Chapter 11
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: vs Napoli (1)
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As Jesus Joo started gaining more and more fame, talk of him became the hot topic in one particular group chat.
Oh! Check this guy out. (Photo of Jesus Joo flying-kicking an opponent) It reminds me of our younger days.
Hmm. Excellent compared to the boring stuff lately, but still feels like something's lacking.
Shouldn't he at least flip off the camera?
How about inviting him to our group chat and teaching him the essentials?
Oh. You mean mentoring a promising junior? I'm in favor.
Do whatever. I'm not interested in bad boy antics. Too busy managing.
Okay, then let's make a new group chat and let him know.
He's coming to Napoli this time—shouldn't we have dinner together?
Oh. Sorry, but there's a sex party that night.
Hmm. Should I go alone then?
Just so you know, the kid's underage—he can't drink.
What does that matter?
You might end up in hot water.
Damn. Can't let my wife find out I was drinking. Guess next time.
Don't make a new group. Just invite him here. Curious how you'll teach him. I give advice sometimes.
Okay. Everyone else agree?
They're probably drunk and passed out. Invite him anyway. They complain soccer's boring these days. Let's raise a bad boy prospect for our old age.
Cool. Inviting him now.
[New Bad Boy from the East has been invited to the group.]
Nickname's too long. Shorten it.
Yes! Shortened it, seniors! Honored to be invited!
More hierarchical than expected.
Hmm. Not bad?
Hey, rookie, you treating fans right?
Yes. Doing well.
Good. Even if you're a bad boy, don't be a total asshole—fan service has to be top-notch. It's just 30 seconds, but eternal for them.
Yes! Thanks for the advice!
I like the kid. Extra advice: retire early.
......I want to retire too.
Chatting with the greatest bad boys in history brought back memories of long ago, back when I played in Italy's Serie A. I was still early in my career then, and the talk of it being a league rife with racism had me scared.
"But it wasn't as bad as I thought. Is it because I kung-fu kicked a racist fan and transferred out?"
Sure, that might be part of it. But contrary to claims that the league office ignored racism, they cracked down hard. They'd realized Eastern money was sweet.
These days, Spain actually feels more racist.
Anyway, that's beside the point.
"Ah, the Napoli match. Don't wanna play."
I don't want to work.
Like Cantona said, I want to retire.
That's how I feel right now.
"Just gotta phone it in."
If it weren't for this damn system, I'd have retired ages ago.
[Countless soccer fans across the Republic of Korea who've been waiting for this moment. Finally, a Korean derby in the Champions League.]
[Yes. A matchup between Kim Min-jun, captain of the South Korea National Team and Napoli's iron wall, and Jesus Joo, the national team's youngest and Barcelona CF's bad boy.]
[Kim Min-jun and Jesus Joo have quite different paths.]
[Yes. Kim Min-jun debuted in the domestic league, moved to Napoli, shone brightly, and despite offers from big clubs, stayed with "Forza Napoli Sempre."
Meanwhile, Jesus Joo started his career at Barcelona, debut with a multi-goal, celebration yellows leading to red, El Clásico hat-trick—writing a bold soccer resume.]
[And rumors of a transfer to Real Madrid, Barcelona's arch-rival?]
[He's hogging all the soccer world's attention—truly a star overflowing with charisma.]
[Yes, completely different players, but surprisingly close friends?]
[Roommates on the national team, known for frequent contact.]
[Jesus Joo's an intriguing player. Despite the age gap with a senior, no intimidation—must be his great affinity.]
[Right now, Champions League group stage round 5, Napoli vs Barcelona, kicks off at Napoli's home, Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.]
I tilted my head back, soaking in the warm sunlight. Griezmann was losing it along the touchline at my display, but this cozy weather made it impossible to fight off sleep.
"Jesus!!! You bastard!!"
As my eyes slowly drifted shut...
Beeeep—!
The ref blew the whistle. I barely pried my eyes open to see the vice captain clutching his ankle in agony.
"Should've gone a bit further forward for the foul. Tsk tsk. Can't even control that?"
Luis García was setting up the free kick from farther than expected. I walked over to him.
"Luis."
"Yeah? Jesus?"
"Think I could take the free kick?"
"Huh? Better to get in the box, no? You gonna take it yourself? It's too far."
Luis looked flustered, but that wasn't my problem.
I shooed him away, roughly gauged the distance to goal, and smashed under the ball.
Thwack—!
The ball rocketed out fast, clipped Barcelona vice captain Antoine Dembélé's head, and bounced over the goal line.
Ah. Mistake.
Wait, why was he there?
Sigh. That bastard blocked my goal. Total Napoli defender.
"Puta! That fucker stole my goal!"
[Jesus Joo looks set to take the free kick.]
[Pretty far out. He planning to take it himself?]
[Jesus Joo shoots! Oh—a fantastic trajectory free kick, but it hits Barcelona vice captain Antoine Dembélé's head and goes out over the line.]
[Yes. Ref halting play briefly.]
[Hope it's not serious... What's this? Jesus Joo's angry now?]
Lol I saw this before
What?
Neymar raging at Nunez for goal cancellation after header
[Something must've happened.]
Lol commentator noticed but changing subject~
Cover for him cuz he's Korean~~
Luis García blankly watched Jesus Joo throw a tantrum at Antoine Dembélé for stealing his goal.
'What a madman.'
Should've realized when he arrived in Italy and thought, "Is this Balotelli and Cassano's country?"
Or from the training session when he chucked a plate at the vice captain?
Ah, not important now.
"Jesus, coach is desperately calling you."
"Why's he bitching again?"
Luis vowed watching Jesus, face full of irritation, tussle with the coach.
'Gotta stay away from Madrid.'
And exactly three minutes later, fickle Luis García changed his mind.
He'd passed casually, not expecting Jesus to receive it, but Jesus nailed a stunning overhead kick goal.
"Oh, our cutie! Iluwa! I'm going to Madrid with you too!"
"Luis, sorry, but I have..."
"Shut up! Doesn't matter! You're my assist machine!"
"You're my goal supplier."
"Heh heh heh, good pass incoming—return it with an assist!"
Jesus watched Luis cackle alone and thought.
'As expected, Barcelona's got no sane people but me.'
[Luis García's fantastic pass followed by Jesus Joo's fantastic overhead kick! Hard to believe he's South Korean!]
Whoa. Rewatched—García looks shocked too
Yeah. Didn't expect him to take it
Pep called Luis García the best in space awareness and soccer IQ. So Jesus too?
Kiii scores, passes, IQ, taekwondo—Jesus Joo is pure 'light' soccer god
[See, Napoli defense and other Barcelona attackers didn't predict it—only Jesus Joo moved. Impressive drop back as Kim Min-jun's pressure eased.]
55;; Commentary makes it insane. Dropped the instant he saw Min-jun's pressure slip?
[Anyway, means great chemistry with pass master Luis García?]
[Yes. Like Messi had three idiots, Jesus Joo has Luis García—perfect synergy.]
Lol Barcelona losing Messi-tier player
Sold Messi lost roots, sell Jesus lose future lol
Broke club sell Jesus quick~~
Why no celebration of mine?
Bit much to copy that one?
Ugly celebration anyway.
O. Nice kick. But why kick your own coach suddenly?
Damn, missed the cool scene typing!