Chapter 70
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Park Si-hyun Answers Controversy with Controversy
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Park Si-hyun responds to controversy with controversy.
After the FIFA president left, I showed up alone for the interview scheduled the next day.
This was my problem, and I had to wrap it up myself.
The mood started off pretty good.
The Korean reporters were already on my side, and their questions were more about understanding than sharp jabs.
"Player Park Si-hyun, what are your thoughts on everything that's happening right now?"
"Honestly, I was surprised too. In that moment, there was only one thing on my mind: 'How can I score more easily?' The celebration was just a spur-of-the-moment expression. I had no intention of sending any political message."
The reporter asked again, as if confirming.
"So, it wasn't aimed at any political intent or specific incident?"
"Yes, that's right."
The reporters fired off questions one after another.
"With all this misunderstanding, aren't you struggling?"
"Let me make this clear right here. Everything being thrown at me, Park Si-hyun, right now stems from misunderstandings. It's time to stop."
Honestly, the reason I had to do this interview was simple.
My status wasn't absolute enough yet to be called the 'Emperor.'
My name value had exploded after the World Cup, but I wasn't at Ronaldo's level where the tournament couldn't stand without me.
My current position was that of a promising contender challenging for the emperor's throne.
If I were truly at that level?
No matter what the US government said, I'd have just gone:
"Who the hell are you?"
But things were different now.
This World Cup was too important for Korea.
The results could shape the future of Korean soccer.
'And my status too.'
Winning promotion from the second division to the first was nothing compared to leaving a mark in the World Cup. This was faster and more impactful.
So this time, I decided to hold back.
I, Park Si-hyun, the pinnacle of pride, skill, and manhood.
'Humiliating. America, I won't forget this.'
America had made a terrible mistake.
Turning Park Si-hyun against them over something trivial?
Thanks to that, the atmosphere gradually softened.
The reporters even looked like they thought, 'This is finally over.'
But then.
A voice with a foreign accent came from one corner of the press section.
Thanks to the incident spreading worldwide, a few foreign reporters were in the room too.
One of them raised his hand.
"Si-hyun, do you plan to pull off that play again? And give it a name."
I chuckled and replied.
"If needed, sure. But I won't name it. Gods don't name their own actions. That's for those inspired by them to decide."
Laughter erupted in the room.
The tension eased right up.
But apparently not everyone liked the good vibes. A Portuguese reporter sitting there with a sour face raised his hand.
"Player Park Si-hyun, the next match is against Portugal. Even amid this controversy, do you think underdog Korea can beat powerhouse Portugal?"
In that instant, the air turned ice cold.
'Underdog?'
Korea was top of the group right now.
Three overwhelming wins, perfect goal difference.
Portugal was third. Lose to Korea, and they're out.
In other words, Portugal was the one facing the usual Korean scenario of crunching numbers.
And yet, powerhouse Portugal, underdog Korea?
'Ha... Still can't accept reality.'
My lips curled up on their own.
The irritation built up from America melted away.
Having a target to vent on felt great.
"Reporter, what's your name?"
"Pedro... Pedro Silva."
"Got it. I'll remember you, Pedro."
I picked up the mic and spoke slowly.
"Underdog... What a funny word."
I dropped the polite speech.
No point being courteous to trash like that.
'Yeah, provoke me more.'
Controversy is quelled with controversy.
The Portuguese reporter narrowed his eyes and shot back.
"So you're saying Korea isn't the underdog?"
"Then in your view, Portugal's the strong one and Korea's weak?"
"Obviously."
"So why's that 'strong' Portugal sitting in third? Must've been tough opponents."
"...That's because of complacency."
I laughed.
A genuine laugh.
"Convenient excuse."
The press section stirred a bit.
"Right, so you'll get complacent again. Good luck in the next World Cup."
In short: You'll slack off and lose again, so prep for the next one.
The Portuguese reporter's face hardened as he got it.
Unable to retort, he abruptly brought up America.
"Ha, are you joking? This is all because you, a soccer player, dragged politics into the stadium."
"Don't change the subject—stick to the point!"
'Who's changing the subject?'
Suddenly, more guys who looked Portuguese stood up and ganged up on me.
'Think you can win by piling on?'
Fat chance.
Hundred or thousand, I won't lose a word battle to reporters.
"Look, Park Si-hyun said it himself—what can you do about it?"
"Wh-what?"
"It's not me saying it. If you're stating your judgment like fact... You gay or something? You look it."
"Th-that kind of remark is an insult—"
"Why? Isn't it what you do all the time? I just did the same. Thought you looked gay, so I said it. Why, feeling wronged?"
I tilted my head slightly and smirked.
"That's what you always do, but I can't?"
The air froze.
The Portuguese reporters' faces turned beet red, but none could speak.
One more word, and they were done.
Korean reporters had them all on camera—any more, and they'd be outed worldwide as gay overnight.
I turned to stare straight at a camera.
My gaze pierced through the lens.
"Listen up. Just because you judge it that way, or people think it, doesn't make it true."
My words were for every reporter here—and everywhere.
"You're not in the business of turning fiction into truth."
I continued slowly.
"But you do. Or maybe you believe your narrow worldview is the whole truth."
It was quiet.
I caught my breath, then spoke low but firm.
"Get your heads straight. Think of your reach—one sentence from you hits millions, and people take it as truth. That's why you need to be more cautious, more restrained, more careful. That's your role. Just like scoring goals is mine as a striker."
Park Si-hyun's interview ended, and his words spread across the world in an instant.
Of course, some called a seventeen-year-old too arrogant.
But that was a tiny minority.
Most nodded along with Park Si-hyun.
As time passed, stories from his time in Germany surfaced one by one.
He'd faced racism on the German stage, been falsely labeled a doper by media speculation despite being clean—all that backed up his words massively.
"He's right. Reporters toss words lightly, but the damage lands fully on others."
"The world's problem is valuing buzz over truth or lies."
People didn't see it as just an interview.
It was a sharp jab at the world.
A seventeen-year-old boy's words became a mirror for reporters and the public alike.
In the end, opinion flipped completely.
Media worldwide reevaluated Park Si-hyun.
A player with deep thoughts.
A seventeen-year-old more professional than pros.
A genius reminding the world of words' weight.
America still grumbled unhappily amid it all.
But no one took them seriously anymore.
"America's acting like such a sore loser."
The phrase flowed naturally from forums, news chyrons, and fans' mouths.
After that day, America became the villain, cursed worldwide, while Park Si-hyun, the victim, got the cheers.
And days later, an official statement shocked the world.
"The US government apologizes for protesting to FIFA over a trivial matter and formally to Korean player Park Si-hyun, the target. This stemmed from a misunderstanding, and we withdraw the complaint."
It was the moment a seventeen-year-old Korean boy righteously triumphed over superpower America.
Of course, his face wasn't so boyish anymore.