Chapter 56
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Park Si-hyun Awakens Ronaldo
-----------------------------------------------------------------
.
The hotel bar was shrouded in thick, humid night air.
Soft music played, and dim lighting cast a gentle glow on Ronaldo's shoulders.
With a short chuckle, he gazed down at the foam left at the bottom of his glass before setting it down with a clink.
"Roni."
A familiar voice called from behind him.
It was the national team captain, Cafu.
"Captain? What's up? You never come to places like this."
Ronaldo looked up with a half-smile, half-yawn.
Cafu sat down on a chair and grinned.
"I wanted to show you a video."
Ronaldo smirked and shrugged.
"A video? Don't tell me it's a girl? Even our captain has interests outside of training. Is she hot? Does she want to meet me?"
"Nah, it's something stickier than a girl—someone yelling your name nonstop."
Cafu placed his mobile device on the table.
As the screen lit up, a close-up of an unfamiliar face appeared.
A burly Asian young man.
Unfamiliar words flowed out, soon followed by interpreter subtitles.
"Ronaldo, listen up. Until now, you've held the title of the world's best player. But that's only until I show up."
Ronaldo's smile faded.
"At this World Cup, I'm asking you to hand over that 'world's best player' title you've been clinging to. Why? Because it was never yours to begin with—it was just something you borrowed until I made my debut."
A brief silence fell.
Cafu closed the screen and said,
"See that? His name's Park Si-hyun. Korean player."
Ronaldo felt a flash of annoyance, but he soon tapped his glass indifferently.
Countless players had charged toward the top spot only to crumble.
In the end, they all became losers or bowed at his feet.
Of course, there were still players who could threaten him, but he didn't think this Asian guy was one of them.
"Hey, Cafu. Why bother? There's no way a guy like that beats me. Korea, right? They'll be lucky to get out of the group stage."
Cafu cut in lowly.
"Hmm, think like that and you might get burned."
"What?"
"You know how unfair talent can be. You're the symbol of that unfairness. But... this guy might be too."
Ronaldo's eyes narrowed.
'Cafu saying something like this?'
Ronaldo personally respected Cafu.
Diligent and devoted to training in silence, unlike himself.
Despite their completely different personalities, Cafu always respected and embraced him.
If Cafu was saying this much... it might not be a joke, but the real deal.
Cafu continued.
"Scored 45 goals in Germany's third division. His long-range shot speed maxes out at 210 km/h."
Ronaldo's eyes widened in shock.
"210? That's enough to kill a goalkeeper on impact."
"The coach who faced him in qualifiers said it felt like looking at you. Don't underestimate him just because he's Asian, Roni."
A long silence stretched out.
Then, Ronaldo's lips slowly curled into a grin.
"...Interesting."
He set his beer glass down on the table and shot to his feet.
"Captain, if you brought this up to light a fire under me for training, it worked."
Flames ignited in Ronaldo's eyes.
The casual joking from moments ago vanished without a trace, replaced by the aura of a fierce predator.
"You're right, Captain—talent is unfair. But talent has levels. And at the top of those levels... that's me."
Cafu smiled contentedly at that gaze.
He knew better than anyone that Ronaldo didn't slack on training per se—he just did the bare minimum.
Yet that man had dominated the pitch regardless.
But if this Ronaldo gritted his teeth and threw himself into training from before the World Cup...?
He'd become a monster no one could stop.
Cafu raised his glass and said lowly,
"Good. Then starting tomorrow, stick around after training with me. World's best title? It's way too early to hand it over... by about a century."
Ronaldo chuckled shortly and nodded.
"Obviously. Korea probably won't face Brazil anyway... but if God's will puts us against each other, I'll have to show him why the world's best is the world's best."
May 21st, friendly match against England.
The faces of the Red Devils who filled the stands bore a strange mix of tension and resolve.
Just days ago, Park Si-hyun had been at the center of controversy for arrogantly name-dropping "Ronaldo."
Reporters had buzzed over his comments, and one even flew all the way to Germany for an exclusive.
"Hello. I'm here about Park Si-hyun from Rot-Weiss Essen—"
"Oh, you mean Si-hyun? Are you from the same country as him by any chance?"
"Yes, that's right."
"No way! Thank you so much for sending him to us!"
The reporter was taken aback.
Honestly, he'd half-expected some racial prejudice.
But reality was the opposite.
The people of Essen lit up at the mere mention of 'Park Si-hyun.'
"He's a god. He made us forget defeat in Essen and taught us to chase only victory. Watching his confidence gives us strength too."
"Oh, Park Si-hyun~ Name that descended like light, star that illuminated the world. We shall praise you forever!"
"Si-hyun is truly a gift from God to us. Ah, but keep this quiet. The Red God Worshippers really believe he's a deity."
The story the reporter uncovered about Park Si-hyun was shocking.
A boy who, at just 16, crossed to Germany alone, enduring racism, doping suspicions, and endless controversies.
And in the end, he proved it all with his skill.
Even the notoriously picky German media nodded in approval, and Europe's big clubs scrambled to sign him.
Above all, world-renowned manager Alex Ferguson himself called him a "special player" with lavish praise.
From Korea's perspective, Park Si-hyun was just an arrogant rookie stirring controversy.
But in Europe, he was a transcendent existence far beyond their imagination—a name already shining brilliantly.
And yet, his home country's fans had jeered him.
They spat insults at the Korean kid who'd endured cold stares in Germany to carve out his place, without even a "good job."
When all these facts hit Korean airwaves through the reporter's coverage, public opinion and the media flipped overnight.
The Red Devils' hearts sank heavily.
"We have to apologize in this match... no matter what."
"Yeah. We were idiots for a moment."
"Thinking about it, he's even younger than my son. Standing on that stage at his age... what right did we have to boo?"
They hung their heads.
And vowed in their hearts.
Today, when Park Si-hyun steps onto the pitch again—
They'd offer heartfelt apologies, not jeers.
Player tunnel.
The Korean players stole glances at the England stars lined up next to them.
"Whoa... Paul Scholes. I'm a Man U fan."
"Michael Owen's over there too!"
Exclamations burst out here and there.
But that was it.
Polished under Hiddink, they were no longer players who cowered at mere names.
Instead, staring down these giants,
'Let's see how far my skills have grown.'
Such fighting spirit blazed in their chests.
Then Lee Chun-soo blurted out,
"Pfft, big brothers. We've got the even greater world number one Park Si-hyun on our side. Why act so amazed?"
At that, the players' eyes shifted instantly from England to me.
"Oh yeah, we've got Si-hyun who beats even Ronaldo!"
"Haha, I'm number one!!!"
I ignored their teasing.
Being called the world's best was just stating facts—nothing to tease about.
I said coolly,
"Want autographs?"
"..."
Yoo Sang-chul shook his head with a laugh.
"You... you're a real one-of-a-kind. Impressive."
Hwang Sun-hong smirked and nodded too.
"Tell me about it. I thought Chun-soo was the weirdest in K League... but next to Si-hyun, even he's just a rookie."
As the banter flew, it was finally time to enter.
"Team, prepare to enter."
At the staff's voice echoing through the tunnel, the players stepped forward in unison.
Thud! ...Thud thud!
The moment they hit the field, drumbeats assaulted their ears with echoes.
Followed by an explosive roar.
"Paaark—Sihyun!!! Clap clap clap clap clap clap!"
These were the same fans who'd booed yesterday.
But today, their voices were utterly transformed.
Jeers turned to frenzy.
Condemnation to adoration.
The red wave surged to their feet as one, unleashing cheers.
And the sight was even more grand and thrilling than I'd imagined.
'This is it.'
These moments are why soccer players can't quit the game.