The little Argentinian had only recently scored his first senior-team goal. It was October—this very month—that Rijkaard had promoted him to the first team, and he still hadn't started a match.
Compared to him, Huang Kaiwen was miles ahead.
Huang was a world-famous genius, after all, and he had already proved himself in both the UEFA Champions League and the league.
Today he had Figo's touch, and he already wore the number 10 shirt. Why shouldn't he be the star of the match?
After returning to the tunnel and then emerging again, the players listened to the UEFA Champions League anthem. The two captains exchanged pennants. Maldini and Puyol, two elite defenders, clearly admired one another; they shook hands in a friendly atmosphere.
But when the referee blew his whistle at 7:45, signaling the start of the match, the atmosphere on the pitch changed.
Barcelona kicked off.
Eto'o passed the ball back to Ronaldinho.
Ronaldinho showed off his dazzling footwork in midfield.
Shevchenko's token attempt to press him was brushed aside by a slight Elastico.
Even more infuriatingly, after dribbling past him, Ronaldinho chose to pass the ball backward. He wasn't trying to do anything in particular—he was just messing with him.
As Barcelona's core, Deco had excellent support in midfield from the young Xavi and Mexican international Marquez. The three of them were outstanding at keeping possession.
After several passes, the ball found its way back to Ronaldinho.
Huang Kaiwen was playing on the right wing today, directly opposite Ronaldinho. Since he was right there, Huang Kaiwen naturally decided to press him.
Seeing Huang Kaiwen, who had become quite famous lately, Ronaldinho grinned and began showing off his dazzling skills.
First, he stood still and swung his leg.
Brazilian players loved using feints like that.
It was like little kids playing a game, beckoning their opponent to come and catch them with a taunting curl of the finger.
The move was far more provocative than it was effective.
When Huang Kaiwen charged in and stuck out a foot, Ronaldinho stopped swinging his leg over the ball and instead poked it sideways to the onrushing Deco, who carried it upfield.
Huang Kaiwen's expression darkened.
What kind of damn football wizard was this? It was all fun and games for the spectators, but was it really fair to make him the butt of the joke just to entertain everyone else?
If he got the chance, he'd make Ronaldinho taste what it was like to be toyed with.
Deco quickly found a passing lane.
He played a through ball to Eto'o.
The pass reached the area in front of Milan's defense, but Eto'o couldn't find a good opportunity. After carrying the ball sideways for a few steps, he took a hurried long-range shot, which Dida caught with ease.
After Dida cleared the ball, it went to the right flank.
Huang Kaiwen didn't pass immediately. He decided to take Ronaldinho on himself.
He worked a few stepovers, waited for Ronaldinho to stick out a foot, then immediately nudged the ball left with his left foot. After getting past him, he passed to Kaka.
Kaka had tremendous acceleration, and Marquez couldn't stop him. When he reached the edge of the box, he threaded a through ball in from Puyol's left. Shevchenko took a low shot from the right side of the penalty area, and Valdes just barely managed to push it out for a corner.
"Both teams have been attacking aggressively since the match began."
"The two sides have different styles. Milan's attacks are more direct and simple, while Barcelona prefer to keep possession. But there's no question that both are among the best teams in world football."
"AC Milan have a corner. Andrea Pirlo is heading over to take it."
Inside Barcelona's penalty area, several of Milan's best headers were being closely marked.
Smack—
After a short run-up, Pirlo sent the ball toward the middle.
Several players jumped together in the box.
Having finally gained immunity to injuries, Huang Kaiwen joined them.
As soon as he jumped, he felt someone shove him from behind. He lost his balance and fell inside the box.
Oleguer Presas took advantage of the chance to clear the ball.
Sitting in Barcelona's penalty area, Huang Kaiwen looked up and spread his hands. The referee wagged a finger at him and ran off.
He got up with Kaka's help and glared angrily at Puyol.
It had been the Barcelona captain standing behind him.
Ancelotti was still grumbling at the fourth official on the sidelines.
Puyol had fouled Huang Kaiwen from behind. How could they let that stand?
This was a violation of Article 112 of Milan Law. If he could, Ancelotti would have Puyol executed on the spot.
Unfortunately, Milan Law wasn't nearly as universally applicable as Catalan Law, and the fourth official was unmoved.
Fortunately, Gattuso intercepted the other team's pass and switched the ball to the right with a sideways pass.
Cafu drove forward with the ball. When he saw Huang Kaiwen's position, he sent an overhead pass his way.
With Figo's touch, Huang Kaiwen simply stuck out a foot as he ran and brought the ball under control. He didn't even slow down, continuing to race along the touchline with the ball.
Ancelotti noticed something.
Huang Kaiwen wasn't as fast as he had been in the previous match.
His heart sank.
Damn it, Puyol must have injured him when he rammed into him!
Ancelotti racked his brain, but he didn't know anyone ruthless enough to hire a hitman, so he had to let Puyol off for now.
Van Bronckhorst charged at Huang Kaiwen. Huang Kaiwen played a one-two with Kaka, then accelerated and cut into the penalty area from the right.
Barcelona captain Puyol lowered his center of gravity and spread his legs slightly.
Seeing this, Huang Kaiwen began moving forward with another series of stepovers. After two, he suddenly nudged the ball with his right foot, then immediately shifted his weight.
His right foot, which had just nudged the ball, planted itself as his left came around from behind.
He crossed the ball low and hard with a quick scissor kick.
In the blink of an eye, the ball had reached the center of the six-yard box. Valdes hadn't even moved when Shevchenko beat him to it and pushed the ball with the inside of his foot. It flew into the bottom-right corner of the net.
Shevchenko ran toward the stands to celebrate.
Kaka came over, put an arm around Huang Kaiwen's shoulders, and walked back with him.
"You're in pretty good form today," Kaka said with a smile.
"You know it."
Huang Kaiwen scratched his head, looking smug. "I just love playing against the big clubs. I'm not interested in ordinary teams."
"That's good. Let's win the Champions League together."
The two chatted as they headed back.
On the substitutes' bench, Messi watched with a conflicted expression, looking envious and eager.
He wished he could start in the Champions League alongside all those Milan stars.
He'd heard that Milan's number 10 had never even received professional training, yet he was still this good. Messi thought that must be what being a genius was like. He had trained professionally for so many years to reach his current level. If the other man had received proper training too, how good would he be now?
Today, Messi's team had enjoyed plenty of possession but had little to show for it.
They kept the ball in midfield but couldn't find many good chances.
Milan's defense, led by Maldini, was one of the best in history. Barcelona's attackers could barely find a way into the box.
In the 25th minute, Milan launched another counterattack.
Pirlo sent a long pass straight to Kaka. As Kaka ran, he sent the ball wide to the right, where Huang Kaiwen pushed forward again.
With Marquez closing him down, Kaka chose to play the ball wide again.
This time, Van Bronckhorst rushed in with a sliding tackle.
Huang Kaiwen pulled the ball back with his left foot, then accelerated past him and drove into the penalty area.
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