Football: Starting from the 05 World Youth Championship

Most goalkeepers need to accumulate match experience to grow. For example, Zidane's second son, Luca Zidane, when he first started playing football, not only was his positioning and saves terrible, but he would even subconsciously dodge when faced with the opponent's shot, making people think that he was hopeless and not suitable to be a goalkeeper at all.

But after accumulating several years of match experience, he underwent a transformation. Although he was not yet at the level of a world-class goalkeeper, he was already a qualified goalkeeper, and even became the first goalkeeper for Algeria after changing his nationality.

Most goalkeepers in football have similar experiences to Luca Zidane. When they were young, they lacked experience, and their teams were reluctant to let young players take risks in order to maintain stability due to pressure to achieve good results. Therefore, it was difficult for them to show their talent at the beginning.

Only by gradually building up seniority and accumulating competition experience can one truly stand out as they age and gain more experience.

But there are some exceptions, such as Casillas!

Casillas joined Real Madrid's first team at the age of 18 and helped the team win two Champions League trophies as the starting goalkeeper, which can be described as his peak right from the start.

He's the kind of person who's born to be a goalkeeper; he's never followed the usual path.

What's even more frightening is that, like other goalkeepers, he also has the potential to grow.

With the accumulation of match experience and his own qualities reaching their peak, Casillas entered the peak period of his career starting from the 07-08 season.

In 2008, after winning his third Champions League trophy with the team, Casillas was named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year, marking the first time Casillas had been named the world's best goalkeeper.

Based on his performance in the league and Champions League this season, Casillas has a very high probability of winning this honor again.

This means that in recent years, Casillas has been the best goalkeeper in the world, without a doubt!

Thinking of that one-on-one chance just now, Messi couldn't help but glance at Casillas again, muttering to himself: How can there be such a terrifying guy?

However, Messi did not give up easily. Although the opposing goalkeeper was abnormally strong, he firmly believed that he would find a way to deal with him. He was determined to win this game today!

Casillas's excellent performance prevented Real Madrid from conceding any more goals, but the passive situation on the field was not reversed.

With Real Madrid committing significant resources to containing the outstanding Messi, the pressure on Xavi has been greatly reduced.

In the 26th minute, Xavi used his signature ball control and turn in midfield to get rid of the Real Madrid player who was pressing him and then sent a through pass.

Eto'o unleashed a powerful shot from the right side of the penalty area. Casillas had anticipated the shot's trajectory, so it wouldn't have posed much of a threat.

However, the ball bounced off the ground as it flew into the penalty area, abruptly changing its trajectory and greatly increasing the difficulty for the goalkeeper to make a save.

Eto'o, full of confidence after taking the shot, said: "Let's see how you save this one!"
However, he still underestimated Casillas' speed. After anticipating that the ball would touch the ground early, Casillas knelt down on one knee, supported his body with his left leg, and suddenly stretched out his right arm, slapping the ball that had bounced in mid-air like a volleyball.

Eto'o made the same shocked expression as Messi earlier, his eyes widening as he stared incredulously at Casillas, his mind filled with:
How could you save that shot?
"That was a beautiful shot!"

"As expected of you!"

"Haha, look at those opposing forwards, they're practically traumatized by your tackles!"

Casillas's series of brilliant saves greatly boosted the morale of Real Madrid players, especially his teammates in the back line.

Hearing his teammates' praise, Casillas looked up at Eto'o, who was still in shock and disoriented.

After high-fiving Ramos and the others who came over, he laughed and scolded them:

"You guys, if you had put in just a little more effort on defense, I wouldn't be in this mess. Get yourselves together, don't lose your positions or your men!"

"Don't worry, Captain, we won't give them another chance!"

Upon hearing Casillas's words, Pepe, Ramos, and the others patted their chests and made their assurances.

However, Casillas was skeptical of their words. If these guys could really do it, why would they have given the other side so many chances before?

As expected, despite assurances from Pepe and Ramos, Real Madrid's defense still couldn't stop the opponent's attack.

In the 28th minute, Messi once again dribbled into the penalty area, drawing the combined defense of Thiago Silva and Pepe before passing the ball straight to the left side of the penalty area.

Iniesta appeared unexpectedly, drawing his bow and arrow as if to shoot.

Casillas had no choice but to attack, but this was exactly what Iniesta had been waiting for.

Aren't you, Casillas, good at making saves?

Then I'll move you away from the goal and let my teammates in open positions shoot. That way, you can't just save the shot, right?

Iniesta passed the ball back to the center, and Messi instantly started his run, finishing with a left-footed shot near the penalty spot.

However, to the surprise of both Messi and Iniesta, Messi's shot was saved by Casillas again!
It turns out that Casillas realized something was wrong halfway through his attack and, just as Iniesta completed the pass, he quickly turned around and barely managed to catch Messi's shot.

If Messi had been even half a beat slower, his shot would have gone in.

Messi, having missed several excellent scoring opportunities, silently retreated into Real Madrid's penalty area with his head down.

He was filled with regret; if he had chosen a powerful shot, the opponent would have had no chance to save it.

Worried about hitting too high, he didn't dare to do that and chose the safest approach, resulting in missing the opportunity.

As expected, hesitation will lead to defeat!
Messi clenched his fists in anger, vowing never to hesitate again next time!

The game continued, and after withstanding Barcelona's fierce counterattack, the game finally turned to Real Madrid's attacking turn.

In the 31st minute of the first half, Lin Feng dribbled the ball forward.

Busquets, who was marking him, immediately ran up to intercept, and Abidal also came over to double-team him. Lin Feng, who was being targeted, calmly passed the ball back to Mascherano behind him.

Xavi and Iniesta quickly moved towards Mascherano, who then passed the ball to Thiago Silva behind him.

Barcelona's forwards also joined the pressing, and Thiago Silva continued to pass the ball around, eventually finding Ramos on the wing.

After receiving the ball, Ramos did not rush to pass it, but paused for a second, seemingly waiting for the opposing player to come forward.

Barcelona's attacking players continued to press forward, and soon they were about to block Ramos's passing lanes.

Seeing this, Ramos turned and passed the ball to Pepe, the other center-back who was trailing behind.

Facing the direction of the attack, Pepe could clearly observe the positions of the players on both sides of the field. He immediately spotted Lin Feng, who had retreated to his own half, and the hand gestures made by the opponent. Without hesitation, he passed the ball to the open space on the left flank.

Busquets' mission in this game was to limit Lin Feng. Regardless of whether the ball was at Lin Feng's feet or not, Professor Busquets stuck to Lin Feng like a leech.

But after passing the ball back, Lin Feng began to stroll around the field, sometimes moving towards the attacking third and sometimes retreating. Busquets had to mark him while closely observing the movement of the ball.

When the ball came to Ramos's feet, Lin Feng suddenly retreated, seemingly to receive the ball.

Busquets didn't dare to be careless. He ran ahead of Lin Feng and did his best to block his position, not giving him a chance to receive the ball.

However, as if Lin Feng had anticipated his move, upon seeing Busquets circling around him, he decisively gave up on physically confronting Busquets to compete for position, and instead ran back towards the frontcourt.

Busquets was shocked: Oh no, the enemy is going to make a long spin and attack from behind!
Realizing something was wrong, Professor Bu quickly turned around and rushed towards Lin Feng at almost sprint speed, trying to interfere with Lin Feng's ability to catch the ball.

However, Lin Feng once again made a move that exceeded his expectations. After seeing Busquets turn back, Lin Feng turned around again and returned to his own half of the court.

The ball had just reached Pepe's feet, and Lin Feng had just shaken off Busquets's entanglement. A fleeting opportunity had arisen.

Lin Feng did not slow down; instead, he sped up and ran toward the open space on his left side.

At the same time, Pepe passed the ball over.

The Barcelona forwards realized something was wrong, and Xavi and Iniesta rushed toward the passing lane, trying to intercept the ball in advance.

But Lin Feng was faster than them and got the ball first.

Iniesta made a decisive sliding tackle in an attempt to clear the ball.

But Lin Feng was prepared. He lifted the ball and jumped to avoid Iniesta's tackle. After landing, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, he made an extremely fast Cruyff turn, completing his own turn while once again getting past Busquets who was sprinting towards him.

Poor Busquets was repeatedly toyed with by Lin Feng like a dog on a leash in just a few seconds.

Having completely shaken off Busquets's entanglement, Lin Feng had a clear view of the entire court.

Instead of rushing to pass the ball, he used his speed to dribble forward at high speed.

Although Lin Feng is a midfielder, in counter-attacks, he is the most effective battering ram on the planet.

Barcelona's players felt the immense threat he posed and had to send players to rush towards him in an attempt to stop his advance.

Although Barcelona reacted quickly, it was still too late for Lin Feng at this point.

After he dribbled the ball across half the field and picked up his speed, he became an unstoppable force on the field.

Abidal, Puyol, Alves, Pique...

Barcelona's defenders were like the Calabash Brothers saving their grandfather, getting beaten by Lin Feng one after another.

The atmosphere at the Bernabéu Stadium was completely ignited at this moment. Every time Lin Feng dribbled past a Barcelona defender, the atmosphere in the stands rose a level higher.

When he dribbled past all four Barcelona defenders and broke into the penalty area to challenge the goalkeeper one-on-one, almost all the fans in the stands, regardless of age, gender, or whether they were Real Madrid fans, Barcelona fans, or neutral fans, couldn't help but stand up, crane their necks, and stand on tiptoe to look at Barcelona's penalty area.

Seeing that all his teammates had been beaten, Valdes, like a warrior bravely facing death, roared and charged out of the penalty area, attempting to challenge Lin Feng one-on-one.

However, without the assistance of teammates, such a one-on-one situation is too unfair to the goalkeeper.

Lin Feng did not slow down. After dribbling the ball laterally, he accelerated and widened the distance between himself and Valdes. Under the desperate gaze of the opponent, he pushed the ball into the empty net.

The score became 3-2, with Lin Feng completing a hat-trick and giving Real Madrid the lead again.

"A crazy match, crazy goals!"

"Lin Feng has already achieved a hat-trick in just thirty minutes. No one knows where his ceiling is, but on this court, he is the undisputed king!"

At the Bernabéu Stadium, Lin Feng, who had just completed a hat-trick, did not use his signature celebration. Instead, he turned up his collar and surveyed the entire stadium with the domineering air of a king.

This is a celebration move that belongs to Manchester United's King Eric Cantona, but Lin Feng's use of it at this moment is just right.

The Real Madrid fans who arrived at the scene were stunned. They had been prepared to start the "siu" celebration, but Lin Feng changed the way he celebrated.

But after realizing what was happening, the entire stadium chanted Lin Feng's name and crowned him king.

"lin-feng-King!"

"lin-feng-King!"

"lin-feng-King!"

This breathtaking scene was quickly broadcast around the world via cameras on site.

What a powerful celebration move! He looks just like a football emperor!

[Unfortunately, this celebration requires a hat trick to unlock, so we only see it a few times a season!]

[Haha, did you hear that? Real Madrid fans have crowned Lin Feng a king!]

We called Lin Feng "Emperor Lin" as a joke, but they actually took it seriously!

Lin Feng's performance is absolutely deserving of the title of King!

[That's strange. In Europe, isn't the first name first, then the surname? Shouldn't they call him Feng-lin-King?]

Although this is the rule in Europe, and other Asian players follow the European rules, Lin Feng is different.

In a previous interview, Lin Feng said he didn't like being called Feng-Lin because it sounded awkward, like he was crazy.

So Real Madrid fans and his teammates never called him that again after that.

When you are strong enough, even the rules have to be designed and changed to fit you.

[It has to be said that, judging from Lin Feng's performance at Real Madrid over the past two seasons, Real Madrid's initial investment of 100 million euros was absolutely worthwhile!]

It's not just Chinese fans who think the transfer fee was worthwhile; Real Madrid fans feel the same way.

While it's too early to say whether Lin Feng is Real Madrid's most successful signing, he is certainly one of the most successful.

If Lin Feng can play for Real Madrid for a few more years and lead the team to enough honors, then the "one of" can be removed; he could very well replace Real Madrid's first-generation legend, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and become the greatest player in Real Madrid's history! (End of Chapter)