Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10: The First Away Game
"Ooooooh, JT! The Missing Piece! The Victory Fairy who defeated Toronto FC is here!"
"All hail the king JT!"
"JT, how did it feel when you gave the assist to David Villa? It was crazy, right? It was no joke, right? Teach us too!"
"For me, Pirlo! Is it really different when you receive a pass from Pirlo? Do you instantly think about how to play the moment you receive the ball?!"
"Uh, I've already felt that a few times. When JT gives a pass, I get a tingling feeling like he read my mind exactly and gave it. As expected, the link between geniuses existed!"
"That's just JT being considerate and matching you because the direction you run stupidly, Timothy, is always the same."
"What, you punk? Did you just call the man who scored the winning goal against Toronto U-16 stupid!"
"I said stupid, but it's true you're an idiot too."
Monday, after playing the First Team fixture.
When I entered the U-16 team training ground after school classes ended, it was chaotic with the cheers of my teammates.
Although I was included in the First Team roster, the First Team training schedule was decided to remain at participating twice a week.
Since I'm still a student, this was the best way to fit the after-school training schedule.
Also, since I'm still in my growth period, I couldn't participate in the First Team's physical training schedule either. It was coordinated to exchange training schedules with the U-16 side according to the situation.
Anyway, amidst the chaotic teammates, I scratched the bridge of my nose for a moment.
Hmm, asking how it was.
Actually, the answer I can give to this question is very simple.
"I understood why those people are World Class. Even taking just one touch, the impact was definitely different."
"Oooooh, as expected...!"
First, David Villa.
Although the first shot caught the goalkeeper's fingertips and regretfully missed the goal post, the class definitely stood out in the first goal that laid the foundation for the chase and the second goal that balanced it with a tie.
They were passes I gave, but honestly, they weren't easy passes to process.
Because it was a situation where he had to face the goalkeeper one-on-one immediately upon touch while passing through defenders.
If the reaction was even a little late, the goalkeeper would have pounced on him, and if it was fast, the shooting would have been unstable.
Nevertheless, Villa connected them into two goals with a finish that was too perfect.
And this was the same for Pirlo.
Literally, Pirlo's passes stuck to the feet like a magnet.
Passes where I immediately felt how delicately he controls the ball.
On top of that, considering even my position and posture taking the first touch, it was detailed enough that I could dare to gauge whether there was a defender behind me right now or if there was some distance, just by the pass alone.
Witnessing such technical plays directly on the pitch, I definitely felt I still needed to learn a bit more.
I also experienced again that this is why one must play in high waters.
What if the me of the past was placed in the same situation as now?
I wouldn't have had the composure to appreciate the plays of David Villa and Pirlo like now.
Although I have played as a National Team representative, the highest level, since I had to roam the pitch like a battlefield just enduring to survive. I was at the level of a frog in a well.
I had neither the composure nor the skill to leisurely appreciate this much detail occurring within football.
It was barely one match, but the last match was a match where I learned a lot.
"But you're saying JT performed actively among such players? Isn't this really amazing?"
"It is amazing! On top of that, he overturned two goals scored by none other than Giovinco!"
"Oh, right. When we ate two goals, I really thought we were losing. The thrill when we reversed, kyaaa!"
"NEW YORK IS BLUE—! LET'S GO, NEW YORK—!"
Sebastian Giovinco, currently the Number 10 and Ace of Toronto FC.
A player who decided to go to the US leaving Juventus at an age in his prime and is bombing the MLS since last season.
This side was definitely amazing too.
But to say even such a player is at a mediocre level in Europe. It's a truly scary world in many ways.
While leaving the stadium, I had a chance to make eye contact with Giovinco by chance, he gave me a thumbs-up out of nowhere. That wouldn't have been with bad intentions, right?
It felt like being acknowledged by the opponent team somewhere, so I was strangely happy.
But there is something else that made me happiest on this day.
Mom's smile I could see at the stadium after a long time.
The fact that I could see that smile again, which I couldn't see even if I wanted to in my past life, was honestly the biggest joy for me.
So I became expectant too.
Expectation that I will be able to see that smile more often in the future.
Of course, they would be smiles I can see only if I do well.
And if there is one more thing, the realistic joy, the allowance bonuses.
$350 for First Team match substitution appearance, $450 for victory allowance, $125 per assist, so I received a total of $1,175 for the last match.
A part I completely forgot about. I found out as Mom was surprised seeing the money deposited on the way back home.
Actually, since it's a youth contract, it wouldn't be a big allowance compared to First Team players, but it's clear it will be a help to living expenses.
This made me just a little bit greedy.
Will I be able to play in the next fixture too? How much is the bonus if I score a goal?
But appearance in the next fixture seems difficult.
Because it's a match to be played as an away game in Orlando, not home.
Drafting a U-16 player has no choice but to be a burden schedule-wise.
Hmm, wait a minute. Come to think of it, I think there was a quite famous player on the Orlando City side around this time too, who was it?
Ah, I remember.
Real name Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite.
The name known to fans is,
"Oh, what? JT, you got a mobile phone?"
"Ah, yes. Since I joined the away game, Mom bought me one saying I would need it."
While replying to the text Mom sent while waiting for flight boarding, Captain David Villa poked his head out abruptly.
Until a few days ago, since I repeated only home, school, and training ground, there wasn't a reason to need a separate mobile phone.
As an away schedule where I have to fly all the way to Florida was set, Mom made a big decision and bought a mobile phone for me to use.
But she bought one that is too good. A model that can only make calls is enough for me.
They say this one right now can even support ultra-high definition video calls.
"Oh my, oh my. Why would it be? Of course she bought a good one because she wants to see her son's face well! For me too, seeing the kids' faces at night when I come out for away games is my joy."
"Oh, listening to that, that could be true."
"Here, this is my first daughter Zaida. Here is second Olaya. Super cute, right? Here this is the third who turned three. Like this, in the end, only photos remain. JT, you send photos to your mother often too."
Hmm. As expected, parents' hearts are known by fellow parents. It was a very big help.
Following Villa's advice, I immediately took photos and sent them to Mom.
And replies flying in immediately.
It felt like the mobile phone bought with expensive money did its money's worth immediately, warming my heart.
"JT, give me your phone for a second."
"Yes? Why?"
"What do you mean why, you should save the Captain's phone number at least. If something happens, contact immediately..., eh? Saved contacts are..., three...?"
Mom, side dish shop owner Grandma, and Grandpa.
Since it's a mobile phone activated yesterday, I didn't have time to add other people.
But thinking about it again, I'm not sure if there are more people worth adding beyond this.
It's not like I have special friends at school, and since I only talk with U-16 kids at the training ground, I don't think there's a need to add them specifically.
"It's not something like bullying, right...?"
"Well. Rather, if I were being bullied, I feel like I could focus more on football..."
"No matter how crazy about football you are, that's not good! You have to have a social life! Then do you not do Spacebook either?"
"I've never made a separate account."
"Ha, what era are we in these days. Give me the phone again."
Like that, David Villa, who took my phone again, started operating this and that, then made an SNS account under my name.
And then,
A photo together immediately.
"Upload this as the profile picture. Tag me. And follow me too."
"Uh, why am I following Valencia?"
"It's a place the Captain thinks of like a hometown. Can't you give that much respect?"
If it's that meaning, well, it's not difficult.
As I was chatting with David Villa like this, people gathered around one by one.
After that, I exchanged contacts with other players too, became friends, and...
"Hm? If it's Spacebook, I have an account too."
Pirlo, who bought coffee, also requested a friend add to his account with my ID, and then added AC Milan and Juventus to the following list.
No, because of these misters, it looks like I'll be seeing news of places I had no connection with in my life on my SNS feed.
"What, you already uploaded the photo taken with David Villa? I expected it, but you really took it uncoolly. Here, upload this photo with me."
"Isn't this a photo where the face is too invisible?"
"This is the trend these days. If you're going to upload, you should upload a photo fitting the trend."
Like that, although it's an account under my name, two photos where David Villa and Pirlo's faces are stamped bigger went up.
Since I won't manage the account separately after today anyway, what does it matter.
If the seniors want to do it, the vastly junior junior should just say okay and follow.
Afterwards, boarding procedures began, and the plane carrying the squad flew up towards Orlando.
I was trying to change the phone setting to airplane mode, but...
Why does it keep vibrating?
Football Korea, a community you must join if you watch football in Korea.
Someone uploaded a photo linked to an SNS account on the bulletin board where news related to football is delivered first regardless of domestic or overseas, asking for opinions.
It was precisely Kim Jin-tae's Spacebook account.
The person who uploaded the photo taken with David Villa and Pirlo pointed at the player taken together with a puzzled tone and asked.
(End of Chapter)
—Translated by Prime Works —