Chapter 47
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: El Clásico -1
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After I gave an interview stating that Youssoufa Moukoko's Ballon d'Or win was justified, a lot of people—including my agent, Hyung Doo-sik—shot me puzzled looks.
"Hey. You're the Jesus Joo I know, right?"
"What're you talking about?"
"No, I just never dreamed you'd give an interview like that."
"I was just saying what I really think. How can anyone equate a Champions League win with a World Cup? I don't get it. Objectively, Moukoko deserves the Ballon d'Or this time."
Anyway, that's how it went. The honor of the Ballon d'Or went to Youssoufa Moukoko, and I headed home to heal up by watching Goalie and Yu-na.
Getting married, having a kid, and becoming a dad...
It was something truly special that I hadn't experienced in any of my past lives spanning over 200 years of soccer.
"Goalie~ Say 'dada,' Goalie!"
In all those 200-plus years of soccer, I'd never once given up on winning the World Cup. I'd pushed myself to the absolute limit to break the regression cycle.
But despite all that desperate effort, the best I'd managed was the round of 16. And even then, we got utterly crushed by Brazil. Those Brazilian bastards beat us and advanced, only to get knocked out in the quarterfinals.
"Waaah—!"
In the end, when I gave up everything and just went with the flow in that one regression cycle, I met Yu-na, figured out the conditions to ease the mission, and before I knew it, I was a father.
"Hng— Jesus, why's Goalie crying again?"
Yu-na's cute face scrunched up at Goalie's wails, and seeing her carefully pick him up to soothe him put my mind at ease.
I slipped up behind her as she comforted him, wrapped my arms around her waist, and buried my nose in the nape of her neck, inhaling her scent.
Memories of my old life, grinding away for the World Cup, flashed through my mind. And gratitude welled up for her—the one who let me finally look around at the world.
"Jesus. Goalie wants a little sibling."
Before I knew it, Yu-na had lulled Goalie back to sleep. She turned her head and kissed me on the lips. I scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom.
Ahead of El Clásico, a new post went up on Jesus Joo's SNS, and tons of people suspected it was hacked.
I respect my changing former team, Barcelona. Even if I score in this El Clásico, I won't celebrate in front of them.
Hacked?
Hacked or Jesus-hyung's sick. One or the other.
Jesus's account looks hacked.
But astonishingly, when it was confirmed that the post was really written by Jesus Joo himself, all sorts of reactions started popping up online.
"That's not Jesus. It's an alien wearing Jesus's skin!"
"I was hoping to see Jesus score at Camp Nou and mock Barcelona. Disappointing. But I'm glad he'll get fewer cards now, so we can watch more divine games from him on the pitch."
"Jesus turned into a boomer overnight."
"This kid younger than me going on about 'back in my day' makes me wanna beat the crap outta him."
"If you fight Jesus, you're the one getting wrecked, no?"
"Jesus is a good guy. He shares all his experience with us freely."
"Everyone's falling for Jesus right now. Why do they think he won't mock Barcelona?"
"Shut your trap, you fat pig bastard."
When the team bus arrived in Barcelona, Barcelona fans hurling abuse and even terrorist threats at the bus full of Madrid players came into view. I nodded as I looked at them.
[Disgusting Jesus! We don't trust you!]
Still, the interview must've had some effect—there was less vitriol aimed at me. It was about the standard level for any Madrid player now.
And seeing Luis García absorb all the hatred I'd shed proved he was currently Barcelona fans' most despised player.
Even while warming up on the pitch before kickoff, the jeers were more for Luis than me.
"Boooooo—! Dirty pig bastard Luis!"
Luis García smirked at the booing Barcelona fans, digging in his ear with his middle finger.
I shook my head watching him.
Sigh. The guy's personality is rotten through and through.
Whoa. The booing is wild.
Especially the nonstop curses flying at that bastard Luis García lol
But his mentality doesn't even flinch. Impressive.
(Jesus-hyung shaking his head at Luis García's shitty personality.)
Luis García: the kind of personality even Jesus-hyung shakes his head at.
Wasn't Luis García famous for having top-tier personality in La Liga back in the day?
Ancient history. It's been ages since he met Jesus-hyung and went rotten lol
Satan Jesus corrupts even personality kings
Oh. Kickoff. BRB for the match .
With the referee's whistle, El Clásico kicked off.
Barcelona had the kickoff.
Barcelona's attacker—who'd sniped me on SNS and had recently transferred from us—passed to Javier Marias.
The moment Javier Marias got the ball, I waved happily in greeting. But he ignored me.
Feeling a bit miffed at his cold shoulder, I closed in on him as he tried to dribble past, perfectly tackled the ball away, passed it to Luis García, and waved again.
"Hola! Long time no see!"
"…."
What's with that look?
What'd I do wrong?
Barcelona's dominating possession, but Real Madrid's the one with the golden chance.
Jesus Joo's tackle was the turning point. As the ball went to Javier Marias, Jesus appeared out of nowhere, intercepted it, and fired a through ball to Roberto Fabian ski breaking forward.
Roberto Fabian ski stayed cool and shot, but the keeper's super save killed the chance.
Splash—!
Ah, another pass to Javier Marias intercepted by Jesus. Jesus! The second he steals it, he springs up and bolts toward their half.
Beep—!
Javier Marias grabs Jesus's jersey to foul and halt Real Madrid's counter.
Luka Savić lining up a free kick from distance. Javier Marias, who just stopped Jesus Joo's counter, caught on camera.
Prime counter chance killed by jersey pull? Yellow card was warranted. Shame.
Luka Savić! Lifts it!
GOOOOOOAL!!! Jesus Joo! Jesus Joo! Jesus Joo scores!!!!!!
Luka Savić's cross perfectly met Jesus Joo's forehead. Just deflected it exquisitely into goal.
Jesus Joo's not dumb with headers—he's actually really precise. He just doesn't do 'em much.
Yes. Last season, Jesus shockingly only contested single digits with headers.
El Clásico at Camp Nou! He doesn't, but when he does, he nails it. Jesus Joo gifts Real Madrid a precious header goal!
I just redirected Luka Savić's cross with a header into goal, then raised both arms to show respect to the Barcelona fans.
Luis García looked stunned at that.
A few Barcelona fans even clapped back, moved by my respect.
"Jesus! You're betraying me?!"
Luis García glared at me like I was his mortal enemy for earning respect from his former team. I ignored his bullshit and jogged back to the center circle.
Swipe—thumbs up!
I happened to lock eyes with the ref, who gave me a thumbs up. I nodded back.
The smooth, peaceful El Clásico...
Until Barcelona's corner. Javier Marias took a non-stop volley on a ball coming right to him and finished it, then reverse-ran a celebration toward the Real Madrid away fans.
"Boooooooooooooooo! Have you no respect for your former team, you bastard!!!"
Exploded into chaos.
Furious at Javier Marias's celebration, Sergio Pepe charged and shoved him.
Barcelona players got heated and shoved back at Pepe, so Real Madrid players shoved them roughly to protect him.
In the instant mayhem on the pitch,
I stealthily clocked Barcelona's captain in the back of the head.
Thwack—!
"Puta! Which fucking bastard!!"
As the Barcelona captain whirled around with murderous eyes scanning the crowd, I pointed straight at Luis García.
That guy's the one. Not me.