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After the UEFA Champions League semifinals first leg match between Dortmund and Real Madrid ended, I found myself face-to-face with Ronaldo, who was in high spirits after scoring multiple goals.

“Jinho.”

“Chris.”

Ronaldo approached with a wide smile on his face.

As soon as our eyes met, we naturally exchanged jerseys without a second thought.

I held onto Ronaldo’s jersey and couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘Ronaldo is the one initiating the jersey swap.’

Even though the match ended in a draw, it seemed like he was really happy to have become the star of the game with his multiple goals.

In fact, when he was named Man of the Match and had to do the interview, he couldn’t hide his excitement, his lips twitching with glee.

– I’m sorry to all the fans for not winning in front of you. However, it’ll be Real Madrid who advances to the Champions League final.

Despite maintaining a composed expression during the home match draw, I couldn’t escape his gaze, which used to feel like that of a younger brother.

“Jinho, losing to a powerful player isn’t something to be ashamed of. If you try hard, you could become like me.”

While I zoned out for a moment, Ronaldo spoke to me.

Contrary to our usual DM chats, he sounded rather normal.

“What nonsense? It’s a 2-2 draw.”

“What does that even mean? I scored two goals and you scored one. Therefore, it’s my victory.”

Ronaldo insisted he won, drawing a “V” for victory with his finger.

Hmm. Sure. There are players who set off fireworks at home and use taxi drivers as navigators, so this isn’t too far from normal, right?

In response to Ronaldo’s unique claim, I raised my middle finger to signify that a midfielder had scored one goal.

“Ho ho. Good spirit, Son Jinho. Try to surpass the world’s best me.”

He enjoys taking insults, this crazy guy.

I couldn’t help but bring up the forbidden name while watching Ronaldo smile despite being insulted.

“Hmm? Is the world’s best Messi?”

“….”

As I called out the name of the football deity, Lionel Messi, with an innocent expression, Ronaldo instantly dropped his mask and revealed his true self like a demon facing the cross.

“Son Jinho, throw away the mindset that there can only be one best! Otherwise, you’ll never become the best!”

Cristiano Ronaldo was rightfully triggered by the mention of Messi.

He tried hard not to show his agitation, but I could feel how furious he was from his trembling hands.

‘Crazy efficiency, right?’

I was amazed that someone could get so furious from just one word. As a Korean who seeks extreme efficiency, this was a proud moment for me.

Of course, I had to soothe the sulking Ronaldo well into the night afterward.

– I’m not sulking: I’m not sulking.

Despite sulking.

***

– Gyeouri: Jinho!

– Ho-woo: Huh? What’s with the sudden report?

– Ho-woo: You want me to tell you where I am right now?

– Gyeouri: No, I just want to see you! Hahaha.

– Ho-woo: Hahahahaha.

– Gyeouri: Hahaha, don’t laugh, where are you?

– Ho-woo: I just boarded the private jet, haha.

– Ho-woo: Gyeouri, did you watch the match well???

– Gyeouri: Yes! I watched it well!

– Gyeouri: The free-kick goal was amazing!

– Gyeouri: (eyes sparkling like a teddy bear)

– Ho-woo: You didn’t just watch the scoring moments, did you?

– Gyeouri: I really did! T_T

– Gyeouri: You really don’t believe me?

– Ho-woo: You didn’t watch my match before, so I don’t trust you.

– Ho-woo: (suspicious platypus meme)

A moment later, a photo was sent showing Han Gyeouri standing against the wall with her hands up, confessing that she regretted her actions.

– Ho-woo: Hahahaha.

– Ho-woo: I’ll forgive you, haha.

– Ho-woo: ?

– Ho-woo: Gyeouri?

– Ho-woo: I said I forgive you!

After 10 minutes of silence, a message arrived from Han Gyeouri.

– Gyeouri: Mom read the message but didn’t tell me T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T

– Gyeouri: My arm hurts T_T T_T

– Ho-woo: I felt sorry for you back then.

– Gyeouri: …Should I raise my hand again?

***

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Due to Manchester United’s match schedule, Alex Ferguson, who belatedly watched the Champions League semifinals first leg, wore a light smile at Son Jinho’s performance.

‘I’m looking forward to the moment he joins Manchester United.’

At the same time, Ferguson furrowed his brow, recalling the transfer negotiation process.

‘That greedy piglet.’

He was disgusted with Son Jinho’s agent, Mino Raiola, trying to pocket an absurd amount in agent fees.

Ferguson wanted to shout for him to disappear right in front of him and tell Son Jinho to fire Mino Raiola, but unfortunately, Son Jinho’s trust in Raiola seemed deeper than he expected.

‘It wouldn’t do to bring in another player…’

Although Alex Ferguson considered giving up on signing Son Jinho due to Raiola’s attitude, he couldn’t find another player worthy of a replacement.

Finding a better player than Son Jinho, who had been named World Best at the mere age of 18, was challenging, but it was even harder to find a player who could become the backbone of Manchester United after Ferguson’s retirement.

Signing Son Jinho was not just about bringing in a player; it was about laying the foundation for Manchester United after Ferguson’s retirement.

Right now, there was Wayne Rooney, but by the time Ferguson retired, Rooney would start to decline as well.

By then, Manchester United would need a pillar to stabilize them.

Alex Ferguson decided to place that expectation on Son Jinho.

After several back-and-forths, he successfully wrapped up a personal agreement to some extent.

Relieved, Ferguson hoped Dortmund would make it to the Champions League final.

The difference between players who have experienced the Champions League final and those who haven’t is significant.

‘If possible, I hope he gets to touch the big ear trophy as well.’

***

After drawing at Santiago Bernabéu, Dortmund lost in the 31st round of Bundesliga against Fortuna Düsseldorf on April 27.

It was an inevitable situation. They rested key players to manage their stamina for the Champions League match on the 30th.

Well, just because key players were missing didn’t mean Dortmund crumbled. They maintained a tight balance until the first half.

[Düsseldorf prepares to sub in! Kang Chan is coming on!]

The player who broke the balance for both teams was Kang Chan, who was subbed in right at the start of the second half.

Kang Chan, the ugly duckling of Korean football, picked up a second ball calmly that came to him amidst the chaos in front of the goal, and then right before the end of the match, he scored again with a clever movement during a corner kick situation.

“Ho… that kid is growing faster than expected, huh?”

Jurgen Klopp, the talent collector, stared at Kang Chan with an intriguing expression, as if his peculiar obsession had activated.

By the way, did Kang Chan also reach double digits in goals with this match? To think a player like him was once just an agent in his past life.

Most of his goals came from being in the right place at the right time, so he had the reputation of being just a poacher.

But doesn’t a striker score with goals? In that sense, Kang Chan was quite a decent striker.

[The national team coach spoke about Kang Chan’s national team call-up: “But still, it’s Park Juyong.”]

└ Ah, damn it, I feel like I’m going to die from frustration.

└ Please, just at least call him and try him out, you bastard.

└ The association president is a fucking bastard, he said he’d reform the association, but can’t we just change the coach first?

If Kang Chan hadn’t been marked in the football world, he would’ve been summoned to the national team long ago.

– Kang Chan: National team? I’ve never really thought about it.

Well, despite the rising public sentiment, Chan didn’t care much about joining the national team.

– Kang Chan: Oh right. Hey, after the match, your coach asked me if I’d consider coming to Dortmund to play?

– Kang Chan: He must be joking, right? Haha.

– Ho-woo: That might be serious. An offer could come soon.

– Kang Chan: ???

– Kang Chan: Wait, does your team’s coach recruit like this?

– Kang Chan: You should become my subordinate.

– Kang Chan: Seriously, he told me directly like that!

While Kang Chan was flustered by the German-style recruitment, the news spread of Bayern Munich showcasing overwhelming performance, defeating SC Freiburg after beating FC Barcelona, and lifting the Meisterschale for the first time in two years.

[The 12/13 Bundesliga champions are Bayern Munich.]

The Bundesliga title race between Bayern Munich and Dortmund ended with Bayern Munich’s victory.

Bayern Munich fans were ecstatic to have reclaimed the Meisterschale after two years.

Dortmund fans couldn’t help but regret that moment, while also recognizing Bayern Munich’s performance this season.

Well, as it stands, Dortmund fans would happily hand over the league trophy if they could just win the Champions League.

“Jinho!! Win the league next season!!”

Uh… or not?

Anyway.

“Which team is going to the Champions League final?”

“BVB Borussia!!”

The time was nearing to determine which team would advance to the Champions League final.

***

[‘1 win, 6 draws, 16 losses!’ Can Real Madrid break their German away jinx?]

[Real Madrid’s Mourinho is confident of victory. “The Special One will win. That is my jinx.”]

[Mourinho teases a Korean journalist: “I already closed the deal on Son Jinho in the last match.”]

[Son Jinho, surprised by Mourinho’s interview, comments, “The Portuguese around me seem to be quite colorful.”]

 

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