Messi Really Was a Genius

If the Copa Libertadores was comparable to the UEFA Champions League, then the Copa Sudamericana was equivalent to the UEFA Europa League.

As last season's Copa Sudamericana champions, Sao Paulo had a chance to defend their title.

After being eliminated from the Copa Libertadores, Sao Paulo entered a brief break.

However, the team's training continued. Chen Anno had been with the team for nearly a month, and since he was a product of the club's youth academy himself, he quickly became familiar with his teammates.

Because he was the youngest, the senior players on the team all took great care of this little treasure of the club.

Of course, over the past month, Chen Anno's ability had thoroughly won over those senior players.

That was Brazilian football—strength commanded respect!

"All right, that's enough training for today." On the training ground, Ramalho called a halt. "Come over here, guys. The opening matches of the league season kicked off today, and tomorrow it'll be our turn."

Ramalho's gaze swept across the players. Most of them did not react much.

But when Chen Anno heard the head coach's words, an eager expression appeared on his face. Ramalho noticed it and nodded to himself.

"Our first match is away, so as usual, gather at the club tomorrow morning. We'll take the team bus to Campinas. Before that, I'll announce tomorrow's match squad."

Taking the list from the assistant coach, Ramalho read aloud, "Goalkeepers: Denis, Leo.

Defenders: Juan, Paulo, Thiago, Ederson, Lucio, Pereira.

Midfielders: Wellington, Maicon, Denilson, Rodrigo, Jadson.

Forwards: Silvinho, Fabiano, Osvaldo, Aloisio... Anno."

When the final name was called, Chen Anno visibly let out a breath. He had almost thought the head coach would not take him along.

"All right, you're dismissed." Ramalho had just turned away when he looked back again. "Anno, don't stay behind for extra training today. We have a match tomorrow."

Chen Anno headed toward the dormitories in high spirits. He wanted to share the good news with his family.

"Hey...! Anno?"

As he passed the youth team's training ground, someone called out to him.

"Wow... it really is you! You've returned to the club?" A boy who looked to be around ten walked toward him with a delighted expression. The little guy seemed shorter than the teammates around him.

Another kid who skipped grades? Chen Anno wondered. After all, he had climbed through the ranks by skipping levels himself, and his teammates had generally been bigger than him.

"Hello, do you know me?" Chen Anno searched his memories but could not recall ever seeing him before.

"Of course!" The boy was excited. "When I first joined the club, I started hearing stories about you. When you left back then, I was sad for a long time. I'm really happy to see you again."

"Oh... right, Anno, my name is Antony Matheus dos Santos. You can call me Antony. I joined Sao Paulo's youth academy in 2010."

"Hello, Antony. Nice to meet you. How old are you this year?" Chen Anno smiled and ruffled Antony's hair.

"I'm thirteen. I joined the club when I was ten." Antony seemed somewhat resistant to Chen Anno touching his head.

"Uh..." Thirteen already?

To be honest, Chen Anno had just thought the little guy was around ten. He had not expected him to be thirteen already. This... he seemed a little short.

Still, since he had remained in the youth academy without being cut, this Antony probably had some talent.

After all, football clubs in Brazil never kept dead weight.

When you come across advertisements asking things like "Are you a real person?", there is no need to pay attention to them. Just close them. Never scan QR codes or send text messages!

Antony seemed to notice Chen Anno's confusion. The fiercely competitive boy lifted his chin. "Anno, I know you're a genius among geniuses, famous alongside Neymar, but I'm not bad either. One day, I'll be just like you guys and make everyone know the name Antony."

"Good! That's the spirit!" Chen Anno clapped. "Then you have to work hard. If you want to reach heights that ordinary people can't, you must put in more sweat and effort than ordinary people."

Thirteen-year-old Antony nodded seriously, his eyes full of determination. "Anno, I'll definitely do it. Our coach told me that you were the most talented and hardest-working person in the youth academy back then. I've always treated you as my goal."

Heh... so he was a fan?

"Then work hard, Antony. You'll definitely make it."

After walking several dozen meters, Chen Anno turned back to look at the pitch.

Little Antony had planted his left foot as a pivot, with the inside of his right foot stuck to the ball, spinning around in place.

"♫ I still remember you promised me

You wouldn't let me lose sight of you

But you followed those migratory birds flying south, so far away

Love was like a kite with its string cut..."

Having just returned home, Chen Anno had been about to call his second uncle when his phone rang first.

An unknown number?

He had only changed phones after returning to Brazil. How could he have an unknown caller?

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Anno still chose to answer.

"Oh, man! You're seriously no friend at all. You disappeared for two years and didn't even give me a call!"

The moment he picked up, a barrage of complaints came through the phone, leaving Chen Anno completely bewildered.

"Neymar?" The voice sounded familiar, and he spoke tentatively.

"Good brother! I knew you still remembered me."

Neymar sounded visibly pleased when he heard Chen Anno call his name. "But you really aren't being a good friend. You went to China for two years without even calling me, and now you're back in Sao Paulo without contacting me. Did you not consider me your brother?"

Listening to Neymar's complaints, Chen Anno gave a bitter smile.

Although they had played for different clubs back then, they had always been close due to their mutual admiration as talents from Sao Paulo State.

The reason he had never contacted him after returning to China was, firstly, because he had just lost both his parents and had been avoiding every memory connected to Brazil.

Secondly, of course, his pride was getting in the way. After all, of the Sao Paulo State Twin Stars, one had already become Santos's superstar idol and the future star of the Brazil national team, while the other had not even made it into the Chinese Super League.

With such a gap between them, how could he bring himself to call Neymar?

When Chen Anno remained silent for a long time, Neymar guessed that he must have had some unspeakable hardship, so he did not press the matter further.

"Alright, brother. Luckily, I'm doing pretty well in Sao Paulo, and I've got eyes everywhere. Heh heh... I knew the moment you came back." Neymar sounded distinctly smug over the phone.

"It's good that you're back. Play well in Brazil for a couple of years. Once your brother here makes a name for himself in Europe, I'll bring you over too. Then the Sao Paulo State Twin Stars will dominate Europe, win every championship, and have luxury cars, beautiful women, mansions—whatever we want!"

This guy was still as full of hot air as ever. Chen Anno could not help laughing.

"Oh, right, Anno. Let me tell you something. Before I came to Europe, I always thought the two of us were the best footballers in the world. Guys like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were just products of European media hype.

"But after coming to Barcelona, I realized that Messi really is a fucking genius...

"You know me—I, Neymar, never bow to anyone. Even you had to face me several times before you managed to beat me... Ahem... Your football skills only barely earned my approval.

"But I think Messi is genuinely incredible. In future international tournaments, Argentina will definitely be our greatest opponent."