Another Hat Trick

The ball seemed to perform a magic trick, as Li Mingyu hooked it from the right back to the left.

Sanchez's center of gravity had already started shifting to his left. When he saw the ball change direction, his muscle memory told him to defend, but his body wouldn't cooperate. The result...

Sanchez hit the ground hard.

However, Li Mingyu's move had taken him close to the end line.

Center-back Garcia had already closed in.

The sight of Sanchez being beaten moments ago had sent a jolt through Garcia.

He'd caught a glimpse of that beautiful Flip Flap, even though his view had been blocked.

Garcia knew Li Mingyu was rather slender, so he planned to use his body to pin him in place. That would nullify any attempt by Li Mingyu to get past him or accelerate.

But this was inside the penalty area, and Garcia didn't dare make too big a move, for fear Li Mingyu would try to win a penalty.

Garcia knew he absolutely couldn't let Li Mingyu cut inside. That would give him too many options, whether shooting or passing.

So Garcia forced Li Mingyu toward the end line. Even if he gave up a corner, he couldn't let him advance any farther.

Garcia leaned into him without sticking out a foot to challenge for the ball, wary of anything going wrong.

Li Mingyu feinted as if he were about to break inside, making Garcia shift his weight. But to his surprise, Li Mingyu hooked the ball with his right foot and still went toward the end line.

However, Garcia wore a smug smile. Li Mingyu was already very close to the end line, and with that touch, he was probably going to knock the ball out.

Garcia relaxed.

But Li Mingyu's next move sent a chill through him.

Li Mingyu pulled off a beautiful Croqueta.

As he hooked the ball with his right foot, Li Mingyu's left foot stepped into its path. His left foot landed just on the end line, keeping the ball in play.

Garcia had already slowed down, so Li Mingyu needed only one burst of speed to charge into the six-yard box.

Osasuna's defense fell into complete disarray. The goalkeeper had no choice but to rush out and try to close down Li Mingyu's shooting angle.

Li Mingyu wasn't greedy for a goal. The angle was simply too tight, and he was already on the end line.

He glanced toward the middle and saw Messi, Griezmann, and De Jong all charging into the penalty area, dragging Osasuna's defense into chaos.

The instant the goalkeeper rushed toward him, Li Mingyu gently flicked the ball with the instep of his right foot, sending a beautiful cutback pass over the keeper's toes and into the middle.

The goalkeeper turned his head in despair and saw center-forward Griezmann dart out of the crowd and slot the ball into the net.

3–1.

Barca had restored their two-goal lead.

That goal also completely crushed Osasuna's spirit.

One Li Mingyu had toyed with their entire defense.

Like Messi in his prime, Li Mingyu had strolled past defenders with effortless ease, leaving every Osasuna player rooted to the spot.

He was incredible.

Was this the pedigree of Barca?

Osasuna head coach Arrasate, standing on the sidelines, could only manage a wry smile.

When would the skies over La Liga finally clear?

He'd thought that with Cristiano Ronaldo leaving for Serie A and Messi out of form, La Liga could usher in a whole new era.

Who could have guessed that Barca would suddenly produce a phenomenon just like Messi in his prime?

The game resumed.

Amid the deafening roar of Camp Nou, Osasuna was completely overwhelmed.

In the 65th minute, Li Mingyu received a through ball from Messi, dribbled past the opposing defender, and used his signature Pendulum Dribble to send the goalkeeper tumbling before slotting the ball into the empty net.

4–1.

In the 75th minute, De Jong swung in a corner. Li Mingyu rose above the opposing defender and powered a thumping header past the goalkeeper.

5–1.

In the 83rd minute, with the opposition pushing forward in force, Busquets won the ball in midfield and played a through pass. Li Mingyu sprinted clear of every defender, raced nearly fifty meters, then chipped the advancing goalkeeper, who dropped to his knees in surrender.

6–1.

In the 90th minute, Li Mingyu sprinted down the right wing and cut the ball back from the end line. Messi arrived at a gallop and drove a powerful left-footed shot straight into the far corner.

7–1.

The final whistle blew.

Camp Nou erupted in celebration.

The Osasuna players kept their heads down and hurried into the visitors' dressing room.

Head coach Arrasate shook hands with Koeman, his face like stone, then turned and left this place of heartbreak.

Messi led all the players around the pitch to thank the fans for their support and accept their cheers.

Another hat trick.

Three matches, two hat tricks, and one four-goal haul.

Since official records began, surely no player had ever made his first-team debut in Europe's Top Five Leagues and put together a record like this.

Unprecedented—and probably never to be repeated.

Three matches, ten goals, two assists.

His terrifying scoring rate had Koeman grinning from ear to ear on the sidelines.

At last, he had a star player of his own.

To protect Li Mingyu, Koeman didn't bring him to the post-match press conference. Instead, he brought Messi.

As a result, the reporters at the press conference were all deeply unhappy. Every question was about Li Mingyu, leaving Barca's beloved Messi with a wry smile.

Since when had I, Messi, become the supporting act?

Still, Messi was delighted.

Li Mingyu's progress had astonished him.

It was as if there were an endless treasure trove waiting to be unearthed inside the young man.

The speed of a cheetah.

Ronaldo's Pendulum Dribble.

Iniesta's Croqueta.

Ronaldinho's Flip Flap.

And his excellent heading ability.

For a youngster who was only nineteen, he was a treasure trove of talent.

#Chinese-born Li scores twice and assists three times, dazzling Camp Nou once again#

#Chinese-born Li breaks into La Liga's top ten scorers after just three matches#

That was right: with ten goals, Li Mingyu had already climbed to eighth in the La Liga scoring charts.

His frightening scoring rate had made Li Mingyu a major focus for every European giant.

In Barca's manager's office.

"Yes, Chairman. I'll follow up right away!"

Barca manager Braida hung up with a grave expression and rubbed his aching temples.

Just after the match ended, he'd received inquiries from the major clubs, asking how much Li Mingyu would cost.

However, since it wasn't the transfer window, they were only testing the waters.