Ronaldo, known as The Alien, had often dazzled audiences in his younger days by using his signature speed to blow past opposing players—so fast they couldn't even grab hold of him.
Li Mingyu suddenly felt as if his legs were charged with electricity. As he sprinted, they seemed to blur.
The Huesca players were all a little careless. A two-goal lead was more than enough to secure the win.
There were only eight minutes left. More importantly, the Barca players had lost their fighting spirit. When they saw a Huesca player take the ball in midfield, the Barca midfielders merely backed away a couple of steps. Nobody tried to rush in and press him.
That lackadaisical defense also angered the fans in Camp Nou, and a chorus of boos soon rang out.
Garcia, Huesca's midfielder, wore a smug smile. In today's match, he had scored a goal and provided an assist, helping his team take a commanding lead against mighty Barca. After this match, his market value was bound to soar.
Could I play for a better team?
Shouldn't my weekly wages go up a little?
Where should I go to celebrate later?
While Garcia's thoughts wandered, he failed to notice the streak of yellow lightning behind him.
Number 17, Rick, was standing not far from Garcia. When he saw Li Mingyu charge forward like a beast, he hurriedly shouted, "Watch your back!"
Garcia froze. He felt someone rush past him, and his heart skipped a beat. Looking down, he saw that the ball at his feet had vanished.
Garcia stared blankly as Li Mingyu raced away.
Who is he?
How can he be so fast?
Garcia was stunned, but the other Huesca players reacted at once. Their back line fell into disarray as they shouted to one another and scrambled to defend.
But what shocked them was that Li Mingyu was like a sports car with its accelerator floored.
At that moment, the downside of Barca's earlier lethargy became clear: the Huesca players had let their guard down too.
With "Ronaldo Absolute Speed," Li Mingyu charged like a tiger descending a mountain, cutting into the space at the edge of the opposing penalty area.
Seeing that the defenders hadn't slowed Li Mingyu down, goalkeeper Fernandez rushed off his line. He faced Li Mingyu one-on-one, trying to close down the shooting angle.
Li Mingyu had been selected for Barca's first team because he was exceptionally good at converting chances in front of goal.
When he saw the opposing keeper charge out, inspiration struck. His feet swept across the ball in quick succession.
After those two feints, Fernandez's balance finally gave way. He landed on his backside, watching as Li Mingyu coolly dribbled past him.
"My God, what am I seeing? He's as fast as lightning!"
"My God, the Pendulum Dribble!"
"Could another Alien have been born?"
The commentator could barely contain his excitement.
Past the keeper and faced with an open goal, Li Mingyu calmly tapped the ball into the net.
Though his heart was pounding, Li Mingyu immediately ran over, picked up the ball, and headed back to midfield.
Fernandez was staring at him in disbelief.
Li Mingyu's Pendulum Dribble had really fooled him.
After Li Mingyu won the ball, the Barca players had all stood still. Not one of them had run forward to support him.
First, they had lost their fighting spirit. Second, Li Mingyu was simply too fast. By the time the Barca players reacted, the ball was already in the net.
From winning possession to scoring, Li Mingyu had taken only six or seven seconds.
When they saw Li Mingyu return, holding the ball and full of fight, the Barca players finally snapped out of their daze and rushed over.
"Nice one!"
"Not bad, Li!"
"Li, you scared me!"
"Li, how are you so fast?"
Even Barca goalkeeper Ter Stegen came sprinting up from the back and hugged Li Mingyu excitedly.
This was so frustrating!
Of everyone at Barca, Ter Stegen had to be the most frustrated. Letting the opposition score twice was a disgrace to him.
But Barca's forwards were ineffective and the team's morale had collapsed. Ter Stegen felt it might be time to leave Barca and join another club.
He hadn't expected the kid who'd just come on to have such ability. From where he'd been standing, he couldn't tell exactly how fast Li Mingyu was, but he'd scored—making him a hero.
Li Mingyu hurriedly shouted, "It's not time to celebrate yet! We're Barca, and we're going to win!"
Hearing Li Mingyu's words, the Barca players fell silent. That was right. They were Barca, and they were going to win.
Li Mingyu's words rekindled the players' passion.
Koeman, standing on the touchline, felt his hands trembling.
He hadn't expected the kid to score as soon as he came on.
What a way to make him proud.
When he heard Li Mingyu's roar, a broad smile spread across his face.
We're Barca, and we're going to win!
Play resumed from the center spot.
The Huesca players seemed rattled by the goal.
They didn't realize that the Barca team they were facing had changed.
One side had found its fighting spirit; the other was still reeling.
One side was prepared to fight; the other wasn't sure whether to keep attacking or tighten up at the back.
That was the state Huesca was in now.
They lacked experience.
After a careless pass between players, the ball rolled slowly toward Garcia. Still thinking about how he'd just been dispossessed, he didn't step forward to meet the pass.
He saw that the teammate who had passed him the ball looked horrified.
A familiar feeling sent a chill down Garcia's back.
Damn it!
A familiar figure got to the ball before him.
That number 36 again.
Damn it.
This time, Garcia didn't freeze. The instant he lost possession, he launched into a counter-press.
With plenty of experience, he reached out and tugged at Li Mingyu's shirt.
Li Mingyu's speed had already taught him that if he let him get up to full speed, he'd be left eating his dust.
But the instant Garcia grabbed Li Mingyu, his hand suddenly came away empty. Li Mingyu accelerated and shot forward.
Garcia stumbled and fell to the ground, staring blankly as Li Mingyu raced past him once again.
At six-foot-one, Li Mingyu charged toward Huesca's back line like a horse galloping beneath a meteor-streaked sky.
This time, Huesca's defense was fairly well organized. They had only just restarted play, and the back line hadn't had time to push up.
Two defenders closed in on Li Mingyu at the same time.
Another center-back stayed nearby to cover.
"Li, over here!"
New here—please don't hold back on your votes, everyone! Show your support!
Before you continue