The night after the game ended, the highlights of Manchester United vs. Glasgow Rangers went viral all over the world.
Not just any fire, the kind that burned through the Internet.
YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Yahoo, Hupu, Tieba, Tianya... wherever the video can be displayed, these three clips are all going viral.
The first clip: Zhang Kuang passed five people in the middle and shot with a spoon.
In the picture, Zhang Kuang was catching the ball near the center circle, and Weir and Broadfoot were like two walls of flesh. He stepped on his bicycle, and suddenly V-Pull--Weir missed the ball.
Then a Shoulder-Drop Dribble, Broadfoot tilted to one side like a scarecrow blown over by the wind.
Then there are Papac, McCulloch, Bougherra.
One after another, they fell at his feet like bowling pins.
Finally facing goalkeeper McGregor, he flicked the ball lightly and the ball drew an elegant arc, passed over the goalkeeper's head and fell into the net.
The whole process lasts only twelve seconds, but it is like a condensed action movie.
The second clip: Zhang Kuang was tackled and his opponent broke his leg.
Whittaker shoveled over with his spikes on, Zhang Kuang fell to the ground, blood flowing out.
Everyone thought he was going to leave the field with a serious injury. What happened? The team doctor cleaned the wound and applied a piece of tape. He stood up, shook his feet, and jumped twice, as if nothing happened.
And Whittaker, the one who shoveled the person, was carried out on a stretcher. His ankle was broken.
The third clip: Valencia broken foot.
There was no foul, no malice, just a normal slide tackle. Valencia fell to the ground, his left ankle bent at an inappropriate angle and hanging dangling on his calf.
That scene makes even a tough guy weak in the knees.
Of course, there are other goal films and threatening ball content, but only these three clips are more prominent.
CNN Sports spent two minutes on the evening news that night reporting the goal.
"In the history of football, there are only three true 'five consecutive goals'." The host said in the tone of announcing big news, "The first time was Diego Maradona in 1986, the second time was Lionel Messi in 2007, and the third time was tonight's China boy Zhang Kuang."
The screen cuts to a slow-motion replay of Zhang Kuang's goal.
"Three goals, three geniuses, but the famous scenes played by the latter two geniuses were earlier. Maradona was 26 years old at the time, Messi was 19 years old, and Zhang Kuang was 19 years old.
But it is worth noting that the three people performed this miracle in different competitions. Maradona and Messi passed five people in a row in the World Cup and La Liga arenas, and the place where Zhang Kuang accomplished this feat was Europe Champions League."
"A China person," the guest commentator next to him took over, "In the UEFA Champions League arena, he copied the miracles of Maradona and Messi."
"It's not copying," the host corrected, "It's creation. Every genius is creating his own moment."
South America's media exploded.
Especially Argentina and Brazil.
The title of the front page of Argentina's "Olé" is. "After Maradona, we have seen Messi, and now a China person has come?"
"This is not true. How can an Oriental have such skills? This is not what they are good at. What they are good at is speed, body, and discipline, not this kind of flashy, gorgeous dance steps like tango."
Brazil's "O Globo" is more direct. "Zhang Kuang did complete a beautiful pass, but please note that he passed the defender of Glasgow Rangers, not Argentina, not Italy, not Spain. Scottish Premier League's defender? Not even Brazilian Série B's defender."
The comments below turned into a quarrel.
"You Brazil people just don't like others. Last time Messi had five people in a row, you said it was 'luck'. This time Zhang Kuang had five people in a row, you said it was 'the opponent is too weak'. Next time someone has six people in a row, are you going to say 'the turf is too long'?"
"As a Argentina person, I must say: Zhang Kuang's goal is more beautiful than Messi's goal. Messi passed it by Getafe The player of, Zhang Kuang passed by the player of team UEFA Champions League. Which level is higher, UEFA Champions League or La Liga?"
"Upstairs, Getafe ranked La Liga eighth that year, and Glasgow Rangers is the champion of Scottish Premier League this year. Which level do you think is higher?"
"Stop arguing, as a Brazil person, I admit: this China person does have a few things."
Japan's NHK sports channel spent a full five minutes reporting on this goal in the morning news the next day.
"This goal scored by player Zhang Kuang demonstrates the technical level of player Asia that has never been shown on the football field before. His body balance, ball feel and ability to make complex movements in high-speed movements, It has reached the world's top level. This is the pride of Asia football and a breakthrough for Asia football. Japan players should learn from Zhang Kuang."
South Korea's KBS report is very interesting.
They first played the video of Zhang Kuang's goal, and then the host said with a very subtle expression, "China player Zhang Kuang scored five consecutive goals. This is the third time such a goal has occurred in the history of world football after Maradona and Messi."
Korean China national football team players will also have the ability to complete such a goal. I believe that in the near future, we will see South Korea players copy or even surpass such miracles on the Europe field."
The comment area below this news directly turned into a large-scale double-standard scene.
"That sounds nice, but why don't you make a copy?"
"China people copied the miracles, South Korea people copied the cannons."
"What does it mean to have passed five people in a row? Our South Korea players can even pass five people in a row after having five people in a row, and then five people in a row. Oh, sorry, I forgot. They have trouble even passing one person."
"As a South Korea person, I find this news very embarrassing. Is it difficult to admit that others are good?"
The media of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are surprisingly united.
Hong Kong "Ming Pao": "China Player Zhang Kuang UEFA Champions League has passed five people in a row, Asia a new milestone in football"
Macau "Macau Daily News": "Zhang Kuang's miracle reappears, the Eastern King of Football is about to emerge"
Taiwan's "United Daily News" used the title. "Mainland Player Zhang Kuang UEFA Champions League performed a hat trick, including a 'Maradona-style' goal"
Netizen Taiwan left a message below. "Although he is from mainland China, this ball is really good. I have watched football for 20 years and I have never seen Asia kick such a ball."
Manchester.
DoubleTree by Hilton Swinton.
Zhang Kuang was lying on the sofa, holding his mobile phone in his hand, scrolling through the comments on social media.
Lama was lying on his chest, watching too.
"Look at this," Lama pointed at the screen, "Some people say you are 'the man God favors'."
"I am, and I told the media this statement." Zhang Kuang smiled.
"And this one, 'Did Zhang Kuang practice China Kung Fu? Otherwise, how could it be possible that someone would be shoveled and nothing would happen, but the person who shoveled someone would have a broken leg?'"
"I answered this, it is China Kung Fu."
"Do you think anyone believes it?"
"It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not," Zhang Kuang put down the phone, "What matters is that they can't find a better explanation."
Lama raised his head and looked at him. "Then tell me the truth, how did you do it?"
Zhang Kuang looked down at her, with the corners of his mouth raised slightly.
"You really want to know?"
"I really want to know."
"Then I'll tell you the truth."
"Say."
"I was sent by our China god to save China football. But before I even started saving, I was banned by China football."
Lama was stunned for two seconds, and then punched him in the chest.
"Just make it up!"
Zhang Kuang laughed.
"Look, you don't believe me when I tell the truth."
"You should make up something more reliable."
"Then let me put it another way," Zhang Kuang thought for a moment, "I am a new human being transformed by a biological laboratory, equivalent to Superman in Marvel."
"Ah, really? Superman? What is your superpower? You can fly, you can defeat many bad guys? You are invulnerable?"
"Without those, my superpower is that my functions are super strong. For example, even if you torture yourself to death, you will not torture me to death."
"Bah, no wonder you are so perverted."
"Hey, come on, do you want to try my super power again?"
Lama stared at him for five seconds.
"Are you making up a novel for me?"
"Look, you will never believe the truth." Zhang Kuang sighed, "Then let me tell you a version that you can accept: I am extremely talented, and I secretly trained hard. From the age of ten, I rushed into the mud a thousand times a day to develop the skills I have today."
"Ah, China has such skill?" Lama nodded, "Then why don't you practice now?"
"I don't practice anymore because I have reached the point where I can no longer improve. It's like you have refined iron ore into super strong steel, and you still refine it? If you continue to refine it, the steel will turn back into molten iron."
"Really?"
"Really."
Zhang Kuang was about to say something when the phone rang.
An unfamiliar number Hong Kong.
He picked it up.
"Mr. Zhang, it's me, He Qigang."
Zhang Kuang was stunned for a moment. "Mr. He? Why do you have time to call me?"
"Your UEFA Champions League scored! I called you specifically to congratulate you," He Qigang's voice was obviously excited, "He beat five people in a row! I saw it on the morning news! It's amazing! Jingjing also saw it, and she was so excited that she spilled her coffee all over the table!"
Zhang Kuang smiled, "Thank you Mr. He for the compliment."
"I'm not complimenting you, I'm stating the facts." He Qigang said, "By the way, Mr. Zhang, I asked you about the youth training thing you mentioned last time."
Zhang Kuang sat up straight.
"How to say?"
"I'm afraid it will be difficult to do this in the mainland. To be honest, everyone knows that your plan is a good one. However, there are few profitable projects in the sports circle, and football is one of the few profitable projects. Gods from all walks of life are watching, and there are many people who eat here. If you do this, no one will have anything to eat, so there is great resistance."
Zhang Kuang was silent for two seconds.
"Mr. He, actually I have thought of this result, so I gave up."
"Don't give up yet, and don't be discouraged." He Qigang said, "Jingjing mentioned an other idea to me before. She said, what if you do this in Hong Kong?"
Zhang Kuang frowned and thought for a while, "Is there any difference? If I do this, the students in the school will also be isolated from China national football team and the domestic league. Hong Kong's league cannot support their development."
He Qigang: "Then you can send all these young talents to Europe to play football. The good ones will enter the five major leagues, and the less qualified ones can go to Primeira Liga, Eredivisie, Scottish Premier League, and Belgian Pro League Leagues like can also let them play in the second-level leagues of the five major leagues such as EFL League One, Segunda División, Ligue 2, 2. Bundesliga, and Serie B."
Zhang Kuang thought for a moment, "But what's the use of this? They still can't get into China national football team. Of course, it's okay to train some China excellent players."
He Qigang: "I had the same doubts at first, but what if you, along with these students, all change their place of residence to Hong Kong? You can form a team of China Hong Kong Team to beat World Cup."
Zhang Kuang stood up suddenly, and Lama let out a sound, because she was eating, but Zhang Kuang suddenly stood up and hit her mouth with the stick.
"Hmm?" He Qigang also unexpectedly said 'um'. Later he found that his 'um' was a bit inappropriate, but it also proved what the media reported that Zhang Kuang is very popular with women.
Zhang Kuang: "He Sheng, it's not impossible for you to say this, but the key is, does Hong Kong Football Association agree to do this? You must know that if I do this, it will infringe the interests of Hong Kong local players and Football Association.
What if they are very resistant and won't cooperate? Then aren't we doing all our work in vain?"
This question from Zhang Kuang is also very realistic and sharp.
He Qigang thought for a while, "Your concerns are reasonable. In this way, I will implement it again and see what will happen to Hong Kong. I haven't asked my dad about this yet."
"Your dad?" Zhang Kuang was a little confused.
He Qigang: "Oh, my dad has been the president of the Hong Kong Football Association since 1997, and he takes care of all this matter."
Zhang Kuang: "That's great, thank you He Sheng for your help."
He Qigang: "Why are you thanking me? I also hope that China can participate in World Cup. Just wait for my message."
Zhang Kuang:"Okay."
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Kuang excitedly picked up Lama's head.
Zhang Kuang: "I'll let you try how I practiced on the mud."
--
In the next few days, Zhang Kuang and He Qigang had many phone calls. After repeated communication with He Qigang, and even after He's father directly communicated with Zhang Kuang on the phone, He's father mentioned something:
"Mr. Zhang, if you want Hong Kong Team to listen to your selection, coaching and playing style in the future, that's not impossible. The key is that you have to be fair. You can train talents, but they can't all be children from the mainland who transfer to Hong Kong. You also have to select from Hong Kong locally, and the proportion must not be less than 30%."
Zhang Kuang: "Well, Chairman He, I think this is the case. When the standards are also met, it is okay for the proportion to be no less than 30%.
Then if the players selected from Hong Kong are not up to standard at all, do we still need a 30% bottom line? For example, for defenders, the children of Hong Kong cannot grow to more than 1.8 meters or 1.9 meters, and they do not weigh more than 80 kilograms or 90 kilograms. So there are obviously better defenders in the mainland. In order to achieve this goal of not less than 30%, do we have to send defenders who are more than 1.7 meters and 70 kilograms?"
Chairman He didn't expect Zhang Kuang to say that, but after thinking about it for a moment, it was indeed the case.
Zhang Kuang went on to say, "Actually, I don't mean that I have to choose the mainland. If Hong Kong has a qualified team of 10 people, I will be the only one missing. I can do it too."
I don't care whether they are from the Mainland or from Hong Kong, because no matter they are from the Mainland or from Hong Kong, they are all from China and represent China National Team. This is nothing.
I simply measure it based on the standard of whether or not it meets the standards. Maybe the probability of being selected from the hundreds of millions of children in the mainland to meet the standards is greater than that of Hong Kong. If that is the case, holding a 30% share will make the team look nondescript."
Chairman He: "What you said makes sense. I'm just afraid that Hong Kong's local public opinion will have objections."
Zhang Kuang: "Either this, every time Football Association team is selected, we will make an open selection. Whoever has the right strength will be selected. If the strength is equal, priority will be given to the local Hong Kong. Do you think this is okay?"
Chairman He: "That's okay, at least it can convince public opinion."
Zhang Kuang: "That would be great. If Chairman He agrees, then we can sign an agreement of intent. I guarantee that I can change my status to Hong Kong within a few days."
Chairman He: "Okay, let's do it this way. I hope China Hong Kong Team can score World Cup and get good results in the future."
Zhang Kuang: "Haha, Chairman He, don't worry, I'm very confident that with the abilities and intelligence of China players, as long as we are given a fair environment, we will not be worse than other teams in the world."
--
September 19, Old Trafford Stadium.
This is the fifth round of Premier League, and it is also the most watched game of the entire season.
Manchester United vs. Liverpool.
North West Derby.
How popular was this North West Derby in 2010?
That is, if football fans could count the games on the entire planet that attract their most attention every year.
There is no doubt that the UEFA Champions League finals are the most watched competition every year, followed by the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
What about further down?
Is it still the UEFA Champions League competition that attracts the most attention?
No.
The next games that attract the most attention from fans around the world are these:
Bundesliga's Bayern Munich plays against Borussia Dortmund, two games in a season.
Serie A's Milan Derby, Inter Milan versus AC Milan.
El Clásico of La Liga, Real Madrid versus Barcelona.
Premier League's North West Derby, Manchester United versus Liverpool.
As for these four groups of games, before 2010, these four groups of games were the most watched games by football fans around the world every year.
The scope of influence is large, there are many fans watching, and the popularity is quite high.
Therefore, it is understandable that Manchester United rotated players to Ferguson in the first round of UEFA Champions League, right? He was even determined to lose the first game to UEFA Champions League, but also to ensure North West Derby's absolute fighting power.
This time North West Derby, almost all major football media and football TV stations around the world are paying attention to it. This is the first time that Zhang Kuang has such a deep understanding of the significance of this game.