Football: I am only 16 years old, and you want me to retire and make a comeback?

Chapter 394 France: China, save us!

The official statement from the Chinese men's national football team clarified that French national team players Mbappe and Dembele visited the training base to see Chinese player Tang Ye, not to "spy on tactics" as rumored. Furthermore, the French players had contacted the Chinese team before their visit; the misunderstanding arose due to staff error in failing to notify the gatekeeper.

The French national football team officially confirmed that what the Chinese team said was true.

The arrest of two French football stars by police has caused quite a stir around the world.

The Football Association reacted quickly, immediately blocking the news and contacting the police. In less than two hours, they got the two French forwards out of the country.

Click, click, click!

Football reporters surrounded the gates of the Moscow police station, exposing Mbappe and Dembele to flashing lights.

The microphone was handed to Dembele: "You only arrived in Russia this morning, and this afternoon you were arrested by the Moscow police. Do you have anything to say about that?"

Dembele glanced at Mbappe beside him, then winked: "Actually, we just wanted to go play with Tom."

"So Tom locked you up?"

"Hmm, wait, that's not right!"

Dembele is rather dull by nature, and this back-and-forth with the reporter left him completely bewildered.

"It wasn't Tom who locked us up. Killian and I wanted to go to the Chinese team's base to find him and try to get him out. He hadn't replied to my messages."

"The main gate is closed, so..."

Dembele wanted to say something more, but Mbappe, who had been silent until then, interrupted him.

"We had already contacted the Chinese side beforehand and agreed to pick them up at the office building instead of going to the training ground, but we didn't expect the security guard to be unaware of this."

Mbappe shrugged, then said, "So we were thinking of going in from the side, but we didn't expect to be misunderstood."

The reporter looked thoughtful: "When Tom was still in Utrecht, his head coach was detained by the local police once, and now you have been arrested for looking for Tom. What unique charm does Tom possess that attracts you?"

"..."

Dembele and Mbappe exchanged a glance, thought carefully for a moment, and finally gave their answers.

"Hmm... Tom, he's a good guy."

"I don't think this is a big deal. If you'd like to finish this interview sooner, we have dinner plans with Tom, and if we continue the interview, we won't be able to make it."

Mbappe and Dembele got into the car sent by the French Football Federation.

……

According to FIFA rules, the French team, which trespassed on another participating team's training ground before the match, could be penalized with 3-6 points. However, since China and France are not in the same group, the penalty may be reduced.

The Sun's headline: Fernando, the French Football Federation's chief of staff, visits the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Russia.

"They hoped to get China's support. Being penalized 3-6 points before the group stage even started is unacceptable to the French people."

"The French Football Federation hopes to mitigate the punishment with China's support because they believe Mbappe and Dembele were invited before their visit, rather than engaging in so-called 'trespassing'."

There are only 3 matches in the group stage, and penalizing someone for breaching the base once will result in a penalty of 3-6 points, which sounds a bit exaggerated.

However, that's exactly what the rules are written. Whether you go directly into the base or use a drone to remotely control it, it's essentially spying.

Peeping is punishable!
The next morning, Tang Ye and his teammates took a bus from the hotel to the training base and chatted about what happened the day before.

"They were both too impulsive. I also had a problem; I should have brought my phone with me."

Tang Ye felt very guilty about Dembele and Mbappe being arrested by the police.

Having a friend arrested is a very upsetting thing in itself.

What's most infuriating is that FIFA might also penalize the French team by deducting points!
"Hey Lei, they're not really going to get points deducted, are they?"

"hiss……"

Tang Ye's question stumped Wu Lei, who pinched his chin with his thumb and forefinger: "I don't understand that rule either, but I feel like it shouldn't be necessary. They just got to the restroom, and the Football Association will speak up for them."

Although Wu Lei didn't understand, his words reassured Tang Ye a little.

France will not be penalized!

"Osman and Kylian are really pitiful; they were suspended by the team for three days, so I can't communicate with them right now."

"Ha ha"

The teammate next to him couldn't help but burst out laughing.

We're almost at the base. The team leader, standing in the middle of the aisle, said, "After morning training, some leaders will be coming over. Just be aware of their presence and answer their questions normally. There will be a lot of reporters."

Please pay attention to your posture...

Tang Ye began to think.

What kind of demeanor is considered good?

Do I need to wear a suit, or is it enough to just stand up straight?
Tang Ye was pondering when the bus arrived at the base entrance.

There was a commotion outside, so the players in the car quickly pulled open the curtains.

This is the time when players go to work for their morning training session, and unsurprisingly, many Chinese fans who have traveled from afar have gathered outside.

Besides Chinese fans, Tang Ye also saw many foreigners.

They're wearing French national team jerseys!
Yes, besides jerseys, many French fans were also holding up signs.

The above content is...

China, save us!

[China and France are your good friends, please help us!]

[Mbappe and Dembele just wanted to play with Tom; we didn't look at your tactics.]

I don't want to get penalized!

“China!”

“China!”

French fans chanted the Chinese team's name!

They requested leniency from the Chinese Football Association!
If we get penalized 3 points...

Being penalized 3 points is not so bad; if the French team plays well, they can still advance.

But if TM gets a 6-point penalty, then France can just board a plane and go home.

"This……"

Tang Ye blushed a little at the sight of the French fans outside, after all, this matter was very much related to him.

As the bus arrived at the door, several French fans rushed up. The one in the lead was holding a sign covered in writing, right outside Tang Ye's window.

Pointing to the sign in his hand: "Tom! Good friends! China and France! We are good friends, please don't kill us, please. Good friends, China and France!"

"I know, I know."

Tang Ye shouted to the fans, "Our leaders are already communicating with them." Having received confirmation from Tang Ye, the French fans are now very happy.

"Thank you, thank you Tom!"

"China will prevail!"

"Haha, thank you, we'll do our best!"

Tang Ye closed the window.

……

Tang Ye (40 years old)
[Ball possession: 86; Passing: 90]

[Shots: 78; Headers: 56; Set pieces: 77]

Speed: 75; Endurance: 74; Physical Strength: 82

[Defense: 73; Vision: 97]

Overall rating: 84
During morning training, Tang Ye studied his control panel.

Perhaps due to the low intensity of national team training and warm-up matches, Tang Ye felt that none of his attributes were showing any signs of improvement.

But it doesn't matter anyway, having an extra 1 or 2 attribute points now won't be of much help in the upcoming World Cup.

Getting yourself into the best possible state is far more useful than having 1 or 2 attribute points!

Tang Ye had just finished showering and was about to blow-dry his hair when he saw Wei Shihao blowing a hairdryer on his head.

"Hmm, Brother Hao!"

Seeing Tang Ye come out, Wei Shihao turned down the hairdryer to reduce the noise before speaking: "So you take this long to shower. I went in 10 minutes later than you."

"Thinking about some things."

Tang Ye walked over to Wei Shihao and picked up the hairdryer on the table.

Just as Tang Ye was about to turn on the hair dryer, he stopped and looked at Wei Shihao with a very serious expression.

"Um... what's wrong?"

Feeling nervous under Tang Ye's gaze, Wei Shihao quickly recalled the content of the morning's training session.

Was Tang Ye angry because of that missed free kick rebound?

"Um, Brother Hao..."

"Did you both dye and perm your hair? I think it looks really cool."

Tang Ye carefully observed Wei Shihao's hair.

Tang Ye noticed Wei Shihao's hair as early as last month when he returned to the team, but he didn't bring it up because he was too busy during the warm-up games.

"Oh, this one."

Wei Shih-hao breathed a sigh of relief: "That's right, a perm and dye. I usually like to dye my hair."

Tang Ye nodded thoughtfully: "Is your hair usually difficult to manage?"

"It's alright. I just blow-dry it with a hairdryer every morning, but I don't really use it anymore. I just let it grow as it pleases. I feel fine overall."

"Well……"

Taking a deep breath, Tang Ye finally turned on the hair dryer in his hand.

Who exactly invented the idea of ​​dyeing hair other colors?

That's so cool, wow!

……

(Abridged)
Tang Ye frowned and thought about it carefully. Soon the president arrived.

The French president's visit to the Chinese national football team's training base was primarily to address the issue of French players trespassing on the team's premises.

"France and China will always be good friends. I've said this before, and it also applies to the national football team."

The French president strolled across the training field surrounded by Chinese players.

"By the way, Tom..."

The president suddenly stopped and called out to Tang Ye, who was hiding at the back of the line.

The players quickly made way for Tang Ye.

"...Mr. President, what's wrong?"

Do you chew gum?

Tang Ye handed over the chewing gum from his pocket, and the French president accepted it with a smile.

He was eager to try the legendary "Tom Gum," but after exchanging a glance with his bodyguard, he decided not to eat it.

"Haha, thank you, Tom!"

"By the way, the local police said that Mbappe and Dembele had contacted you in advance, and that you weren't supposed to train this afternoon, is that right?"

"Well, that's it"

Tang Ye nodded quickly, recalling the information he had just memorized the night before.

“I already spoke to the team, but I didn’t notify security, which is why they had to climb over the wall to get in. We were training at the time, but I happened to be in the bathroom when I ran into the two of them.”

Tang Ye pointed to the distance: "It's the restroom over there. I saw them when they climbed over the wall. That spot is blocked by the office building, so I'm sure they didn't see anything."

"Ha ha!"

The president smiled happily, then put his hand on Tang Ye's shoulder: "Everyone says midfielders have good eyesight, and seeing it with my own eyes, it's definitely true."

"If the opportunity arises, I might invite you to visit the Élysée Palace."

Tang Ye simply brushed off the invitation from the French president.

To be honest, it's not a pleasant experience to be around these guys who like to wear suits.

Tang Ye wouldn't like that feeling!
"I'll be spending a long time in Moscow during the World Cup, so I might be able to watch your matches live."

The president put his hand on Tang Ye's shoulder, and the two of them faced the reporters.

"Like I just said, the French team and the Chinese team are very good friends, so I will cheer for you."

……

CCTV.com: The French President visited the Chinese men's national football team and emphasized the deep friendship between French and Chinese football.

"During their conversation, XXX and Tang Ye repeatedly mentioned French players Mbappe and Dembele. This visit may be a sign of national support for the French team; they hope to receive some assistance because the deduction of 3 points is unacceptable for the French team."

……

(End of this chapter)