bonuses, his contract with Barça includes requirements for certain interactions with domestic football, setting up mechanisms for exporting excellent players, and providing advanced youth training concepts and specific knowledge and courses from Barça.

Without these requirements, Barça wouldn’t necessarily come to play this match.

“We aim to send a few players out in the coming years.” Shanggang is eager to nurture some solid players.

Domestically, anyone who’s played abroad for a few years can return and become a pillar of the team.

But it’s extremely difficult to go abroad.

There’s no channel, and the cost is high.

If players sit on the bench after going abroad, significant progress is hard to achieve.

Of course, Shanggang wouldn’t send peak players out; they send young players.

They have contracts with the players, requiring them to return within a certain time after going out, or they must pay a hefty penalty fee.

Players don’t oppose this, as most can’t earn high salaries abroad.

Conversely, going abroad and then returning leads to a better life.

So such contracts are very willing to be signed by both clubs and players.

No exploitation of players exists.

Moreover, if a player really makes it in Europe, they can certainly afford the penalty with their salary at that point, and it won’t hurt them financially.

“Will they play today?” Lu Yang asked.

“Of course, that number eleven, Yu Shihao, is our seed player.” Shanggang’s chairman pointed out a relatively small player, about one meter seventy and a few centimeters tall, on the field.

Nothing particularly stands out about his physique.

But he looks very agile.

If Lu Yang could favor this player, a few kind words from him could greatly brighten Yu Shihao’s future.

Don’t forget, even Arsenal’s Mr. Winter consults Lu Yang’s opinion for purchases!

Lu Yang nodded, indicating he would watch this player.

“It’s Yu Shihao!” He Gongliang, who was also sitting in this row, spoke up, “He actually came to Shanggang this year!”

Lu Yang looked at He Gongliang: “What? You know him?”

He Gongliang smiled shyly: “Yu Shihao was one of my first students when I went to Garden Primary School as a PE teacher. I mainly coached them in football, so I have an impression of him.”

“When he was in fourth grade, he could juggle the ball while running without letting it touch the ground; he had very good ball sense and was very fast.”

“At that time, I hadn’t led a team yet, but I sent him to a friend’s team and got him to participate in an Ak Cup, where they seemed to take second place in a national competition.”

“Later, I heard he joined a professional club’s youth squad, and I got busy with coaching the women’s team, so I haven’t kept in touch much.”

Lu Yang laughed: “Whoa! You’re kind of his enlightening coach, huh! Such a small place as Jiangyou has produced so many football talents; you’ve got skills!”

Shanggang’s chairman’s eyes lit up at the moment, saying to He Gongliang, “Wouldn’t this coach be interested in a youth coach position at Shanghai Port Football Club?”

Whoa!

Poaching?

He Gongliang awkwardly shook his head: “I dare not, I dare not. I’ve already joined Barça’s youth training workgroup, so…”

“Barça? That’s promising! If you ever want to return home, we at Shanggang will be the first to welcome you!” The Shanggang chairman remembered He Gongliang’s name.

Soon, the match officially commenced.

Barça’s strength was indeed impressive, especially against non-top teams.

In the first half, Mateo and Ortiz each scored a goal, leading two-nil comfortably.

But more than the score, it was Barça’s ball control rate that showed their strength to attendees!

Seventy-three percent!

They practically toyed with Shanggang.

In the second half, Ortiz scored again, giving Barça a three-nil lead.

At this point, Gudiola substituted Ortiz and Mateo to let them rest for a bit.