Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Still Manchester (2)
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"Tra la la la! Yeager Ban~!"
"Tra la la la! Yeager Ban~!"
The cheers echoed as if a match were underway.
Manchester United's squad had headed to Saudi Arabia for preseason tour, leaving Old Trafford quiet for a while, but now the atmosphere was blazing hot once again.
Of course, he was mindful of public opinion about his loan to Real Madrid.
But that wasn't the whole story, and he was confident it didn't take up that big a share.
He was just doing it because he could.
And he had come to join his fans.
"Yeager!!! Come back!!!"
"I'm right here, where do you want me to go~?"
"Hurry up and put on your usual uniform and run out there!"
Of course, he was wearing a Manchester United uniform right now.
But that wasn't what they wanted, naturally.
What could he do, though?
"Only one match left now, so cut me some slack!"
"Hahahahahaha!!! Win it and come back!!!"
He spent quite a while hanging out with the fans like that.
Naturally, certain faces came to mind.
'They're not coming today...?'
He had figured she'd show up today for sure, since she'd even come to cheer for Real Madrid matches.
Honestly, he'd been looking forward to it.
Tap.
"Ah... hey, come on over."
She nodded shyly at his greeting.
Victoria Smith.
Honestly, their relationship had already gone beyond just fan and player.
Right now, he—the player—was the one starting the conversation, and Victoria was responding.
It wasn't against the rules or anything, but usually it was the other way around.
"No other family today?"
"Ah... they said they're stopping cheering until you put the red uniform back on..."
Daven Smith and David Smith, right?
Those two were apparently in the betrayed-by-the-Real-Madrid-loan camp.
He'd anticipated reactions like this to some extent and thought he'd gotten used to it, but it stung a little that fans he'd grown so familiar with felt that way.
"They say Manchester United without Ban Yeager isn't Manchester United anymore... They haven't been watching soccer lately."
"Pardon?"
"Lately, they've been forcing themselves to watch rugby instead. They hate it, but it's so obvious."
"Haha..."
He reflected on himself for feeling hurt in that moment.
"So... could I get a few extra signatures for them too? If I go back empty-handed, they'll treat me like a traitor for a while."
"Haha, of course I'll do it~"
What a harmonious family.
He signed each of the uniforms Victoria had carefully brought along.
"This one's for David Smith... right?"
"Thank you so much..."
"But is Victoria okay with it?"
"Huh? Ah..."
Usually, if grandpa and dad were such passionate fans, you'd think it'd rub off.
Even if not, he was grateful and amazed she'd come all the way here alone.
"Honestly, I don't mind if you go to Real Madrid."
"Pardon?"
"Wherever Ban Yeager is, that's my dream club."
"Ah..."
"There are so many other fans... Thanks for making time for me. I'll head out now."
Victoria Smith's words, putting him above the club.
Coming to Old Trafford really was good for him, more than just for the fans.
"Yeager!! Sign please!"
"Sure~ Nice to meet you, little buddy~"
Ban Yeager felt immense joy from Victoria Smith's response.
Wherever Ban Yeager was, that was her dream club.
Ban Yeager didn't know this stemmed from a mercenary mindset that could switch strong teams anytime.
Still, their love for each other was mutual, so it was fine.
For now, it was the love between fan and player.
"Rodri, you sure it's okay to head back early today?"
Rodrygo, whose thoughts had been a mess lately, had been staying on the training pitch for over an hour after sessions every day.
And so I'd stuck around with him.
If I'd volunteered to stay, it would've screamed my intent to drag him to Man United, but luckily...
Rodrygo had always been the one suggesting extra training first.
"Yeah, thanks for hanging out with me all this time."
But now it seemed he'd made up his mind.
Was his reply saying extra training was fine now?
Or that I was leaving Manchester United soon anyway?
He wanted to ask outright what he'd decided, but something told him not to.
Best to stay quiet until Rodrygo brought it up himself.
It just felt right.
It reminded him of the vibe when Lucas Cruijff announced his intent to naturalize in Korea—he instinctively shut his mouth and waited for Rodrygo.
...
"I don't think of my 10 years at Real Madrid as devotion."
No need to respond or agree.
"Those 10 years at Real Madrid were entirely my choice, and they're a success that countless people dream of but never reach."
Just listen silently.
To whatever decision Rodrygo had made.
"Even more lately. I've felt true happiness playing in Real Madrid's uniform."
...
Of course, he wouldn't accept the decision right away.
"Ha..."
"But I don't think that's because it was Real Madrid's uniform."
Ah, should've just stayed quiet.
"It was fun because I was wearing the same uniform as you. Can you prove it in tomorrow's match?"
"Gotta snag MOM in the finale."
Nail tomorrow's game, and the world-class left wing rolls right in.
[Hello to Ban Yeager fans across the nation, and all Manchester United and Real Madrid supporters! Caster Banny-e here!]
[We're here at Wembley Stadium, now hailed as soccer's holy ground! Will Ban Yeager recreate his legendary moments and performances once more? All eyes are on it! He's captaining this match too! Let's check Real Madrid's starting lineup!!!]
ST: Kylian Mbappé / CAM: Ban Yeager
LW: Vinícius Júnior / RW: Rodrygo
LCM: Eduardo Camavinga / Federico Valverde
LB: Álvaro Careras / RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
LCB: Dean Huijsen / RCB: Eder Militão
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili
2nd tier & FA Cup at Utd, now Club World Cup at Real lolol
Basically a treble damn
[Facing them are the kings of the German Bundesliga, Bayern Munich's starting lineup!!!]
ST: Harry Kane / CAM: Jamal Musiala
LW: Jamie Gittens / RW: Michael Olise
LCM: Aleksandar Pavlović / RCM: Joshua Kimmich
LB: Alphonso Davies / RB: Kilian Sildillia
LCB: Castello Lukeba / RCB: Dayot Upamecano
GK: Alexander Nübel
The final match of the 2029 Club World Cup.
At Wembley Stadium, two proud clubs clashed.
They'd delivered epic clashes in European competitions, proving their strength each time, and a rivalry had naturally formed.
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich.
A match too close to call.
Predictions were 53:47—basically 50/50—right up to kickoff.
Then, just 10 minutes in...
The odds shifted sharply to 73:27.
11' Kylian...