Chen Anno had become a father.
He immediately shared the news with his best friend, Neymar.
"Ney, I'm a dad," Chen Anno said over the phone, unable to hide the joy in his voice.
"Really?!" Neymar's voice shot up on the other end.
"Of course."
"That's fantastic!" Neymar cried excitedly. "My godson's finally here!"
This time, Neymar did not clown around as he usually did.
He was genuinely happy for Chen Anno.
"If I didn't have a match tomorrow, I'd fly straight over from Manchester to see my godson."
"As soon as this match is over, I'll be the first to visit him."
"When my godson grows up, I'll teach him to play football so he can become a star too."
As Neymar rattled on, Chen Anno could not keep the smile off his face.
After hanging up, Chen Anno called his second uncle.
His uncle was just as excited on the other end, his voice trembling slightly.
"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!" His uncle repeated the word three times. "I'll light a stick of incense for your father right away and tell him the good news!"
Next, Chen Anno shared the news in the team's group chat.
The chat instantly sprang to life.
"Congratulations, captain!"
"Congratulations, Annuo! You're a dad!"
"Send us some lucky money! Send us some lucky money!"
"Captain, what's your son's name?"
"Have you thought about having him play football too?"
Salah: "Congratulations, captain!"
Mane: "Annuo, don't forget to treat us!"
Van Dijk: "Welcome to the fathers' club!"
Rodri: "Your son's sure to be a football star too!"
Messages flooded in one after another.
Klopp also posted a message: "Congratulations, Annuo! This is the greatest victory of your life."
Chen Anno replied in the chat: "Thanks, lads! When my son turns one month old, drinks are on me