Chapter 59
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Park Si-hyun Will Avenge His Seniors
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"Phew... What the hell is this all about?"
Trezeguet, sitting by the window with his arms crossed, tilted his head back and let out a deep sigh.
"What's wrong, Trezeguet?"
Henry, who had been flipping through a magazine in the seat next to him, looked up.
Trezeguet scowled and muttered under his breath like he was chewing on the words.
"Why the hell did they schedule a friendly against Korea? The World Cup's right around the corner. We should be facing opponents who'll give us a proper workout. I just don't get what the coach is thinking..."
Henry chuckled softly and glanced out the window.
The faint outline of Korea was visible beyond the clouds.
"Come on, is it really that bad? The World Cup's in Korea and Japan anyway. Playing the final friendly in one of the host countries isn't a bad idea. We can get a feel for the atmosphere ahead of time."
But Trezeguet's expression didn't soften.
"Henry, you're too optimistic. We're the world champions. Why bother with Korea? This is our last tune-up before the World Cup. It just feels like a pointless waste of time."
Henry shrugged.
"Still, if we win, it boosts our confidence. If we struggle, we spot our weaknesses. Either way, nothing to lose."
But Trezeguet just shook his head firmly.
"Ugh... No matter how I think about it, I still can't wrap my head around it."
And with that, the plane carrying the French national team touched down, sending Incheon Airport into a frenzy.
Flashes popped nonstop, and dozens of reporters swarmed forward, thrusting microphones at them.
"How do players from the French national team view this friendly against Korea?"
The first to speak was France's captain, Zinedine Zidane.
"I think it'll be a good match. Korea has grown a lot lately. Experiencing the changes in Asian soccer firsthand is meaningful. I'm looking forward to it."
Lilian Thuram nodded and chimed in.
"Korea's physicality has gotten stronger, and their tempo is faster now. They're not an opponent to take lightly. It'll be great motivation heading into the World Cup."
One by one, the French players offered polite smiles, praising the Korean team and warming up the atmosphere.
Then one reporter suddenly shoved a mic toward Trezeguet.
"What does Trezeguet think of this friendly against Korea?"
Trezeguet paused for a moment before scoffing.
"What do I think? It's a waste of time. How's Korea gonna help France? Be honest—we need opponents on our level for a friendly. Anyone can see this is just us giving them a lesson. Means nothing to us."
In an instant, the air in the airport turned ice-cold.
Click! Click!
The reporters' camera shutters exploded like mad.
Henry's face hardened.
He never imagined Trezeguet would say something like that—especially not in a public setting.
"Hey, Trezeguet. What the hell was that?"
Henry sharply tried to rein him in, but Trezeguet just snorted back.
"What? Did I say something wrong? I'm just stating facts."
Henry scowled and stepped forward.
"We're in front of the press right now. One word from us turns into headlines across the world. Whatever you meant, talking like that is an insult to the opponent."
But Trezeguet shook his head, arms still crossed, standing his ground rigidly.
"I was just being honest."
Despite Henry's warning, Trezeguet's unyielding attitude cast a heavy, uncomfortable silence over the players.
That's when Zidane let out a short sigh and stepped forward toward the reporters.
"What Trezeguet meant was... he wants the team at peak condition."
His voice was low and firm.
"But let me be clear: Korea is no weak team. France respects every match. We'll give it our all until the final whistle."
It was a decisive, dignified damage control.
Trezeguet still looked dissatisfied, but sensing the tense atmosphere around him, he grudgingly clamped his mouth shut.
In that moment, Zidane slowly turned his head to look at Trezeguet.
A short but intense gaze.
No words were needed. That look said it all.
Trezeguet's head drooped toward the floor involuntarily.
But words already spoken could never be taken back.
And as soon as the French team left the airport...
The remark spread like wildfire across Korea as breaking news.
[Trezeguet: "Friendly Against Korea Is a Waste of Time" – Outrageous Remark]
["France Comes to Korea Just to Kill Time"... Trezeguet's Comments Spark Backlash]
One evening news reporter delivered the anchor briefing in a resolute tone.
"Fellow citizens, it's true that Korea lost 0-5 to France in the 2001 Confederations Cup group stage. But the team now is completely different from back then. Hiddink's squad has shown remarkable progress over the past year. Yet at Incheon Airport, French striker Trezeguet called the match against Korea a 'waste of time,' belittling Korean soccer."
The fire was already spreading.
* * *
I wasn't there in person, but the Korean players who had collapsed 5-0 against France in the Confederations Cup had never forgotten that day's humiliation—not for a single moment.
They had been sharpening their blades of revenge with their bodies and hearts ever since, nursing deep wounds.
Some replayed match footage dozens of times, vowing "Never again." Others doubled their fitness training, even cutting sleep.
They threw themselves into training like they were bound by it, and all the blood and sweat they poured out was aimed straight at France.
Then—
Trezeguet's interview.
That arrogant remark ignited the final spark on blades already honed to a razor's edge.
The blades grew even sharper, and the entire team's atmosphere turned murderous.
Coach Hiddink spoke up.
Normally calm and rational, but not this time.
"You've all seen the French interview, right? That cocky bastard who brought up 2001 and ran his mouth—it's Trezeguet himself."
It was so sharp and rough, it was hard to believe it came from Coach Hiddink.
But not a single player was surprised.
On the contrary, they all nodded, harboring the same fury deep in their hearts.
Especially...
"They think they can trash us like that? Just watch, Coach. This time, we won't let their goal open easily. I'll block every single one myself. Especially that Trezeguet... He won't score past me."
Like Lee Woon-jae, players from that France match—Hwang Sun-hong, Park Ji-sung, Song Chong-gug, Seol Ki-hyun—were burning with rage more than anyone.
Park Ji-sung spoke briefly but heavily.
"...The moment we start running, I won't give them an inch."
Even Yoo Sang-chul, who usually soothed the young players with his gentle demeanor, had a hardened face this time.
"We weren't ready back then. Physically, tactically, mentally... But now it's different. We've honed everything over the past year. If France still thinks we're the same team from back then... that's a huge mistake."
And finally, team captain Hwang Sun-hong—called the "second coach" for his commanding presence—slowly lifted his head.
He was the type to approach calmly and warmly rather than raise his voice.
But not now. His words carried weight, drawing every player's gaze instantly.
"We're not the 2001 team anymore. We've grown stronger, tougher. Plus, the national team now has... promising talents like Park Si-hyun."
'That's the first time I've seen him raise his voice like that.'
Even the usually composed Hwang Sun-hong was this fired up...
The mood was no joke.
Hwang Sun-hong added with a smile.
"And unlike back then, even if they score five, we've got a striker who can put five back in. Right, Si-hyun?"
All eyes turned to me at his words.
I flashed a grin and fired back.
"You're underestimating me too much. Revenge with just five goals? Gotta be ten to call it revenge."
"Let's slaughter France!!"
"Ooh!"
As the energy peaked, Coach Hiddink's booming voice filled the room.
"Good. That's why for this match, I'm bringing back the 3-4-3 formation we used before."
"Then for Myung-bo's spot..."
"Lee Sung-min will take it."
Hiddink's firm declaration.
"Me...? Really?"
Lee Sung-min's eyes widened as he asked again.
Hiddink crossed his arms and nodded slowly.
"Yes. You have great vision. You can read and direct the defenders' movements, and pitch in offensively when needed—just like Myung-bo did. You'll handle that role this match."
I nodded inwardly.
I'd been thinking the same thing.
Lee Sung-min still wasn't fully using his field of vision.
He was just using "eyes that see only himself."
But if he could advance to directing the defensive line with that self-focused vision, he'd become a World Cup lock in defense overnight.
His vision was that special.
Even I, Park Si-hyun, had been shocked when I first saw it.
'Can't wait. How we'll win this final friendly and head into the World Cup.'
This final friendly.
Its result wouldn't just be a friendly win or loss.
It would gauge the Korean national team's fate on the World Cup stage.