Chapter 66
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 66
Chapter Title The Heir to Number 7
Newcastle Uniteds players trained at Los Angeles FCs training ground and played several practice matches against them.
American soccer, which had begun to find its footing, was gradually developing its own unique style.
At one time, in America, soccer had been strongly perceived as a sport for women.
Their most beloved sport was American football, which was rough and demanded immense physicality, so to them, soccer looked like a game for cowards who shied away from contact.
But as time passed, soccer took root in America.
South American and European immigrants started seeking it out, and Major League Soccer evolved toward a style that would appeal to Americans.
The resulting American soccer was rough and powerful above all else.
Thanks to that, the players physicality was on another level.
Why are kids who should be playing rugby doing soccer?
Have you tried contesting a ball with them? It feels like your whole body might shatter.
Dida and Arnold groaned every time they faced Los Angeles.
Arnold in particular was no slouch in physical play, yet even he said it.
American soccers physicality was that intimidating.
Of course, since they pursued overly macho play, there were shortcomings in technique and tactics.
And Newcastle United was no team to be taken lightly by Los Angeles FC.
They were a side that consistently secured Champions League spots in the worlds top league.
The soccer back home is on another level.
Even if you try to overpower them physically, you have to actually connect first.
Their passing is different.
The Los Angeles team was left in awe facing Newcastle.
Among them, the standouts were Ilinyu and Mario Menendez.
Ilinyu wasnt pushed around physically, far surpassed them technically, and possessed a lethal left foot.
In a way, he embodied the ideal player America aspired to.
Menendez displayed play at the pinnacle of tactics and technique.
Menendezs passes escaping pressure to set up Ilinyu in scoring positions were deadly.
You were the right signing.
Manager Artelli praised Menendez.
The praise from the mentor who had raised him since childhood made Menendez dance inside.
A hint of arrogance crept in too.
At this level, he deserved ace treatment as the teams top player, right?
Menendez, who had been treated like dirt for being from La Fabrica and stuck with the middling number 17, said straightforwardly to the manager.
Give me number 7.
Thats Mr. Toons number.
Menendez knew full well he couldnt take it from the team legend, the man called Newcastle itself, no matter how tempting.
Of course, Im not asking for it right now. Give it to me after Mr. Toon retires.
Thatll be tough too.
Artelli shook his head.
Pardon? Why? Ddont tell me Ilinyu wants it?
Even so, it should be him over Ilinyu, right?
Ilinyu wants number 9, which Habib wore. How about 10? Doesnt 10 suit you?
It was fortunate the 10 was vacant just then.
No fighting over ace numbers.
10? Nice.
But Menendez coveted 7.
7 was Newcastles symbol, worn by Mr. Toon.
I want 7...
Mario.
Artelli cut him off and placed a hand on his shoulder.
I know you want proper treatment at your new club after how Real Madrid treated you.
...
For now, Ill ask Toon. Whether hes willing to pass on 7. Its entirely his. No one can demand he give it up.
Understood.
Menendez waited with bated breath to become the owner of 7.
But the news he heard soon after was shocking.
Matty says hell relinquish 7 starting this season.
Ddoes that mean...?
Just as joy began to color his face.
He wants to hand it directly to Yoon Taeyang before he retires.
...To that kid?
Artelli shrugged and said.
What can you do? Hes chosen his successor. You know if we go against his wishes, the fans will riot first.
Understood.
10 is plenty. Itll prove your worth.
...Yes, Ill take 10.
Menendez said that and left.
It was a day with a practice match against Los Angeles.
His heart felt empty and bitter, but he pushed the emotions aside and headed to the locker room.
He was a pro, after all.
Not like those Real Madrid players drawing fat salaries and chasing women.
On the way to the locker room.
Lulu, hey, perfect weather for soccer today.
A man passed by, dressed sloppily in training gear like a local thug, dragging his slippers.
Matty!
Oh, Menimeni!
MMенимeni?
Menimeni sounds more fun than just Meni.
The more he got to know him, the weirder the guy seemed.
Did people turn like that when they got old?
I have a question.
Yeah? Shoot. I never turn down incoming questions.
About 7. Why pass it to that kid?
Silva scratched his head vigorously at that.
Man, why does everyone covet my 7?
...Pardon?
Youre the third one already nagging me for 7.
Even Newcastle players would covet it.
Whats the difference from begging a stillliving man for his inheritance? Sheesh.
But... succeeding you here is special, isnt it?
What does a newbie know about special?
Hmm...
Anyway, Im not 7 anymore, so drop it. Ugh, you all nagged so much I just gave it to Taeyang.
As Menendez hesitated at Matteo Silvas words, Silva told him.
Well, if you could play another 10 years, maybe Id have given it to you.
I have no plans to play another 10 years.
Exactly. I wanted to give it to someone who could play at least 10 more.
A true successor.
Matteo Silva wanted to pass it to the friend who would run for the team for years and become the new Mr. Toon.
I see.
Yeah.
Matteo Silva grinned, then shuffled off to the locker room in his slippers.
Watching his back, Menendez asked.
Does that kid have what it takes to succeed you and carry the team for 10 years?
He was curious.
Why did this team pin such huge hopes on a boy barely 16?
Of course, hed heard the rumors.
Hed crushed Dios, who even he saw as an outstanding talent, and torn the team apart, right?
Dios was, to his knowledge, the most gifted kid.
But the future was uncertain.
At least in Menendezs eyes, during his La Fabrica days, there were at least three kids with talent on par with Dios.
Not one who stayed at Real Madrid.
Their brilliant talents vanished like lies as they grew.
Prospects futures were unpredictable.
Especially for a 16yearold not fully grown.
Menendez worried they were overhoping too soon.
Plus, how pampered was the kid? Not played in a single practice match during this training camp.
And the brat was arrogant to boot.
Skeptical?
Naturally.
Even after seeing our kids records from last season?
Growing up changes things.
Matteo Silva grinned at that.
That kids different.
Pardon?
Soccer monster? Fairy? Like hes been playing solo for 100 years.
What do you mean?
Youll see when you experience it. Hes different. Not your runofthemill genius. Cant explain it that way.
Menendez looked puzzled at Matteo Silvas confident words.
A man nearing 40 who played soccer wouldnt spout nonsense.
What was it?
Senility?
Wasnt there that thing?
Headers increase dementia risk, right?
Hed played twice as much soccer as most, so maybe dementia had set in early.
Menendez shook his head and entered the locker room.
Taeyang, Taeyang! Youre playing today, right?
Dunno, buzz off.
I played last match. Be cool if we played together today.
Not really, buzz off.
Youll do that cross and volley we practiced if I play today, right?
Annoying, buzz off.
Inside, Izell Edward was perking up his ears, trailing after Taeyang like a puppy.
Definitely a dog in human form.
Why was he so attached?
As he watched curiously, the manager entered.
Hahaha, great locker room vibe. Right, Alles?
Sure is, boss.
Yeah, yeah. Hope it lasts the whole season. Anyway, everyone knows weve got a practice match today?
Yes!
Artelli nodded contentedly at the resounding reply and said.
Alright, lets look at the lineup. Oh, digital, huh. Different from ours. Took ages to get used to ours.
Artelli wasnt antianalog, but not digitalsavvy either.
As he fumbled, assistant coach Alles stepped up and worked the controls.
Soon the screen showed the field, and player photos were slotted into positions one by one.
FW Ledeli Ilinyu Taeyang
MF Boxall Menendez Gomez
DF Bandia Dida Arnold Sanchez
GK Ricella
Alright, well go with this today?
Most of todays starters were new signings.
Malcolm Boxall from Norwich, Tijan Gomez from Benfica, and Cesar Sanchez, the Peruvian whod played in the Brazilian league.
Surprisingly, all these signings cost just 110 billion won total.
The result of Newcastle staffs hard work.
Scouts meticulously vetted players and listed those suited for Newcastle the manager picked needs from the reports the chairman and board snagged them cheaply and cleverly.
Timing helped too.
Boxall was from relegated, cashstrapped Norwich and had to be sold Tijan Gomezs Benfica buyout was only around 50 billion 24yearold Cesar Sanchez exploded last season but underperformed before, so no renewal and free transfer.
Though each transfer fee was less than half Menendezs own value, he acknowledged their quality and Newcastles shrewd deals.
Now one thing left.
Just what would that arrogant kid show?
And so the final practice match against Los Angeles began.