Chapter 45

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Silver Dragon

Chapter: 45

Chapter Title: A Way to Avoid A-Match Call-Ups

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Surprisingly, the Hand of God incident with me just fizzled out without much fuss.

Wow. They aren't even giving me a suspension for that. Well, it was just a pinch, so it's ambiguous enough. It's not like I smashed someone in the back of the head with a no-look elbow or slapped the nape with my palm.

Of course. Reporters who hate Real Madrid—or hate me—the racist ones, started bitching that the RFEF skipped disciplining me for commercial reasons.

The Spain Royal Football Federation stayed silent on the controversy, crushing all backlash.

While they were busy burying the issue, I headed to the club and said goodbye to the key players leaving for A-Match duty.

"Ay! Luka, have a safe trip!"

"Jesus, you skipping the A-Match again?"

"Gotta take care of the kids. How could I go?"

I skipped the national team call-up this year too. Last season, I used the league adjustment excuse. This season, with the birth of my child, I straight-up declared I'd skip for family reasons.

Some reporter with a noble heart—who thinks sacrificing for the country over family is obvious—wrote an article tearing me apart. But my sponsored community users (with chicken deliveries) led the charge to wipe out the trash reporter.

That's why I keep feeding the community chicken to manage public sentiment. Can that trash reporter really beat guys who just brawl online after meals?

In the end, the article got taken down under community firepower, and I watched the online news outlet lock comments on other articles too.

Hmm. They gave up quick.

I thought they'd hold out a bit longer.

The football association, quicker than anyone to read the public mood, backed my decision. No wonder Agent Doo-sik hyung gets props for his straightforward style—he's already buddy-buddy with the association execs, calling them brothers.

Doo-sik hyung relayed their message:

"They say they'll handle the A-Match themselves. Just get them past the Round of 16 in the World Cup finals?"

I thought to myself at his words.

These guys who are about to get axed anyway are dreaming too far ahead.

"Tell them my goal is the semis."

Anyway, thanks to Doo-sik hyung's smooth handling, I could leisurely do childcare while shooting various interviews and content videos.

"Cristiano Ronaldo."

"I think Messi is the greater player as a footballer, but my childhood soccer hero was only Cristiano Ronaldo. I decided to become a soccer player watching the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Back then, in the Portugal match, Ronaldo gave one assist and gave his all in defense. Thanks to that, Korea made it to the Round of 16. Watching his gritty play on TV, he felt like a hero to me."

The interview ended, leaving the stunned interviewer behind.

The next day, in the balance game, I answered questions at lightning speed with firm choices.

"Wow, you've picked super fast so far. How was the overall difficulty?"

"Too easy. No need to even think."

"Great. Then let's do the hardest level. Okay?"

"Si."

"Which country do you like more?"

"..."

Are they picking a fight?

Anyway, besides that, I joined as a guest commentator for a Euro qualifier match.

"I can hardly believe it! Right beside me is Madrid's God, Jesus Joo, playing for Real Madrid. Honored to have you, Jesus."

"Hola, nice to meet you."

I evaluated my teammates' plays with utmost fairness.

In the 15th minute of the first half.

I criticized Luis García for missing a counterattack chance due to narrow vision.

"Ah, Luis really has narrow vision. And his passing skill is lacking too. Can't he pass better from there?"

I slammed a free kick from a good position that didn't lead to a goal.

"Ugh, if it were me, I'd have scored that."

And I comforted a teammate crying after defeat.

"Ah, Luka Savić's Croatia showed brilliant form, but sadly lost to Spain. It's okay, Croatia! Plenty of matches left! Climb through qualifiers, reach the finals, and get revenge on Spain!"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"...Um, Jesus, just to be sure, this is a Spanish broadcast."

What? They want biased commentary?

While I was doing side ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gigs during A-Match period, Doo-sik hyung landed a main sponsor deal for Colchester United.

1.5 billion won annually, 2 billion on promotion to fourth tier—an outrageous amount for a fifth-tier league. Yu-na's YouTube channel, which had been main sponsor on the uniform, got cautiously moved to the left sleeve.

"Hyung does such a great job, why not make you the director?"

"You should stay my agent. What director? We already got one."

"What? Who! Which bastard is eyeing my spot!"

"Jorginho."

"...A fine gentleman."

Doo-sik hyung awkwardly thumbs-upped, probably picturing Jorginho flexing his angry muscles.

For reference, when I offered Jorginho the director role, he hesitated over the low salary. But after tasting childcare hell during this A-Match break, he accepted.

Jorginho's more family-oriented than he looks.

Colchester United, known to domestic fans after Jesus Joo's acquisition, announced (Korean time) on the 15th a sponsor deal with Korea's famous confectionery company Haechi.

Haechi signed as main sponsor with Colchester United for 1.5 billion won annually, 2 billion on promotion.

The global marketing head who led the deal stated it would aid Haechi's global expansion.

Also, they plan to invite Colchester United for a match next July.