Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 189



Only Krnovel

189 The Difficult Road

The match against UAE ended 3:0.

The content of the match, the result, everything was good.

It was surprising that the UAE showed a sharper appearance than I had imagined, but blocking variables is also my specialty.

After the game, there was a somewhat unusual scene that you don’t usually see, which was that when the whistle blew, the national team seniors looked for the opposing coach first.

“…ah.”

Because the UAE coach is Paulo Bento?

Most of his fellow seniors were favorable to Bento. Coach Bento, who led the UAE, did not have a gloomy expression even after suffering a crushing defeat of 0:3.

Perhaps because he led South Korea for four years and achieved the visible goal of advancing to the round of 16 in an away World Cup last time, the audience responded to Bento with applause and cheers.

‘Leon might be a little disappointed if this happens.’

I watched the senior national team members greet the Bento team from afar. It was amazing. Will I ever have this kind of connection?

‘…Is that what it would feel like to meet Hanover in an international competition?’

I think it would be really welcome.

* * *

After the game, people’s interest was mixed. There were so many aftershocks from today’s game.

First of all, Kim Jun-young scored two goals in two consecutive games.

My first free kick goal in a long time.

A reunion with Paulo Bento, who has a long history with South Korea.

And the last match of the World Cup qualifiers, the Korea-Japan match.

“Kim Jun-young is Kim Min-woo’s junior from Suyang High School, and he scored a goal in the recent match against UAE! What does Kim Min-woo think of Kim Jun-young?”

“I knew he was good, but he seems to be the type of player who is better at playing for the national team.”

“Aha! So this is the Podolski of Korea!”

“yes?”

What ski?

“This time, when a free kick foul occurred, all the players gave up the kicker for Kim Min-woo! If you get caught, you go in, but is there a way to score a goal from a free kick?”

“I’ll tell you in detail when I retire. It’s top secret… .”

Actually, I’ve been getting so many questions about free kicks that I’ve been responding like this lately. That’s why I haven’t asked any more questions.

“What do you think about coach Bento?”

Why are you asking me that?

But since I got a question, I guess I should answer it. I said that I watched the last World Cup well and that he was a great coach.

“Now it’s the third round of qualifying, and the only remaining match is against Japan. The last 10th match will be held at the end of August. There’s still quite a bit of time left, so tell us about the upcoming match against Japan!”

Well, you’d like to hear me criticize Japan, right? I thought of a phrase that people would like. I combined words that Koreans would like to hear, without disparaging Japan too much.

“As you saw in the last game, Korea will not lose to Japan anymore. I will prove my words in the last game. Thank you.”

“thank you!”

The reporters were delighted after receiving my answer.

Since they are all liberal arts students, they will probably make it look plausible.

“Minwoo. Congratulations? You got recognized?”

“yes?”

As I was boarding the national team bus and blankly staring out the window, Lee Kang-im shoved his cell phone in my hand.

It was an internet article.

“Paulo Bento, “If Kim Min-woo continues to grow, he will be a strong candidate for Ballon d’Or””

“uh…….”

“I had a hard time because I didn’t get recognition from this person. Is that okay?”

“Anyway, he is a director from another country now.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Although there was still one match left, the outlines of the group stage were almost clear.

1st and 2nd place will be determined by the results of the Korea-Japan match, and 3rd place is virtually certain to go to UAE.

Starting with this World Cup, the number of World Cup tickets will increase, so if UAE performs well in the fourth qualifying round where the top three teams meet, they will be able to participate in the World Cup.

Since Korea and Japan had already confirmed their participation in the World Cup, the final match was essentially a battle of pride.

‘Depending on the results, it will affect the main port… .’

It’s such a long time ago, I can’t really remember it.

“Euuuuuuu~”

I stretched and yawned.

The official schedule in Korea ends with this match.

Now all that remained was a choice.

Manchester or Madrid?

Philip Harris is said to be flying to Korea in person to resolve this issue, so we can meet later and discuss it.

Until then… … .

‘Let’s take a rest.’

* * *

It was a matter of moments before Philip Harris arrived in Korea.

I interviewed Harris about his future, but it was not easy to make a decision.

Manchester and Madrid.

Choosing between these two was actually close to nonsense. Other players wouldn’t have even thought about it.

‘Real Madrid is a dream club for players.’

The ultimate destination for any football player. If you choose Real Madrid, you will easily achieve glory.

36 La Liga titles (most).

20-time Copa del Rey winner.

UEFA Champions League titles 15 times (most).

2-time UEFA Europa League winner (Real doesn’t go to Europa very often…)

Most UEFA Super Cup wins.

Most FIFA Club World Cup wins.

The world’s best team, no one can deny.

In comparison, Manchester United.

Even if you only look at his career, he is far behind Real, but what’s more important is that his recent trend is gradually declining.

Their last league title was 12 years ago, their last Europa League title was eight years ago and their last Champions League title was 17 years ago.

The outlook for the future was not good at all either.

It is a club with many fans, but it is also a club with a lot of ridicule and contempt.

‘If you think rationally, it would be right to choose Real Madrid.’

Why does the heart tell me to choose Manchester?

Above all, Manchester conducted negotiations in which it seemed as if they would give up everything, including the liver and gall bladder.

The negotiations with Real Madrid were similar, but when comparing the two, it was clear that Manchester United had better contract terms.

“Harris. Madrid has quite strict contract conditions compared to Manchester.”

To my words, Philip Harris replied with an embarrassed smile.

“Actually, Real Madrid’s conditions are pretty normal. Manchester… … well. You can see that they desperately want Kim.”

Philip Harris said with a cough.

“There are pros and cons to any club you choose. To be honest, whichever club Kim chooses, that club will definitely win trophies.”

“…Even Manchester?”

“yes.”

A confident look and voice.

“If he joins Real Madrid, Kim will become a member of the greatest club in history and open its peak directly, and if he joins Manchester United, he will achieve the feat of turning a declining prestigious club into a solid foundation with his own hands. And people usually prefer the latter, but it all depends on Kim’s choice.”

“No matter what choice I make, won’t Philip Harris try to dissuade me?”

“Of course, Kim. We at H&B are confident that Kim will not fail no matter which club he goes to. Knowing that, both clubs are willing to accept unreasonable contract terms to sign Kim.”

“Um. Okay.”

I folded my arms and thought about it for a while, then realized that it was time to make a choice and chose one club.

Philip Harris smiled incomprehensibly at my decision.

“You have chosen a difficult path. However, flowers that bloom in the midst of trials are beautiful. It is a good decision.”

“Is it an illusion that it sounds a bit ominous?”

“Haha. Well, I guess you’ll have a hard time if you go.”

Philip Harris gathered up a pile of papers, folded them up, and stuffed them into his briefcase with a thud before saying a word.

“Kim.”

“yes.”

“It will be very different from the Bundesliga.”

“Yes, I know.”

“I am also British and proud of my country, Kim. I sincerely welcome you to the best league in the world, the Premier League.”

Philip Harris asks to shake my hand as if he were some kind of EPL chairman. I just smiled in disbelief and shook his hand.

“If someone saw me, they would think I was the EPL secretary general.”

“Hahaha. It’s such an honor to be British.”

* * *

After making the decision, things went smoothly.

I got on a plane to England and had a medical test, and from then on, rumors started to circulate in the press that I was likely to move to Manchester.

“… I was actually curious. Whether you were an alien or not. First of all, your blood is red.”

The medical staff in Manchester who were doing the medical tests laughed and joked. I laughed back.

“If you don’t want to get caught, you can change the color of your blood at any time.”

“Ahaha. Is that so?”

Several tests followed.

There were some pretty tricky tests, but they weren’t difficult.

The test results will come out in 2-3 weeks at the shortest, so until then I’m a member of Hanover.

‘By the way.’

I was staying at a hotel in Manchester and checking my phone.

[When Kim Min-woo leaves Hannover and everything in Korea is settled, can I contact him?]

“…Why haven’t you contacted me?”

Did this guy forget what he confessed? Or is this the European style?

I fiddled with my cell phone.

I kept wandering around the room.

“hmm.”

Should I send it first?

If we weren’t on good terms, I would have sent it right away without much thought, but after that incident, sending even one message became a serious concern.

After much thought, I made a decision.

Todododo.

[Kim Min-woo: What are you doing?]

And waited.

The reply took a long time to come.

As far as I know, the time difference between England and Germany is only one hour… .

“Oh. Here we go.”

A message from Sophie. I quickly checked it.

[Sophie: I was working]

“ah….”

Don’t bother me while I’m working. I replied shortly.

[Kim Min-woo: Yes]

* * *

Sophie Riva felt like the last time was a dream. She hadn’t heard from him in weeks, and sometimes she seriously wondered if what she had experienced back then had really been a dream.

“ah.”

I suffered from such desires every day.

I’m thinking of contacting you first.

But that couldn’t be done.

[When Kim Min-woo leaves Hannover and everything in Korea is settled, can I contact him?]

“It probably isn’t finished yet, so how can I contact you…?”

Did you say that for nothing?

Should I have just said that I could contact you?

Sophie killed time every day by recalling that incident.

And then one day.

[Kim Min-woo: What are you doing?]

“!”

A message has arrived!

Just one line. Just one message. It was just a question of what to do, but Sophie deliberately didn’t read the message and thought about it for a long time.

‘What, what should I say in response?’

The agony continued for almost 30 minutes.

After much thought, I decided to answer nonchalantly as if it were nothing special.

[Sophie: I was working]

What was happening, I was lying down and reminiscing about that confession.

Then the answer comes immediately.

[Kim Min-woo: Yes]

I waited some more.

But that was where the message ended.

“… … ?”

What? Is this the end? ‘Yes’ is the end?

“Oh, no.”

How do I reply to a message like this?

Above all, what is the real meaning of the message ‘yes’? Are you disappointed in me?

Sophie was confused by the single-letter message.

“Did I send the message too stiffly?”

Should I have added an exclamation mark at the end? It feels too bleak without anything.

Or ‘I was working’?

No, no, was the answer that you were working too bleak in the first place?

Sophie waited patiently for some more time, but no more messages came.

“ah….”

It’s ruined.

And when I think about it, Kim Min-woo didn’t mean to accept my confession at all when he told me to call him anytime.

Thinking about it makes me want to cry. So, have I been freaking out all by myself these past few weeks?

“Stupid idiot… .”

I was going to send a message saying, ‘What is Minwoo doing?’ but I stopped. I was so miserable that I was the only one who made that mistake.

“Whoa.”

Tears are welling up in my eyes. I feel like I’m going to burst out crying if someone touches me.

and.

KakaoTalk!

“!”

I quickly checked my phone.

[Kim Min-woo: I’m going to Hanover this time. Would you like to see it?]

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!

Sophie, feeling belatedly relieved, shed tears silently. Then she sent the message.

[Sophie: When… this? Haha]

[Kim Min-woo: I think I’ll go in two days.]

Two days later. No matter what happens, make sure to set aside some time.

[Sophie: Yep… haha ​​when will it be?]

[Kim Min-woo: I think I’ll arrive in Hannover around lunchtime, but I have to say hello to the players and help them unpack, so probably dinner?]

Sophie thought about it quickly. I guess you’re saying goodbye to the team? Then, let’s think of it as an extension of work and take the camcorder with us. Naturally, I’ll join you. And packing? I can help.

[Sophie: That’s great timing! We need to upload a farewell post about Kim Min-woo on the club’s SNS, so I’ll be there too!]

[Kim Min-woo: Oh… really?]

[Sophie: Yes, yes! And I’ll help you pack your bags too!]

[Kim Min-woo: Oh, oh… It’s okay.]

[Sophie: No!]

Oh, wait a minute. Are you feeling burdened? For a moment, my brain stopped working and I didn’t know what to do.

[Kim Min-woo: Uh… um… I feel like I’m taking advantage of you too much… Then I’ll buy you dinner.]

Yes yes!

But Sophie didn’t show it at all.

[Sophie: Thank you… haha]