Chapter 24
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: He is Madrid
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He is Madrid.
After hearing the Madridistas' response to my celebration, as I headed back to the center circle...
A little Madridista wearing my jersey caught my eye in the stands.
"Hola! What's your name?"
"Alexandra Kutcherenko."
Eastern European name. A tourist, huh.
I wanted to give her my jersey at least,
but I couldn't since the match was still going.
Oh, right. I had an undershirt.
I quickly took off my jersey and undershirt, handing the undershirt to Alexandra.
"I'll give you my jersey after the game, so wait here."
"¡Gracias!!"
Alexandra beamed, clutching my undershirt.
I smiled, got permission from her parents, and ruffled her hair.
"Enjoy the rest of the match."
Man, after a hat-trick, I really don't feel like running anymore.
I wanna clock out early.
Gotta ask the manager if he can sub me off in the second half.
"Jesus taking off his jersey is a yellow card."
Really. How do referees have zero flexibility?
[Jesus! He holds his own against Real Sociedad's taller center-back Diego, redirects the ball, and scores!]
[Jesus completes the perfect hat-trick with left foot, right foot, and header!! Shocked Sociedad players everywhere!! How do you even stop this guy!!]
[After the black sheep controversy, Jesus asks the fans directly post-hat-trick. The Madridistas' cheers echo to the booth!]
"Jesus! El ángel del Madrid we lost!"
"They point fingers calling him a black sheep, but we know!"
"He's showing mercy! Aaah—Merciful Madrid's Santo!"
[We have to acknowledge the Madridistas' words. Jesus has been showing mercy as a god all this time! Hat-trick vs Sociedad, 17 goals in 7 league games—Dios del Fútbol, the God of Soccer, Jesus!]
[Ooh—the God of Soccer Jesus gives his celebration undershirt to a little lady singing his chant.]
[Referee Melero López yellow-cards Jesus for removing his shirt. Another card for Jesus today, but the memory he gave that little girl is touching.]
[Jesus's expression after the card is priceless.]
Real Madrid 5 : 0 Real Sociedad
Goals: Jesus Joo (13', 35', 39'), Luka Savić (41'), Pedro Rodríguez (68')
Substitution: Jesus Joo OUT → Pedro Rodríguez IN (HT 50')
After the match, Valverde entered the Santiago Bernabéu press room with a slightly displeased expression and addressed the black sheep incident.
"We have to admit it. Jesus Joo is on another level. He can score whenever he wants. We can't judge a genius of his talent by ordinary standards."
The reporters, moved by Jesus Joo's performance, nodded in agreement. The manager smiled at them.
When Asian reporters raised their hands, the club marketing team signaled the manager. Valverde pointed to one.
"How's the relationship between Jesus Joo and the Madrid players?"
"The Madrid lads say they feel at ease playing with him. They believe he'll bring victory."
"There were rumors of interest from Paris and Manchester. Your thoughts?"
Valverde replied with a proud grin.
"It'd be faster to buy Real Madrid outright than sign him. He's Madrid incarnate."
@Lord_Jesus_18 ☆ Official.
(Black Sheep)
@JavierMarias Javier, now you get it? Effort is just an excuse losers invented.
[Real Madrid crushes Real Sociedad 5-0 at home Santiago Bernabéu.]
[Madridistas answer Jesus's question with his chant.]
[Jesus silences black sheep controversy with skill. His SNS post goes viral.]
[Luka Savić: 'It's an honor to play with him.']
[Luis García: 'His personality sucks beyond skill. Shooting a water rocket at my fantastic pass.']
[Luka Savić interrupts Luis García's interview: 'Your pass was shit!']
[Javier Marias: 'Not happy at Real Madrid. The fire in my heart has died.']
[Real Madrid accepts Javier Marias's transfer request. 'Even if it's Barcelona, we'll let him go.']
Honestly, even as a soccer player, I still don't get why people are so obsessed with this unproductive ball game.
"Jesus! Can I get your autograph?"
Like any other day, kids approached me for signatures while I walked with Yu-na.
Their parents tried to hold them back, but I waved it off with a smile and signed for the kids.
"Oh, thank you. You're truly Madrid's treasure."
The parents thanked me and left with their child. Yu-na watched me with eyes full of affection.
"Ha. I really created a person."
You did create one. It's in your belly.
League Round 23
Real Madrid vs Mallorca
Soccer's simple.
Dodge the tackles.
"Chiksho!!"
Dribble.
"Puta! Madre!"
The goal appears.
Fake the shot. Lightly.
Thud—
The keeper collapses.
"Hostia!!"
Roll it into the empty net.
Done.
Splash—
The fans erupt in chants as I dismantle Mallorca's defense.
"Madrid, Madrid, Madrid"
"¡Hala Madrid!"
"Y nada más"
"Y nada más"
"¡Hala Madrid!"
After the manager's words last time, I've become Madrid itself. Time to bid farewell to the chant I've grown fond of.
Hala Madrid, now one of my anthems, poured from the away fans' mouths.
As I spread my arms in a cross celebration before them...
Luka Savić, who assisted me, ran up beaming.
"¡Vamos! Killer finish!"
Earned my milk money today too.
Scoring's hard work, Dad's busting his ass.
On the way back from celebrating...
I passed my request to Valverde.
"One more goal and I clock out?"
Valverde shook his head firmly at my hope.
"Two goals."
"One."
"One's too few. Two."
"One!"
The ref eyed us suspiciously, so he surrendered.
"Puta! Fine, one more goal and you're subbed. Now go score!"
I saluted playfully and jogged to the center circle.
"Sí."
We're Real Madrid, the world's top club. Two goals should win it. No way we lose, right?
Seven minutes after my opener, I scored again. Valverde subbed me for Pedro Rodríguez as promised.
"You madman. Why so quick?"
"Hot today. Mallorca's dome stadium would've been nice."
"Puta, respect your elders. How old am I, running in this heat? And if it was domed, I'd tell the manager I don't wanna play."
"You'll be unemployed soon. Gotta earn now. I'm getting your appearance fee. Ungrateful much?"
"Ha! Cocky punk. I'm already contracted as youth coach."
"Oh, damn! Gotta rethink sending my kid to La Fábrica."
We chuckled through the sub.
Off the touchline, Valverde patted my butt for a job well done. I joked back.
"Whoa, coach. Sorry, I'm married."
"Oh, pity, Jesus. But I have a wife too. A sturdy grizzly bear."
And Real Madrid drew like dogs.
Real Madrid 3 : 3 Mallorca
Goals: Jesus Joo (10', 17'), Pedro Rodríguez (90+1') : Roberto Fabiański (30', 51', 70')
What the hell were those defensive bastards doing!
If Pedro hadn't headed in from the corner at the end, Madrid would've lost today.
Frustrating not to win, but...
What's most infuriating...
My win bonus flew away.
"Me cago en su puta Madre!!"
[Real Madrid shocks with draw away at Mallorca. Roberto Fabiański punctures Madrid arrogance, edges Jesus for M.O.M.]
[Roberto Fabiański in M.O.M interview: 'Jesus is great, but he only scored two.']
The article makes it seem like Roberto Fabiański taunted me, but reality differed.
He DM'd me on SNS, gushing about his respect.
Robi: Oh Jesus. I never said that. Pig reporters twisted it to drive a wedge between us!
Robi: I admire your play. DMing so you don't misunderstand the article.
Me: Hey Robi.
Robi: O mój boże! (Oh my god!) Jesus called me by nickname. I could die happy now, damn!
Me: Hey amigo, calm down.
Robi: O mój boże! O mój boże! O mój boże!!!! He called me amigo!!!
I cut to the chase amid his excitement.
Me: Ever thought of joining Real Madrid?
Robi: Real Madrid? Me?
Me: Yeah. You play with Real Madrid DNA.
Robi: Calling my agent now.
Robi: What's my position? Doesn't matter. Even if coach says goalie, I'm ready. Me on the same team as Jesus!
Tired from the chat, I quietly told Valverde mission accomplished.
"Success."
"Impressive. How'd you convince him?"
I showed him the chat. Valverde swallowed hard.
"Hm. Another Luis type in the team?"
"I'll head out then."
"Huh? Yeah, take care."
Valverde already eyeing next season.
Tsk tsk. Managers have it rough.
Managing punks like me.
Planning tactics.
Headache incoming.
After the manager meeting, Real Madrid's marketing team approached.
"Jesus, got time now?"
"Sí."
"Come with us a sec?"
I nodded, and they led me to the museum.
Raul, Zidane, Ronaldo, Modrić—legends' donated jerseys gleamed.
"Oh, it's Jesus!"
Tourists greeted joyfully; I waved back.
"Jesus."
Letisha called. I turned; she pointed to a Bernabéu history section.
"We're turning this into your record hall for what you'll build in Madrid."
I nodded indifferently.
"Sounds good."
She nodded and continued.
"This'll display the cards you've received."
Wait, why exhibit that?