When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 138 is about suddenly wanting to practice free kicks.

On the morning of March 25, 2004, LeBron James sat on the sofa in his Cleveland home, irritably pressing the remote control.

The TV is showing a post-match report of yesterday's game:

The Cavaliers lost to the Suns 86-103 at home, marking their third consecutive loss.

The scene switches to a shot of Joe Johnson easily scoring a jump shot in front of him, and James unconsciously clenches his fist.

He clearly remembered how Johnson, who was on fire last night, scored against him time and time again.

Step-back jumper, crossover dribble, and pull-up floater – 31 points, a career high.

"Damn."

James cursed under his breath and slammed the remote control onto the sofa.

Those images lingered in his mind: Johnson's arrogant celebration after hitting a three-pointer in front of him, the disappointed expressions of the fans on the sidelines, and the deathly silence in the locker room after the game.

Head coach Silas stated that three consecutive losses do not mean the end of the world, given our previous seven-game winning streak. LeBron...the future.

"fart!"

James cursed under his breath and was about to turn off the TV when he suddenly heard the doorbell ring.

Rich Paul burst through the door, a thick stack of documents tucked under his arm: "LeBron! Take a look at this!"

James didn't even look up: "If it's about last night's game, then skip the analysis."

"Who cares about that!"

You'd never guess what happened in European football last night!

Richie was completely oblivious to James's grim expression. "That Frenchman named Roy is at the Bernabéu."

He slammed the document on the coffee table. "Look at the proposal Nike worked on all night!"

James then noticed the prominent words "Double Kings Plan" printed on the cover of the document.

Richie exclaimed excitedly, "A hat-trick! 5-3 against Real Madrid! The most amazing thing was this celebration!"

James mechanically took the document; the first page featured a large photograph of Roy "crowning himself" on a billboard.

The young man's arrogant celebration in the photo somehow reminded him of Johnson's provocative look after scoring in front of him last night.

"That's pretty arrogant."

James stared at the photo for a long time, his fingers tracing Roy's spirited face.

He had to admit that a pang of jealousy had risen in his heart.

This Frenchman is only two months older than me (Roy's birthday is October 6th, and mine is December 30th), yet he has already caused a sensation in European football, it's almost like...
"Just like I should have done in the NBA."

He silently finished the sentence in his mind.

At the same age of 19, Roy has already scored a hat-trick in the Champions League match against Real Madrid, while he is still regretting being thrashed by Joe Johnson last night.

This damn guy born in October has somehow managed to get on the world stage first.

“Let me give you a proper analysis of what Roy’s achievements mean,” Richie said, flipping open his notebook. “First of all, he only turned 19 last October, but he is already the absolute core of Monaco—just like you led St. Vincent in high school, except he is in the Champions League.”

James raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.

“Imagine a rookie,” Richie said, holding up a finger, “who leads his team to what’s equivalent to an NBA regular season championship in his first year, or at least a Ligue 1 title. The following year, they clinch the league title eight rounds early—which in the NBA is equivalent to a team securing the top seed in the playoffs in March.”

"This 5-3 thrashing of Real Madrid would be equivalent to—"

He paused, "A rookie leading a team to sweep the Lakers, who had the peak Shaq-Kobe duo, in the playoffs, and at Staples Center."

James whistled: "That's a sharp analogy."

In an instant, he felt as if he had been pulled into another scene: he was standing on the floor of the Staples Center, facing Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant in their prime, their eyes cold, like two insurmountable mountains.

"Damn," James subconsciously rubbed his arms, as if he really felt that pressure.

He knew all too well the dominance of the OK duo—a three-peat dynasty, a terrifying 15-1 record in the playoffs, O'Neal wreaking havoc in the paint, and Kobe reaping like a grim reaper on the perimeter.

"So now you understand, right?"

Richie's voice pulled him back to reality: "Roy's victory over Real Madrid is like you leading the Cavaliers' rookie roster to sweep the 2001 Lakers in the playoffs."

“There’s something even more ruthless,” Richie flipped to the next page of his notebook, “Monaco’s budget last season was only one-tenth of Real Madrid’s, which is equivalent to the Los Angeles Clippers beating the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.”

"What did Nike say?" James suddenly asked.

Richie keenly sensed the shift in atmosphere, but still excitedly said, "They want to market you two together! Your signature shoes are about to be released, so they'll ride this wave of hype."

James took the proposal and quickly skimmed through it.

Although he felt bad, his business acumen immediately kicked in.

Tying himself to this rising football star who is currently in the spotlight is definitely beneficial for the release of his Air Zoom Generation.

“Tell them I agree.”

James closed the file. "But add one thing!"

He pointed to Roy's photo on the proposal: "The final ad shot has to be us in the same frame. I want to make sure the audience remembers that the 'two kings' are side by side."

In particular, she wanted everyone to know that even though Roy was born two and a half months earlier, she would never be inferior to him.

Richie immediately understood and began taking notes: "Got it, we won't let the soccer prodigy steal the spotlight. By the way..."

He pointed to the Air Zoom Generation samples on the shoe rack, "The new colorway will arrive in stores next week, just in time for this wave of popularity."

James picked up his signature shoe and examined it closely, a slight smile finally appearing on his lips.

Perhaps the news of Joe Johnson outscoring LeBron James by 31 points will soon be replaced by "LeBron's powerful alliance with the new king of football".

He suddenly felt the tightness in his chest dissipate a little.

Perhaps it's time for the media to discuss something else.

James closed the proposal and leaned back on the sofa: "Arrange an interview, and say that I admire Roy's confidence and domineering presence."

A Mercedes-Benz van slowly drove into Monaco's city center.

Within 48 hours of defeating Real Madrid, the entire team was flown to Paris by Monaco's royal plane and held an all-night celebration party at the most exclusive private club on the Champs-Élysées.

The chain reaction brought about by the victory quickly became apparent.

The team received commercial offers of varying levels, with everyone from the starting players to the substitutes receiving endorsement or event invitations.

Sponsors kept calling, and the schedule was packed with ad shoots and interviews.

Discussions about the victory continued to grow on social media, and the team's popularity skyrocketed.

Brands seized the opportunity and extended offers one after another.

Even players who are not usually in the spotlight have suddenly received many business collaboration opportunities.

This is the benefit of winning – it not only enhances the team's reputation, but also brings tangible commercial value to each member.

The team was bathed in the glow of victory, and everyone benefited from it.

On the car's small TV screen, LeBron James, dressed in a simple white T-shirt, sat in the ESPN interview booth. His hands were crossed on the table, his gaze focused and sincere, with the Cavaliers logo in the background.

"Honestly, after watching Roy's performance at the Bernabéu last night, I kept thinking about this all night: this guy is simply unbelievable. A hat-trick in the Champions League at 19? And at Real Madrid's home ground? It's insane. I've seen a lot of talented players, but the dominance that Roy has shown on the biggest stage is absolutely historic. The way he plays, that domineering aura, reminds me of Jordan when he won his first championship."

“Speaking of Roy, there’s something really interesting. In a post-Confederations Cup interview last year, when asked about his thoughts on the NBA draft, he said without hesitation, ‘LeBron will be the number one pick.’ Keep in mind that at that time, I hadn’t even played a single NBA game yet. Now, seeing him prove himself so quickly in the EuroLeague, I’m even more convinced that we share the same belief—we both want to be the ones who change the game.”

"Roy is destined to become one of the greatest players in football history, without a doubt. To be honest, watching him play is very inspiring – that courage to step up in crucial moments is a quality every athlete aspires to have. Although we play different sports, the pursuit of excellence is the same, and we both understand what it takes to become great. Everything Roy is doing now is redefining expectations for young players. This inspires me and makes me even more excited to see how high we can each reach in basketball and football in the future."

“You know, sometimes athletes just have this kind of unspoken understanding. When I first met Roy, I felt he was something special, and now he’s proven me right. We’re all striving to be the best in our respective fields, and this mutual appreciation and respect just naturally arises.”

"Hearing Roy say 'rebuilding the glory of French football' really touched me. It's like every time I walk into Quicken Loans Arena and see those Cleveland kids in my jersey in the stands. This city nurtured me, and the fans here have supported me since I was a high school student. My biggest dream is to one day bring a championship trophy to Cleveland."

“I admire Roy’s loyalty to Monaco. He said he wants to lead French football back to the top, and not every young player has that sense of responsibility. I completely understand that feeling because every time I put on the Cavaliers jersey, I think about giving my all for this city.”

“Sometimes I think, ten or twenty years from now, when people mention LeBron James, I hope they will remember not just my stats, but everything I have given to Cleveland. Just like Roy is doing for French football now, carrying the team on his shoulders and keeping the city in his heart. That is the most precious commitment an athlete can make.”

Throughout the interview, his expression carried a subtle mix of admiration and competition, praising Roy while seemingly declaring silently, "And I will do the same."

Roy leaned back lazily in the leather seat and yawned.

He pressed the remote control, the screen flashed, and LeBron's face disappeared into the darkness.

"What do you think?"

Claire: "A smart boy, every word he says praises you, but every word implies that he's just as good."

Roy nodded: "Typical LeBron-style speech, praising others while subtly elevating oneself."

Claire keenly sensed a subtle hint of coldness in Roy's tone.

Her boss always seemed to maintain a subtle distance from LeBron, but she never understood why.

Roy suddenly laughed out loud: "It doesn't matter. Of course, it would be best if he could keep winning, and I want to keep winning too."

He rolled down the car window to let the Mediterranean breeze in. "But, as the saying goes, 'When the tide goes out, you discover who's been swimming naked.'"

Claire raised an eyebrow: "So you're planning to..."

"Now?"

Roy grinned: "What's wrong with letting those Americans who don't understand football hear him say I'm great?"

Claire shook her head: "Americans don't buy many soccer cleats."

"What about sports accessories? Shoes and apparel?" Roy's eyes lit up. "I wish he'd be in that country that doesn't really follow football, praising me every day as someone who'll become the world's best player. As for whether he himself can become a basketball star..."

He shrugged. "That's his own business. If he can really surpass Jordan, why would I refuse to have a 'little brother' like that?"

"We don't have any conflict when it comes to making money. Unless... he suddenly decides one day to cut ties with me."

On March 27, 2004, a long queue formed early in the morning outside the Stade Moutier in Le Mans.

Stadium security personnel were surprised to find that nearly half of the fans present today were wearing Monaco's red and white jerseys.

“This is unbelievable,” a Le Mans staff member said to a colleague. “We actually agreed to give half of our seats to away fans?”

The broadcast camera slowly panned across the stadium, revealing a gathering of heavyweights from French football and politics: three-time Ballon d'Or winner Michel Platini, 1958 Ballon d'Or winner Kopa, film star Jean Reno, director Luc Besson, actor Gérard Depardieu, and other figures from the arts and culture scene. From the political sphere, French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Sports Minister Jean-Pierre Lamour, Football Federation President Diego Simeone, and Ligue 1 President Thierry were all in attendance.

Thierry Rolland, the legendary commentator for France's TF1 television network, took a deep breath, adjusted his microphone, and began with his signature deep voice:
"Dear viewers, please allow me a minute. Just 72 hours ago, we witnessed a great victory at the Bernabéu that will go down in the annals of French football history! This Monaco team, with an average age of less than 23, won 5-3 at Real Madrid's home ground! Roy scored a hat-trick under the spotlight at the Bernabéu!"

"From his stunning debut against PSV Eindhoven to his goal against Bayern Munich, and now his legendary performance at the Bernabéu, Roy is using his unique footballing language to announce the revival of French football to the world!"

Roland calmed himself down slightly and continued:

"And today, this young man will lead Monaco to challenge another historical record. If they win, they will create the myth of winning the Ligue 1 title eight rounds early! Think about it, the core lineup of this team, besides Roy, includes Pedretti, Evra, and Abidal. They represent the future of French football! They may not be perfect yet, but they have the purest courage! As Roy said: 'We cannot change the past, but we can always change the future!' " "Roy is not just a player; he represents the hope of a new generation of French football. At a time when French football needs a new leader, this young man uses the purest language of football to prove to the world that the flame of French football will never be extinguished.

As the players began to enter the field, Roland finally calmed down: "Good friends, let's get back to the game itself. But remember, regardless of tonight's outcome, this energetic Monaco team has proven to us that French football has never left the center stage of the world; it's just waiting for a new generation of heroes to rise. Now, the game officially begins."

Inside the players' tunnel, Adebayor's breathing became noticeably rapid.

The 20-year-old Togolese athlete kept adjusting the position of his shin guards, his fingers trembling slightly.

He never imagined he would start in such a crucial match, replacing Morientes, who was suffering from an ankle injury, and Pulso, who was ill.

"look up."

A deep voice came from in front of me.

Roy turned around, chewing gum, his eyes as calm as the sea before a storm.

"Your legs are shaking like that, how are you going to run later?"

Adebayor swallowed hard: "I've never started in such an important game before."

"I...I'm a little..."

“I said, look up.”

Roy interrupted him, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, yet carrying an undeniable force.

Do you know what the opposing defender is thinking right now?

He casually straightened Adebayor's collar. "They're relieved they don't have to face Morientes."

“When they see the starting lineup, they’ll definitely be thinking, ‘Who is this Adebayor?’ So, let’s give them a surprise.”

The cheers outside the tunnel grew closer, and Roy patted him on the shoulder one last time: "Remember, fear is for your opponent."

Adebayor took a deep breath and followed the team onto the field.

Amidst the blinding lights and deafening cheers, he heard Roy whistle in front of him: "Look, rookie, all of France is waiting to meet you."

After the match began, Le Mans adopted a defensive strategy.

Monaco's young players were clearly still carrying the afterglow of the Champions League, committing three offsides within the first ten minutes.

In the 15th minute, Roy received the ball on the left wing, dribbled past two defenders, and broke into the penalty area, but his final shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

"Too hasty!" Deschamps shouted from the sidelines. "Take it easy!"

The turning point came in the 38th minute.

Evra made a long pass from the backfield, Roy controlled the ball with his chest and then suddenly changed direction, shaking off the defender.

On the edge of the penalty area, he seemed to be about to shoot, but suddenly flicked the ball with his heel, and Adebayor followed up to push it into the net! 1-0!

"BUUUUUT! Adebayor! This 20-year-old Togolese youngster has scored what may be one of the most important goals in Ligue 1 history!"

Roland's voice echoed throughout the stadium.

The moment the ball rolled into the net, Adebayor paused for a second, then sprinted towards the corner flag like a madman.

He knelt down, excitedly patting the team emblem on his chest, tears welling up in his eyes.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he turned and ran towards Roy.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the 20-year-old knelt down on one knee and pretended to wipe Roy's boots.

Roy smiled and tried to help him up, but Adebayo held onto his leg tightly.

"Thank you!" Adebayor's voice trembled with tears. "That pass...that pass!"

Roy bent down and ruffled his hair: "Get up, champion, this is only the first one."

Adebayor knelt on one knee on the grass, his hands trembling as he lifted Roy's right foot.

He carefully wiped his sneakers with the sleeve of his jersey, as if they were a precious work of art.

The entire stadium fell silent for a second, then erupted in deafening cheers.

This most sublime form of tribute on the football field expresses Adebayor's feelings at this moment better than any words.

That seemingly casual backheel pass completely won over the young striker.

Roy stood still, looking down at the excited young man.

He initially wanted to help his teammate up, but ultimately chose to acquiesce to the celebration.

Roy gently placed his hand on Adebayo's head, like an older brother affirming his younger brother's growth.

"Okay, get up."

Roy's voice was soft, yet warm: "The game isn't over yet, we still have more goals to score."

Adebayo wiped his face and looked up at Roy.

Roy nodded at him, a slight smile playing on his lips. It wasn't a particularly special smile, just the kind of encouragement common between teammates.

The cheers in the stadium grew louder. Adebayor suddenly realized that this was more than just a match. A veteran leading a newcomer—this was the most ordinary yet most precious moment in football.

He took a deep breath and followed Roy to the center of the field.

In the second half, Le Mans intensified their attack.

In the 55th minute, their striker had a one-on-one opportunity, but Roma made a brilliant save.

This save became the turning point of the game.

In the 67th minute, Monaco's counter-attack tore through the Le Mans defense like lightning.

Giuly sprinted forty meters down the right flank and delivered a precise cross before the defenders could block him.

The ball crossed the edge of the six-yard box, and Roy appeared at the penalty spot, delivering a clean and decisive shot that nestled into the bottom left corner of the goal! 2-0!

After scoring, Roy didn't run off to celebrate. Instead, he went straight to Giuly, pointed at his face, and yelled, "Ludovic, why aren't you smiling?"

Giuly's tense face suddenly broke into a smile: "Ligue 1 seems a bit boring now!"

The two looked at each other and laughed.

"This goal not only secured today's victory, but also signifies the beginning of a new era! At 19 years old, a Ligue 1 champion, a Champions League quarter-finalist, and a hat-trick at the Bernabéu. These achievements would be legendary for any young player."

"But Roy is different. He represents new hope for French football and symbolizes a whole new possibility. Behind this goal lies a dream of national football revival and the courage of a generation of young players to break free from constraints!"

"Look at those excited Monaco fans on the sidelines! They know they are witnessing history unfold. This is not the end, but the beginning of a great chapter! French football has been waiting for such a leader for far too long."

Roland's voice trembled slightly: "Tonight, on this night in Le Mans, an era belonging to Roy is slowly unfolding!"

The final whistle pierced the night sky, and the Monaco bench erupted in cheers.

Adebayor knelt on the grass, his forehead touching the ground, tears mixed with sweat soaking a patch of turf.

It was as if they were confirming that none of this was a dream.

Not far away, Roy was repeatedly tossed into the air by his excited teammates.

With each leap, he could see countless red and white flags waving in the stands.

His face wore a bright smile, yet it carried a composure beyond his years—as if all of this was expected.

Deschamps stood on the sidelines with his hands in his trench coat pockets.

He watched his players celebrating wildly on the field—Adebayor kneeling and weeping, Roy being tossed high into the air by his teammates, and Giuly and Rothen hugging and spinning each other.

These scenes should have excited him, but his thoughts were already drifting to next week.

"Didier, it's time to go collect your award."

Assistant coach Jean Petit reminded him with a smile.

Deschamps nodded, but did not set off immediately.

His gaze swept past the jubilant crowd, as if he could see the lights of the Bernabéu Stadium.

Deschamps stood on the sidelines, his smile always tinged with a hint of tension.

Although the 5-3 victory at the Bernabéu three days earlier was impressive enough, his coaching instincts prevented him from fully relaxing.

This scoreline, while seemingly advantageous, is also the most dangerous: it offers hope, yet it's not a sure thing.

This scoreline was like a Damocles' sword hanging over his head, reminding him that any celebrations were premature until Real Madrid was completely defeated.

"Let them be happy for a while longer," Deschamps said softly. "Once we get back to the locker room, it'll be time to prepare for the next battle."

"A historic moment!" Roland's voice choked with emotion. "Monaco has set an unprecedented record in Ligue 1—winning the title eight rounds early! This team, with an average age of less than 23, has swept across France with a youth storm!"

Roy and Giuly stood side by side on the podium, with two gleaming Ligue 1 championship trophies placed before them.

Juli reached out and gently stroked the "2003-2004" engraving on the trophy, then glanced at the one next to it marked "2002-2003," a meaningful smile appearing on his lips.

As Roy and Giuly lifted the heavy championship trophy together, a familiar melody suddenly rang out from the stands.

At first there were only a few scattered sounds, but it quickly spread like wildfire.

"Roy and Giuly are invincible!"

Tens of thousands of fans sang in unison, changing the lyrics of the original cheering song to the names of this golden duo.

The singing grew louder and louder, and even the security personnel on the sidelines couldn't help but nod along to the rhythm.

"2003-2004 Ligue 1 Champions - "

The DJ's voice echoed through the stadium, "AS Monaco!"

Confetti poured down from the stands, and red and white confetti danced like snowflakes under the spotlight.

After the match, Monaco players wore T-shirts with the word "Champion" printed on them and circled the field to express their gratitude.

Roy tossed his jersey to the fans in the stands, while Adebayor clung to the match ball, refusing to let go.

In the midst of this celebration, a mechanical voice suddenly rang in Roy's mind: "Ligue 1 title settlement in progress. Talents to be drawn for you: -- Juninho free-kick talent."

"What's wrong?" Juli patted his shoulder.

Roy snapped out of his reverie and gave a mysterious smile: "Nothing, I just suddenly felt like practicing free kicks."

This unexpected talent has made him even more excited for the upcoming Champions League second leg.

(End of this chapter)