On July 7, the final showdown of the World Youth Championship was held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. This stadium was built for the 11 Korea-Japan World Cup. It looks like a kite and can accommodate 02 spectators. It is the largest football-dedicated sports stadium in Asia.

The venue was a little far from the Brazilian team's hotel, so Mikael took the players out 40 minutes earlier than usual, and dinner was moved up to 4 o'clock. Naturally, the busy and picky Batistuta didn't eat a single bite.

On the bus to the competition venue, the young players of the Brazilian team were very relaxed, and the more familiar ones gathered together to chat and laugh.

Batistuta sat in the middle row, listening to music and chatting on his phone. The Manchester City group chat was very lively, everyone was talking about today's World Youth Championship final, and everyone sent Batistuta their best wishes.

In addition to joking with them in the group, Batistuta also had private chats with De Bruyne, Aguero, Neymar and Ronaldo.

Yes, after being blacklisted for a month, the Portuguese superstar was finally released. He first apologized to Batistuta in an exaggerated manner, then "inadvertently" showed his Champions League trophy, and finally wished him good results in the World Youth Championship.

Batty responded with a selfie showing his middle finger.

"Hey Batty, here you go." Vinicius in the front row suddenly turned around and looked around warily. He quickly threw a few bags of potato chips into Batty's arms, "You can't play on an empty stomach. Eat some of this to fill your stomach. I see you didn't eat anything just now. This brand is not salty, so it won't have any effect."

profound--

That's so thoughtful.

"Thanks, Winnie." Batty took the potato chips and shook them, then tore them open and threw a piece into his mouth. "I'll pass the ball to you more often in the game later. Remember to seize the opportunity."

Vinicius waved his hands a little embarrassedly, then sat back in his seat. He gave Batistuta some chips and said that he was not asking him to pass the ball to him.

Messages on his phone kept popping up, but Batty didn't plan to reply to any of them. He threw his black screen phone aside and focused on eating potato chips. Of course, he also listened to the gossip of his teammates behind him.

Adolescent boys always talk about girls.

Batty listened to a lot of melodramatic love stories for a long time, such as how someone and someone's teammate fell in love with the same girl, and that girl liked their coach, and someone was with someone's sister and cheated on her, but the other person slept with her mother, and so on and so forth. It sounded fake but was quite true.

That's why Batistuta is interested. In Brazil, you never know how outrageous the emotional entanglements are.

Sudden--

"Oh, by the way, I saw the players of the French team when I came out this morning. Are they still here?" someone asked.

The topic suddenly returned to reality.

Batistuta thought about it and realized that he had indeed seen Lucas next door when he returned to his room last night. The French team had indeed not left. But he did not ask why, and Lucas did not tell him. They just greeted each other and chatted for a few minutes before returning to their rooms.

But before they could discuss this—

"Ahhhhh!!"

A sudden scream from the front row startled everyone.

Richarlison almost jumped up from his seat. He rushed to the back with his arms and legs bared, then hugged Batistuta's head and kissed him hard. Before the one he was kissed could react, he rushed to the second one and continued kissing him, until he had hugged and kissed everyone.

"I'm going to the Premier League!" Richarlison pounced on Batistuta like a big dog, holding his face and said excitedly, "My agent just told me that Atletico Mineiro agreed to Watford's offer. As long as I go through the procedures, I will be a Watford player!"

After shouting excitedly, he kissed Batty on both sides of his face.

"This is the prelude to fame, Richard." Batty wiped the saliva off his face and said, he was really happy for Richarlison. He rolled his eyes and then snapped his fingers, "I have to celebrate for you, let me think... when we beat England and win the championship, you can decide where to go, how about it!"

"Perfect!" Richarlison put his hands to his mouth and cried like Tarzan, "I'm going to the amusement park and have a good time! I haven't ridden a roller coaster since I was born!"

“Playground!”

"Great!"

“Must-try attractions, jumping|bumper cars and bumper cars!”

The players cheered, Richarlison jumped off Batty, reached out to pick up the hand drum hidden on the luggage rack, and led everyone to sing and dance like a primitive tribe.

Playground.

Batty raised the corners of his mouth.

That’s great. It just so happens that he hasn’t been to a decent amusement park for a long time.

……

But the joyful atmosphere soon disappeared, and the Brazilian team, the most powerful team in the World Youth Championship, was dragged into a penalty shootout by the stumbling England team.

It's incredible, right? Batty thinks so too.

It is said that there are four widely recognized illusions in the football world: England is very strong, Italy is very weak, Argentina can win the championship, and the Chinese national team can qualify.

So who could have thought that this young Three Lions team could show such tenacity. Batistuta was breathing heavily while supporting his knees. To be honest, the overall strength of England U20 players is not as good as that of France, but their goalkeeper Henderson really performed exceptionally well today, saving Batistuta's sure goals from close range one after another.

Maybe this is what is called a goalkeeper for a weak team?
In the injury time, Brazil was awarded a penalty kick. Batistuta scored with complete unwillingness, which restored confidence for the whole team.

However, a few minutes later, their defense had problems. Perhaps because they were tired after running for nearly 120 minutes, the England defender, a boy named Arnold rushed into the penalty area and shot into the goal.

Hence the current situation.

"Bati, the gentleman is going to decide the penalty order." Vinicius patted Batistuta's shoulder and handed him a half-full bottle of water. "Do you want to be the first one?"

"No, I'll be last," Batty said. "Do you want to be first?"

“Uh… okay? Probably.” Vinicius swallowed, “I seldom play penalty shootouts, so, I think it’s okay? I can play whenever I’m assigned to.”

"That's good, you have a big heart." Batty raised his eyebrows at him, "Where's Richard?"

"I'm not sure about that. The coach seems to want him to be the third one. I heard him swearing when I just came over." Vinicius pulled the corners of his mouth unnaturally. Although he has a big heart, this is the final and it's a penalty shootout. Of course he will be nervous. "Emmm, Batistuta, do you think we can, this time--"

But he was interrupted by Batistuta before he could finish his words. "I just praised you for having a big heart, Winnie. Go, let the physiotherapist give you a massage, don't think about useless things." Batistuta put on his arrogant smile, "We will win, and that ugly trophy will only be lifted by us in the end, no one else."

After Vinicius left, Batistuta went to find Mikael. Actually, like Vinicius, he had not played many penalty shootouts, especially the more important matches, which could not be decided in 120 minutes. The championship had to be decided by penalties, which was a double test of physical and mental strength for the players. Otherwise, how could someone describe it as cruel?

"Do you really want to be the last one, Batty?" Mikael clicked the ballpoint pen in his hand. It was obvious that he was nervous, but when it came to the penalty kick, there was nothing he could do. "I think as the captain, you should take the lead."

"Well, I'll go last." Batty said firmly.

"But we don't know if it will end after the fourth game." The head coach said with a hint of worry, "They are all very tired, and the England goalkeeper was in surprisingly good shape today."

"I believe they can make all four free throws before me." Batty shrugged, "And maybe I won't even have to play. It's not impossible to end the battle in four rounds."

Mikael couldn't argue with him, so he shook his head and left to make other arrangements. Batistuta smoothed his hair and looked up at Neymar in the stands behind the bench.

This was a subconscious action, and he was still a little nervous.

This stadium is bigger than the previous ones. It is not easy to find someone in the stands from the center of the stadium, but thanks to Neymar wearing a striking red jacket today, Batistuta spotted him at a glance from dozens of meters away. Neymar was observing the situation in the stadium with a telescope. When he saw Batistuta looking over, he immediately stood up and waved at him, then put his hands to his mouth and shouted something into the stadium.

In the crowded stands, little red figures like dancing flames were dancing. No sound could be heard, but they were definitely saying things like "You are the best!" and "Take them down!"

Batty couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.

So cute.

"It's about to start, Batty, the referee let us through."

Batistuta waved to the stands, then turned and walked to the goal, put his shoulders together with his teammates and prepared for the exciting penalty shootout.

Humph, it just delayed their championship time by 15 minutes, that's all.

……

However, the excitement of this penalty shootout far exceeded people's imagination.

England took the first penalty kick, but the Brazilian goalkeeper guessed the wrong direction. The English goalkeeper maintained his high performance and saved the penalties of Richarlison and Anthony, who came on as a substitute in extra time.

However, England's penalty kicks have always been unstable. The Brazilian goalkeeper didn't have to worry about the penalty takers in the second and third rounds, as they just kicked the ball into the stands.

So after four rounds of matches, the penalty score between the two sides stopped at 2-2.

England's last penalty taker was Arnold, the one who scored the equalizer in extra time to help England drag the game into a penalty shootout.

"Don't come in, don't come in, don't come in!"

Batistuta heard Richarlison, who was squatting on the ground next to him, muttering nervously. He was blaming himself terribly. If his penalty kick had gone in, the situation wouldn't be so tense now.

If England scores this goal, 3-2, then it depends on the result of Batistuta. If he scores, the penalty shootout will continue to the sixth round. But if England fails, all the pressure will be on Batistuta. If he scores, the game will end. If he fails, the shootout will continue to the sixth round.

Arnold walked up to the penalty spot and hit the crossbar in front of the whole audience. [The ball didn't go in! ] The commentator shouted excitedly, [2-2! Now it's up to Batistuta, whether it continues or ends, it all depends on how he handles this ball. ]

As expected of you, the Three Cats Army, the penalty kick (curse) is still so stable.

Batistuta came to the penalty spot.

Success or failure depends on this.

He placed the ball, stepped back to the right position, then put his hands on his hips and tilted his head.

Do you want to take a gamble? Go big?

Looking at Henderson who saved two of his own goals in front of the goal, Batistuta felt an inexplicable (troublemaking) emotion rising in his heart. A tingling sensation spread from his stomach to his mouth, and his entire esophagus seemed to be burning.

Batty narrowed his eyes.

He must score this goal.

Not only do you have to get in, you also have to get in beautifully.

[beep——]
The referee whistle blows.

Batty took small steps and moved forward at an extremely slow speed. He had to win this psychological game. After 7 or 8 seconds, Bolt was almost done running 100 meters. Just when everyone was guessing what Batty was up to, he suddenly accelerated.

【coming! 】

England goalkeeper Henderson stared at Batistuta's body leaning and feet for just a few seconds, as if in slow motion.

【The shot was taken! 】

"left!"

Henderson kept his training in mind and, after making his judgement, he quickly dove to his left.

However, no one guessed Batty's move, including Henderson.

[Wait——What is this?!]

Under the gaze of the entire audience and millions of viewers around the world watching on TV, Batistuta performed an amazing feint. He lifted the ball with his left foot and then followed it with a swinging leg with his right foot.

Henderson was indeed deceived.

He fell to the ground and watched the ball spinning into the net at a slow speed.

[The ball goes in! Batistuta! This talented Brazilian star scored an imaginative penalty kick in the penalty shootout in the final! And it was a penalty kick with his non-dominant foot, unparalleled! The champion of this World Youth Championship has been decided! Brazil! After 6 years, they won the FIFA U-20 World Cup again! ]

"Did you see that? Is Batistuta crazy? Is he crazy?" Mikael cried excitedly. He and his assistant coach hugged each other and celebrated wildly. "No one dares to do this in the final. No one!"

"Yes, yes! Batistuta is crazy!" The assistant coach's voice had become hoarse. He wiped away tears of happiness and answered loudly, "But we are the champions, the champions! We did it!"

Batistuta was lifted up by his excited teammates. A group of children almost clamored to get on the podium. Soon, FIFA President Infantino personally handed the trophy to Batistuta.

"Are you ready?" Batty weighed the trophy a few times, "3, 2, 1——"

"Ouch! Ouch!"

"we are--"

“(Youth) World Champion!!!”

With a 'click' sound, the camera recorded this beautiful moment.

In front of the whole world, a new generation of Brazilian players appeared on the international football stage, announcing to the world that the Brazil that dominated football is back. From now on, they officially launched an attack on the sixth star.

……

The news of Brazil U20's victory was immediately transmitted back to Brazil, and the whole country was jubilant. Batistuta's status continued to rise among the people, and many new murals about him appeared in the streets and alleys.

Since 2002, Brazilian people have once again seen hope for the World Cup, and even the then president sent congratulations to the team.

But the peaceful and jubilant situation did not last long, and soon people started arguing over questions like 'Who is stronger, Neymar or Batistuta, and who should be the leader of the Brazilian team?' and selectively ignored the fact that Neymar went to the game for Batistuta and witnessed the victory on the spot.

As a result, Neymar and Batistuta inexplicably became a pair of enemies who were peaceful on the surface but hostile in their hearts through word of mouth.

At the same time, the two enemies who hated each other were arguing about whether to enter the haunted house.

Yes, they are now at the largest amusement park in Seoul.

Batistuta fulfilled his promise. To celebrate Richarlison's arrival in the Premier League next season (and to celebrate winning the championship), he invited the entire team, including the coaching staff and other staff, to the playground to relax.

"You still want to enter the haunted house? It's full of real people pretending to be ghosts. Can you guys do that?"

They just got off the roller coaster 3 minutes ago. After this ride, it was clear who was brave and who was timid. Batty went to buy ice cream, and then looked down at everyone with a look of scum. He was not afraid at all just now. He shouted happily with everyone, and even jumped when he got off the car. His steps were not affected at all.

"We all know that the ghosts inside are people pretending to be humans, so what's there to be afraid of?" Neymar said, adjusting his hair. "Just because you don't feel anything about roller coasters doesn't mean you don't feel anything about haunted houses. I checked, and the haunted houses here are very famous. I'm sure you'll be scared and scream in a while."

Batty scoffed. "Who was it that was screaming like an alpaca when we were upside down there just now, huh?"

"...I already said that's different." Neymar grabbed Batistuta's hand and took a big bite of his ice cream in revenge. Looking at Batistuta who was baring his teeth at him, Neymar licked his lips and said, "What's wrong, dear? Are you afraid to go in?"

"What's there to be afraid of?" Batty raised his eyebrows. "Let's go in."

A group of people went to the haunted house, the theme of which was a hospital.

After listening to the explanation, the staff gave them flashlights. According to the requirements, they had to go through the checkpoint in groups of 6. There were 4 other people ahead of the Brazilian team, so they had to form a team.

There was a lot of pushing and shoving, and no one wanted to take the lead. Finally, Batistuta became a little impatient and pulled Neymar and forced his way in.

It was pitch black behind the curtain, with eerie background sounds playing from time to time. The four teammates had already gone in. Batistuta turned on the flashlight, and the faint light swept across a few monster clowns and shabby bear dolls placed in the corner. Batistuta paused, and the nervous Neymar behind him didn't notice it and bumped into him directly.

"Hey, don't push me—"

"You stopped...are you scared?"

"Who's afraid? Don't push!"

"No...wait, are clowns your fear?"

"I told you I'm not scared... Can't you slow down a little bit!"

The two of them were pulling and bumping around at the entrance, laughing at each other for being timid, but neither of them was willing to take the first step. It took them a long time to reach the connection to the next room, where there was a mobile bed with a black thing lying on it. They had to squat close to pass under it.

"I'm sure the person lying up there is an NPC. Remember to stop me later." Batistuta pulled Neymar's wrist and said, his face tense.

"Admit it, Batistuta, you're scared." Neymar squeezed his fingers. "It's not hard. I admit it. This damn place is really scary."

"I'm afraid I'll attack an NPC later." Batty gritted his teeth and said, "If I hurt someone, I'll have to pay for it."

At this moment, the music in the room in front suddenly became louder, as if some mechanism in the game was triggered. Accompanied by a few terrible screams, two black shadows rushed towards Batistuta and Neymar.

"Get away!"

Batistuta instinctively pushed Neymar to the sides, but he had a flashlight in his hand. Neymar refused to walk into absolute darkness alone, so he subconsciously reached out and grabbed Batistuta's arm. Batistuta tried to dodge but was grabbed by him again, and lost his balance and fell backwards.

then--

Like Mars hitting the Earth, several people fell into a heap.

"Oh, God, where have I been?" one of the black shadows said weakly.

"I don't know." Another one replied with a look of despair, "I only know...Ah! Someone stepped on my hand!"

Ok?
French?

Batistuta rubbed his head, not caring to scold Neymar, and picked up the flashlight to shine on the two black figures whose voices were particularly familiar -

"Lucas? And... Mbappe? Why are you here?"

(End of this chapter)

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like