Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Club World Cup Mercenary (3)
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Truth be told, I didn't exactly wring an eye-popping amount out of this loan deal in terms of base fee.
That was only natural, in a way. After all, I'm just a rookie who's only proven himself for half a season so far.
So instead of settling for a standard rental fee, I boldly suggested ditching it altogether and jacking up the bonuses for attack points, win premiums, and the like.
To really cash in on that, I'd need to put on a strong show, and more importantly, secure starting spots.
And Real Madrid had made it crystal clear from the get-go: my debut would be as a substitute in the third group stage match.
With two wins already under their belt, guaranteeing tournament progression, it was a considerate setup to let me ease into my debut.
Of course, that's the polite spin on it. In reality, they wanted to make the most of me long-term—through the Club World Cup's later rounds and beyond, even dreaming of signing me outright someday.
Despite my firm message that I intended to stay with Manchester United, they were dead certain I'd pick Real in the end.
Separate from their plans to snag me, their strategy to grab two group stage wins had panned out.
They'd comfortably beaten River Plate in the opener and Fluminense in the second, leaving just the finale against Inter.
And there, on the subs bench for Ban Yeager's name, it appeared.
Fans cheering for Ban Yeager were starting to hit the limits of their patience.
Korean soccer fans, hit hardest by this, saw troll haters and shitposters swarm Bban Ye's stream—the one featuring devoted Manchester United and Ban Yeager supporters—just when they smelled blood.
Bban Ye's stream was a chaotic mix now: longtime viewers rooting for Manchester United and Ban Yeager, newcomers hyped by the loan news, and trolls piling in after hearing about the two straight benchings.
The chat had ballooned massively, but so had the confusion.
[Switching subscribers to weekly chat mode! Inter's starting lineup is out—let's check it together!]
[And facing them, La Liga's top... club! Real Madrid's starting XI!]
Ban Yeager, whom everyone awaited, started from the bench.
Two clubs, once dominant in their leagues but now facing decline narratives, both locked in with full-strength lineups despite already securing round-of-16 spots with two wins.
In that fiery pride clash, Real Madrid waved the white flag first.
65 minutes into the second half.
My substitution came even earlier than I'd anticipated.
"Yeager, you good?"
"If I hustle for goals, it's doable on a razor's edge."
"...I was asking if you're good to play at all. Fine. Prove that confidence on the pitch."
Coach Xabi Alonso had made the big call.
I'd worried it'd be 70 or even 80 minutes, but nope—straight in at 65.
Down 3-1 to Inter, it was about managing starters' stamina, sure. But it gave me way more time to shine.
And joining me: my buddy Rodrygo.
Perfect timing to show off my passing sauce.
Peep!
Game restarts with Inter's corner kick.
Stepping onto the pitch, sizing up the players' faces up close, my take was: 'Actually looks way more manageable than I thought.'
Despite trailing 3-1, Real's guys burned with fire in their eyes. Inter's winners, meanwhile, looked utterly spent.
Marcus Thuram especially—gasping like he was about to keel over. Made me wonder if they should sub him.
Wham!!—
Sure enough, Thuram flubbed a desperate header leap at the ball floated into the box.
Mamardashvili snagged it clean, scanned for outlets.
'C'mon, send it!...'
The second the corner arc cleared, I bolted wide, not daring a glance back.
'Faster...!'
Central line looming—if I crossed too soon, offside trap kills my speed.
Hated burning stamina like this.
But first sub game in ages—trust the keeper, go full sprint.
Iyaaaaaaaah!!!—
Sudden roar from the crowd—something happen? Ball stolen? Turn back?—conflicted for a split second.
Thwump—
Right in my sights: the pass I'd been praying for.