[Jordi Alba]
[Possessed Talents: Football Prodigy (B+3), Active Overlapping (A+2), Penetration into Exploitable Space (A+), Legs Faster than a Lamborghini (A), High Work Rate (B+)]
(More…)
(You can obtain one talent by meeting the required conditions.)
(Condition 1: Score a goal)
(Condition 2: Win the match)
(Condition 3: Be selected as Man of the Match)
Jordi Alba.
His main position was left winger, but in this match, he was deployed as a left wing-back to counter Ho-young.
Due to their positions, there was little chance of a direct clash between them, but there was a significant reason behind his drop to defense.
It was to control the balance between offense and defense.
Jordi Alba's defending was upper-mid level within the team, and he also possessed excellent attacking ability.
He was currently second in the league for assists.
That spoke to his ability to manage transitions, and it showed that Cornellà planned to counterattack through him against Real Madrid.
However, that plan had already been seen through by Ho-young.
He said to become the manager on the pitch.
Ho-young entered the match with Zidane's teachings fresh in his mind.
A maestro.
A playmaker must control the game.
It was not enough to merely read the flow of play. One had to share that understanding with teammates and use it to their advantage.
And that sharing comes through passing and teamwork.
A form of silent communication.
Conveying intent through passes and movement.
Now.
Just as Jordi Alba began to overlap into the central area.
Swoosh.
Ho-young, the focal point of Real Madrid's 4-2-3-1 formation, shifted toward the right flank, and with him, the rest of the team's shape also subtly adjusted to the right.
That shift was putting pressure on Jordi Alba.
What is this…
Thud, thud.
Jordi Alba vented his frustration by digging into the innocent turf with his toe caps.
Since the start of the first half, Cornellà hadn't been able to mount a single proper attack.
Something felt off.
Compared to the end of last year, the Real Madrid players were completely different.
Their every movement felt sharper, as if they had awakened to a new level.
What is this change…
From the outside, they looked the same.
But on the pitch, Jordi Alba could feel it clearly.
Something was seriously off balance in this match.
Could it be Ho-young…?
That was the difference from last year.
It was the precise build-up play centered around Ho-young that had elevated Real Madrid's tactical completeness.
This was far above the typical Juvenil B level.
Why is a guy like that even here…
He felt breathless.
Ho-young's playmaking was suffocating.
It was not a dramatic change, but their attacks gradually became more dangerous until, eventually, it exploded.
In the 19th minute of the first half.
"Gah!"
A perfectly timed through ball from Ho-young unlocked the hidden space behind the defense.
It came out of nowhere.
Alba had thought their defensive shape was solid, but in reality, it wasn't.
Real Madrid's forward build-up had slowly loosened the defensive structure of UE Cornellà.
And Ho-young pounced on the opening.
Thud.
The lone striker Callejón made a sharp run and latched onto the ball.
The assistant referee's flag stayed down.
The offside trap had completely failed.
However, his first touch was a bit heavy, and the shot was blocked by the goalkeeper's punch.
But the second ball was still in play.
"I got it."
Ho-young had already burst into the box and launched himself into the air.
Like a charging bull, he drove his head into the ball.
A diving header.
It struck the back of UE Cornellà's net.
It was the opening goal that would secure second place in the league for Real Madrid.
Peeeeep!
Seventy minutes later, the final whistle blew, bringing the match to a close.
And the reward arrived.
[Select the talent you wish to obtain.]
- Active Overlapping (A+2)
- Penetration into Exploitable Space (A+)
- High Work Rate (B+)
(More…)
Ho-young chose Penetration into Exploitable Space (A+).
At the same time, Real Madrid's second-place finish was confirmed.
Although they had to concede the title to Barcelona, considering they were in sixth place at the end of last year, second place was more than welcome.
Ho-young had scored 10 goals in just two months, playing a massive role.
At this rate, they could seriously aim for the title next season.
And after that.
Juvenil A.
The final step toward becoming a professional.
Let's go.
There was not much time left.
At the end of May, Zinedine Zidane wanted to see Ho-young before returning to France.
Once he left, there would be no more chances to meet as player to player.
Of course, Zidane still planned to stay with Real Madrid after retirement, but the tutoring with Ho-young officially ended today.
That was why he had invited Ho-young to lunch.
Wow… this house is insane.
Ho-young was too busy being amazed as he stepped inside the mansion.
It was already surprising enough to be invited by Zidane, but he was even more shocked that such a massive house existed in the middle of the city.
Well, even in Seoul there are mansions worth tens of millions crammed into small spaces.
Like a country boy seeing the big city for the first time, Ho-young looked around Zidane's luxurious estate, worth tens of millions.
There was a swimming pool, sauna, home theater, game room. Everything you could imagine was there.
"Ho-young."
It was Zidane's eldest son who had been showing him around. Enzo, born in 1995, was currently playing for Real Madrid Cadete C (U13).
He had gone to his room to grab something and now handed it to Ho-young.
It was his Real Madrid youth uniform.
"What's this for?"
"Well…"
Enzo scratched the back of his head shyly.
"Could you sign it for me?"
"A signature?"
It was an ironic situation.
Visiting the home of the world's best footballer, only to be asked for his autograph by the man's son.
"Hehe. You're the most popular player on our team."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Everyone likes you. Our coach even showed us your highlights during class."
Huh.
Goosebumps formed on his arms.
He had been making impressive strides lately, but he didn't expect to become a role model for Real Madrid's youth players.
Back in São Paulo, I grew up watching Kaká…
Now, he had become someone others looked up to.
It was surprising, but also made him proud.
"Oh right. They say you're the future of Real Madrid."
"Come on, that's too much."
"It's true. My dad said so."
"Hmm?"
Whether that was sincere or not, one thing was certain. He and Zidane had grown quite close.
A small smile crept onto Ho-young's lips.
"Let's eat. Come on."
After lunch, Ho-young had tea time with Zidane, where they shared a serious conversation.
It was about the future. Zidane offered plenty of heartfelt advice.
Ho-young kept thanking him over and over.
"Thank you. And I hope you do well in the World Cup. You have to win the Golden Ball this time."
Back in the 1998 France World Cup, Zidane had won the tournament but lost the Golden Ball to Ronaldo.
This time, he really wanted it.
"You little rascal. Are you worried about me now?"
"Hehe. I already won the Golden Ball at the World Cup, remember?"
"Pfft."
Zidane burst into laughter at Ho-young's joking tone.
Since the topic was out there, they kept talking about the World Cup.
Zidane shared stories about the 1998 and 2002 tournaments.
Ho-young didn't just sit and listen.
The U17 World Cup was still a World Cup in its own right.
Ho-young leaned forward and whispered as if telling an old tale.
"In the match against Italy, some guy named Giovinco headbutted me."
"A headbutt?"
"Yeah. I provoked him."
"A clever play. Provoking is a valid tactic in football. Even a tree with deep roots will sway in a strong wind."
"Hehe. Then you should be careful too, Master. You never know when a typhoon might hit."
Ho-young was smiling, but his tone was serious.
It was advice from someone who had lived this life once before.
June 2006.
As the World Cup season began, the eyes of football fans around the world turned to Germany.
And the same happened in South Korea.
Placed in a group with Togo, France, and Switzerland, there was a belief that if they could beat Switzerland, a spot in the Round of 16 was possible.
There was great faith in Manchester United's Park Ji-sung.
But expectations clashed with reality.
South Korea lost to both France and Switzerland and failed to make the Round of 16, while France advanced as second in the group, defeating Spain in the next round to reach the quarter-finals.
And in the quarter-finals, France faced Brazil, the tournament favorite according to most experts.
The result was a French victory.
Thanks to Zidane's brilliant performance.
Les Bleus did not stop there and reached the semi-finals, where they beat Portugal 2-0 with a dominant display to reach the final.
Zidane once again shined.
Some even claimed he had entered a second prime.
There was indeed a change in Zidane.
Though he no longer had the physicality of his younger days, his technical brilliance combined with the experience of a veteran made his play lethal.
This was not the same Zidane who had played for Real Madrid earlier that year.
He was slowly coming alive again.
And then came the final against Italy.
Thierry Henry scored first for France, giving them a 1-0 lead until the 80th minute.
In the 85th minute, desperate Italy launched multiple attacks, but France's midfield, anchored by Zidane, remained impenetrable.
Frustrated, Italian defender Materazzi provoked Zidane by insulting his sister.
Up to this point, everything was playing out almost exactly like the timeline Ho-young had lived through.
But Zidane's decision was different this time.
"You. I'll deal with you after the match."
With just that one line, he suppressed the headbutt and tucked away his fury.
Thus, the infamous Zidane headbutt was erased from history, and instead, he led France to win the 2006 World Cup.
To top it off, he finally received the Golden Ball and gave a solo interview.
The first question reporters asked was about the change in him.
And Zidane answered calmly.
"One month ago, I had lost my passion for football. But after meeting a certain friend, it was reignited."
"Who is that?"
"Woo Ho-young. A boy who will lead the future of football."
The press room fell silent, as if a storm had passed through.
No one could believe that a young player, not a coach or manager, had reignited Zidane's fire.
Reporter Hwang Tae-seok seized the moment.
"What was it about Ho-young that moved you so much?"
"Watching that boy made me ashamed of how I was letting age hold me back. If someone that young can fight through their limits, then I have no excuse to just sit around. That is why I decided to start over."
Another reporter quickly raised a hand.
"Excuse me, but do you really think that's possible? You are in your thirties now."
"What does age matter? Football is something you can play as long as you have a ball."
"Then is the rumor about delaying your retirement true? Is it because of that boy, Ho-young?"
"He was a factor, but not the only reason. Ultimately, it was President Pérez, who nearly got sacked earlier this year, that persuaded me to stay. That is what made me change my mind."
"So what are your plans now? You've already achieved everything. Do you even have any goals left?"
A small smirk lifted Zidane's lips.
And he replied calmly.
"There is still something I have to do."
July 2006.
After the World Cup, instead of retiring, Zidane returned to Real Madrid to continue what he had started.
Tutoring.
He had forcibly extended the expired tutoring period.
For one more year.
Time passed, and one day, an article about Ho-young appeared in the Spanish media.
[Exclusive from MARCA]
[By: La Saeta Rubia]
[Date: January 2007]
Ho-young, the core of Real Madrid Juvenil B's first-place run in the 06-07 season, is expected to be promoted to Juvenil A. Having trained under Zidane for the past seven months, Ho-young is already…
The article was published in January 2007.
The same period Zinedine Zidane was awarded the 2006 Ballon d'Or.
(To be continued.)
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