"I Want to Join a Team That Can Win the Champions League!"
"I want to join a team that can win the UEFA Champions League like Barca!" Tang Long said.
Ronaldo looked into Tang Long's eyes, seemingly lost in thought.
He glanced at the sleeping Bonazzoli, then took a sip of the latte on the airplane tray table.
You can't go to Barca.
"Their midfield trio originally consisted of Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets."
"Xavi is getting old; he's 35 years old, and he's gradually faded out of Barca's starting lineup this season."
"But Rakitic has taken over that position and he's playing very well. He's integrated into Barca's system, and he even started in tonight's UEFA Champions League. He was born in '88, is only 27 years old, and is in his prime."
"If you go to Barca, with your current ability, who can you displace in midfield? You won't be a starter; you'll only be a substitute."
Tang Long nodded and said, "I know. I'm only 18. At my age, I wouldn't be willing to play as a substitute at Barca."
Ronaldo snapped his fingers and smiled.
"Very good, it's good that you're aware of this!"
"Don't worry, I'll find you a team. In short, Inter Milan can't accommodate you anymore. Even if they win the UEFA Europa League, they don't have the money to strengthen their squad. If nothing unexpected happens, Juventus will still be the Serie A champion next season."
Late at night, Tang Long returned to his home in Milan.
He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, and recalled everything that had happened that day.
This UEFA Champions League final was a huge shock to Tang Long!
Juventus, the four-time Serie A champions, were invincible on the Apennine Peninsula, looking down on all other teams.
However, when they faced Barca in the UEFA Champions League, the gap was clearly visible.
This gap is comprehensive, from the defense to the midfield and then to the forward line. Juventus is inferior to Barca in every aspect.
This can also be seen from the players' market value.
Tang Long recalled the night they won the UEFA Europa League.
At the Olympiastadion Berlin, many teammates wept with joy!
They cheered wildly in the locker room, releasing all the pressure of the season.
Guarin was having the most fun; he jumped onto the table and poured an entire bottle of champagne over his head.
"Haha, we've created a miracle! Inter Milan is invincible!"
Under the table, Handanovic, Ranocchia, Medel, Santon, and others cheered and joined in.
To be honest, for Inter Milan, finishing in the top three of the league and winning both the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Europa League double in one season is truly an exceptional performance!
You could even say it exploded in popularity.
At that moment, Tang Long felt incredibly proud to be wearing the Inter Milan jersey.
However, seeing Barca defeat Juventus to win the championship on the spot stirred up a wave of emotions in Tang Long!
His teammates were smug about winning the UEFA Europa League and kept talking about their double title throughout the season, even on the flight back to Milan.
But look at Barca!
Barca won the treble!
The league title, the Copa del Rey title, the UEFA Champions League title— Barca has swept all the most important trophies.
They also became the only team in the Top Five Leagues to have won the treble twice!
In the century-long history of Serie A, the only Nerazzurri Inter Milan 2010, making Serie A history.
But Barca, they won it twice in just six years, in 2009 and 2015.
You can't compare people or teams; there's no way to compare them!
As a player with a strong desire to improve, Tang Long's current mood is completely different from the excitement he felt a week ago.
He was well aware that the decline of Serie A was irreversible, and that since Mr. Moratti stepped down as president, Thohir had become a pure businessman who only thought about how to increase Inter Milan's value and cash out, making a huge profit for himself.
Inter Milan will be playing in the UEFA Champions League next season.
The likelihood of Indonesian owner Thohir investing heavily in the summer transfer market to try and maintain greater competitiveness in Europe football next season is extremely slim.
As Tang Long's mentor and close friend, Chivu had expressed his concerns to Tang Long a few days ago.
"Tang, I've sounded out our sporting director Ausilio, and what he implied was that this summer we'll be cashing in on the club's most valuable players, with Icardi being the first to go. As for you, your Transfermarkt value is currently €30 million, and the latest figure hasn't been updated yet. However, we've won the UEFA Europa League, and you've been a key player for us all season. As a high-value, quality club asset, I'm worried that it will be difficult for you to stay at Inter Milan."
Chivu is a true Inter Milan player; he even broke his skull while playing for Inter Milan.
It was thanks to President Moratti's help that he not only survived but also miraculously returned to the pitch to continue his professional career until his retirement.
Chivu has a deep-seated loyalty to Inter Milan; he wants to stay with the club forever and even one day replace Mancini as head coach.
He always hopes Inter Milan will get better and better!
However, Tang Long did not have the same deep affection for Inter Milan as Chivu.
People strive for higher positions; this is the mindset of most professional athletes.
This season, Tang Long has given his all for Inter Milan, both in training and on the pitch.
He even slammed his skull into the goalpost while trying to head the ball, fracturing his brow bone, nearly replicating Chivu's tragedy in 2010.
He lived up to Inter Milan, to Inter Milan's fans, and to everyone who supported the team.
Now, perhaps it's time to say goodbye.
"I want to play for a team that can win the UEFA Champions League!"
Tang Long recalled what he had said to his agent, Ronaldo, and was immediately filled with the motivation to fight.
It was already 3:30 a. m.
He was wide awake and decided to go into the AI Cloud Training Ground.
"Let's practice passing for a bit!"
Looking at Iniesta, the sparring partner in front of him, Tang Long suddenly felt a surge of displeasure.
In the Barca locker room, Iniesta's words, though tactful, still stung Tang Long.
Although Iniesta shared a lot of his on-field experience with Tang Long, he ultimately said that football is a team sport, and the difference in ability between teammates determines, to a certain extent, how high you can reach.
In his own words, Tang Long said, "It's not that I don't want to play beautiful football, it's just that my teammates aren't up to par."
So, sometimes on the football field, one person's strength seems quite insignificant...
"Watch the game!"
Bang bang bang--
Bang bang bang--
Tang Long and Iniesta began passing practice.
Two hours later, the sky began to lighten.
Tang Long left the training field.
"Bite!"
"Congratulations, host, for activating the real-life coaching tool! Reward: Assistance from a real person!"
"Short pass +4!"
"86--90!"
"Detected: Short-transmission capability has reached the maximum achievable threshold!"