When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 156 The Last Dance in North London
On the morning of February 29, 2004.

Ribery drove a silver Renault Clio RS into the Latilby training ground.

After the car came to a stop, he grabbed the file bag from the passenger seat and strode towards the administration building.

In the conference room on the second floor, agent Alan Milaccio was reviewing the contract details.

"A three-year contract with an annual salary of 100 million euros and a signing bonus of 50 euros to be paid in three installments."

Miliacho pushed the contract aside, saying, "The penalty for breach of contract is set at 2000 million."

The club's new owner, Dmitry Rybonov, entered with his financial director.

“We value your Champions League performance,” Rybonov cut straight to the point. “Roy may transfer in the summer, and you need to be ready to take his place.”

Ribery quickly reviewed the key clauses of the contract:

Image rights: 50%.

The prize money for advancing to the Champions League final is 15 euros.

If selected for the French national team, a 20% salary increase will be automatically triggered.

When signing, the pen suddenly stopped printing, and the CFO hurriedly replaced it with another one.

Migliorio lowered his voice and said, "Marseille offered 80, Lyon 85, and Arsenal could offer up to 90, but all of that is before tax. The Russians offered 100 million after tax, plus a 50 signing bonus."

He tapped the contract. "And they guarantee that once Roy leaves, the starting left winger position will be yours."

The club's press officer took a photo of the signing.

Mendes and Roy's voices drifted down the corridor, and Miliajo instinctively stuffed the contract into his briefcase.

Rybonov added, "We will reassess your number before the preseason begins."

The office door was pushed open, and Roy and Mendes walked in.

Miliacho looked up and met Mendes's gaze.

The Portuguese man recently signed Roy from his contract.

His lips twitched slightly, then he put on a professional smile.

Mendes stood behind Roy with a polite smile on his face, but his eyes remained fixed on the contract in Migliaccio's hand.

His expression was as calm as if he were attending a regular business meeting, with only his slightly raised chin revealing a hint of confidence.

Roy patted Miriam on the shoulder enthusiastically: "Mico, Frank is worth the price."

Migliorgio gave a smile: "Of course, he always has been. I wish you all the best in the Champions League."

Rybonov immediately went up to Roy and shook his hand: "I'm having a party in Crimea after the semi-finals, you have to come."

He smiled and said, "My daughter, Ekaterina, is your fan."

This was the first time the new owner had officially met with Roy in his capacity as club president.

He knew that this key player would inevitably transfer in the summer, but before that, he needed Roy to fight for the Champions League trophy for Monaco.

The acquisition of the club cost nearly 1 million euros. The team's performance led to a significant premium in the stock price. In addition, 4000 million euros were used to pay off debts, and another 800 million euros was paid to former president Campora as a "retirement gift".

If we can win the championship, this investment will be worthwhile.

More importantly, Roy and Deschamps are writing a legend for Monaco: two consecutive Ligue 1 titles, an unbeaten title win this season, and a treble within reach.

These stories will form the foundation of the club's marketing for the next decade—more valuable than any transfer fee.

At that time, Monaco would complete its transformation from a nouveau riche club to a legendary club.

This small country's team, with a population of less than 4, will forever be associated with the myth of the "2004 Unbeaten Treble" – just like Ajax's "Golden Generation of '95". No matter how many years have passed, whenever people mention Roy's achievements at other top clubs or the French national team, they will trace it back to the legend he forged at Monaco.

The club will reap triple benefits: competitively, it will become a benchmark for youth training in Europe, profiting from the sale of "new Roy" every year, even though Roy did not come from Monaco's youth academy; commercially, it will establish a "prestige" premium, with shirt sponsorship fees comparable to traditional powerhouses, and it can also host high-end friendly matches as a "myth maker," with appearance fees several times that of ordinary teams.

Culturally, they occupy the high ground in the narrative of French football. When Paris Saint-Germain was spending lavishly in the 2020s, people would still say "the real dynasty was Monaco in 2004" until 2025.

More importantly, this legendary status can hedge against the risk of wealthy owners withdrawing their investment: even without large investments in the next ten years, the club can continue to attract top French stars to join, forming a virtuous cycle, simply by relying on the brand effect of the "legendary team".

Rybonov personally pulled out a chair for Roy, his face beaming with the warm smile typical of a businessman: "I've had the yacht docked in Monaco harbor, you're welcome to relax there anytime."

He glanced at Mendes without saying a word. "Of course, bring your agent along."

The new CFO handed over a gold-embossed folder at the opportune moment: "Given the importance of the Champions League, we've prepared some extra incentives."

He opened the documents, revealing photos of the property title to the Crimean villa.

That villa originally belonged to a Crimean governor during the Tsarist era. It was converted into a sanatorium for high-ranking officials during the Soviet era, and Yeltsin took a vacation there in the early 90s.

It has now been converted into a private vacation villa by Rybonov, and the property documents still have a note stating that "special historical buildings shall not be demolished".

"The 200 million euro prize money for winning the championship will be directly transferred to your Luxembourg account."

He lightly touched the supplementary clauses in the contract with his pen, saying, "Consider this villa a souvenir. The property tax has been fully prepaid by the club."

Mendes suddenly coughed.

Rybonov immediately added, "Of course, these have absolutely nothing to do with your transfer negotiations."

Roy took the document, smiled and shook his head: "It's too early to talk about this now, we haven't even finished the semi-finals yet."

He gently placed the folder back on the table. "You can take this gift out when the finals actually come."

"But boss, are you sure you don't want me to play for Monaco for a few more years?"

Rybonov laughed: "A smart businessperson should know that a good story needs the right time to end."

Roy nodded and handed the document to Mendes: "Then we'll keep this 'souvenir' with you for now. If we really manage to lift the Champions League trophy, we'll come back to redeem it on that day."

On April 30th, in the 34th round of Ligue 4, Monaco will play away against Nice.

The home team took the lead in the 17th minute when Everson's precise through ball found Cedric Varo, who slotted home a one-on-one opportunity. But Monaco quickly responded:
In the 27th minute, Roy and Evra played a one-two on the left wing, and Roy suddenly curled a shot into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area.

In the 37th minute, Roy once again provided a through pass, and Croatian striker Dado Pulso, who started the match, slotted the ball into the net.

In first-half stoppage time, Maicon made a strong run down the right flank and delivered a cross, which Giuly finished off in front of goal to seal the victory.

On May 3, 2004, the BBC's "Football Focus" special program aired.

Host Gary Lineker smiled and looked at the two special guests: "Colin, Pearce, as loyal Arsenal fans, do you think the team still has a chance to turn things around?"

Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan are both well-known Arsenal fans in the British film and television industry.

加里-莱因克尔是英格兰传奇前锋，职业生涯效力莱斯特城、埃弗顿、巴萨、热刺等队，以568场0红黄牌获“足球绅士”美誉。国家队80场48球，两届世界杯12场10球斩获1986年金靴。俱乐部荣誉包括西甲国王杯、欧洲优胜者杯及英格兰足总杯。1994年退役后转型BBC王牌主持，长期担任《比赛日》等节目主播。其世界杯场均0.83球的效率至今位列历史前列。

Colin Firth adjusted his glasses, his tone gentle but firm: "A 1-3 first leg is indeed tough, but don't forget this is Highbury – where we created our unbeaten season. If Henry and Bergkamp had just one chance, the situation would have been completely different."

Colin Firth is a famous British actor known for his elegant British gentleman image. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2010 for his role in "The King's Speech" and is known as "Uncle Face" in China.

Pierce Brosnan chimed in with a composed smile: "Monaco isn't a powerhouse, so they might not be as dominant away from home. Besides, we just won the Premier League title, so the players are playing with less pressure and might actually be more relaxed."

Pierce Brosnan is a famous Irish actor and producer, best known for his role as James Bond in the 007 film series from 1995 to 2002, and is hailed as the "most handsome 007".

Lineker pressed further: "But will Wenger conserve his energy to maintain the unbeaten league record? After all, there's another game this weekend."

Colin shook his head: "Arsène knows better than anyone what the Champions League semi-final means. Haven't we seen enough of this team's resilience this season?"

Lineker turned to Brosnan: "Pearce, if you were playing Bond and helping Arsenal turn things around, what special equipment would you use?"

Brosnan: "Dr. Q will probably prepare three things. First, he'll need to equip Ljungberg with an anti-gravity device so the Swede can leap over Evra's head when he breaks into the penalty area. Second, he'll need an optical camouflage jersey so that Cole can become completely invisible on the left wing once the button is pressed. And most importantly, he'll need an amnesia pen to make the Monaco goalkeeper suddenly lose his memory."

He paused for a moment, "But realistically speaking, I have more faith in the sound of Highbury; that's the best stealth weapon."

Lineker pressed further: "So how will Arsenal seize this one and only opportunity?"

Brosnan leaned forward slightly and said in a 007-esque calm tone, "Just like I said in 'Die Another Day'—'Christmas only comes once a year' (referring to the fleeting nature of warplanes)."

"Monaco will not get a second chance at Highbury. Arsenal must strike decisively, like Bond raiding the enemy base."

Colin Firth added with a laugh: "So the best 'Christmas present' this time is 3-0?"

Brosnan nodded: "And it's best not to leave it until the last second like in my movies."

The camera cuts to the studio's large screen, which is playing a clip of Arsenal's classic Champions League goal from this season—Henry's hat-trick against Inter Milan.

Colin Firth concluded, "As long as the Highbury fans are as enthusiastic as ever, I believe miracles will happen."

On the afternoon of May 3, 2004, the Monaco team's flight landed at London Heathrow Airport.

As Roy pushed his luggage cart out of the customs area, a commotion suddenly broke out.

Dozens of fans holding Monaco scarves quickly surrounded them, with shouts in English, French and Chinese mixed in with the crowd.

Several British fans wearing Tottenham jerseys stood out, one of whom, a bald, burly man, squeezed to the front and shouted, "Roy! We're going to give Arsenal a good kick in the ass the day after tomorrow!"

This caused a burst of laughter from those around them.

The Chinese students, on the other hand, appeared much more reserved, and most of them held up carefully prepared French-language signs.

A girl wearing glasses whispered to her companion in Chinese, "He's even taller than he appears on TV."

Before he could finish speaking, his companion nudged him with his elbow.

Roy stopped and took off his sunglasses, hanging them on his collar.

He first accepted the autograph board from a Tottenham fan, then joked in English, "Looks like I'll have to work hard for the temporary fans of the white jerseys in North London tomorrow?"

Tottenham fans chanted: "If you can score five against them, I promise I'll support you until I die."

"When I die, my tombstone will read: 'Dave Wilson forever supports Tottenham Hotspur, and also Roy, who helped us teach Arsenal a lesson!'"

The surrounding Tottenham fans erupted in laughter and whistles, with one saying, "Remember to engrave the score on it too!"

He then turned to the Chinese students and asked in Chinese, "Want to take a photo together?"

This statement immediately elicited a burst of excited screams.

He patiently fulfilled everyone's requests—signing a scarf for an elderly French couple, taking photos with Chinese students in turn, and even signing "Give Arsenal a taste of their own medicine" on the bare arm of a Tottenham fan at their request.

"Roy! Could you... could you sign this?"

A Chinese female student with a ponytail timidly handed over a pen, while holding a fluffy panda plush toy in her arms.

Roy stopped and took off his Ray-Ban sunglasses. His dark eyes, inherited from his mother, looked especially gentle under the airport lights.

He took the photo of the Monaco team logo from the girl, quickly signed it, and then his gaze fell on the adorable panda.

"Is this for me?"

He asked in Chinese.

The girl blushed and nodded, stammering in Chinese, "It was brought from Chengdu."

Roy smiled and took the doll, examining it carefully for a moment.

Under the watchful eyes of the surrounding fans, he solemnly tied the panda plush toy to the handle of his suitcase.

"It will bring good luck."

He spoke softly, and the Chinese students present all laughed.

As Roy put his sunglasses back on and walked toward the bus, the panda plush toy swayed gently with the movement of the suitcase, standing out against the gloomy London sky.

Several French journalists exchanged glances—they knew that tomorrow's front-page photo for L'Équipe was already out.

"Roy, will the 3-1 scoreline from the first leg make you lower your guard?"

A BBC reporter was the first to ask a question.

Roy adjusted his sunglasses and calmly replied, "In football, 3-1 is the most dangerous score. We know very well Arsenal's strength at Highbury."

British journalists continued to press for transfer rumors, to which Roy responded: "Right now, all my energy is focused on tomorrow's Champions League semi-final. Transfer rumors are part of football, but at this stage, these should be handled by my agent."

A Daily Mail reporter followed up, asking, "Both Manchester United and Chelsea have publicly expressed interest in you. As a player, what are your thoughts on these two Premier League clubs?"

Roy replied: "Manchester United is one of the most successful clubs in England, with a glorious history and global influence. Chelsea has shown ambition and strength since Abramovich took over and is writing a new chapter. But I want to emphasize that at this moment I am completely focused on Monaco, and we are creating one of the greatest seasons in the club's history."

The Guardian reporter took a different angle: "Many French players have achieved great success in the Premier League, from Cantona, Henry, Petit, to Desailly. As a representative of the new generation of French players, have you ever considered following in their footsteps?"

Roy calmly responded: "These predecessors certainly created brilliance in England, and they set a benchmark for French players. But I must emphasize that everyone's career path is different. I left Lille for Real Madrid's youth academy when I was 14, and this experience taught me that the most important thing in a football career is to seize the moment."

"Right now, my focus is entirely on helping Monaco make history. As for whether we will play in the Premier League like our predecessors, that will be decided by the club and my agent after the season ends, based on various factors."

He concluded by saying, "The Premier League is indeed one of the most attractive leagues in the world, and the football atmosphere in England is fantastic, but discussing these topics now is disrespectful to Monaco and my teammates. We are at the most crucial moment of the season."

After saying that, the interview ended.

Giuly was stopped by a reporter from L'Équipe: "As a Frenchman, what's it like playing in the Champions League semi-final in London?"

He smiled and said, "It's special, but the day after tomorrow I just want to prove that Monaco deserves a place in the final." Morientes seemed cautious when faced with questions from Spanish reporters: "I've played in England many times, but this time it's completely different."

When asked if he wanted to prove himself in the Premier League, he simply said, "I'm only focused on the team winning."

Rothen gave a clever answer when asked about Wenger: "Mr. Arsène is a great coach, but we are opponents tomorrow."

He strode toward the team bus and added, "The weather in London is much colder than in Monaco. Hopefully, it will be warmer during the match."

Evra caught up from behind and said in a low, teasing voice, "Come on, when you said you wanted things to 'heat up,' you were really referring to the Spice Girls of London, weren't you?"

Rothen turned around and winked: "Spice Girls are Beckham's exclusive, but the Page 3 girls in The Sun are indeed very pleasing to the eye."

Deschamps walked at the back of the group.

When reporters pressed him on Monaco's goals for the season, he answered unequivocally: "To win the title. We've been working towards that since the beginning of the season, and now we're just one step away from the final."

Regarding the other semi-final matchup, he analyzed: "Both Deportivo La Coruña and Porto are strong teams. Deportivo's attack is more incisive, while Porto's defensive organization is impressive. Tactically speaking, Porto may be more difficult to deal with, but football is never just theory."

"Who would I prefer to face? To be honest, I don't care. No matter who our final opponent is, Monaco will stick to our style of play. We eliminated Real Madrid and won the Ligue 1 title unbeaten, which proves the team's strength."

He emphasized: "Mourinho and Irureta are both excellent coaches, but Monaco has its own advantages. The players are ready, and we are not afraid of any opponent. Now, we need to focus on the game the day after tomorrow."

After saying that, he turned and boarded the bus, ending the brief interview.

On May 4, 2004, at a training ground outside London, Roy and Giuly took a break to hydrate and talked quietly with their backs to the press.

Monaco chose Barnet FC's training ground because League Two clubs' stadiums receive less attention, and being located in North London alongside Highbury Stadium, it reduces pre-match travel time.

As for Tottenham's training centre at Tottenham Lodge in Enfield, North London.

Tottenham Hotspur even offered to provide training facilities, but Deschamps declined, not wanting to cause any trouble.

The two covered their mouths with their hands, pretending to adjust their shin guards.

Giuly leaned close to Roy's ear: "Rafael (Max) contacted me yesterday and asked if I wanted to go to Barcelona next season."

He paused for a moment, then added, "He also said that President Laporta was even considering taking you along as well."

Roy couldn't help but laugh out loud, then immediately covered it up with a cough: "Barcelona is heavily in debt right now, where would they get the transfer fees?"

He pretended to tie his shoelaces and asked in a low voice.

Juli's lips twitched slightly: "I heard that Laporta used some kind of 'leverage' to get a large sum of money from the bank."

He caught sight of his coach, Deschamps, walking towards them and immediately raised his voice: "Today's training was really intense, wasn't it?"

After Deschamps walked away, Giuly leaned closer to Roy and lowered his voice even further: "There's one more thing. The boss might not stay either. Juventus wants him to replace Lippi."

He looked around warily. "He contacted me privately and said that if I go to Turin, I need to bring some of my own players. I guess he'll talk to you soon too."

Roy frowned: "Italy? Their league defense is too aggressive now."

But what really made him hesitate was the "phone call" scandal that was about to break out in 2006.

As a time traveler, he knew that Juventus would be stripped of two Serie A titles and relegated to Serie B.

"It's not just a defensive issue; I've heard some...unclean rumors circulating in Italian football lately."

He carefully chose his words, not daring to explicitly mention the scandal of Moggi manipulating referees, saying, "If something happens at a powerhouse like Juventus, the careers of the players involved will be affected."

He recalled Deschamps' years at Juventus as a player and added, "The boss has too deep a relationship with Juventus. What if there are changes in the club's management? And do you remember the last round of Serie A in 2002?"

He hinted at the controversial refereeing decisions Inter Milan faced in the crucial title race, saying, "Some things are beyond the coach's control."

Giuly shrugged: "The salary is high, and there's also French history involved."

He patted Roy on the shoulder. "Let's finish this season first. But..."

He gestured towards Deschamps, who was giving a speech, and said, "Don't let this get out. I only found out about it yesterday."

Roy nodded knowingly, and the two walked back to the training field as if nothing had happened, leaving behind a group of sports reporters who were desperately trying to focus but had come up empty-handed.

On the evening of May 5, 2004, the northbound carriages of the Piccadilly Line of the London Underground were packed with Arsenal fans wearing red and white jerseys.

As the train approached Arsenal station, the atmosphere inside the carriage grew increasingly lively.

The fans slapped the armrests of their seats and sang in unison a cheering song adapted from a popular song:

"Go back to the Principality of Monaco!"
Deschamps and Roy, get back home!

The Russian team kept losing.
Abramovich's money can't buy him the Champions League!
Rybonov? Who does he think he is?

The nights at Highbury belong only to the gunmen!

The lyrics deliberately avoid directly mentioning "France" because Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and the presence of French stars such as Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira in the squad evoke complex feelings towards France among fans.

A flushed Arsenal fan shouted, "London is red! Monaco is too! But that's because they're going to bleed!"

This drew a burst of laughter and an even louder chorus.

As the train entered the tunnel, a group of fans suddenly started singing "The Henry Song," and the entire carriage immediately followed suit.

Several young fans holding signs that read "Wenger is a prophet" were filming the jubilant scene with their phones, something that was still a novelty in 2004.

When the announcer said "Next stop: Arsenal," the fans began to stomp their feet in unison, creating a deafening rhythm. Someone shouted, "Let the Monaco fans see what a real Highbury night is like!"

As the train pulled into the station, red and white flags could be seen fluttering on the platform through the train windows, and security personnel were on high alert, directing the flow of this vibrant sea of ​​red.

The police officers on the platform shook their heads helplessly; such a night was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Outside Highbury Stadium, two completely different ways of entering the stadium are unfolding.

At the entrance to the North Stand, Tom, an elderly worker wearing a faded jersey, was handing his son a £42 ticket, which he had saved up for several weeks' worth of cigarette money.

“Kid, remember tonight,” he patted his son on the shoulder, “this is one of the last few Champions League games at Highbury.”

"So what if we're down 1-3 from the first leg? We're undefeated! Those Frenchmen from Monaco have no idea about the fighting spirit of English football. Mr. Wenger will show them what tactics are all about. Once we come back and advance, the final against Porto or Deportivo will be a piece of cake, right? How many years has London waited for this Champions League trophy? Those nouveau riche Chelsea can forget about it. Great Arsenal! We are the pride of London!"

"Dad, but Roy from Monaco..."

"Shut up! What's that Roy? He's just a kid who's played well in Ligue 1 for a little over a year. Confederations Cup champion? What's that honor! Henry is a World Cup and European Championship double champion, and he's won the Premier League Golden Boot so many times he's practically drowning. That kid can't even compare to Henry's heel! Just wait and see, tonight Henry will show that French brat what a real world-class striker is. When we lift the Champions League trophy, you can brag to your classmates for the rest of your life—your dad took you to see Arsenal win the Champions League!"

Not far away, a group of university students were arguing about who should pay an extra £5 for beer.

Meanwhile, rows of black Land Rovers were neatly parked in front of the stadium's VIP passage.

Prince Harry, wearing a baseball cap, strode into his private elevator, followed by two security personnel.

In the 1950s, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was a great admirer of Arsenal player Dennis Compton and publicly admitted that she was a loyal Arsenal fan.

It is widely known among the British public that several members of the royal family support Arsenal, and Prince Harry has frequently appeared in the East Stand of Highbury Stadium.

Chris Patten, the last Governor of Hong Kong, entered the dressing room and was exchanging pleasantries with Desailly in fluent French. His Arsenal tie gleamed under the lights.

He once declared on the radio: "I will be a supporter of Arsenal (as it is known in Hong Kong) until I die."

Inside the elevator, Hollywood star Keanu Reeves and director Spike Lee discussed Henry's positioning techniques.

“I fell in love with him in New York,” Keanu said excitedly. “The speed was like something out of a movie.”

Spike Lee chuckled and shook his head: "Henry is certainly great, but I only support Arsenal because of Wenger. That Frenchman transformed English football like a philosophy professor. When he brought scientific diets and data analysis into the dressing room, other coaches were still allowing players to drink beer after matches."

Keanu raised an eyebrow: "So you're actually a Wenger fan?"

"Of course, the way he stood there—he was like a director, and the whole team was his masterpiece."

In the next box, Brad Pitt and Demi Moore accepted champagne from the waiter, but their eyes remained fixed on the players warming up on the sidelines.

O'Sullivan declined a VIP seat next to the players' tunnel.

“I want to sit with the real fans,” the snooker champion insisted, and was eventually placed in the die-hard fans’ section.

When his name was announced over the loudspeaker, the surrounding fans erupted in cheers even more enthusiastically than they would for a star.

Arsenal, as London's most influential football club, has long attracted the support of numerous political, business, and cultural figures.

British media even listed Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai as an Arsenal fan, a claim stemming from his attendance at local football matches during his stay in London in the 1920s.

Given that Arsenal originated in Woolwich, a working-class neighborhood in London, and is known for its working-class background, the media speculated that Premier Zhou was more likely to support this team, which represented the spirit of the common people, rather than Chelsea or Tottenham, which were more elite at the time.

While this claim cannot be fully verified, it has become an interesting historical footnote in the cultural exchange of football between China and Britain.

The British newspaper The Mirror lamented upon the passing of Premier Zhou Enlai: "Arsenal has lost a supporter."

At this moment, whether it's the postman holding a standing ticket or the dignitary sitting in a leather chair, everyone's eyes are focused on the same green field.

As the song "North London Will Always Be Ours" played, champagne glasses in the boxes and plastic beer mugs in the stands were simultaneously raised into the night sky.

In the stadium stands, several British female fans were excitedly whispering to each other.

"My God, Roy from Monaco is so handsome!"

A blonde girl pointed to the players warming up on the field and said.

“That’s right! His black hair and those black eyes make him look like he stepped out of a movie,” her friend chimed in. “And look at his build, he’s supposedly 184 cm tall, tall and thin but incredibly strong, and when he runs he’s like a cheetah.”

“I’ve looked it up, and it seems he has Asian ancestry? That’s why his features have that mysterious quality,” the third girl interjected. “When he smiles, it’s absolutely captivating.”

“If you ask me, the Premier League needs more handsome players like these,” the blonde girl laughed. “They’re much more pleasing to the eye than those old men with stubble on their faces!”

The girls laughed together, but their eyes never left Roy on the field.

After the pre-match training session, Monaco players began to walk towards the player tunnel.

Roy strolled leisurely at the back of the group, a detail that sparked heated discussion among Premier League stars in the stands.

Chelsea's Lampard and Terry whispered to each other: "Is Abramovich really planning to sign him?"

Terry shrugged: "The French gang has already received their orders."

Sure enough, Desailly, Gallas, and Makelele were discussing having dinner with Roy after the match.

Gallas whispered, "The boss said, at any cost."

On the Manchester United side, the Neville brothers, Scholes, and O'Shea were grouped together.

"100% portrait rights?"

Scholes shook his head. "The old man will never agree."

Gary Neville added, "David made such a big fuss back then, but in the end he only got 60%."

Newcastle's Alan Shearer and Manchester City's Robbie Fowler were seated in the neutral zone.

Schiller chewed his gum: "This kid's got some skills."

Fowler nodded: "But the Premier League is not Ligue 1."

Not far away, Sun Jihai sat alone in a corner, silently observing everything.

Inside the VIP box, the young Cristiano Ronaldo frowned.

Mendes patted him on the shoulder: "If Monaco wins, we'll have to go to the locker room to congratulate them. You need to formally get to know Roy. He's a good guy, easy to get along with both on and off the field. You'll either be teammates or opponents in the future, but either way, it'll be good for you to build some rapport now."

Cristiano Ronaldo remained silent, his gaze following the rising French star on the field.

"Is he that sought-after now?"

"Chelsea has already prepared a blank check; Manchester United's only hesitation is over the image rights revenue sharing. However, this kid has an amazing talent for languages—French is his native language, he's fluent in English and Spanish, and I've heard he can also speak Chinese. He can also handle daily conversations in Portuguese and Italian."

Mendes smiled. "He's five months older than you, but he's already the best player of his generation—two-time Ligue 1 Player of the Year, Champions League top scorer, and the first Golden Boy winner. To be honest, Chris, he's your role model now."

Cristiano Ronaldo frowned: "He once said I was his 'little brother'."

"That's right, but that was a joke. That kid is straightforward and domineering on the field, but quite easygoing off the field. If you two can communicate more, it will only benefit you."

Mourinho sat alone in his room at the Deportivo La Coruña Hotel, his eyes glued to the television screen.

In the footage, Henry and Bergkamp are in the center circle preparing to kick off.

The camera panned across the scattered players, then focused on Vieira's resolute face and Pires's focused gaze.

Roy stood in Monaco's half, chewing gum, his gaze shifting from Morientes to the coaching bench, a relaxed smile on his face, as if enjoying the tense atmosphere before this big match.

Mourinho's lips curled into a playful smile as he muttered to himself, "Come on, Arsenal! Let's see who can meet me in the final."

He paused suddenly as soon as he finished speaking, realizing that his Porto team had not yet secured a place in the final.

But soon, he regained his signature confident expression, leaned back on the sofa, and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest.

“It doesn’t matter,” he chuckled softly. “Anyway, I’ll be the one standing in the finals.”

(I'm continuing to write, but I'm not making empty promises anymore.)
(End of this chapter)