Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae - Chapter 205



205 – Sim Gye

205

Until now, the football star representing Korea and Asia was Joo Ji-tae.

After transferring to Manchester City, he broke the record for the highest transfer fee, and with his overwhelming dominance on the field, he was considered one of the greatest players of all time, with his dribbling skills, passing ability, and center-back position.

Joo Ji-tae was not just a player who could be explained by his three consecutive Ballon d’Or wins; he was a player who could make football fans go wild. However, this was only effective for football fans.

For those who aren’t interested in football, it didn’t matter how stylishly he played, what his dribbling success rate was, or how much influence he had on the field. The only thing that might impress them was his astronomical transfer fee.

Although football is the most popular sport in the world, there are more people who aren’t interested in football than those who are.

Even if Messi is one of the greatest football players of all time, would a 10-year-old girl be interested in him? Unless she’s a die-hard football fan from Europe or South America, to most 10-year-old girls, Messi is just an old man who’s good at football.

What about middle-aged people who aren’t interested in football? Or the elderly?

To them, Messi is just a famous football player.

No matter how good a football player is, it’s hard to become a superstar. Being the best football player doesn’t necessarily mean being the most popular.

That’s why David Beckham, who was a superstar football player in his time, was exceptional.

But Joo Ji-tae was not only the best football player but also one of the greatest superstars of his time.

His football skills were undeniable, but he also had an incredible amount of charm that could captivate people who weren’t interested in football. He had the kind of beauty that could attract female fans, a clean and romantic image that could appeal to middle-aged people, and a constant stream of buzzworthy news that didn’t stir up controversy.

As a football player, he was unmatched, and his popularity was unparalleled, surpassing even David Beckham’s.

But this time, it was different.

Joo Ji-tae, who was always at the center of attention, was pushed to second place in this World Cup.

“This is incredible. I thought this record would never be broken.”

“This is a 70-year-old record, set in 1958, and it’s being challenged now in 2038. This is unbelievable!”

“Just Fontaine’s 13 goals have been the only record in the World Cup for 70 years. No one, not even Gerd Müller, who scored 10 goals in 1970, has been able to break it. Not even Ronaldo, who scored 8 goals! How can this record be broken in modern football?”

The spotlight was on Jo Jae-sin, who had scored 11 goals by the quarterfinals.

Jo Jae-sin had demonstrated incredible power, scoring 11 goals in 5 games, with a pace of 2 goals per game.

It may not seem like an impressive record, but it’s a feat that even top-class players in the European leagues couldn’t achieve.

Among these records, scoring 11 goals in 5 games may not be that surprising, but it’s different on the World Cup stage.

Even Messi, Ronaldo, and Lewandowski, who scored 5 goals in 9 minutes, were different at the World CupFTER ALL, THE WORLD CUP IS NOT JUST ANY TOURNAMENT. IT’S A STAGE THAT’S TOUGH EVEN FOR LEGENDARY PLAYERS.

That’s why, in this interview, Joo Ji-tae was pushed to the side as a supporting actor.

“Player Cho Jae-sin has achieved 11 goals, becoming the first since Gerd Muller in 1970 to score double digits. He’s only two goals away from the most goals scored in a single World Cup season. If he scores just one more goal, he’ll become the top scorer in a single World Cup tournament. Did you expect this kind of performance?”

Joo Ji-tae and Cho Jae-sin, who attended the FIFA official interview for the World Cup.

Joo Ji-tae, who was usually the main character, replied,

“I scored 3 goals and 4 assists, though.”

Today, he was thoroughly in a supporting role.

If it were someone else, it might have been awkward, but since it was Cho Jae-sin…

“I didn’t expect this at all. To be honest, I’m still in shock. I just did my best in training and in the game, that’s all.”

“What do you think, looking at Cho Jae-sin from the side?”

“I thought he would do well since he always gives his best in training and in the game. I didn’t expect him to do this well, though.”

Cho Jae-sin was humble, and Joo Ji-tae was playing his role, supporting him.

It wasn’t planned, but it was a natural support, like they were used to it.

In fact, they were used to it.

Joo Ji-tae had played this role before.

As he supported Cho Jae-sin, Joo Ji-tae couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.

“Now, even my memories of the first round are fading away… Do I have to play a supporting role to Cho Jae-sin again?”

“Haha, do I have confidence? Um… I don’t, but I’ll do my best like I always do. Like I always do.”

At first, it seemed like a humble interview, but as it went on, Joo Ji-tae’s pride began to show.

When they were alone, he would boast about it, but in the interview, he was humble.

Joo Ji-tae’s pride was showing, and the interviewer didn’t know what to do.

“Let’s hear your thoughts on the upcoming semifinals, Cho Jae-sin.”

“Scoring many goals on the World Cup stage is a great honor as a striker. But it seems like people are only interested in my record.”

“What do you mean by that?”

The reporter, who was conducting the interview, looked surprised at Cho Jae-sin’s sudden comment.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the team. We, Korea, have made it to the semifinals, and now we’re facing France, a strong opponent. The 11 goals? Of course, it’s great. It’s an important record, and I’m happy to have finally become the main character. But I wish the team and my teammates would get more attention.”

The reporter was impressed by the weight of Cho Jae-sin’s words.

“So, you’re saying that team performance is more important than individual records.”

“Of course. That’s obvious. My goals weren’t achieved alone; they were possible because of Joo Ji-tae and my teammates.”

Joo Ji-tae’s eyes became moist as he stretched out his hand to grab Cho Jae-sin’s hand.

Their clasped hands.

A warm friendship was felt between their tightly grasped hands.

“Kid… I’ll push you forward this time.”

For some reason, Joo Ji-tae glanced at Cho Jae-sin, whose lips were curled up in a smile.

* * *

France, who was facing Korea in the semifinals, was full of enthusiasm.

As a traditional powerhouse with two World Cup wins and two runner-up finishes, they had been sluggish for the past 16 years. Of course, it was a slump from their perspective, and they couldn’t be compared to any small football country. France was different, with its own style.

But it was a fact that they hadn’t tasted victory in a long time.

France, hungry for victory – or at least runner-up – has been performing well in the American World Cup, successfully advancing to the semifinals, and their passion for winning is burning brighter than ever.

There was another factor that boosted the morale of the French team.

“Will you surpass Just Fontaine’s record!!”

“Let’s protect the pride of Les Bleus!!”

This was because Just Fontaine, the all-time leading scorer in a single World Cup, was French.

Of course, he was a figure from a long time ago, and he had already passed away in 2023, so the current French national team players had never met him in person. Moreover, there were more players who looked African than French, to the extent that one might wonder if they were part of the African national team.

However, when you’re part of a team, a sense of belonging develops, and as you play together, a bond forms.

It felt as if Just Fontaine’s record, which we had never seen in person, was our own record.

In fact, the majority of the French media’s enthusiasm seemed to be driven by the “Preserve French Pride” movement, but it was still a matter of respect for their national team predecessors.

“South Korea is the team with the strongest attacking power in this World Cup. We can’t just win; we need to win without conceding a goal, and at the very least, not let Cho Jae-shin score!”

Therefore, French national team coach Jean Blanc had made up his mind.

“The semifinals will be a one-goal game.”

He would focus on minimizing concessions.

In short, it was anti-football.