A Striker of a Different Class (2)
A-match experience plays a crucial role in clubs' decisions when signing players. Especially if a player shines at the World Cup, their market value can skyrocket overnight. The reason is simple. In tournaments where the best players from each nation clash, delivering standout performances in the biggest of them all proves that the player has ice in their veins and can deliver when it matters most.
"Articles about Theo are starting to pour in from all over. All leaking from insiders, of course."
At the top floor of BN Agency's headquarters, in Borja Navas's office. Having heard the report from Lucio, the executive director, Borja Navas curled the corner of his mouth ever so slightly.
"Even the skeptical teams must be changing their tune now. He replicated what he did in La Liga 2 on the international stage."
Twirling a luxury fountain pen between his index and middle fingers, Borja kept his eyes glued to the tablet PC on his desk. Despite the massive TV on the wall, he preferred this compact device. The screen was currently broadcasting the South Korea vs. Qatar match from the 2038 World Cup third qualifying round, in full swing. The score: 2-1, with Korea leading. And both goals? Scored by none other than Cha Tae-oh.
A header in the 18th minute of the second half, followed by a stunning solo run past three defenders for the winner in the 29th.
Not even surprising anymore.
Just four days prior, he'd notched a hat-trick against Asia's powerhouse, Iran, single-handedly dismantling them. Compared to that Iranian side, today's Qatari opponents were a step down, so Cha Tae-oh's brilliance felt almost expected.
I knew I was right about him.
Until this A-match window, some had still harbored doubts about his quality. No one questioned his immense potential as a promising striker, but he hadn't yet proven himself on the biggest stages. Borja, however, had been convinced from the first moment he laid eyes on him. That he was a fish big enough to fill any tank, no matter how grand.
A big fish. That was Borja Navas's assessment of Cha Tae-oh. With that conviction now validated in these internationals, he felt a quiet pride in his judgment.
"By November, we'll have a shortlist of teams desperate for Theo."
Borja nodded silently at Lucio's words.
Big clubs' ultimate goal is, naturally, trophies. League titles, cup wins, and European competitions. In terms of prestige, European glory reigns supreme. After all, it's where Europe's elite battle it out—winning there marks you as the season's strongest team.
League titles come next. If European competitions sift Europe's best, leagues crown the domestic kings. The title race usually takes shape by the winter break. Sure, comebacks happen, but teams finishing fifth or lower rarely snatch the crown.
November marks three months into the season. By then, the frontrunners emerge. Those top contenders rarely overhaul their squads midseason unless a star gets injured—they focus on injury prevention and tweaks. Major signings to upgrade key players? Not unless absolutely necessary.
Teams further from contention, however, pile on the fuel come winter. Even if the title slips away, they need that UEFA Champions League spot secured.
When the cold winds blow, the teams ready to splash cash will show their hands.
This is the time agents like Borja Navas live for. The winter window opens midseason, with clubs in dire straits, driving up fees higher than summer. Basic supply and demand.
"Theo will be nesting somewhere new by this winter, right?"
"We'll see. His wishes come first—we'll have to talk it over."
They hadn't discussed transfers yet. Winter was still months away.
But this time... loyalty alone won't fend off the temptations.
And Borja would make sure of it.
"Alcorcon's brass must have headaches after this A-match window."
With historic La Liga promotion in sight, AD Alcorcon desperately wanted Cha Tae-oh to stick around this season. But his skyrocketing profile and value? That only bred anxiety. No matter how phenomenal he was, his fixed release clause remained at €1.5 million.
"To survive winter's chill, you prepare in summer's heat."
That was when it happened.
The tablet erupted with the caster's ecstatic voice.
Borja couldn't catch every Korean word, but he nodded as if he understood perfectly, in full agreement.
Theo has what it takes to be a star.
The smile tugging at his lips lingered right through to the final whistle.
My first A-match stint with the national team had wrapped up.
I fell short of a hat-trick against Qatar, but three attacking points? Solid satisfaction there. Especially since my sub appearance had swung the momentum 180 degrees. Five goals and an assist across two games—I'd cemented myself as the team's new ace in one fell swoop.
No time for post-match bonding; I bid farewell to my national teammates and boarded a flight to Madrid. Round 6 loomed in three days—I needed to get back for training ASAP.
Not that it was a brutal schedule. Jordi Calavera had graciously granted me two days off. Fatigue had piled up, truth be told. Long-haul flights, training, matches—first time in my life. But I'd adapt. Schedules like this would only get tougher ahead.
"Hoo."
Dragging my heavy body home to Madrid, the mere familiarity of my place melted the exhaustion away, despite not living here long.
After unpacking, a quick shower, and collapsing onto the cozy bed to catch my breath—
Ding-dong!
The welcome chime of the doorbell.
It was Yuko.
"What's with all this?"
Her hands brimming with grocery bags of ingredients, she set them down at the door and slipped straight into my arms. Pouting playfully, she said,
"I'm cooking tonight."
"Cooking?"
"Yeah. Japanese home cooking. My dad loves it when I make it. Bet you'll love it too."
Come to think of it, my last meal had been airplane food ages ago.
"Just showered?"
Yuko buried her face in my chest, sniffing away.
"Yeah. Why?"
"...Just smells like body wash."
I chuckled softly.
"That a problem?"
"Kinda?"
I pulled her in tight, playfully. Her full breasts pressed firm against my abs. Two weeks without release, and my cock stirred instantly. Sensing it, Yuko grinned up at me, then nudged my small frame toward the wall, dropping slowly to her knees, eyes level with my crotch.
She tugged my pants down, and my tensed shaft brushed her face. Cupping it gently, she giggled.
"I haven't even started yet?"
"You're about to."
Grinning, she stroked it up and down.
"Not even once?"
"Of course not."
"Not even solo?"
"Nah. Focused on the national team games."
Her eyes sparkled.
"...Must be backed up like crazy, then."
Slurp!
She shoved my cock into her mouth, sucking hard. Her tongue lashed relentlessly at the head and shaft, saliva slicking everything like lube. With her perfect mouth-pussy ready, I thrust deeper, more fiercely.
"Guhk guhk!"
Pushing to her throat, tears welled in her eyes instantly. Her instincts fought it for air, but she grabbed my thighs tighter, refusing to let go.
I didn't want to blow right here in the entryway... but.
"Cumming. Take it all."
I couldn't hold back my boys dying to burst free.
Spurt spurt!
Thick, pent-up semen flooded her mouth.
"...Pha!"
Finally spitting it out, Yuko gaped wide. She swirled the load on her tongue, and at my nod, closed her eyes and swallowed. Then, flashing her empty mouth, she cleaned my softening cock thoroughly.
"Tae-oh."
"Yeah?"
"...Why's it waking up again?"
One load wasn't enough—my cock twitched back to life, beyond my control.
I shrugged lightly.
"Guess once isn't enough?"
"Eek!"
Grinning, I scooped her up effortlessly. She glanced at the groceries by the door.
"Those need the fridge..."
"Nah. An hour out won't spoil 'em."
Carrying her to the bedroom, she murmured,
"Not hungry?"
"A bit, but..."
I grinned, finishing,
"Right now, I wanna eat something else."