The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 263 I Choose to Embrace Football
Sunset Cafe Bistro.

Bastia fans watched Gaio's brilliant performance as France defeated Germany at the Stade de France.

He achieved his revenge with a hat trick.

but,

Whether it was Bertrand or Martin and the others, they did not, as usual, laugh and drink to celebrate their victory after the match.

This atmosphere gradually spread throughout the pub.

Everyone knows why.

But no one spoke.

They were just talking about other things, or simply drinking, or discussing Gaio's three goals.

until,

A child of about twelve or thirteen years old said loudly, "Gaio will leave, right?"

All eyes were on him.

Despite his still somewhat youthful face, Long Kalia was not afraid of these gazes at all. He looked at everyone and said, "I heard the commentators on TV saying that Gaio will go to Paris."

In the crowd, someone recognized him. "Hey, Roncaria, aren't you at the Bastia youth academy? You should know this is fake news. Gaio isn't going to Paris."

This conversation also brought up a topic that fans didn't want to face—Gaio's departure.

They've been avoiding this.

Even knowing that Gaio would definitely leave, they felt that as long as they didn't think about it or discuss it, they wouldn't have to face it.

But now, as we move into February, there are only three months left in the season.

They had to confront this problem.

Ronkalia shook his head. "I don't know. Nobody knows Gaio's choice. We only know that Gaio will leave. My friend in the reserve team told me that Mr. Chatham mentioned in his speech in the reserve team that the youth academy will have a chance to be promoted next season because the team's roster will undergo a major change next season."

Roncaria is a youth player from Bastia and is currently in the U15 class. Although he plays as a defender, his only idol is Gaio.

These fan bars allow minors to enter, but drinking alcohol is prohibited.

The uncle who brought Roncaria in was standing next to him, constantly tugging at him and whispering, "Sit down."

His uncle didn't want him to bring up this kind of thing.

The Bastia people would rather be ostriches.

But Roncagliari ignored his uncle and continued, "I disagree with what the commentator said. Why should Paris Saint-Germain represent French football? They are just Qatar's oil capital! Although I can't make the decision for Gaio, I don't want to see him go to Paris. His talent shouldn't stay in Ligue 1!"

"Correct!"

Dragon Kalia's words resonated instantly.

"A team backed by Qatari investors representing France? Paris should clean up the stench of urine in the subway first!"

"I'd rather see him conquer Old Trafford in his red Manchester United jersey than watch him 'slaughter' weak teams in Ligue 1 while wearing a PSG shirt!"

"Ligue 1 is really wasting his talent. I'm willing to let Gaio leave. I know that a player like him doesn't belong in Bastia, but he shouldn't belong in Ligue 1 either. What can PSG offer him? If such a talented player chooses to be complacent during his prime years for improvement because of money, I think the future of France is ruined again."

As everyone shared their thoughts, the day he met Gaio inevitably came back to Long Kalia's mind.

Gaio smiled and said—

"Football is a very personal matter. It doesn't need others to tell us what to do or not to do."

There are too many people in this world who want to boss others around, as if the world would collapse if you didn't listen to them. But that's not how it works. Just follow your own path; there's nothing in this world that absolutely has to be done.

And that abrupt ending left an incredibly deep impression on Long Kalia.

He believes that Gaio must have influenced his life.

He kept thinking to himself, "Where will Gaio choose?"
Is it really Paris?

If so, he would be very sad, feeling like his idol has collapsed.

Bertrand, working at the bar, mixed drinks while listening to everyone's discussion.

I also thought about the recent overwhelming rumors about Gaio and Paris.

He sighed slightly.

The times have changed.

In Jacques' era, a star player would be very reluctant to transfer. Fans back then were very fortunate; they had many hometown heroes.

perhaps,

The hero who saved the team on the field was the neighbor's son.

He sighed again, focusing all his attention on Bastia's performance this season.

Bertrand pondered what kind of event he would hold if he won the Ligue 1 title.

He's already decided on the Europa League match; he'll offer another significant discount for the game against Tottenham in a few days.

If Gaio scores a goal, he gets a 20% discount; if he scores five goals, he gets the whole game for free!

In the past, Bertrand would never have done this, but with Gaio leaving this summer, he decided to act impulsively.

Regarding Gaio's future.

In fact, it's not just Bastia who's discussing it; the whole of France is paying attention.

Because, at some point, a wind swept across the whole of France.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that Paris Saint-Germain is extremely interested in Guérin, intending to develop him into France's top star, and is willing to offer him a contract that is absolutely top-tier in the current football world, possibly even surpassing that of David Silva and matching that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

This means that at only eighteen years old, Gaio will receive a contract worth over ten million after tax!
It's worth noting that, according to previous media reports, Ibrahimovic's current contract is worth approximately 1200-1400 million euros per year after tax, second only to Ronaldo and Messi.

Qatar is absolutely rich!
at this point,
French fans have absolutely no doubt that Paris Saint-Germain's financial strength has been fully demonstrated in the two summer transfer windows.

L'Equipe also reported that "multiple sources confirm that PSG's contract offer to Gaio is definitely not limited to salary and bonuses, but also includes an endorsement deal, making him a global ambassador for Qatar Airways."

These news items stunned many fans.

Someone scolded.

"1500 million after tax a year? At 18?! This will completely ruin him. What Gaio needs now is not yachts and private jets, but a competitive environment! If this contract is signed, his career will basically be over."

"I've said it before, capital will destroy football. PSG is destroying market order! Who will be willing to hone their skills in the future? They'll all be waiting for their oil daddies to drive up prices and retire at 15. The most precious thing in football, the hunger for honor, will be castrated by capital!"

"A true genius should be won over by the history and glory of a top club, not by having euros spread across the negotiating table as a stepping stone! Were Pelé, Maradona, and Zidane made by money? That's blasphemy against the god of football!"

Some people understand.

"After tax, 1500 million euros plus endorsements would bring his annual salary to over 2000 million euros. A five-year contract would make him financially independent. Would you refuse? Honors are nothing compared to hundreds of millions of euros. Football is a job. His choice of PSG is a genius's pragmatism!"

"Brothers, do the math! One of his games is roughly equivalent to 150 years of work for an average Frenchman! Before you boycott him, ask yourselves: can you hold onto your so-called 'original passion for football' even if you only get a fraction of that?"

"Criticize him for not going to a higher-intensity league? If it were me, I'd sign with PSG even if I had to beg! I make 2000 euros a month playing semi-professional leagues, while also moving goods in a warehouse. 1500 million after tax? I've sweated my whole life and it's not enough for him to drink a bottle of champagne! Has this world ever been fair? When you need money, you'll realize that all those honors and championships are just bullshit."

There are also those who are wavering. "Criticism aside, it's still a good thing that he stays in Ligue 1, right? At least it ensures better team cohesion, and Ligue 1's viewership might increase. In the long run, French football as a whole might benefit, right?"

There are many, many discussions like this.

So much so that this wind has already reached Bastia's training base;
There were so many that Gaio couldn't possibly avoid them.

After Legreira acted as a lobbyist, Leonardo approached Pierre to express their "sincere intentions"—

A net annual salary of 14 million euros, plus various bonuses, can reach 20 million euros or more at the maximum level;
In addition, there is an 8 million euro annual endorsement contract with Qatar Airways, the same length of which is the same as the contract Gaio signed with Paris.
If Gaio can play for PSG for more than ten years, he can be transferred to the Qatar league to retire, and his annual salary will definitely be higher than his highest annual salary at PSG.
In addition, there are other factors such as being the team's absolute core player, being groomed as France's top star, and receiving all the political and sports resources one could need.

Even Bastia was tested along with Gaio.

The Greater Paris region approached the Bastia City Hall, expressing their willingness to increase investment in Bastia and develop its tourism industry. This prompted the mayor of Bastia to make a phone call to Gaio.

Then came Bastia, where Chatham heard a transfer fee he would never hear again from a Bastia player: €100 million, a record-breaking transfer fee in football history!
Upon hearing the news, Jerónimos rushed over to ask Gaio, "If possible, would you choose Paris Saint-Germain?"

And then there's Pierre's family; Paris Saint-Germain is willing to give them a bigger mansion, better jobs, and better arrangements for their siblings.

To be honest, it's incredibly tempting.

For a moment, Gai wavered. It was then that he truly understood the trials Mbappe had endured.

but,

Is this contract any less than a piece of paper?

It was as heavy as an expensive, gilded shackle.

People only see and envy the dazzling gold on the shackles, but they ignore the suffocating heat the young genius felt when he was huddled inside them.

Gaio knew he needed to say something.

In preparation for the 23rd round league match at home against Evian, Gaio approached Hagi Bejic.

"Farook, I'd like to go to the press conference with you after the game."

Ok?
Haji Begitch was somewhat surprised and asked, "Do you want to respond to those rumors?"

Gaio nodded.

Haji Begitch didn't lecture him or speak with the air of someone who'd been there before. He simply nodded and smiled. "I know you're capable of making decisions that satisfy you. May I know in advance?"

Instead of saying it directly, Gaio replied, "At the Terra-Vecchia Center building, fans drew me, and on the building next door, they wrote a sentence: 'On the day you chose Bastia, Bastia embraced football.'"

Gaio looked out the window at the blue sky over the training field and at his teammates who were still training hard.

He said, word by word, "So, this time, I still choose to embrace football."

Finish this sentence.

Gaio felt much more relaxed.

Hagi Bejic didn't seem surprised by Gaio's decision. He got up and walked over to Gaio, the tall, burly old guard, and opened his arms to embrace Gaio.

He patted Gaio on the back and said, "Son, you've made a remarkable decision. Believe in yourself."

After releasing Gaio, Hagi Begic laughed and said, "After this match against Evian, the next league game is an away game against Paris Saint-Germain. I believe that after your post-match interview is released, that game will be very difficult for us."

Gaio shook his head slightly and waved his hand, saying, "Compared to refusing hundreds of millions of euros, defeating them is not that difficult."

"Hahaha!"

Haji Begichi laughed when he heard Gaio's words.

This is the true maverick young genius!

Watching Gaio leave.

Haji Begić's eyes were still sparkling with excitement, and he couldn't resist making a phone call to his wife.

"Hey honey, do you know what I saw?"

"Oh! You definitely won't know, but I can't tell you yet. I can only tell you now. You'll find out tomorrow night. I'm super excited. I've witnessed the birth of a legend."

Haji Begić was still feeling quite emotional after hanging up the phone.

This child just refused money that he could spend in thirty lifetimes.
For an old-school guy like him, this was incredibly cool.

Back to the training ground.

Gaio continued training with his teammates, and although everyone seemed to be training as usual, some people were actually holding back their words but were too embarrassed to speak up.

De Bruyne, in particular, hesitated several times before speaking.

Seeing his expression, Gaio said, "I will attend the press conference after my match tomorrow night."

"Oh, okay. Hmm?!"

De Bruyne was taken aback.

Gaio turned around and smiled at him.

In that instant, De Bruyne's restless heart calmed down. With just one look, he understood what Gaio was going to say.

And what kind of decision he will make.

2 month 10 number.

Bastia will host their league rivals, Evian.

This was a match with no suspense whatsoever.

Evian had almost no chance against Bastia, conceding three goals in the first half.

Lukaku scored twice, and De Bruyne added another goal.

Gaio assists a hat trick!

In this half, Bastia played a dominant role, and Evian had no chance to attack at all.

The combination of defensive midfielders Kante and Rothen, along with center-backs Van Dijk and Kahusac, completely shut them down.

The second half.

Bastia substituted three key players to conserve energy for the Europa League match midweek.

The second half was played at a slower pace.

But Bastia won the match without any doubt, maintaining their top spot in Ligue 1.

In the post-match interviews, reporters had already planned how to ask Hagi Begic about Gaio's recent transfer rumors.

The rumors are getting more and more believable. Is Gaio really going to join Paris Saint-Germain?
however,
When they saw Gaio appear during the post-match interview.

Wow!
All the reporters present couldn't help but gasp in surprise!

"Geo!!!"

(End of this chapter)