Messi: Li Yufei, you will be my defeated foe

Spain.

Barcelona.

Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

The unique Mediterranean climate made Barcelona the most livable place in all of Europe.

And the strongest football team in the world, along with its best player, were both entrenched here.

Barcelona had just pulled off a stunning comeback against Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup at the start of this season.

After losing the first leg 1-3, Barcelona returned home to the Camp Nou and hammered Sevilla 4-0, overturning the deficit to claim the title.

You could say that such comebacks had become routine for this Cosmic Team.

During the Dream Team era, Barcelona often lost or drew away from home, then returned to their own ground to demolish the opposition.

Last season, in the Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal, Barcelona drew 2-2 in the first leg.

Back at the Camp Nou, they swept Arsenal aside 4-1, with Messi scoring all four goals in a perfect display.

Messi at this stage, paired with the strongest team on earth, Dream Team Barcelona, was a nightmare for every opponent.

Even Mourinho's Real Madrid had to wait until his second season before they could truly go toe-to-toe with Barcelona.

As for the current Premier League giants, the Red Devils Manchester United, they stood no chance against Barcelona.

That was true in both the 2009 Champions League final and the 2011 final.

Ferguson's trembling hands, caught on camera during that final, were the ultimate symbol of Barcelona's dominance in this era.

When news from England reached Barcelona, Messi and Iniesta were playing a game of keep-away.

When they heard that such an explosive young talent had emerged in the Premier League, they exchanged glances.

Even though Barcelona were unbeatable at the time, none of them were fools.

They understood perfectly what it meant for a player under 18 to score eight goals in four Premier League matches.

"Tsk, so many prodigies popping up these days. A few years ago there was Leo, then Italy's genius Balotelli, and now this super-rich second-generation kid. I can't keep up with football anymore..."

Xavi, the Dream Team's core and brain, nicknamed "Big Mouth," couldn't help but start his usual grumbling.

Iniesta nodded in agreement.

"Hey, Leo, what do you think of this Fry? If nothing unexpected happens, he'll probably be your biggest rival in the future."

Iniesta looked at the silent Messi and asked his question.

Everyone at Barcelona knew one thing for sure: on this team, Messi was the strongest!

Personal honors like the Ballon d'Or were basically out of reach for the rest of them.

Even if Barcelona won every title in a season, the Golden Ball would still go to Messi.

The players with the most competitive edge for the Golden Ball right now were none other than Barcelona's Messi and Real Madrid's Ronaldo.

As for the former Golden Ball favorite Kaka, long-term injuries at Real Madrid had basically pushed him out of the race.

And Ronaldinho, the former king of Europe, had been eliminated the moment Guardiola took over Barcelona.

His wildly undisciplined lifestyle had destroyed him.

Ibrahimović had enough fame, but as the saying goes, he lacked hard honors—he'd never even made a Champions League final, so what right did he have?

Now, with Li Yufei bursting onto the scene, both in terms of media hype and the strength he'd shown so far.

He had every chance to become a hot contender for the Golden Ball in the future!

That naturally put him in competition with Messi.

When Messi heard Iniesta's question, he didn't answer directly but shifted the topic:

"I don't know. Right now, I just hope we face Arsenal again in this year's Champions League knockout rounds!"

As soon as Messi said that, everyone present knew what he meant.

He wanted to beat Li Yufei head-to-head.

"Don't worry, we've got your back. Arsenal aren't a match for us." Xavi, as the team's brain, was the first to speak up.

Then captain Puyol stepped forward to show his support for Messi.

Seeing his teammates rally behind him, with no one daring to defy him anymore, Messi's mood improved.

"Fry, you'll be the next Cristiano—just another loser at my feet."

The results of the fourth round of the Premier League were in.

The Premier League giants, the Red Devils Manchester United, were held to a 3-3 draw away at Everton. After four league matches, they had two wins and two draws, sitting on 8 points.

Defending champions Chelsea beat West Ham United 3-1, starting the season with four straight wins and 12 points, level with Arsenal.

Arsenal's North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur were held to a 1-1 draw at home by West Bromwich Albion, showing their classic "pretender" form.

As for the fallen giants Liverpool, they were held to a 0-0 draw away at Birmingham City. After four league matches, they had one win, one draw, and two losses, with just 4 points.

It could be said that Liverpool's goal this season has once again become finishing in the top four.

As for Manchester City, the Blue Moon still stuck with the label of "noisy neighbors," they were also held to a 1-1 draw by Blackburn Rovers.

After four league matches, their record stands at one win, two draws, and one loss, earning five points.

It could be said that without the insight of a time traveler, no one would ever believe this Manchester City side could win the Premier League title two years later.

Arsenal has once again started this season with a perfect run, but whether they can maintain this form remains unclear to both professionals and the media.

Based on Arsenal's tendencies over the past few seasons, they usually reveal their true colors once the grueling Christmas fixture schedule hits.

So many people currently believe that Arsenal's advantage won't last until January of next year.

Whenever Li Yufei hears such remarks, he feels a sense of being underestimated.

Let's be honest—what does Arsenal's mid-season collapse in past seasons have to do with me? I wasn't even playing for the first team back then!

If the team could still collapse with me in the lineup, then what's the point of my existence?

Li Yufei really wants to have a proper debate with those clueless critics.

But after thinking it over, he feels there's nothing worth saying.

Words are too pale—once he blows them away on the pitch, these blabbermouths will finally shut up.

September 16th.

Arsenal hosts Portuguese League side Braga at home.

Li Yufei is about to experience his first-ever UEFA Champions League match.

Perhaps because the Champions League is so important, the usually stingy system has gone all out this time:

Code
[Ding! Mission issued!]

[Mission Name: Champions League Debut]

[Mission Objectives: 1. Help the team defeat Braga]

[2. Personally score a goal or provide an assist]

[3. Become the highest-rated player in the match]

[Mission Rewards: Each objective grants 100 Intermediate Soft Rice Points. If all three objectives are completed, an additional 100 Advanced Soft Rice Points will be awarded.]

[Bonus Mission Reward: If the post-match rating reaches 9 or above based on completed system objectives, obtain a Champions League-related item. If the post-match rating reaches 10, an additional skill (evolvable version) will be awarded.]