When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 68 Victory is Worth Wasting (4,000 words!)

2003 5 Month 26 Day.

Before the championship parade began, the entire Monaco team collected signatures with the assistance of Monaco postal workers.

The Monaco Post Office's commemorative stamps for the championship victory are printed using intaglio printing, which reveals miniature images of the players' signatures under ultraviolet light.

Juli fiddled with the stamp sample: "It's amazing. It's a pity I didn't have such cool stamps when I wrote love letters to girls when I was a kid."

Oh? You had this experience too?
Roy grinned mischievously: "It's okay, you can keep a copy and use it to write threatening letters to other clubs before all the Ligue 1 matches next season."

Rothen suddenly leaned closer, his expression meaningful: "And what about you? Want to make a version?"

Roy casually signed his name: "I don't need it anymore. They're afraid of me enough."

Juli laughed and scolded, "This kid's putting on an act!"

Pulso mimicked his opponent's trembling: "I'm really scared, really scared."

Even the usually serious Deschamps couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle:

"Alright gentlemen, now please sign your names carefully. Remember, your names should be as clearly legible as your positions."

At 15:00 sharp, the double-decker open-top bus carrying the entire Monaco team slowly drove out of the stadium's north gate.

The 12-meter red and white striped paint covering the vehicle body is particularly eye-catching in the sunlight, and the LED screen on the front of the vehicle displays the gold lettering "2003 CHAMPIONS".

A huge championship poster hangs on the outer wall of the stadium, with gold leaf trim around the edges.

Roy and Giuly together raise the gleaming silver Ligue 1 championship trophy. Roy holds the trophy with his left hand and raises his right fist to the sky; Giuly holds the trophy base with his right hand and points to the fans in the stands with his left. On both sides are group portraits of several key players, with the entire team crowding around in the background, raising their arms and cheering, forming a dynamic wave-like motion, while Deschamps' silhouette stands in the background.

About 5000 fans gathered in the square outside the North Gate, waving red and white team flags and singing the club's anthem, "Daghe Munegu".

As we entered the port road, the tires precisely crossed the white line of the famous "Fairmont Hotel hairpin bend" on the F1 circuit, which is the most dangerous bend in the Monaco Grand Prix.

The balconies of buildings along the way were crowded with citizens waving scarves, and some people threw red and white rose petals from the windows of five-star hotels.

Behind the hairpin bend in front of the Fairmont Hotel, luxury cars belonging to some wealthy Monaco residents spontaneously followed behind, with the owners continuously honking their horns in greeting.

Roy stood at the very front of the second deck of the bus, occasionally tossing pre-prepared autographed wristbands into the crowd.

Every time Giuly pretended to throw the trophy into the crowd of fans, it would elicit cheers.

At 15:45, the bus stopped at the casino plaza for 7 minutes.

The players splashed champagne into the crowd, eliciting cheers.

Wealthy tourists from all over the world stood on the rooftops of luxury cars to watch the ceremony, while players kicked autographed soccer balls in all directions. When Roy kicked more than a dozen autographed soccer balls into different fan zones, it sparked a fierce scramble.

At 16:30, the parade made a precise stop at the Royal Palace Square.

Prince Albert II, dressed in a navy blue suit, appeared on the Renaissance-style balcony, where 24 Royal Guard soldiers stood in formation with carbines, and the Royal Band played the Monaco national anthem, "Ode to Monaco".

As captain Giuly raised the trophy high above his head, the Grimaldi family coat of arms and the Monaco team flag were raised simultaneously on the palace wall.

At 17:15, as the convoy passed the Church of San Nicholas, the players were told before the ceremony began to stop cheering at this location, the burial ground of the Grimaldi family. The bishop, dressed in a crimson robe, stood on the steps sprinkling holy water, and the stone angel statues on both sides of the church were adorned with red and white ribbons.

The noise stopped at this moment.

As soon as Roy took off his sunglasses, an older fan wiped away tears and said, "This kid knows what respect is."

At 17:50, the bus crossed the border into Menton, France. The border post lowered the French flag and raised the Monaco team flag in salute.

This area belongs to territory that Monaco ceded to France, and the surrounding towns are traditional fan zones for the Monaco club.

The 12 lemon sculptures in front of the City Hall were painted red and white. In Place de la Roquebrune, a long queue formed in front of a temporary 20-meter-long beer bar, serving fans chilled La Rascasse beer.

Some intoxicated fans attempted to climb over the railings but were immediately dissuaded by volunteers wearing red and white armbands.

The victory parade has ended.

Roy looked somewhat tired, and the ceremony reminded him of the triumphal arch ceremony in Rome.

In Rome, victorious generals led their legions through triumphal arches, and spoils and prisoners displayed the majesty of the empire.

Here, the players have replaced the Roman generals, and the trophy is their "spoils" of conquering Ligue 1.

During triumphant celebrations, crowds showered victors with laurel leaves and rose petals, symbolizing enduring glory. Today, fans toss red and white rose petals from windows, and players spray champagne; modern luxury has replaced classical simplicity, but the essence of the celebration remains unchanged—victory deserves to be celebrated.

The climax of the Roman triumphal procession was the display of conquered lands, demonstrating Rome's dominance.

What impressed him most was that when the bus crossed the French border, the French flag was lowered and the Monaco team flag was raised at the border post in Menton.

This place was once Monaco's homeland, and now it has been "reclaimed" by the cheers of fans.

The football victory briefly revived historical memories.

The victors should be remembered, and their glory should be celebrated.

The parade in Monaco is the 21st-century version of the Arc de Triomphe, and Roy, Giuly, and others are the gladiator heroes of this era.

Just as the whole of Monaco was immersed in the red and white carnival.

In Manchester, an Apennine civil war that will go down in football history is brewing.

Old Trafford – the Theatre of Dreams that witnessed Manchester United’s first appearance in the Champions League in 1968 – is about to host the first Italian derby since the Champions League’s rebranding.

Under the overcast skies of Manchester, the preparations of the two Italian powerhouses presented a stark contrast:

AC Milan arrived in Manchester three days early.

Ancelotti said: "We have been calmly preparing for the game against Juventus these past few days. Now, we are ready in every aspect, and the players' physical condition has greatly improved. AC Milan will play their best, and I hope that will be enough for us to win the game."

With Juventus carrying their 28th Serie A title, Lippi displayed the tactics used to defeat Real Madrid at the pre-match press conference.

Nedved's tackle on McManaman, the shadow of his impending absence due to accumulated yellow cards, and Dida's determination to play through injury were repeatedly emphasized in the pre-match media hype. Every corner of England, this footballing nation, seemed to whisper tales of historical coincidences:

In 1963, AC Milan defeated Benfica in the inaugural European Cup final held at Wembley Stadium in England.

Forty years later, AC Milan once again set foot on their lucky ground, but their opponent was now Juventus.

Regardless of the outcome, Italy will equal Spain's record of 10 World Cup titles.

Roy's fishing rod trembled slightly as he squinted at the skyscrapers of Monte Carlo in the distance.

His rented yacht was quietly moored on the azure waters of Monaco Bay. Roy, dressed in black swimming trunks, his muscles gleaming healthily in the sunlight, was intently watching the buoys on the sea.

His girlfriend, Doutzen Kroos, wore a white swimsuit and a wide-brimmed straw hat, her long legs elegantly crossed.

When the phone rang, she gently handed it to Roy's ear.

"My Monaco star, Ligue 1 Player of the Year, Best Young Player and Top Scorer"

Agent Miriam Joel's voice came through the receiver, "Why choose to watch this match of the century on TV in your apartment instead of being at Old Trafford to witness it in person?"

Roy chuckled and casually took the chilled lemonade Du Chen handed him. "Old Trafford can't hold that many spectators."

He gestured to the boatman to watch the fishing rods, then got up and walked to the stern of the boat.

"As long as you nod."

Migliorgio continued, "I can get all the tickets. Imagine sitting side by side with Zidane, that would be the most eye-catching sight outside of the final."

"Zidane's heart is much broader than the stands at Old Trafford."

Roy responded meaningfully, alluding to Zidane's recent elimination from Juventus with Real Madrid.

"After all, Zidane is a Juventus legend," the agent added. "He should feel gratified if his former club wins the title."

You're making a hasty decision to be happy.

If you face Juventus in the semi-finals, you'd better give it your all, but if you face them in the finals, you can breathe a little easier.

He cast his gaze towards the distant horizon where the sea and sky met: "What if Milan lifts the trophy?"

A cheer suddenly erupted from the bow of the boat as the boatman pulled up a brightly colored mahi-mahi, its body shimmering with a metallic blue-green luster in the sunlight, its tail slapping violently against the deck.

Roy whistled in that direction, said goodbye, and casually hung up the phone with his agent.

"Why not go to Britain? That would be a great opportunity to expand our influence."

Doutzen Klos gently removed her straw hat, the sea breeze ruffling her blonde hair.

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "My agent just told me that I've been invited to attend Cartier's private high jewelry preview in Paris in early June."

Doutzen Klos has already tasted the sweetness of fame.

Her speech and actions visibly showed a loss of the naivety of a female student, which just goes to show that some people are born to live in the spotlight.

"The broadcast director didn't prepare a close-up shot of me this year. We'll have to wait until next year at this time."

Roy tilted his head back and drank the lemonade in one gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He crushed the empty aluminum cup in his hand, flicked his wrist, and the cup traced a perfect parabola before landing precisely in the trash can three meters away.

"It's time for others to see me on TV."

----------

In his farewell match, 35-year-old Oliver Bierhoff scored a hat-trick with his head and foot, but it wasn't enough to help Chievo qualify for European competition. The German veteran tearfully bid farewell to Serie A after 11 years, emotionally stating, "Italy is my second home." Despite only starting four times this season, he still displayed peak form in his final game, earning praise from *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, who lauded him as "the best Bierhoff ever." The former Udinese and AC Milan aerial powerhouse left a unique "German mark" on the Italian peninsula with a single-season record of 27 goals.

—Verona Daily

With the conclusion of the top five European leagues (excluding La Liga), the competition for this season's European Golden Boot has entered its final stage. Currently, Roy Makaay (27 goals), the Dutch striker for Deportivo La Coruña in La Liga, and Matja Kezman (35 goals), the Serbian striker for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie, are locked in a "two-horse race," with both players still having the final league match to play and the opportunity to continue breaking their goal-scoring records.

1. Makaay (Spain) Deportivo La Coruña (La Liga) 27 2 54
2. Kezman (Serbia & Montenegro) vs. PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie) 35 1.5 52.5
3. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands) Manchester United (Premier League) 25 2 50
4. Henry (France) Arsenal (Premier League) 24 2 48
4. Vieri (Italy) Inter Milan (Serie A) 24 2 48
4. Roy (France) Monaco (Ligue 1) 24 2 48
5. Beattie (England) Southampton (Premier League) 23 2 46
5. Pauleta (Portugal) Bordeaux (Ligue 1) 23 2 46
6. Christiansen (Spain) vs. Bochum (Bundesliga) 21 2 42
6. Elber (Brazil) Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) 21 2 42
6. Larsson (Sweden) Celtic (Scottish Premiership) 28 1.5 42
6. Van Hoidonk (Netherlands) Feyenoord (Eredivisie) 28 1.5 42
Note: a: Format: Player (nationality), club (league), goals scored, coefficient, total points.

b: The goal coefficient for the top five leagues (English Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1) is 2 due to the high difficulty and intense competition, while the goal coefficient for the Dutch Eredivisie and Scottish Premiership is 1.5.

c: There are three rounds left in La Liga and one round left in the Eredivisie.

Real Madrid's secret meeting with Wenger has triggered a managerial shake-up.

Despite L'Equipe's report of Real Madrid's fifth contact with Wenger, Florentino Pérez firmly denied a meeting in Paris. Current manager Vicente del Bosque, while leading the team to an impressive record (with the La Liga title in sight), is finding himself in a passive position due to ideological differences with the club's management.
Brand value: Florentino Pérez craves a star coach like Wenger, while Del Bosque lacks commercial appeal;

Management conflict: Vicente del Bosque opposes Asian commercial matches, which clashes with Real Madrid's commercial development strategy;
Locker room perspective: His "fatherly" approach to football has drawn criticism from management, but he has received public support from key players like Casillas.

Vicente del Bosque's future hangs in the balance—if he stays, it will be solely due to the players' wishes, not the president's trust. This undercurrent of power struggles for a managerial change reflects the deep-seated division between Real Madrid's "sports and business" responsibilities.

(Note: Wenger's master's degree in economics aligns with Real Madrid's business strategy, and Del Bosque may resign at the end of the season.)

— L'Équipe

After apologizing to Spanish fans, I must admit: Juventus's run to the Champions League final against AC Milan marks Italy's return to the top of European football. Despite concerns about a defensive battle, both Lippi and Ancelotti are proponents of attacking football – Juventus boasts a creative Del Piero-Trezeguet partnership, while Milan possesses the midfield maestro Seedorf (who could become the first player to win a title with three different clubs) and Rui Costa.

Admittedly, AC Milan's current style may not be as aggressive as it was during the Sacchi era with the Dutch trio, but let's not forget that Ancelotti was playing for that Milan team at the time.

The biggest regret was Nedved's absence. This "most complete warrior" was suspended due to yellow cards, and UEFA's rigid rules robbed the final of its star power. In contrast, Milan's "nuclear warhead" Shevchenko and "ghost" Inzaghi could deliver a fatal blow at any moment, and Rivaldo's magic had not failed him.

This civil war in the Apennine Peninsula is destined to transcend tactical maneuvering and become an epic dialogue of will and talent.

Beckenbauer concluded with a joke: "Actually, I don't want to make any predictions, because even without Nedved, the mighty Juventus team still has enough strength to win the championship trophy. But if I had to say, I feel that AC Milan has a better chance, at least better than our Bayern. Because our Bayern was already eliminated in the group stage."

— Beckenbauer in an interview with Bild.

(End of this chapter)