Chapter 63
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Power Struggle
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The longer the tax investigations dragged on...
Support from Madrid's locals for me only grew hotter.
Sergio Pepe admits guilt, faces 10.5 billion fine. "I'm sorry for disappointing the Madridistas. In Jesus's country, they say they'll repay with soccer at times like this. I'll repay the Madridistas with soccer too."
Real Madrid manager Valverde admits tax evasion. "When leading others, I should have been above reproach first, but I wasn't. I'm sorry to the players and the disappointed fans. But the greatest sin is tarnishing the name of the club I love and take pride in. Like Sergio Pepe said, I'll repay with soccer this season. And I'll make sure nothing like this happens again."
Model taxpayer Jesus, who doesn't even do tax minimization. "Money isn't important to me. What truly matters in life is love, friendship, and peace."
Even as La Liga struggled with the tax evasion scandal...
Time marched on relentlessly. Despite the chilling winds of the tax audits, the league continued.
League Round 20: vs. Getafe.
"Vamos!! Focus!!"
Valverde, who'd lost money, honor, and even his hair, instilled fighting spirit in the players.
"I know you're all distracted by the chaos."
The players focused at the manager's words.
"But what's most important right now is this match and the fans who came to cheer us on..."
Just then, a Madridista in the stands hurled abuse in a loud voice.
"Valverde OUT!! Disgusting octopus bastard OUT!!"
"Bad luck king OUT!! Brainless octopus OUT!!"
Valverde's face flushed red at the fans' vicious insults.
"...Let's bring them victory."
"Va... Vamos!!"
We shouted cheers so the manager wouldn't feel awkward. Sergio Pepe was especially fervent among the squad.
Guess getting grilled in the investigations together bred some camaraderie.
"Vaaaaaaaamos!!!"
(GIF of Sergio Pepe saying he'll repay with soccer after tax evasion interview)
What the fuck. Don't transplant Hell Joseon to Spain!
Lmao just looking at it makes my blood boil backwards.
Fr, that drunk driving asshole posted an apology on SNS saying he'd reflect...
Now his reflection period's over: "I'll repay with baseball." Bet my left nut he joins team training like nothing happened.
What do the locals in Spain say?
What do you think? They're cursing like hell, dumbass lol
Cultural differences or not, it's a place where people live—wouldn't they rage at that bullshit? Lol
And Spain's economy is in total shambles right now, super sensitive time lol
League Round 20
Real Madrid 0 : 0 Getafe
"Boooo-!"
Every time a player under tax suspicion touched the ball, boos rained from the stands.
The tax investigation storm sweeping La Liga didn't spare only giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Getafe's players were embroiled in evasion charges too, under scrutiny from tax and judicial authorities. The pitch was eerily silent, devoid of players' voices.
"..."
"..."
No communication on the field. Only the crowd's angry jeers echoed. The Madrid players looked subdued amid the hostile home atmosphere unlike any other. And when I got the ball in that situation...
"Hala! Jesus!"
Clap clap-!
Applause rang out at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Finally, people were recognizing my shining character.
I stopped dribbling and waved thanks to the applauding fans.
Meanwhile, I turned the ball over to Getafe's midfielder, putting us in counterattack danger, but our Madrid fans kept applauding me regardless...
"You idiot-! Dumbass! What are you doing!!"
Sigh. Soccer maniacs.
Soccer isn't everything in life...
The first half is a dull affair. Lots of mistakes from both sides.
Real Madrid's famed front three aren't syncing at all. Their machine-like attacks are nowhere to be seen today.
The tax probe fallout lingers. Getafe's players look sluggish too.
Sergio Pepe clears the ball. Boos pour down from the Bernabéu crowd. Unprecedented for their franchise star.
Fans are deeply disappointed by this tax scandal.
Cheers for Jesus with the ball. Earlier, waving to applause drew jeers?
Jesus might be the first La Liga player to wave to fans mid-match on applause.
Called a brat for his on-pitch antics, but off-pitch he's a model pro. Pays taxes on time too.
Rumor has it Spanish tax authorities gave a standing ovation to his filings. Shows his honesty.
Jesus's 26th league goal!
Oh my days. After paying taxes to the Spanish government, Jesus now robs taxes from Getafe. He strips the ball as two defenders tangle and fall, fakes the keeper, and shakes the net!
What a cool guy. Pays taxes coolly, scores coolly. Jesus breaks out his signature celebration! Home fans' cheers fill the Bernabéu!
Minute 5 of the second half.
Real Madrid 1 : 0 Getafe.
The jeering crowd now cheered for victory, rallying the players.
Real Madrid's players were gradually regaining form.
"Sigh... Dumbasses. Why evade taxes then."
I clicked my tongue watching them warm up. Even pros with strong professionalism would crack under home boos when facing potential jail time for clear guilt...
But then, just don't fuck up to begin with?
As I inwardly roasted the tax cheats...
Tax cheat #1, Luis García, slipped a through pass to me infiltrating the half-space into the box.
"Jesus!"
'They're shaking down soccer players for tax revenue 'cause of budget shortfalls. Why panic about jail? Just pay the fine equal to the evaded amount.'
Muttering internally, I controlled Luis García's pass. An Italian center-back lowered his stance and approached.
"I. Block you. You no pass."
A simple body feint shattered the Italian defender's balance with his shaky Spanish.
Whoosh-whoosh!
"Che cazzo!"
He swore and tumbled. I faked a near-post shot, then cut back to Roberto Fabianski bursting into the box.
Thwack-!
Roberto Fabianski slotted home easily opposite the shifted keeper and defense.
"Vamos!"
As Roberto Fabianski celebrated by the corner flag, I nodded in satisfaction.
With my image boosted by this scandal, I could act like a punk on the pitch without anyone chasing me with knives, right?
"Dios del Madrid Jesus!!"
As if answering my thoughts, the fans sang my chant. A smile crept onto my face.
This is Real Madrid! Perfect buildup, perfect pass, perfect finish! Everything perfect!
Oh my days. Body feint shakes the defender, then cutback to bursting Roberto Fabianski. He calmly finishes far post.
Keeper had no chance. Hard to believe it's the same team from the first half. Did Valverde work magic at halftime?
Real Madrid leads 2-0. Loosened up now, unlike Getafe's still-stiff players.
"Dios del Madrid Jesus!!"
Real fans chant for Jesus. Even gods can't escape tax duty. Their god's certified model taxpayer by Spanish authorities.
Match Result
Real Madrid 4 : 1 Getafe
Real Madrid president Nuñez indicted by Spanish government for embezzlement, tax evasion, accounting fraud.
Nuñez resigns as Real Madrid president. Alfonso Laporta vice president favored as successor.
Real Madrid sacks manager Valverde.
Patricia Casillas, who led Spain's women's national team, named next manager.
Madridistas question unproven female manager hire. "What's a woman doing in men's pro soccer?!"
Furious Madridistas calmed by Alfonso Laporta. "Coach Patricia has exceptional talent. She'll prove women can succeed in men's pro soccer."
The new manager was clearly off her rocker.
"Jesus, no more privileges for you! I'm inflexible. No player is above the manager, and if you care about the team, follow my orders. If you can't, get out now, pack your bags, and go down to the reserves!"
...Crazy bitch starting a power struggle right on arrival.