El Clasico's Youngest Hat-Trick in History (Seeking Collection, Seeking Recommendation)

Messi was also a bit curious, but assuming Li Mingyu intended to provide some cover, he waved his hand, signaling him to hurry to the front in case there was an opportunity for a second attack!

Li Mingyu stood with his back to the defenders, muttering something under his breath.

Messi's eyes widened, and a look of surprise tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Messi gave a slight nod, his expression unchanged, and took a few steps back.

The Real Madrid defenders grew increasingly vigilant; Messi's free-kick prowess was undoubtedly among the top three in the current football world.

It was just that Messi's goals from open play were so spectacular that they often overshadowed his brilliance with free kicks.

However, what left the Real Madrid players feeling bewildered was that Li Mingyu was also standing in front of the ball, and standing very close to it at that. Essentially, if Li Mingyu were to take this shot, he would only have room for a single step before striking, which would require an immense amount of explosive leg power.

Usually, players only stand in front of the ball during indirect free kicks, typically with two players assisting—one to tap it, one to step on it—to set up the primary kicker for a direct shot.

Therefore, the Real Madrid players didn't give Li Mingyu a second thought, focusing all their attention on the determined-looking Messi.

Messi, as usual, kept his head slightly bowed, his eyes scanning the opposing wall like a hawk.

But what the Real Madrid players failed to realize was that Messi's positioning this time was a meter further back than where he usually stood for free kicks.

One must understand that most players, whether taking penalties or free kicks, keep their distance from the ball consistent every time; only by hitting their most familiar stride can they strike the ball with the greatest comfort.

Although Real Madrid had studied Messi meticulously, in such a tense moment, such small details were truly difficult to notice.

The referee blew his whistle, signaling that Barca could take the free kick.

Instantly, the defenders in the wall and the goalkeeper focused all their attention on the jogging Messi.

"Thump!" With a dull sound, the Real Madrid players and the goalkeeper watched in utter confusion as the ball curled past the edge of the wall and flew into the near corner of the net.

The wall hadn't moved, and neither had the goalkeeper.

Messi was still in his run-up, two meters away from the spot.

But the ball was already in!

"Let's take a look at this free kick. The position is a bit tight, but for a left-footed player like Messi, it's a very good spot."

"Li Mingyu is also standing in front of the ball; it looks like he's preparing to provide cover for Messi. However, he's standing a bit too close—it might actually interfere with Messi's execution!"

"The referee blows the whistle, and Messi begins his run. Let's see... wait! What? How did the ball go in?"

"My god, it's Li Mingyu! It really is Li Mingyu! He just launched a 'Pearl Harbor Attack' on Real Madrid! Let's look at the replay. My heavens, this shot—Li Mingyu struck it from a standstill, and the ball carved out a beautiful arc, sliding right past Ramos's ear. Look at Ramos's expression—haha, he's so stunned, watching helplessly as the ball brushes past his ear and tucks inside the post. The goalkeeper Courtois hadn't even reacted by the time the ball was in the net!"

"Li Mingyu's strike was incredibly cunning. He exploited the oversight of the Real Madrid players, who had all their attention fixed on Messi, to pull off a sneak attack. But I have to say, that was a beautiful goal!"

"Forty minutes into the first half, Li Mingyu has scored a free kick to complete his hat-trick. If I recall correctly, Li Mingyu is only 19 years, 3 months, and 23 days old. He has broken the record for the youngest player to score a hat-trick in El Clasico. Perhaps you remember that Messi himself set the record for a hat-trick in El Clasico at the age of 19 years, 8 months, and 26 days. But that wasn't the youngest record; that dates back over 100 years to a 1916 match where Barcelona drew 6-6 with Real Madrid. Barcelona legend Alcantara completed a hat-trick, which was the first recorded hat-trick in El Clasico. At that time, Alcantara was 19 years, 6 months, and 7 days old. Today, this record, frozen for over a century, has finally been broken by none other than Li Mingyu!"

"The terrifying Li Mingyu, a cold-blooded assassin, shrewdly capitalized on Real Madrid's underestimation of him, burying them in the abyss with a brilliant free-kick goal!"

After scoring, Li Mingyu didn't celebrate wildly; instead, he raised his hands high, looking at the Real Madrid fans throughout the stadium with an air of dominance.

For a moment, the entire Santiago Bernabeu fell silent. Watching this arrogant young man celebrate on their home turf, the hearts of the Real Madrid fans turned sour.

If only Cristiano Ronaldo were still here, how could you lot be so brazen?

Damn it, Real Madrid's president Florentino is a disgrace!

Sitting in the VIP box, Florentino watched coldly as the Barca players celebrated arrogantly below. Beside him, Barca president Laporta gave him a reserved nod, gesturing with his wine glass.

Florentino forced a smile, looking down at Li Mingyu—who was being surrounded, ruffled, patted, and shoved by his Barca teammates—with a look of determined resolve.

Laporta caught Florentino's intent, and a flicker of unease stirred in his heart.

A 180 million buyout clause was, to Florentino, hardly worth mentioning. Moreover, snatching a player from the hands of their bitter rival, Barca, would both weaken them and strengthen his own side. One in, one out—180 million was a bargain!

Florentino had already made up his mind: once the match ended, he would send people to contact Li Mingyu and offer him a contract he couldn't refuse.

Cristiano Ronaldo's departure had left Florentino under immense pressure and criticism, but at the start of the year, he and head coach Zidane had already announced their intention to bring Dortmund's Erling Haaland to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Erling Haaland, a Norwegian, currently plays for the German powerhouse Dortmund.

Last month, UEFA tallied the youngest players in Champions League history to score 20 goals.

On this list, Erling Haaland ranked first at 20 years and 226 days.

In the recently concluded Champions League Round of 16, Erling Haaland scored two goals in both the home and away legs, helping his team defeat Sevilla. He also became the seventh player since the Champions League rebranding to score at least four goals across a two-legged Round of 16 tie.

If not for the sudden rise of Li Mingyu, Erling Haaland would be the hottest prospect in world football right now!