When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 155 The Champion's Debt and the Unfinished Revenge

2004 4 Month 21 Day.

In the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, Porto drew 0-0 at home against 10-man Deportivo La Coruña. The match was highly charged, with Maniche's long-range shot hitting the crossbar in the 66th minute and Deportivo defender Andrade receiving a red card for a malicious foul in the 87th minute. Porto dominated the game but failed to break the deadlock, with Deportivo goalkeeper Moria making several crucial saves. In the second leg, Deportivo will be without the suspended Andrade and Mauro Silva, potentially jeopardizing their chances of reaching the final.

Since the news of Arsenal's humiliating 1-3 defeat at the Stade Louis II broke, the entire English football world has been in an uproar.

But the most boisterous part wasn't the wailing of Arsenal fans, but rather the sports sections of newspapers like the Daily Mirror and the Daily Mail.

Because their front-page headlines were all reserved for another name: Roy.

But nobody cared about Arsenal's defeat; the media preferred to sensationalize Roy's transfer saga.

The Mirror even drew a cartoon—Ferguson and Abramovich are in a tug-of-war, with a grinning Roy in the middle, and the headline read: "Whoever pays more gets him."

Ferguson, dressed in a Manchester United training kit, veins bulging, chewing gum in his mouth, looked like he was determined to win.

Abramovich was dressed in a sharp suit, clutching a wad of ruble banknotes in one hand and holding a rope with a gold nugget shaped like the Chelsea FC crest hanging from it in the other.

Roy stood in the middle, arms crossed, a playful smile on his face, as if to say, "You guys continue, let's see who bids the highest."

But the real drama lies in the background.

A dark cloud drifted across the sky, with the face of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez vaguely visible on it. At the edge of the cloud, David Beckham's head suddenly peeked out with his signature smile, as if to say, "Don't forget, we're watching too!"

Meanwhile, The Sun, as always, took a sensual approach. They devoted three pages to digging into Roy's romantic history, from Dutch supermodels to French actresses, accompanied by carefully selected candid photos.

The most sarcastic part was their subheading: "The New Best? His football skills are just as fascinating as his love life!"

On April 22, 2004, it was raining heavily in Manchester.

The bars near Old Trafford were filled with smoke.

A few elderly fans wearing Manchester United jerseys sat in a corner, passing around the day's edition of The Sun.

"Damn, look at this French kid!"

Old Jack casually flipped to the cover of The Sun, and as soon as the sizzling photos of Lucy Piddle caught his eye, his gaze was drawn to the bold headline below.

"Roy's new Champions League king's 'hat trick' in love: the fatal attraction from supermodel to movie star."

The newspaper headline prominently featured Roy, the rising star Manchester United was pursuing.

One photo shows him putting his arm around a French actress's waist as he gets into a sports car; another shows him whispering to a Dutch supermodel in a Parisian restaurant.

A 19-year-old football star with amazing skills and an equally "exciting" love life.

Douchen's blonde hair and blue eyes contrasted sharply with Leticia's sexy black dress, as if suggesting that Roy's "aesthetic range" was as unpredictable as his style on the field.

"Damn it, isn't that George Best in his younger days? Flashy on football, even more flashy when it came to picking up girls!"

"Bullshit!" Retired miner John stubbed out his cigarette. "Best wasn't this shrewd back then. Look at this kid's statement, 'Please don't pay too much attention to his private life'? His pronunciation is as perfect as Ferguson's pre-match press conference!"

The fans in the pub were talking about it with great interest.

Someone sipped their beer and chuckled, "If you ask me, this kid knows how to have fun even better than Beckham back in the day. At least back when Victoria was around, Ferguson could still keep him in check."

Old John suddenly laughed: "Do you guys remember Beckham and Victoria in 1999? Ferguson almost smashed the dressing room to pieces. Now? As long as this kid can lead us to beat those invincible bastards at Arsenal..."

"Yes!"

Dave raised his glass, "As long as it helps us win the Champions League, let him sleep with a few supermodels if he wants! Anyway, those good kids like Gary Neville haven't been playing that well!"

Several glasses clinked together, splashing beer that wet Roy's ambiguous smile on the newspaper.

In Ferguson's office, the day's The Sun lay open on the table.

He stared at the photos of Roy with those female celebrities for a long time, tapping his fingers on the table.

At first, he was indeed worried: another Best?

Yet another genius ruined by wine and women?
But the more Sir Alex Ferguson read these reports, the more his brow relaxed.

What concerned Ferguson even more was Roy's handling of these scandals.

Clean and neat, without any sloppiness.

After breaking up with Du Chen, the two could still politely exchange pleasantries in public; but as soon as the rumors about him and Leticia broke, Roy's team released a statement that neither denied nor confirmed the rumors, but simply emphasized that "please do not pay excessive attention to his private life."

This effortless attitude is completely unlike that of a 19-year-old.

"19 years old?"

Ferguson muttered, tossing the newspaper aside. "I was wielding a sledgehammer in a shipyard when I was 19. This kid's a seasoned veteran, both on and off the field."

He suddenly noticed small print in the corner of the newspaper: "An insider revealed that Roy personally selected all the commercial endorsements and even reviewed the advertising scripts."

He suddenly realized that the key to the problem wasn't those gossip stories.

Roy was too lucid, frighteningly so.

He fights tooth and nail on the field, and does all the accounting off the field; he even personally reviews advertising scripts.

Such players are unlikely to get drunk in nightclubs, but they're probably also unlikely to open up to each other in the locker room.

Roy is not the scandal-ridden playboy portrayed by the media at all.

On the contrary, he knows exactly what he wants, whether it's honors on the field or a good image off the field.

From Doutzen to Leticia, perhaps they were just carefully arranged supporting characters in his life's script.

But the true protagonist is always only himself.

After training, Cristiano Ronaldo, wrapped in a bathrobe, sat on the sofa in his apartment and casually picked up a crumpled copy of the Manchester Evening News from the coffee table.

The sports section headline read, "Red Devils' transfer dealings stalled: Glazer vetoes Roy's record-breaking transfer," accompanied by a photo of Sir Alex Ferguson frowning.

He chewed on an energy bar and read carefully. The report said that Manchester United scouts had been tracking Roy for more than half a year, but the American owners, the Glazer family, refused to budge.

The two sides are stuck on two key points: first, the Glazers feel that spending more than 5000 million euros to buy a 19-year-old player is too risky; second, Manchester United insists on taking at least 40% of the image rights, while Roy's team insists on retaining at least 70%.

The newspaper also quoted a Manchester United board member as saying: "Manchester United is not an ordinary club – we are a global brand. Players here are not just playing football, but part of a commercial empire. Look at the statistics after Beckham left: shirt sales, sponsorship exposure, and commercial revenue have all declined. If we spend 5000 million to buy a player but can't even get 40% of his image rights, then that investment is meaningless. Big clubs can't just look at talent when signing players; they must also look at commercial returns. Otherwise, we are gambling with the club's money on a future that could be a complete loss."

The Daily Telegraph reports that Chelsea are prepared to activate the player's release clause.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Abramovich was even willing to concede up to 90% on his image rights.

Although Chelsea poached CEO Kenyon from Manchester United in an effort to improve the club's commercial operations, the team is clearly more focused on competitive results at this stage.

An insider said, "Mr. Abramovich understands that to reach the top in Europe, he must first win trophies. Image rights revenue can be pursued later once the team has established itself."

Raindrops pattered against the windowpane, and Sky Sports on TV was analyzing: "If Manchester United offers Roy such a high percentage of the profits, Van Nistelrooy and Ferdinand will definitely insist on renegotiating their contracts."

Cristiano Ronaldo crumpled up the newspaper and threw it into the trash can, but missed.

The crumpled paper rolled to the side of Mendes' briefcase that he had left behind today, revealing half of an envelope with the NextGen logo.

He reached out and pulled out the envelope, and several sheets of paper slid onto the table—they were densely packed with his personality traits, habits, and even labels such as "perfectionist," "discipline fanatic," and "natural leader."

"what is this?"

Having just received these things, and after reading them, I felt that these descriptions did indeed resemble him. But being listed out like this by someone else is like being stripped naked and standing in a locker room for people to judge.

Mendes cleared his throat: "The new company's business plan will help you build your personal brand."

"So now even how I laugh has to be up to you?"

Cristiano Ronaldo slammed the paper on the table; the label with his "signature sunny smile" was glaringly obvious.

He recently noticed in a fashion magazine that Roy's personal streetwear brand "NO PERMISSION" has created a trend in the emerging fashion scene.

The design of that avant-garde and provocative abstract coronation pattern is indeed very impactful.

He had to admit that the design was indeed very cool, and Roy's marketing tactics were quite clever.

Having just shone brightly at the Bernabéu, he immediately launched his personal brand, directly monetizing his on-field highlights.

"That French kid"

Ronaldo muttered to himself, feeling both admiration and annoyance. Roy had become famous much earlier than him, had already proven himself on the field, and was now thriving in business as well.

Every time he felt he was about to catch up with Roy, the other would always come up with something new to widen the gap.

What angered him even more was that Roy was not only a new player signed by Mendes, but had also become a business partner.

That kid who was always compared to him is now being bossed around even about how to package him.

Mendes said, "Listen, these are just suggestions. You still play your game on the pitch; we're just helping you with your off-field contributions."

He stared at the envelope for a while.

After Arsenal's Champions League defeat to Monaco last week, Mendes suddenly started making frequent trips to Manchester.

Looking back now, that Portuguese man was probably already planning a bigger business deal.

Cristiano Ronaldo began to seriously consider how he should get along with that arrogant Frenchman if he really joined Manchester United.

Meanwhile, upon hearing the news of Roy's possible transfer, Ronaldinho grinned and said, "Next year, the 'Roro duo' will sweep all the Premier League teams. I just need to dribble past one or two defenders, and Roy will definitely be in the perfect position to receive the pass, making the game much easier."

As he got up, he stepped on a large photograph of Roy on the newspaper.

The 19-year-old Frenchman is smiling at the camera, his teeth so white they're almost blinding.

Roy's rebellious personality was actually to Ronaldo's liking, but what annoyed the young Ronaldo was Roy's arrogant attitude.

Despite being only a few months older than me, he became famous a year earlier and was the first recipient of the European Golden Boy Award.

Sir Alex Ferguson and the British media always liked to bring up Roy, constantly saying things like "look at how Roy plays," which made him very angry.

But in the dead of night, the 19-year-old Ronaldo had to admit that it was this sense of humiliation from being compared that forced him to train until the early hours of the morning.

Those disdainful looks will one day make them regret it.

Round 35 of the English Premier League.

Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in the North London derby.

Vieira and Pires each scored for Arsenal in the first half, Henry scored for the Gunners in the second half, and Redknapp and Robbie Keane helped Tottenham score.

阿森纳本赛季34战25胜9平积84分，领先排名第2且仅剩3场比赛的切尔西12分提前4轮夺冠。

Just three minutes into the game, Henry intercepted the ball in his own half and launched a lightning counter-attack. Bergkamp delivered a brilliant cross, and Vieira easily tapped the ball into the empty net.

In the 35th minute, it was another combination between Vieira and Bergkamp. The French midfielder broke through on the left wing and passed back to Pires, who finished in front of the goal to make it 2-0.

Throughout the first half, Arsenal's fluid passing game kept Tottenham's defense constantly on its toes, while Campbell's defensive line repeatedly thwarted the home team's attacks.

After the break, Tottenham brought on Defoe to strengthen their attack.

In the 62nd minute, Redknapp unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area to pull one back for Tottenham.

But in the 85th minute, Henry scored with his signature curling shot from the left side of the penalty area, sealing the victory for the Gunners.

In stoppage time, the game took a dramatic turn when Lehmann and Robbie Keane clashed in the penalty area, and the referee awarded a controversial penalty.

The Irish striker calmly converted the penalty, making the score 3-2.

This match perfectly showcased the characteristics of Wenger's team: a dazzling attack led by Henry and Bergkamp, ​​and an ironclad defense built by Vieira and Campbell.

As the final whistle blew, White Hart Lane was plunged into a state of extreme contrasts.

Arsenal players embraced tightly at their arch-rivals' home ground, with Vieira carrying Henry on his shoulders and Pires and Bergkamp exchanging smiles.

25 wins and 9 draws, securing the championship 4 rounds in advance!
Tottenham fans walked off the pitch with grim faces, while three thousand Arsenal fans turned the away stadium into a sea of ​​red, chanting "Invincible Army!" throughout the stadium.

On the sidelines, Wenger rarely smiled, and he high-fived his assistant coach Pat Rice in celebration.

The 1-3 defeat in Monaco a few days ago was still fresh in everyone's mind, and the professor had originally planned to strategically give up on the Champions League.

But now, looking at the huge 12-point lead over Chelsea in the standings, he stroked his chin and began to ponder: "Back at Highbury, we might be able to turn things around."

Champagne splashed everywhere in the locker room.

Ljungberg hopped in on one leg, leaning on his cane, shouting, "Guys, the Monacoans think we're finished!"

Lyman took a swig of his drink and roared, "Let them wait and see!"

Arsenal's title win swept through North London like wildfire.

At the Gunners bar on Highbury Street, beer foam splattered everywhere, and flushed-faced veteran fans belted out Champions League anthems.

Outside Highbury Stadium, fans have been queuing overnight to buy tickets for the second leg of the Champions League match.

An elderly man wrapped in a scarf told a BBC reporter, "We won the championship in the last minute in 1989, and we can also turn the tide in the last battle this time!"

On May 26, 1989, Arsenal won the league title 2-0 away against Liverpool in stoppage time with a goal from Michael Thomas. Arsenal won the title on goal difference, creating one of the most classic "last minute title wins" miracles in English football history.

The young man behind him suddenly shouted, "Henry! Pires! Take us to the final!"

On this night, the joy of defeating their arch-rivals 3-2, mixed with the anticipation of a Champions League comeback, made all of London's red and white crowds boil with excitement.

At 2 a.m., as police cars began dispersing the crowd, a drunken fan clung to a lamppost, refusing to leave: "Mr. Wenger... hiccup... we believe in you."

Meanwhile, at the Kearney training ground three kilometers away, the lights in Wenger's office were still on.

The professor watched the Monaco match video his assistant had just brought him, and the sound of the fans' chants seemed to still echo in his ears.

He gently adjusted his glasses and drew a new attack arrow on the tactics board.

April 26, 2004, a conference room in the City of London.

Arsenal vice-chairman Dein loosened his tie and tapped his fingers unconsciously on the conference table.

The sun was shining brightly outside the window, but the air inside the meeting room felt so thick it was suffocating.

The lead banker adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses: "Mr. Dane, congratulations on winning the title ahead of schedule. But we must remind you that the loan repayment plan for the Emirates Stadium will not be automatically extended because of the league championship."

Dane recalled the confetti raining down at Highbury yesterday, the screams from the fans when Henry lifted the trophy, and Wenger's words in the locker room, "This is just the beginning."

But now, these beautiful memories seem so distant in the face of cold, hard numbers.

"Our commercial revenue has increased by 23% this season, and we're already seeing pre-sales of season tickets for next season."

“If,” a creditor with a Swiss accent suddenly spoke, “you can win the Champions League title,” the conference room erupted in the clicks of calculators, “and the anticipated increase in Champions League prize money, sponsorship bonuses, and season ticket price hikes.”

Another bank representative nodded, "That's right, the Champions League prize money is the key. If you can go further in the Champions League—ideally winning it—we are willing to reassess the loan interest rate."

"To be precise, winning the Champions League means at least £3000 million in direct revenue, not including sponsor incentives and global business development."

Dane's breathing became rapid.

His mind flashed before him the steel and concrete of the newly built stadium, the Financial Times' questioning of Arsenal's debt ratio yesterday, and finally settled on The Sun's report of Monaco players mocking Arsenal on the radio.

Dane: "But football is not a simple numbers game."

A Goldman Sachs representative said, "For us, that's it. If you get eliminated by Monaco next week, your cash flow forecast for the next fiscal year will still be very bad."

The conference room fell into silence.

Dane concluded, "I understand. Coach Wenger will take your advice to heart."

The HSBC representative added: "Mr. Dane, let's get this straight. If Arsenal win the Champions League, we can reduce the loan interest rate from the current 7.2% to 5.8%. Based on the principal of £4.7 million, you can save approximately £3200 million in interest expenses over the next five years."

A Deutsche Bank representative added, "This is a conservative estimate. The commercial value of winning the Champions League would increase your annual revenue by at least £4000 million, enough to cover the annual repayments for the new stadium."

The only sound in the meeting room was the tapping of pens on the table.

Dane stared at the glaring red number on the financial statement and suddenly realized that next Tuesday's game against Monaco might be much more important than they had imagined.

"Gentlemen," Dane suddenly stood up and buttoned his suit jacket one button at a time, "please be sure to watch the Champions League semi-final live next Tuesday."

Before the conference room door closed, the bankers heard him finish his sentence:
"revenge."

2004年欧足联50周年庆典在塞浦路斯举行，揭晓“欧洲50年50大球星”评选结果。齐达内以123582票力压贝肯鲍尔(122569票)和克鲁伊夫(119332票)当选“欧洲之王”。此次评选历时半年，通过全球球迷网络投票产生，共收到超700万张有效选票。现役球员中仅齐达内和马尔蒂尼(第10名)进入前十，彰显了齐祖在欧洲足坛的非凡地位。庆典由塞浦路斯总统、布拉特、约翰松等足坛重量级人物出席。

(End of this chapter)