"Brilliant, kid! I knew you could do it!" Maniero rushed over excitedly and ruffled Lu Yang's hair. Luckily, Lu Yang had a crew cut, or his hairstyle would have been ruined.
"That was a fantastic performance. You're going to be famous, kid!"
"That shot fake was incredibly convincing. It really fooled everyone."
"It wasn't just the shot. His dribbling was like magic—there was nowhere to stick a foot in!"
"Kid, you're a professional player, right? You must be. Otherwise, I'd tell my former club to sign you immediately!"
The Star Arrow Team's legendary players came over one after another to celebrate Lu Yang's goal and shower him with praise.
"Soto, come over here." Maniero crooked a finger at Soto, who stood nearby with his hands on his hips, sighing. "I've got a big surprise for you."
Soto rolled his eyes at Maniero and walked over.
What else could the surprise be?
Wasn't Maniero just going to brag about finally beating him and getting revenge for that defeat in his retirement match?
What a petty guy!
Soto had guessed right. Maniero really did exactly that.
But what Soto hadn't expected was that little Lu would rub salt in his wound, too.
"Your defense is pretty good, but it's a shame you're not fast enough." Lu Yang smiled at Soto, repeating the trash talk Soto had thrown at him earlier.
On the pitch, trash talk like that could really affect a player's form.
The most famous piece of trash talk in history was probably what Materazzi said to Zidane in the World Cup final. It infuriated Zidane, who headbutted Materazzi in the chest and earned himself a red card.
That became the turning point that cost France the World Cup Trophy.
"Is that your idea of trash talk? Really, kid? This is an exhibition match." Soto's composure was starting to crack, but he wasn't angry. In fact, he thought the kid was pretty funny. Did he not know Soto was called The Butcher?
"The referee hasn't blown the whistle yet." Lu Yang nodded toward the referee, signaling that the match wasn't over and he wasn't letting his guard down.
"I'll remember you, Lu Yuan." Soto tapped Lu Yang on the chest with his fist, then turned and walked away.
"His name's Lu Yang," Maniero said, twisting the knife.
Soto's back stiffened. He closed his eyes and murmured to himself, Don't be embarrassed, don't be embarrassed. As long as I'm not embarrassed, everyone else is.
A minute later, the referee blew three sharp whistles, and the match officially ended.
The Star Arrow Team had won the celebrity exhibition match.
Maniero, who had scored twice and assisted once, was named Man of the Match.
He headed to the media area, but just as the reporters were about to interview him, he left again.
A few dozen seconds later, he returned, dragging Soto and Lu Yang along with him.
The interview began.
Reporter: "Maniero, what would you like to say about being named Man of the Match?"
Maniero: "I'm thrilled. This was my first official match since retiring. You have to remember, the last time, the Man of the Match was the guy standing beside me. I think I've finally escaped the shadow he cast over me."
With that, Maniero turned to look at Soto.
Soto: "Stop needling me, Maniero. Who was it that said he was grateful I'd given it my all in his final match? True glory doesn't need anyone else's help!"
Maniero nodded, then patted Lu Yang beside him. "Exactly. True glory doesn't need anyone else's help. My stats today look pretty good, sure, but if I had to pick the Man of the Match, I'd choose Lu Yang!"
The reporters were astonished. They knew Maniero wasn't the kind of person who liked to praise others.
Giving it his all was what he demanded of both himself and his opponents.
He was certainly kind. Plenty of young players had received private encouragement from him, but he rarely made public comments about young players.
What set him apart from many loudmouthed former stars was that he took responsibility for what he said.
Reporter: "Are you serious? Of course, we're not denying that Lu Yang's goal today was spectacular, but..."
Maniero smiled. "But you can't judge a match by a single goal, right? Maybe that's true when it comes to seasoned players. But for young players, one brilliant moment is enough to show people the boundless potential they have."
"That's right. I'm saying Lu Yang has boundless potential."
"His first touch and ball control are still very raw. He isn't especially fast, he's slight and struggles physically, and his shooting technique has its issues... He has plenty of weaknesses, but he still scored that spectacular goal at the end. That's football! That's his talent!"
After Maniero finished speaking, some of the reporters couldn't help applauding.
That was right. That was football.
Who said only the exceptionally gifted and talented could play football?
The football world was full of hardworking professionals who weren't especially gifted. They might not shine consistently, but one moment in the spotlight could brighten someone else's whole life.
Right, Cristiano Rona... ahem, Cristiano Ronaldo was talented, and Messi worked hard!
"Actually, I have some explosive news today, and I'm sure everyone will be interested." Maniero's lips curled into a slight smile. "Soto, come on. You can make the announcement yourself."
The reporters all turned to look at Soto.
Soto had been planning to restart his career as a coach, and many people were speculating about which team he would begin with.
Milan was out of the question. Milan's record was looking good right now.
Another Serie A team was possible, but... there had also been rumors that a lower-division club had invited Soto to join them.
Soto looked gratefully at Maniero, realizing that his old friend was drumming up publicity for him. That way, he could bring a wave of attention with him to the club and have more influence at the start. That would be a big help to a hard-nosed, iron-fisted coach like him, who believed in centralizing authority.
Soto: "I've agreed to become the head coach of the Serie D club San Remo in the second half of the season. San Remo is a very good club, and I hope to begin a new journey there."
Many of the reporters were dumbfounded.
San Remo?
Serie D?
This... was certainly unexpected.
Given Soto's standing, he could have coached a Serie A team, even if no major club was ready to hand him the reins. The worst he could expect was Serie B. Why go all the way down to Serie D?
Countless people were still trying to process the news.
Just then, Hans, a reporter from Live Football News, took a different tack. "Maniero, the replay shows that Lu Yang briefly spoke with you just before that shot. Can you tell us what you said to each other?"
"Were you encouraging him to take the initiative and attack, helping set up that incredible winning goal?"
Drama was what made a classic.
This reporter clearly had a talent for writing fiction. His column must have had plenty of readers, because he was very good at weaving a story.
A spectacular goal scored by chance was one thing. But a spectacular goal scored after a legend offered advice and encouragement was undoubtedly the kind of story fans would rather pass down.
No sport could ever do without stories. Without them, it wouldn't be long before it faded away.
Just look at the NBA next door. After Jordan came an era of fierce competition, full of rivalries and drama. Now everyone was friends and brothers, teaming up and having fun together. No one knew how many viewers and how much influence the league had lost.
"Exactly!" Maniero nodded.
The fans watching the interview on the big screen got excited, too.
A legend was about to be born right before their eyes!
"In fact, Lu Yang is on the verge of becoming a professional player," Maniero said. "And the funny thing is... he's a youth player for the Serie D club San Remo. He plays center-back for the team!"
The reporters all wore expressions of utter confusion.
What?
Why did I recognize every word, yet have no idea what they meant when they were put together?
You're telling us Lu Yang is a center-back, not a striker?
That gorgeous Lumberjack Shot, those theatrical fakes, and that one-of-a-kind dribbling rhythm—those weren't things a clumsy center-back could pull off!
"I told him I didn't want to lose. I wanted to win. If he helped me win this match, I'd give him a surprise. I'd recommend him to his head coach and get him into the first team!"
With that, Maniero put an arm around Soto and asked, "So, Coach, are you willing to give this young player a chance to join the first team? He beat you twice today, set up an assist right in front of you, won a yellow card, and scored a... spectacular goal!"
Boom!
Everyone was stunned.
Countless people stood rooted to the spot, their mouths hanging open.
Three seconds later, the crowd erupted in the loudest cheers of the day!
"Oh my God! Lu Yang really is a professional player!"
"Is he really a center-back? A center-back who can score a goal that spectacular?"
"That's not the point, buddy. The point is that Lu Yang's coach is Soto! Can you believe it?"
"A youth player turned his own club's legendary coach into a sieve, putting up an incredible stat line against him: a goal and an assist. I must be watching Bend It Like Beckham!"
"I remember those two arguing several times during the match, don't you?"
"Yeah. I think Lu Yang even trash-talked Soto."
"Wouldn't that be awkward? Is Soto going to hold a grudge against Lu Yang?"
"You're overthinking it. Lu is a youth player, and Soto will be San Remo's first-team coach."
"But I think The Butcher might butcher Lu Yang."
In front of the cameras, Soto also took a long time to absorb the news.
Looking at Maniero's sly grin, Soto realized that his old friend had set him up.
He'd been shown up by his own club's youth player. How was he supposed to be an iron-fisted head coach after that?
Didn't he have any dignity?
"Good. Very good." Soto smiled through his tears. "Lu Yang is an excellent young player. I didn't expect us to have this kind of connection. Once I officially start work, I'll give serious consideration to bringing him into the first team."
"My team won't have any undisputed starters. If you have what it takes, even a youth player can start, and even a center-back can play striker!"
The crowd burst into applause!
That willingness to recognize talent wherever it came from was very popular with young people.
After the match, Lu Yang exchanged phone numbers with big names like Maniero and Soto, then left the stadium and met up outside with his friend Moric.
After all, he was still just an unknown kid. Once he changed out of his clothes, nobody recognized him.
Of course, Lu Yang was happy with how things had gone today.
Not only had he been transported into the body of a player on the verge of turning professional, fulfilling the football dream he hadn't been able to realize in his previous life, but he'd also obtained the Legendary Footballer System.
When he opened the system panel, Lu Yang discovered that his stats had changed.
Among his physical attributes, Balance had risen from 50 to 55.
Close Control had risen from 50 to 55.
Speed had gone from 55 to 60.
Acceleration had gone from 50 to 55.
At the same time, some stats on the previously invisible offense and defense panels had been unlocked, too.
Interceptions: 50. Tackling: 55.
Dribbling: 50. Ball Control: 55. Shooting: 50.
Judging by the increase in his stats, Basic Pressing and Basic Ball Control had given him a boost to his tackling and ball control.
And using the Messi Moment Card to recreate Messi's iconic moment against Girona in 2018, when he sent three opponents tumbling in five seconds, had given Lu Yang an entirely new experience. Several of his stats had leapt forward, reaching 50 and unlocking the panels.
His Speed, in particular, was now an impressive 60. That was a relatively top-tier stat for a center-back in Serie D or Serie C!
Of course, given Lu Yang's knowledge of football games, he knew that although he had unlocked four panels—offense, defense, physical, and mental—more than half the stats on all but the mental panel were still locked.
Each ability had to reach 50 before it would unlock.
And 50 was the entry-level standard for a professional player.
On a 100-point scale, anything below 50 was amateur.
50–59: professional player.
60–69: lower-division league player.
70–79: Top Five Leagues player.
80–84: Top Five Leagues starter.
85–89: star, player at a major club, starter at a strong club.
90–94: top-tier star, starter at a major club.
95–100: superstar!
As for whether anything stronger existed, Lu Yang couldn't guess. He'd have to figure out more of the system's rules before he could tell.
"Ding! Victory in the Italian Football Legend Invitational. Random pack ×3 awarded."
"Ding! Acquired professional-grade trait: Defensive Retreat Footwork. Improves defensive movement and reduces the chance of stumbling or falling while retreating."
"Ding! Acquired professional-grade skill: V-Pull. Quickly pull the ball away to evade an opponent's press and change its direction."
Lu Yang resisted the urge to open the last pack.
Damn it!
Both times, he'd gotten a professional-grade skill. Why hadn't he gotten a star or superstar skill?
Just look at Xavi's God's Eye View. It maxed out your vision.
Professional-grade skills, on the other hand, often only added a few points to a stat.
The gap was huge.
At the very least, he could've gotten a Moment Card.
A Moment Card not only gave him one spectacular performance, but also let him gain a little lingering ability from the moment afterward through his own understanding, improving his skills across the board.
It looked like his luck was bad today, so Lu Yang decided to save the last pack for another day.
But then again, even a professional-grade skill was already very powerful.
Serie D was the lowest level of professional football, and most players probably had stats below 55. Lu Yang already had several stats rated at 55, which meant he was ahead of the curve in some areas for Serie D.
For example, ball control, speed, acceleration, tackling, balance, and close control.
Once he'd mastered Defensive Retreat Footwork, it would probably push his Defensive Positioning stat above 50.
And a beginner trick like the V-Pull might look simple, but once he really mastered it, he could put it to great use in a match.