154. Yeonsung Road (1)
2008.
The number of regular customers on the Korean portal site Sportsran is usually limited to five people.
Kim Yeon-ha, Park Tae-wan, Park Chan-oh, Park Ji-seok, Woo Ho-young.
Among these, Woo Ho-young’s stake in particular began to rise rapidly, to the point where there were always articles related to him in the overseas soccer category.
This also had an impact on sports fans’ favorite ranking game.
[Park Tae-wan vs. Park Ji-seok vs. Kim Yeon-ha vs. Woo Ho-young]
└Park Tae-wan is an Olympic gold medalist? Isn’t it definitely number one?
└Go abroad and ask if they know Marine Boy
└But Park Ji-seok will know if you ask any British person
└Woo Ho-young will know if he goes to Madrid right now, right?
└I don’t think that’s the case.
└It’s not true. They say uniforms are already sold out.
└It’s probably an unplay, but there’s a new kid who believes that. Are you naive or stupid?
└Unplay hahahahaha? Link here^^ www.shop.realmadrid.com/stores/7-Woo
└ㄷㄷㄷ It was real
└It seems like there is a little bit of openness. You probably didn’t stock up in advance because you knew it would sell a lot.
└Anyway, it’s true that it’s sold out ㅇㅇ
└ Wow, then I guess I’ll be making money at the age of 16. But what if you get kidnapped? Mafia in Spain? Aren’t there a lot of the same guys?
└Agent gives me a ride every day
└How do I know that?
└When I went on a trip to Madrid, I saw an agent while waiting in front of Woo Hoyoung’s school. It looked like Winnie the Pooh.
As he said, Lucci was picking up Woo Ho-young every day.
Today, as soon as I finished the morning meeting, I came to the front gate of the school and was waiting for Hoyoung.
‘this. You came too early. ‘There’s still 40 more minutes left.’
Lucci, who wanted to take a nap, pulled back the sheet.
It was then that someone knocked on the window.
smart.
‘Are you here already?’
Rucci stood up and frowned.
This is because the person who knocked on the window was not Hoyoung, but a man in his mid to late 30s.
At first, I thought another fan who wanted Hoyoung’s autograph had come.
Until I saw his gentle face.
“Mr. Leonardo?”
“haha. long time no see. Mr. Lucci. “This is the first time since you left São Paulo, right?”
Leonardo Araujo.
The Brazilian is a former soccer player and current technical director of AC Milan, once called AC Milan’s legendary midfielder.
He was a man capable enough to discover Brazilians such as Kaka, Thiago Silva, and Alexander Pato and transfer them to AC Milan.
And Rucci and I had known each other for a long time.
“I’m sorry for coming to you so suddenly. I sent you an email via an email I already knew, but I didn’t receive a reply. “I came here despite my rudeness.”
“haha. The stage-fire spirit still remains. And it’s rude between us. it’s okay.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
As Leonardo spoke gently, Lucci got out of the car and shook his hand.
“But what are you doing here? “I don’t think you came all the way here just to see me.”
I asked a question, but I had an idea.
Is there any other reason why AC Milan’s technical director came here?
I knew it.
“I’d like to meet Woo Ho-young, but can you give me some time?”
“It’s difficult today because we have an away game. “I think I’ll arrive at Madrid Airport around 11pm.”
“I’m fine even then.”
“I’ll contact you right away. “You have to ask the player’s doctor first.”
The two ended their conversation briefly and returned to their respective seats.
It was five minutes later that Hoyoung sat in the passenger seat after finishing class.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“no. But do you think anything good will happen? “Your face looks good.”
“I’m on my way out after talking with the principal. “I heard that I can switch to free classes starting from the second semester on January 21st.”
“The date came out exactly as I expected. congratulations.”
“thank you. “By the way, Mr. Luci, is there something going on?”
It was not the face of someone celebrating.
There seemed to be some trouble.
But since he had to get to the airport quickly, Lucci left first.
And on the way he said:
“AC Milan’s technical director came to visit us earlier. “I didn’t hear the details, but he said he would see Woo Ho-young.”
“Again?”
“yes. It looks like they are probably looking ahead to the transfer market next year or the year after. “It could be as early as January next year.”
“Coach Ancelotti seems to stab me only when he forgets.”
“Seeing as they even sent a technical director, it seems like they are going to woo him in earnest.”
“It doesn’t really matter. “I still have a lot left to achieve in Madrid.”
“All right.”
Hoyoung spoke clearly.
It was out of loyalty to those who raised him, but it was also because there was still a lot left to be desired in Real Madrid.
At least this season would have to go by before we could acquire the key talents of Real players.
Even if I had to move, it was a matter that could be decided at that time.
But there was one thing I was curious about.
“What does AC Milan’s squad look like?”
“Including loaned members, they include Dida Nesta, Maldini, Ambrosini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Inzaghi, Beckham, Ronaldinho, Shevchenko, and Ronaldo.”
“… hmm.”
Why does it look better than Real Madrid?
‘It’s probably because of my mood. Probably…’
“But if you go to Italy before you turn 18, you’ll be subject to the FIFA Youth Transfer Clause, right?”
“So, the technical director came to visit in person. “Because we have to solve problems in advance.”
“okay. So Mr. Rucci, was that something you were worried about?”
“Rather than worry, I had mixed feelings. It’s been almost 4 years since I saw Woo Ho-young, and I feel proud that he has reached this level, but at the same time, I feel like this is just the beginning. haha. “The war will begin soon.”
“Isn’t that how people live? You’ve done well. Please do just that, no more, no less. Don’t worry too much and take care of your health. You are now 40 years old and already….”
“Yes?”
“no. “I need to take a nap.”
Hoyoung glanced at Lucci’s increasingly peeling forehead and closed his eyes and mouth.
‘Are you very stressed because of work?’
Later, when hair transplant technology was developed, I thought that I should restore Lucci’s hair to its original state.
Benito Villamarin Stadium in Seville.
The game began with about 55,000 spectators watching, filling the home stadium of Real Betis.
[Real Betis on the left takes the lead.]
[Real Betis came out with a 4-4-2 formation as expected. In contrast, Real Madrid came out with a 4-2-3-1. We can expect a fierce battle on the flanks.]
Real Madrid had the upper hand when considering only the formation.
This is because they were able to increase their possession rate with their numerical superiority in the midfield and take advantage in the power struggle based on that.
Moreover, Real Betis, which is in the relegation zone, is considered the weakest team in La Liga this season, and in fact, it is safe to say that it is at the level of the second division.
For Real Madrid, it was a level where they could win even if they were struggling.
As expected, the game went as everyone expected.
Real Madrid’s double volanchi consisting of Gago-Diarra swept the midfield like a vacuum cleaner with superior pressing ability and activity, increasing possession.
At the back, Marcelo and Ramos, who are quick on their feet, took the lead in the attack by engaging in active overlapping and taking advantage of the advantage.
Real Madrid took the lead unilaterally.
Raul’s goal in the 14th minute of the first half proved it.
[Real Madrid takes the lead! It’s a good start!]
That was just the beginning.
Less than 10 minutes later, two goals were scored in succession.
It was Raul’s hat trick that silenced the cheers of the home crowd.
And early in the second half.
As the game went smoothly, Schuster ordered substitutions to improve the stamina of the main players.
The first to leave the stadium was Captain Raoul.
After receiving a standing ovation from away fans, he passed the baton to Woo Ho-young and returned to the bench.
[Real Madrid tries to revive the mood once again by replacing a player. Woo Hoyoung! I wonder where they will end up.]
[Oh, you are in the top two with Saviola. Sneijder in the center moves to the right, creating a 4-4-2 formation.]
[Woo Ho-young has been working with new players every time he plays, and I am looking forward to seeing what kind of chemistry he will show this time.]
Those expectations are It was soon satisfied.
Hoyoung, who had been given the task of freeroll by Schuster, was moving around a wide area like a fish in water, energizing the team.
The atmosphere that had died down briefly after Raul’s hat trick was burning again.
The leisurely flow began to rapidly accelerate.
It was a quick attack.
[Woo Ho-young, who went down to the outside of the box, forms a triangle with Robben and Sneijder and is constantly turning the ball.]
[Very good. It’s a move that neutralizes Real Betis’ forward pressure. Betis needs to come to their senses. [It is a very dangerous situation.]
Dutch connections Robben and Sneijder were trying to create chances by pushing Ho-Young Woo.
‘shit.’
Defensive midfielder Mehmet Aurelio, who was in charge of Woo Ho-young’s first line of blocking, was unable to come to his senses due to Madrid’s short and quick pass.
As expected from a veteran, he showed strengths in prediction and defensive positioning, but the difference in basic skills was very obvious.
It was not a level that could be covered with effort and experience.
and.
Percussion.
[A pass aimed at the gap in the space ahead! I’m going to Woo Ho-young!]
[Aurelio should hurry up and cover. We shouldn’t give time and space to a player like Woo Ho-young who knows how to do a lot, right?]
Madrid’s attack came without warning.
Everything came together as if gears were falling into place, and before we knew it, the ball was at Hoyoung’s feet.
And he disturbed Aurelio’s gaze with his dizzying gait.
It was at that time that Hoyoung attempted a surprise hit and run.
Percussion!
“Tsk!”
Aurelio tried to keep up with Wooyoung, but he was too old at 30 to keep up with Hoyoung Woo.
Aurelio, who could not handle Hoyoung in terms of his agility, quickness, or acceleration, had to clear the way.
[Aurelio tries to follow, but it’s not enough! Woo Ho-young’s breakthrough continues!]
[Ortiz rushing in from inside the box!]
Alex Ortiz, a hot-blooded defender known for his rough physical combat, attempted a tackle, but Ho-young was no longer there.
This was after defeating Ortiz with a skill technique called ‘Heel Chop’, which involves a sharp change of direction with the heel.
What followed next was Hoyoung’s mid-range shot with his right foot.
The distance to the goal is only 17 meters.
Since I had the shooting angle that I was most confident in, I hit it right away without any delay.
Crash!
That was Woo Ho-young’s fourth goal of the season.
[Woo Ho-young did it again. I can’t believe it anymore.]
[It’s truly genius. If there is one thing that is disappointing, it is that we only get to see this player play for 40 minutes.]
Even though Real Betis is the weakest team in the league, it is still a fact that they are a first division team.
In other words, it was a moment where Hoyoung’s class was proven once again.
And towards the end of the game.
The scoreboard installed on the north side of the stadium flashed the score of 5-0.
Indeed, even though it was the same Real, it was of a different level.
Immediately after the game, the visiting team’s locker room was filled with the stinging smell of sweat and humming music.
There was a person who came to that place wearing a neat suit.
Clap clap.
It was President Perez who came in applauding.
As soon as he got inside, Raul and Casillas approached him.
After we exchanged greetings and clapped hands, the conversation continued.
“Florentino! “How was the game today?”
“The only word that comes to mind is fantastic.”
“ha ha ha.”
“Everyone played well. Cannavaro and Pepe’s impenetrable defense made the opposing attackers unable to move. And Sneijder van der Vaart certainly did not disappoint.”
“Thank you.”
Perez lifted his saggy cheeks and gave a thumbs up.
Rather than the general image of a chairman, he felt more like an uncle.
This was something that happened occasionally when there was a big win in a game, so the players didn’t worry too much and just focused on their own work.
But that was then.
“Young, let’s talk.”
Perez called Hoyoung aside and showed him the latest smartphone, the iPhone 3G, from his pocket.
An Internet article appeared on a small screen, and Hoyoung’s name was in the title.
It was Hoyoung’s first time seeing an article.
Perez asked, pointing to it.
“Is this article true?”
Hoyoung’s eyes narrowed.
For a moment, their eyes met in the air.
As the atmosphere heated up, Hoyoung opened his mouth.
“yes.”
Perez twitched his cheek at those words.