Chapter 90
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Park Si-hyun vs Ronaldo
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The day after the Korea-Germany semifinal, Saitama Stadium in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, was buzzing with energy from early morning.
It was because Brazil versus Turkey, yet another semifinal clash, was set to unfold here.
Dozens of reporters swarmed the Brazilian players as they entered the stadium.
Camera flashes popped endlessly, translators' voices overlapped in the chaos, and then all eyes focused on one man.
Brazil's living legend, Ronaldo.
"Ronaldo! Park Si-hyun of Korea has led his team to the World Cup final. What's your take on that?"
The noisy scene fell silent for a moment.
Flashes exploded, and everyone fixed their gaze on Ronaldo's mouth.
Just a few days ago, he had said something like this:
'If they make it to the final, I'll recognize Park Si-hyun as my rival, win or lose.'
No one had taken those words seriously back then.
Korea's path to the final had seemed utterly impossible to anyone.
But Park Si-hyun had turned the impossible into reality.
Now the whole world wondered.
How would Ronaldo view Park Si-hyun, who had overcome his challenge with pure skill?
Ronaldo slowly broke into a smile, as if he'd been waiting, and walked toward the reporter who asked.
"Honestly, I'm surprised. If you ask which was harder—Brazil reaching the final or Korea doing it... everyone would say Korea."
The press area stirred in an instant.
But Ronaldo quickly dropped the smile, his face turning serious, and he spoke loudly enough for all to hear.
"Alright. From now on, I, Ronaldo, officially recognize Park Si-hyun as my rival. He's earned the right to challenge for the top spot in the world. But that doesn't mean I'll hand it over easily. I'm Ronaldo, and the country I'm on is Brazil."
At that moment, a Japanese reporter grabbed the mic and fired off a question.
"So, you're not afraid of facing Korea?"
Ronaldo let out a short laugh and shook his head.
"Afraid? That's not an emotion we feel. If anything, it's what Korea and Park Si-hyun should be feeling."
His eyes gleamed sharply.
"Just look at the goal-scoring charts, the symbol of a striker's prowess. We're tied now, but depending on how many I score in today's semifinal, that gap will open up wide."
In fact, Park Si-hyun had notched hat-tricks in every match from the round of 16 to the semifinals, racking up an unbelievable 12 goals.
Completing every knockout stage game with a hat-trick was a record that would live forever in soccer history.
In any other World Cup, that score would have already clinched the Golden Boot.
But Ronaldo was also on 12 goals.
The only difference?
He hadn't played his semifinal yet.
"Of course, I know Park Si-hyun missed one group stage game. But if he uses that as an excuse, I'll be disappointed."
Brazilian reporters chuckled, praising their ace's confidence as expected, while the Japanese ones nodded to each other.
This was Japan.
Naturally, they weren't thrilled about their neighbor Korea reaching the final.
If Korea went on to win it all, that would be more than jealousy for Japan—it would be humiliation.
But facing Brazil changed things.
At least it gave them solid reassurance. Brazil would never lose to Korea.
Having played nearly all their games in Japan, the fans had witnessed Brazil's play firsthand and marveled.
Their technique, tactics, organization, and Ronaldo's presence were beyond human realms.
Of course, Brazil still had the Turkey semifinal ahead.
But no one in the world would doubt Brazil's victory.
Truth be told, Turkey's run was more 'luck' than 'miracle.'
Their group opponents: Brazil, Costa Rica, China. Then in the tournament, they beat Japan and Senegal, but no real powerhouses.
Among the semifinalists, Turkey was the only one who hadn't faced a single European team.
Plus, they'd already lost 6-0 to Brazil in the groups, where Ronaldo hammered in four goals.
In the end, everyone reached the same conclusion.
"The final is basically set."
South Korea vs Brazil. Park Si-hyun vs Ronaldo.
As he entered the stadium, Ronaldo threw out one last line.
"Si-hyun, no... Korea. Watch closely. The Brazil you'll face is seriously strong."
Brazil beats Turkey 1-0 to advance to the final!
Ronaldo claims sole top spot in scoring with Turkey semifinal winner! Park Si-hyun falls to second.
Hiddink: "The goal we wanted is right in front of us. But no complacency. Korea hasn't shown everything yet—we'll reveal the real Korea against Brazil."
Brazil coach Scolari: "We won't take Korea lightly. They're a powerhouse that beat stronger teams than anyone to get here."
Ronaldo: "Park Si-hyun, looks like we'll finally meet. You're my rival now."
'Ha... Who's the rival here?'
A day after Brazil's semifinal win over Turkey.
The world was already heating up with final talk.
Every front page screamed 'Park Si-hyun vs Ronaldo,' and broadcasters looped our highlights back and forth.
Rival, my ass.
How could I be Ronaldo's rival?
But the situation didn't exactly let me deny it outright.
In the strikers' pride and joy—the scoring charts—I was trailing Ronaldo by just one goal.
Sure, factoring in my missed Portugal game, I could cry foul, but honestly, I didn't want excuses like that.
"Excuses are for the weak. The winner of the final gets the real Golden Boot anyway."
Yeah, that was my style.
And truthfully, I was confident I could outscore Ronaldo by at least two in the final.
As I pictured the final in my head—my toe carving the perfect arc toward goal—my phone rang.
The name on the screen was one I hadn't seen in ages.
["How you holding up, Si-hyun?"]
Frank Kurt, coach of Rot-Weiss Essen.
["Of course, Coach. I'm in the World Cup final. Wait, you're not calling to bench me or cut me for that hat-trick against Germany, are you?"]
Remembering what Jung-hwan hyung went through after Italy, I tossed in a joke.
["Haha! What are you talking about? We're lucky a guy who scored three against Germany is ours."]
Yeah, that's more like it.
Who punishes their own player for scoring against the national team?
["So... a good-luck call for the final?"]
["Good luck too, but actually, I have news."]
News?
I tilted my head.
["Si-hyun, thanks to you, our team's totally transformed. The Essen squad will blow your mind when you return. We've got some absolute gems joining us."]
["Gems?"]
["Yeah. You'll see when you get here. Get excited."]
Click—
The line went dead after that.
'What the hell, teasing me then hanging up?'
I stared at my phone and let out a dry laugh.
'But... gems, huh. Wonder who?'
Frank Kurt had scouted me himself—he had an eye for talent.
If he called them 'gems'...
They must be the real deal.
'...Can't wait.'
My lips curved up slowly.
The final. Essen after my return.
Everything was worth the wait.
"Hahaha, Si-hyun must be dying of curiosity now. But no spoilers. Let him see for himself when he gets here."
Frank Kurt burst into laughter, but Stefan Harbermann, the assistant coach beside him, furrowed his brow slightly.
That look was half-resigned.
"Honestly, I'm shocked. Sure, we've got more money now, but four of the exact players we wanted? Unbelievable."
Frank nodded with a smile.
"Actually, three. One came on his own—he insisted because he wants to see Si-hyun."
Harbermann chuckled.
"Si-hyun really is a lucky charm."
"Yeah."
Frank's lips curved up as he said,
"Si-hyun's gonna flip when he sees that guy."
Imagining Park Si-hyun—the guy always brimming with confidence—totally speechless for once, Frank Kurt burst out laughing again.