A Burning Dilemma
The situation had grown urgent. "Hmm..."
When Ha Sunmoon hung up the phone, his expression turning grave, Clive asked him a question.
"Looks like it's time to start wrestling with this."
What? What's the problem?
"Ah... um... hmm..."
What weighed on Ha Sunmoon's mind was the matter of his nationality. Now that he had turned eighteen, he had become eligible for Brazilian citizenship.
The word had spread. There was an outstanding young player they had mentioned before—one who could almost be considered Brazilian in spirit. The influence of Roberto and Marcelo, legends of Real Madrid and longtime stalwarts of the Brazilian national team, had finally reached the Brazilian Football Confederation. Soon after, a genuine offer arrived for Ha Sunmoon to join Brazil's senior national side.
"It's... about my nationality."
At those words, Clive straightened up immediately.
"The call was about that?"
"Yes. The Brazilian FA contacted me. They said if I wanted to play for them, they could fast-track the entire naturalization process."
Clive's face showed a flicker of surprise.
"Europeans have it easy, switching nationalities through their parents... But with you holding Korean citizenship, I wasn't sure how it would work. Turns out getting Brazilian nationality is simpler than I thought?"
"It seems easier than in Europe. Normally you'd need to live there for four or five years, be fluent in the language..."
"Portuguese."
"Ah, right. Anyway, those are the usual requirements, but it looks like I already meet them. On top of that, since Felipe is essentially my adoptive father, they told me it wouldn't be treated as a special professional naturalization. It would be closer to a standard one."
"Well, you've always been that kind of case. Sounds like they already see you as one of their own over there. Makes sense after the years you spent living in Brazil as a kid."
Clive paused, reflecting on those early days and the way Ha Sunmoon had blended into Brazilian football life.
"Oh, and they were honest with me—the Manchester United match was apparently the deciding factor."
"Ah! After you dominated their defense with that Brazilian flair, I can see why."
Of course, some of it was lip service; the Brazilian FA clearly wanted him. Still, the praise felt good.
"So which one are you leaning toward? You've been with the Korean national team until now. People might call you a traitor."
"That's exactly why I'm torn. The Brazilian team wants me straight into the senior squad, while Korea has invited me to the U-21 side."
"U-21 is basically the immediate step before the seniors. With the World Cup next year, maybe they're trying to protect you? They could easily put you in the senior team..."
Clive immediately sensed the difference in how the two federations valued him.
"Think carefully. Once you play for a senior national team, that nationality is locked in. You understand what that means, right?"
"I do. Hmm... that's why it's so hard to decide."
As Ha Sunmoon pondered the choice with genuine seriousness, Clive fell into thought as well.
"In the end, if it's about my growth, Brazil would be the better move, wouldn't it?"
Since this was purely about personal development, Clive didn't see it as a bad option. Better to move forward with a clear reason than to choose blindly.
Then one thought struck him, and he persuaded Ha Sunmoon to delay the decision.
"Here's what I think for now."
"Yes, tell me."
"During this next international break, go to the Korean team. See them one last time. If it still doesn't feel right afterward, then give it serious thought."
"Hmm... all right."
Yes. There are still too many unresolved issues for you. Deciding now would be too hasty. You're still young.
For the time being, any change in Ha Sunmoon's nationality was put on hold.
In early September, Ha Sunmoon returned to South Korea for the first time in what felt like ages. He had been called up for the U-21 national team matches. Yet his condition was worse than expected. The club had shown consideration, arranging a helicopter from the hotel straight to Manchester Airport to speed up his departure. Even after flying from Manchester to London and then enduring the long haul to Korea aboard a comfortable plane provided by the club, the journey left him exhausted.
Ah... I'm wiped out. All this flying really takes it out of you. How can I be this tired even after flying first class?
"Tired, huh? Looks like it."
Seeing how drained Ha Sunmoon was from the long flights, Clive tried to offer some encouragement. Then he noticed something and quickly issued a warning.
"Hey. Hey... Sunmoon. Snap out of it."
"What... I feel like I'm dying..."
"There are reporters outside."
"Reporters? Why?"
"No matter how you look at it, it's because of you. Stars draw crowds—what did you expect?"
"Come on..."
"There are quite a few. Isn't that Lee Ji-seon? The one who came to meet you?"
"Ah! Yes, that's her."
"I don't see her. With all these reporters... we need to move fast..."
"Can't you help me out? Just wait a bit and let me go out slowly..."
"Ugh... hang on."
Though only a door separated them from the outside, Ha Sunmoon found himself in an awkward spot. With the Brazilian national team situation hanging over him, he had hoped to arrive and leave quietly. That was no longer possible. A Manchester City player who had just shone against Manchester United was returning home. Attention was inevitable.
"Here they come! She's with a few staff members. The moment you step out, pull up that hood and move quietly."
Following Clive's instructions, Ha Sunmoon slipped out as discreetly as possible. The door opened. People murmured uncertainly. Ha Sunmoon walked faster than anyone toward Lee Ji-seon, eyes fixed on the ground, guided by Clive's directions until he reached her.
"The person right in front of you now."
Ha Sunmoon lifted his head and gave her a light tap.
"Yes?"
"It's me. Ha Sunmoon."
"Ah! It is you."
"Yes. Let's go quickly."
Ha Sunmoon tried to hurry them along, but Lee Ji-seon held him back.
"Where are you going?"
"To the accommodation."
"That won't do. You need to give interviews. All these people are waiting for you, player Ha Sunmoon."
Lee Ji-seon shook her head as she spoke.
"I came quietly because I didn't want that..."
"I understand, but... you really should..."
"I don't want to... I'm too tired."
When Ha Sunmoon looked at her with a pitiful, pleading expression, Lee Ji-seon's resolve softened.
"Ah... then at least do interviews with the reporters who come to the pre-match training session. The ones here aren't affiliated with our association, so we can ignore them. But the training-session reporters are different."
Ha Sunmoon nodded quickly in agreement.
"Wow. This place is pretty rundown, isn't it?"
Clive remarked after seeing the training ground where Ha Sunmoon would prepare.
"Hmm... national team standards! Ahem. Forget youth teams—this is what the senior national team trains in?"
Coming from Manchester City's world-class facilities made the contrast painfully obvious.
"They said they're building a new one."
"Still, this is unacceptable."
After Clive's complaint, Ha Sunmoon headed out to the pitch first to loosen up. His immediate priority was recovering his physical condition. He had arrived early to focus entirely on that, while the domestic players had already begun training.
"Still, these are familiar faces, aren't they?"
Clive spoke as though it was no big deal.
"You're right. Kang Min-woo, Kim Jun-ho, Bae Sung-jin, Kang Hyun-jun, Yang Ji-seong, Eom Hyun-muk. Kim Jin-soo, Byeon Ji-soo, Seo Tae-seok. Baek Jung-hoon. All faces I know."
This was the one bright spot for Ha Sunmoon. Most of the summoned players had come up together from the U-17 team.
While Ha Sunmoon warmed up indoors, observing the others, a Korea Football Association staff member approached.
"Player Ha Sunmoon."
"Yes?"
"The reporters today would like a short interview, if possible."
"Ah! I did agree to that. I heard about it earlier. My condition isn't good enough for proper training anyway, so today works fine."
Ha Sunmoon followed the staff member to a small room set up for interviews. A select group of reporters waited. He took a seat.
"Hello, player Ha Sunmoon."
"Hello."
"First of all, congratulations on your recent transfer to Manchester City and your outstanding performance against Manchester United."
The interview began with light pleasantries, focusing mostly on the transfer process. Ha Sunmoon answered carefully, guided by Clive's advice on which details he could share and which he should keep private.
But then—
"Hello. I'm a reporter from Sports One, Two, Three. There have been reports that the Brazilian national team is interested in recruiting you... Is that true?"
How did they find out?
Ha Sunmoon paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful.
"Yes. It's true. I have received an offer to join Brazil's senior national team."