Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Club World Cup Champion (2)
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Click, click, click—
The shutter sounds were going off nonstop around the photo zone.
'Ugh, this is annoying...'
Having to lug around three awards at once made it a hassle to move anywhere.
The Golden Ball, Golden Boot, and Young Player Award.
Honestly, he'd expected the Golden Ball, but he hadn't dreamed they'd hand him the Young Player Award on top of it.
Thinking back after receiving them, there really wasn't anyone else in the tournament who met the Young Player criteria and deserved it more.
Anyway, because he'd swept all three awards, he was being dragged from pillar to post—busier than during the matches themselves.
Photo zone, interview, photo zone again, interview again.
He'd figured there'd be a ton of commitments since he'd claimed the Young Player, Golden Boot, and Golden Ball, but he hadn't imagined it'd be this intense.
It was like they were cramming the workload of three separate winners onto him.
After churning through that endless loop of schedules, things finally quieted down.
"Phew... Is that everything now?"
"Well... for the Club World Cup schedule, yes."
A Real Madrid club staffer answered his question.
It had started after the quarterfinals, maybe.
One of the staff who'd occasionally relay his schedules had basically become his full-time manager.
"Hold on—what do you mean, 'for the Club World Cup'? There's more?"
"Yes. Real Madrid's preparing a separate farewell event, and there's a solo interview lined up before you head out!"
His contracts with Manchester United and Real Madrid were airtight.
Not in terms of pay or conditions, but the timeline was ironclad.
As a loanee to Real Madrid, his stint ended the moment the match schedule wrapped.
Once midnight struck after today, he'd no longer be a Real Madrid player.
"Haa... Then let's get moving."
So he had to wrap up everything Real Madrid-related today.
It was all to get him back to Manchester United ASAP anyway, so what choice did he have but to tough out one grueling day?
The first stop was the Real Madrid locker room, where the players were waiting.
A few were still riding the high of victory, roaming the stadium, or off at interviews, but he caught most of them there.
He'd wondered if the "farewell" meant some grand setup, but it was just filming him saying goodbye to the squad and staff one by one.
Probably for Real Madrid's YouTube and Instagram side-by-side.
"You did great. Gonna have the world's eyes on you from here on out—stay strong and keep shining. Playing with you was always smooth and fun."
"Thanks, Kylian. Same here. Wanna come to Man United?"
"Haha, how about you stick around chanting 'Hala Madrid' with us? No need to ditch the kit."
Mbappé wasn't seriously recruiting, just like he wasn't either.
It was just a fond way of expressing regret and respect for his skills.
Starting with Mbappé, he went around greeting everyone one by one.
"...Good work out there."
"Yeah, see you around."
His last handshake was with Rodrygo.
No long chat—just a quick grip and done.
"Weren't you and Rodrygo the closest~?"
Since everyone at Real Madrid knew he and Rodrygo often trained extra together and got along well, the staffer voiced the obvious question.
"Haha... On to the next schedule."
"Right! Time for the interview!"
Finally, the last item on his Real Madrid agenda.
"Hey, Yeager! You look thrilled!"
"Haha, hi. It's a happy day, after all."
He couldn't go around with a sour face complaining about the hassle.
A touch brighter than deadpan, always.
Maintaining a subtle smile as he powered through the itinerary.
"What an incredible performance today! Not just today—the whole Club World Cup was legendary for you! These awards prove it. Mind if I take a closer look?"
The reporter lady spoke in a friendly tone, eyeing the Golden Ball as if gauging his comfort for the interview.
Tap—
'Hm...'
No real chance for contact, but she brushed against him as she stepped back.
A tricky opponent in a different way.
Not that her cheap flirtation was the issue—it was that reporters like her always filled interviews with pointless chit-chat and provocative questions.
Especially since this was Real Madrid's setup; he could guess the questions coming.
"You showed insane chemistry with the Real Madrid squad. But sadly, contract time's up. Any regrets or mixed feelings?"
Sure enough, skipping match talk for his take on the surrounding buzz.
As he glanced past the camera at the crew, urging him to answer, they nodded like go on.
"Phew... I'm definitely happy I could show what I've got at Real Madrid. Got the awards, proved myself—super satisfied with this journey."
"Got it!"
The reporter and Real Madrid staff beamed at his positive spin.
Soccer fan communities watching exploded.
Truth is, the Club World Cup loan was prep work to ease your hateboner and make you cheer for Real Madrid^^
Officially greatest club in soccer history, players' dream club, club above clubs. Royal Madrid
The chaos erupted in the communities.
Specifically, Real Madrid fan hubs and Manchester United ones lit up like mad.
Madridistas were already dead certain Ban Yeager was transferring for good.
Not immediately, but in three years on a free—they were convinced he'd come home.
That was how Real Madrid had always hoovered up world-class talent. Their pride.
PanYae's stream was live-translating Ban Yeager's interview into Korean.
Maybe because the nagging "what if" anxiety hit so hard.
Even knowing Ban Yeager was staying with Manchester United, Ban Yerin waited for his answer with bated breath.
As United fans trembled in fear and Madridistas strutted with smug confidence...
"I'm thrilled to return proudly to Manchester United soon. Thanks to our Club World Cup results. These experiences will fuel United's next season."
"R-Real Madrid has the Champions League, and the 2031 Club World Cup in two years..."
Unable to believe his response, the reporter started hawking Real Madrid's perks like a street vendor.
To hammer his stance home one last time.
He wrapped the interview with his closing line.
"Thanks to Real Madrid for the short but memorable time. Looking forward to meeting on the Champions League stage in two years. This has been Manchester United's number 10, Ban Yeager."
Now, back to Manchester United.
No—time to welcome his returning United teammates.
He'd always been in Manchester with the Red Devils.