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During an Oxford Union lecture, the controversy surrounding FIFA President Jeff Blatter’s derogatory remarks about Ronaldo quickly spread as news.

After checking the video, Cristiano Ronaldo sprinted towards me at Manchester United’s training ground, holding the troublesome video like a child running to their mother.

[Messi and Ronaldo are both exceptional players. But I like Lionel Messi more. Messi is a nice guy, and every parent wishes they had a son like him. That’s why he gets so many Ballon d’Or votes.]

In the video, Jeff Blatter, with a receding hairline, compared Messi and Ronaldo while giving his lecture.

[But Ronaldo gives orders to other players like a military commander.]

[Ah, and Messi spends less money on his hair than Ronaldo. That shows how serious he is about football. So I support Messi.]

As Blatter’s remarks continued, Ronaldo’s face turned red, feeling insulted.

“Puta Madre!!”

Unable to hold back any longer, he erupted with harsh words when Blatter mockingly imitated him with a loud cry.

As I watched Ronaldo explode with anger, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

‘Hmm… Isn’t it all true?’

In fact, if we looked at the original history, Blatter’s comments weren’t exactly wrong.

Exaggerated mockery aside, it could be considered based on facts.

[Ronaldo, wanting to transfer to Real Madrid, targets Manchester United. “I’m a modern-day slave.”]

[An enraged Ronaldo declared, ‘If my teammates were on my level, Real Madrid would be number one.’]

[[Assist] Ronaldo: ‘The Saudi League is of a higher level than the French Ligue 1.’]

Truly, it was a series of interviews that could make anyone marvel.

Still, I appreciated Ronaldo’s consistency. No matter the outcome, he always mentioned the team.

[Cristiano Ronaldo shows humility in victory. “Thanks to the team’s great performance.”]

└ Why does this guy always blame the team whether they win or lose?

└ When winning: The team (that signed me) did well to win. When losing: The team (not me) did poorly to lose. Isn’t that the meaning?

└ Is it this? Haha.

Anyway, after training ended, a furious Ronaldo released an interview that same day.

[Enraged Cristiano Ronaldo declares breakup with President Blatter? “I hope you live long and healthy supporting your favorite team.”]

[Jeff Blatter, mocking Ronaldo at the Oxford University lecture, says, “It’s a misunderstanding.”]

Blatter apologized to Ronaldo, but the controversy didn’t die down easily.

[‘Ronaldo Ballon d’Or boycott declaration!’ What will Jeff Blatter do now that the world’s best footballer is his enemy?]

Seeing Blatter in distress, I suddenly recalled the Ballon d’Or theft incident involving Ribery from original history.

In the original timeline, Ribery, who recorded a treble last season, was a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or.

However, similar to the current situation, Blatter sparked mockery controversies against Ronaldo, and Ronaldo publicly showed his discomfort, declaring he would boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

[FIFA Ballon d’Or re-vote crisis!]

Despite the voting for the Ballon d’Or being closed, Blatter suddenly extended the voting period and even permitted changes to existing votes.

Ribery, who had even purchased a space to display the Ballon d’Or, ended up losing it.

Just like the current situation, it’s unfolding in a similar pattern.

I refused to be helpless like Ribery.

‘If you touch my Ballon d’Or, then I’ll become a thug too.’

If they attempt to extend the voting period, I’ll oppose it even if I have to skip the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

If they insist on holding a re-vote anyway, I can just skip all future Ballon d’Or ceremonies.

To be honest, my goal is the Big Ears, not the Ballon d’Or.

– Gyeouri: Hey! Son Jinho!

– Gyeouri: Aren’t you supposed to buy that Ballon d’Or display case in advance? Hahaha.

Still, I’ll make sure to get back whatever cost I’ll incur, even if it means spending all my assets, for disappointing Gyeouri, who is so happy about me receiving the Ballon d’Or.

– Ho-woo: No display case!

Well, anyway, I wasn’t too concerned.

Even though Blatter has issues with allegations of racism, he certainly has an extraordinary nose for money.

Half of FIFA’s earnings from the World Cup come from Asia.

In this situation, would they really hand the Ballon d’Or to Ronaldo, a first and perhaps last for an Asian player, even going as far as a re-vote?

That would be a tough decision.

Blatter would be under pressure to resign amid accusations of racism, and if any boycott happened in Asia, it would severely impact FIFA’s finances.

And I still have my strong older brothers who haven’t turned into chifas due to the magic.

While they’re slowly turning dark like getting soaked by magic from a hundred thousand mountains, they still seem fine for now.

Above all, unlike Ribery with his fierce image, my star quality isn’t half bad.

Blatter will find it difficult to rob so easily.

There’s a chance that racist journalists would give Ronaldo the top spot, but that would just create another controversy.

Anyway, I pushed my worries aside and continued to enjoy the flood of news articles pouring in.

***

[(Sky Sports) Manchester United legend Gary Neville strongly criticizes President Blatter.]

[Portugal erupts at Blatter’s ‘Ronaldo criticism.’]

[President of the Portuguese Football Association: “Blatter should step down now. He’s been in power too long.”]

└ Wow, haha, this is an association.

└ Would the Korean Football Association have reacted like Portugal?

└ Probably wouldn’t, hahaha.

[Son Jinho being interviewed about Blatter’s remarks. “I agree Messi is the best. However, Blatter’s remarks were excessively reckless. He should not publicly disregard Ronaldo. Blatter should respect Ronaldo; he has lifted numerous trophies including the Ballon d’Or, and although I don’t think like this, he claims to be Messi’s one and only rival…. Ah, sorry. After hearing it so much from Ronaldo, it slipped out habitually.”]

└ ???

└ What the heck do you usually do with Ronaldo…?

└ Holy crap, Ronaldo’s calling him out, hahaha.

***

[Son Jinho brushes off Ronaldo’s remarks? Unfollows Ronaldo on SNS.]

[Mentions of correlation between Ronaldo and Son Jinho’s conflict by Rio Ferdinand. ‘It’s just a normal thing. They’ll probably add each other back tomorrow or so.’]

[Premier League Round 8, Southampton match. Starting lineup announced. Son Jinho starts, Park Jisong is on the substitute list.]

***

Even amidst all the ruckus from Blatter’s derogatory remarks about Ronaldo, time continued to flow, leading to October 19.

The Premier League Round 8 match against Southampton took place at Manchester United’s home ground, Old Trafford.

Familiar players were everywhere in the stadium.

Including future Tottenham player Victor Wanyama and Liverpool legend Rickie Lambert, who played the ‘Lam’ role in the legendary Three Top of Liverpool.

Then there’s Schneiderlin, embodying the very essence of a Manghuhwa fan, and Chelsea fan Luke Shaw.

Moreover, Adam Lallana, who was once a prince during Klopp’s early Liverpool stint.

Most of the current starting players were those with the potential to later play at big clubs.

Moreover, later on, both Sadio Mané and Van Dijk played for Southampton as well.

‘…Isn’t this basically Liverpool?’

Southampton was not a team to be underestimated.

Should I say it’s a team with considerable potential?

“Let’s not let our guard down and give it our all!”

As the referee’s whistle blew, the match began.

With motivation to strike back at Blatter, Ronaldo showed an aggressive and sharp performance from the start.

When I joined in after adequately resting during the A-match period to enhance my condition,

we both showcased the firepower before Van Persie’s injury.

Ronaldo, achieving a hat trick in just 45 minutes of the first half, performed a silly salute ceremony while openly targeting Jeff Blatter.

Not satisfied with the hat trick, just before the end of the first half, Ronaldo earned a penalty kick.

Perhaps because he had scored a hat trick?

“Ha! Jinho! I’ll give you a special favor! Take it!”

Ronaldo now was more relaxed, benevolent, and kind than anyone else.

“It was supposed to be my turn! You little brat!”

“That’s lesser than mine.”

For reference, according to the pre-established order, this penalty kick was originally supposed to be my turn.

Anyway, as I prepared to take the penalty kick with the ball placed on the spot, I noticed Danny Welbeck staring at the ball with envious eyes.

With my goal being the Big Ears, I willingly offered the penalty kick to Danny Welbeck for the sake of the team’s advancement.

Confidence is the most essential fertilizer that allows young talents to grow quickly.

And after the match, if Danny Welbeck shares this good deed, I’d receive praises for my camaraderie from the media.

Beeeeep─!

As Danny Welbeck finished his preparation and signaled to the referee, the referee’s whistle blew.

Danny Welbeck slowly ran toward the ball and missed the penalty kick.

The PK soared high into the sky.

“Fuck! Danny, you bastard, who told you to take that!! Don’t you ever think to take a penalty kick again!!”

I watched the ball soaring into the sky, imagining a future where Ferguson would be yelling at me over the PK.

Thus, the first half ended with Ferguson’s curses echoing, and I faced my very first hairdryer treatment from Alex Ferguson.

‘Huh. What just happened?’

And when I came to my senses, the match was over.

‘What? Did I get hit by a hypnosis app?’

***

[Manchester United won with a 4-1 victory.]

[Just before the match ended, Manchester United conceded. A solid reinforcement of the defensive line is urgent.]

[‘Is Blatter watching?’ Ronaldo saluted in response to the mockery aimed at him.]

[Danny Welbeck misses the penalty kick.]

[Son Jinho comforting Welbeck, saying it’s okay.]

[Son Jinho being caught and dragged away by Alex Ferguson after enduring in the stadium.]

[‘Young dementia’ Son Jinho? “I can’t remember anything that happened after I received the hairdryer at halftime.”]

 

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