Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: National Team Favoritism Scandal
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“Ban!!!”
“Mister Yeager!!!”
The fans spotted me strolling out leisurely and started calling my name.
'Gonna need a car... oh right.'
Thinking about it, by UK standards, I needed to be a year older to even get a license.
Looks like I'd need someone to act as both manager and driver. Time to talk to the club about that.
For now, though, I'd have to push through this crowd on foot...
Fan service? Hell yeah, I was into it.
Eyeballing it, there were about fifty people waiting up ahead.
The moment I stepped out, I started signing from the closest one, going in order.
“Yeager! You're the hope of our club!”
“Yes, thank you~”
As I signed for each one, a neat line formed before I knew it.
“This isn't my jersey~”
“All your jerseys are sold out! I've been waiting desperately for one too!”
“Haha, already?”
About halfway through, I met someone holding out Park Ji-jeong's jersey.
“Wee Jong Pa-re!!!”
Ting ting ting te-re te!!! Wee Jong Pa-re!!!
Ting ting ting te-re te!!! Wee Jong Pa-re!!!
Starting with the jersey's owner, Park Ji-jeong's chant suddenly kicked off.
“I hope they make a chant for you soon too!!”
“Me too~”
“I'll play it as prenatal music for my baby!!”
I signed for nearly fifty fans, but only about twenty had my jersey.
Ziiiip—
I unzipped my puffer jacket and took off the uniform underneath.
Waaaaaaaaah—!!!
The fans who got my intent erupted in cheers.
Even if it didn't go to them specifically, they were thrilled just by the player's gesture.
I headed straight for the one kid in the crowd, holding up my jersey.
“Yeg-ge!!!”
As I approached, he beamed and reached out his hands.
“You're Manchester United's hope too, kiddo.”
“Tank yoo!”
The little fan hugged my jersey tightly.
“You're the guardian, right? Just in case—make sure the kid gets the jersey.”
“Of course!!! Sniff...”
“Uh... you okay there?”
I'd assumed he was the grandpa and made the request, but he stared at me for a moment before getting emotional.
“...No, it's nothing. Just so happy...!”
“You sure you're alright??”
“Yes. Mr. Ban Yeager, you must still be tired—head home and rest.”
“Thanks for worrying. Come watch the next match too!”
——
“Grandpa, why are you crying?”
“This old man might live to see our club back at the top of the world...”
Daven Smith said, looking at his grandson.
“That jersey will be our family heirloom. Of course, what you do with it is up to you.”
It was a treasure worth billions that he wouldn't sell for anything, but his promise to Ban Yeager came first.
“A photo... mind if we take a picture or two?”
The next day after training, over a hundred fans were waiting.
The day after that, the crowd looked double the previous day's.
'How the hell did it hit The Sun's front page overnight...'
Ban Yeager had no idea the kid's grandpa, Daven Smith, had pulled strings to make it happen.
——
Ban Yeager had only played in two official matches so far.
U-17 World Cup group stage match 3 against Spain.
Rose Rivalry, sub appearance against Leeds United.
Reactions to the Leeds match were even more explosive than Spain.
Spain showed overwhelming talent against top youth prospects, sure—but it was still youth level.
In other words, he needed to prove it at senior pro level, and he did—in just one Leeds game.
England's second division was as tough as some countries' first divisions.
And Leeds United had been in the Premier League last season alongside United, currently top of the table.
Meaning a historic 16-year-old who could already play in the Premier League had been born.
Just like Lamine Yamal in 2023.
But this monster talent's contract was only one year.
And he wasn't even from the club's famed academy.
It was winter transfer window season too.
Articles about me poured in.
Even I, the subject, was utterly bewildered.
“No way... how long have I even been here...”
Surprisingly, offers had actually come flooding in.
Clubs I'd talked to even before joining Manchester United.
The difference? No more youth contract pitches.
Barcelona was among them, still yapping about their DNA.
Honestly, if they'd offered number 10, I might've gone.
But Barca's current 10 was Lamine Yamal.
'A winger wearing 10? Come on.'
Either way, my answer was still no.
No matter how sweet the deal, it was too late.
I wouldn't leave for another team until I fulfilled my promise to the fans to restore Manchester United's glory.
A gentleman doesn't leave when the lady wants him gone.
“Kya~”
Perfect line for the upcoming MOM interview.
——
A homegrown talent receiving love calls from big clubs.
The fact that he hadn't joined the national team yet made things uneasy, even without special news.
One community user digging for Ban Yeager info uncovered a shocking post.
What started as a random unearthed video snowballed uncontrollably.
The Korean Football Association, long despised, finally faced something worthy of real punishment.
For domestic fans craving KFA reform, it was an opportunity they couldn't miss.
Plus, the victims were real.
Ban Yeager single-handedly carried Spain—if he'd played the prior two games, tournament advancement was likely.
With the 56th KFA President election looming, even casual fans tuned in.
Above all, as the controversy's victim Ban Yeager's exploits grew, so did the fans' rage.