Chapter 47
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 47
Chapter Title The Eldest Son is Desperate for Soccer
Lost to Real Madrid.
32, a heartbreaking defeat.
Even without a coach, we fought desperately, but our injuryriddled Newcastle youth squad just couldnt handle La Fabricas elite level.
Still, I managed to score two goals in the process, leaving a deep impression on Real Madrid.
Enough for them to contact my parents after the match, at least.
Oh, and I exchanged numbers with Dios.
I wasnt all that keen on it, but his lostpuppy look was too amusing to turn down.
Dios Well win next time.
Dios Just you wait.
Dios But hey, ever thought about coming to Madrid?
Then the sneaky messages started rolling in.
Not bad, though.
Me Thinking about it.
Dios For real?
Me Atletico Madrid.
Dios Dude!!!!!
Teasing him was half the fun.
Meanwhile, our team got a new youth director, and with him came a new coach.
Surprisingly, it was Rosso Artelli, the former Real Madrid Juvenil A manager.
This dual ItalianSpanish national was renowned for youth development, and later in his career, he took the helm at Atletico Madrid in La Liga, ushering in a brief golden era and cementing his legacy as a legendary manager.
Id faced Atletico, so I knew him, though I had no idea hed coached any youth team besides Real Madrid.
Butterfly effect from my presence, or maybe he actually did take the Newcastle youth job in real lifewho knows. Either way, under his regime, our team finished second in the 3132 U18 Northern League and made the UEFA Youth League semifinals.
The next season, he showed exactly why hed be hailed as a legend in the future.
We claimed the Northern League title, runnerup in the Champions League, and won the FA Cup.
On another note, the 2032 U17 World Cup rolled around.
Skipping the older age groups as part of the Korean national teams project, we unlike the U21s who crashed out of the group stageadvanced to the semifinals, a massive achievement.
If our key players hadnt been exhausted or injured, we mightve gone even further.
Our thin squad depth was the only regret.
The coach addressed us, swallowing his frustration.
Listen, this is just growing pains. Dont get discouraged here. Build on this moment and grow. Well meet again at the next stage.
Yeah, plenty of stages left ahead.
U21, Olympics, full national team.
Who knows how many Ill make it to.
Truth is, even I cant say for sure.
A bad injury could derail me, or a wrong choice could stunt my growth.
Anyway, the 3233 season wrapped up, and 3334 arrived.
2034.
Seventeen in Korean age.
Finally old enough for a full pro contract.
The youth staff meeting was underway.
Newcastle Uniteds youth director, now entering his third year, scrolled through one players stats on his tablet PC.
Huh.
Even a quick glance was enough to draw a gasp of admiration.
3233 season
League 21 matches, 32 goals, 12 assists
UEFA Youth League 9 matches, 10 goals, 4 assists
Cup 4 matches, 7 goals, 3 assists
3334 season
League 30 matches, 43 goals, 9 assists
UEFA Youth League 12 matches, 19 goals, 3 assists
Cup 7 matches, 14 goals
Unbelievable numbers, even staring you in the face.
I was impressed watching him live, but seeing it in stats like this is even more shocking. Over twice as many attacking returns in 21 games.
The directors words drew a hearty laugh from coach Artelli.
Looking happy, Artelli?
A genius who teaches himself without any instruction? Just watching is pure joy.
Teaches himself...?
Thats Sol for you. Its like soccer DNA is woven into his body.
Curious, the director asked,
How does he stack up against Dios?
Artelli stroked his goatee thoughtfully, then replied with an amused grin.
Pure talent? Impossible to split them. But if I had to pick one for my team, itd be Sol.
Really? Why? Dios is putting up these kinds of numbers at Real Madrid too.
Dios plays alone. He racks up personal stats, but they dont always translate to wins. Sol plays with the team. He leads and dominates. That difference... well, the results speak for themselves.
The director nodded vigorously.
Exactly my thinking. As expected from coach Artelli. We need to push that contract through ASAP.
Its not just the contract. Time to promote him up the ladder.
Obviously to the B team. Cant waste his talent down here.
Artelli waved his hand.
No, no. First team. First team. What Taeyang needs now is senior experience.
First team? Isnt he a bit young for that?
Taeyang was just sixteen.
Way too young for senior action.
Plus, plenty of physical growth left.
The director struggled to agree with Artellis push for the first team.
Young, sure. But not the youngest ever, right?
WWell, yeah...
He didnt recall exactly, but it wasnt the world youngest, nor even Premier League youngest.
After a moments thought, the director said,
Well bump him to the B team for now. Then, depending on circumstances, discuss firstteam minutes with the senior coach.
Artelli just shrugged.
He hadnt expected his view to carry the day.
But think it over carefully. Other clubs will try sneaking in offers to poach him. Hes young, but hes the clubs future. We need to make an offer hell love.
The director nodded at Artellis warning.
Dont worry. The chairman said to treat Taeyang like Newcastle itself in the contract.
Newcastle itself...!
The words hit Artelli hard.
Right now, the clubs future. Soon, its heart. In time, its symbol. And far down the line, its legend.
Seventeen years old.
High school age back in Korea.
What was I doing at this age in my past life?
Oh, right.
Beat down the 19yearold boss at the orphanage and seized control early.
Wild, savage times.
Compared to that, Im a flower in a greenhouse now.
Warm bed, full bellyeasy life.
Sometimes, though, a chill runs down my spine.
What if I get too comfy and stall out here?
Thats when I run till my mouth tastes like blood, not just bile.
If that doesnt work, I douse myself in ice water.
If thats not enough, I hunt down the nastiest eatery in town and force down fish and chips or black pudding solo.
Gagging on the awful slop, I tell myself Back at the orphanage, youd have wolfed this down gratefully. Snap out of it.
But the real kick, the ultimate motivator, is something else.
Kids, whats your dreams?
Im gonna be... a doctor, bro.
Like hyung! But not soccersomething else in sports!
Hyung, I wanna be a pianist!
Studying, sports, piano.
None of em cheap hobbies.
Dads income cant cover it easy. Even if it can, parents retirements a worry.
Whew, gotta grind hard.
To support the fam fully and secure Mom and Dads golden years, I gotta hustle.
Motivation like that? Unbeatable.
Hyung, is soccer fun?
Yeoreum asks as I steel myself.
Fun? Well, yeah, thats why I do it.
Stings a bit inside.
Do I even enjoy soccer anymore?
I do, but sometimes it feels like a chore.
What else am I gonna do for a living?
Not as desperate as orphanage days, no thrill or joy per match.
Too comfortable?
Nah.
I still crave success bad.
Probably cause its retracing a path Ive walked before.
Right? I tried it at school, its fun!
YYeah? Scored any?
When I kick, the ball goes weird!
Hmm, Yeoreums got no gift for footwork, looks like.
He seems athletic running around, though.
Try other stuff besides soccer.
But all the kids just play soccer.
Thats... cause were in England.
No helping it.
Britains ditching class divides for sports cultureall converging on soccer.
Younger the kids, less class matters they all love it.
No more upper crust with horses or gateball.
If feet aint fun, how bout keeper? Tough spotgotta stop every shot.
Yeah? Ill try it!
Stroking grinning Yeoreums head, Mom comes up.
Son!
Yeah?
Club called. Wanna do a contract? Didnt we sign one when you joined? Whats this?
...Oh!
Huh?
Thats... the pro contract.
The moment Id been waiting for.
ScholarshipPremier League onlyprepro deal. Expected the upgrade based on my play.
Knew it was coming, just holding breath. Here it is.
Ah, so thats why other clubs keep calling lately.
Other clubs?
Yeah, Dad said? Recent calls from others. Didnt wanna stress you before season end, but more than one or two.
Really?
Poked Dad quick.
Dad Told ya not to say, but seasons overfine now?
Me Yeah, no issue. Newcastle called about contract too.
Dad Nice. Probably Real, Barca, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man U, Man Citythat crowd?
Me Whoa, stacked
Dad Gut says most are just fishing.
Me Yeah, probes. Hook em, go aggressive.
Dad Spot on. One felt serious, though. Man U.
Man U, huh.
Thirty years back, tempting for sure.
Dad Wanna go elsewhere but Newcastle? I can check?
Me Nah. Staying at Newcastle.
Yeah, no urge to leave Newcastle now.
Just want more money.
Me Dad, slip to Newcastle that offers came in? Play dumb.
Dad Got it. Ill drop hints casuallike.
Alright, negotiation tables set.
Gonna be a profitable one.