When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 260 God Doesn't Seem to Work Very Well in Istanbul
Cardiff Millennium Stadium.

While Chelsea players were still celebrating their FA Cup victory, reporters on the sidelines stopped AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti for an interview.

Reporter: "Mr. Ancelotti, you just watched Chelsea's game. In four days, Milan will be competing against them in Istanbul for the Champions League title. What are your thoughts?"

Ancelotti frowned and said, "They have shown great resilience, especially Roy, who is in excellent form. But the Champions League final is a completely different match, and we will be fully prepared."

The reporter pressed further: "Mr. Ancelotti, your team was held to a 3-3 draw by Palermo at the San Siro yesterday, allowing Juventus, who were four points ahead, to clinch the Serie A title two rounds early. And today you're in England watching Chelsea play. Does this suggest you're overly wary of Chelsea? Milan's management is clearly also watching this match. What kind of game do you expect Milan and Chelsea to play?"

In order to fully prepare for the Champions League final against Chelsea in four days, AC Milan fielded a completely reserve team in their Serie A match played in advance.

This rotation lineup has been described by the media as "suicidal".

Palermo, who have already secured their place in the league, are not letting up and are still fighting hard for a UEFA Cup spot next season.

During the match, Milan conceded two goals in the second half and were eventually held to a 3-3 draw by Palermo at the San Siro.

This unexpected draw directly led to league leaders Juventus securing the Serie A title two rounds early.

Milan's strategic abandonment of the league has drawn criticism from the media, adding even more suspense to the upcoming Champions League final.

Ancelotti responded calmly:

"First of all, it's normal for us to come to England to scout our opponents as part of pre-match preparation. The Champions League final deserves this level of attention."

"Regarding yesterday's match, we did make rotations, based on player health and preparation for the final. As for Juventus winning the title, their performance throughout the season deserves it."

When discussing his outlook for the final, Ancelotti appeared cautious but confident:
"Chelsea is a great team, but we are more focused on our own performance. Milan will show their style in Istanbul, and it will be a battle of tactics and will."

After Chelsea won the FA Cup, the entire West London was immersed in the celebrations of the Blues fans.

Chelsea fans this season are arguably the happiest and most passionate fan group in all of England.

The team first won the League Cup, then won the Premier League with a record-breaking 110-point unbeaten record, and now they have defeated Arsenal to lift the FA Cup.

One step away from making history: the Champions League final in Istanbul in four days.

If they win, Chelsea will become the first team in London football history to win the Champions League.

This is reminiscent of Roy's declaration upon joining the team: "Why has London, the birthplace of modern football, never won the Champions League? We will rewrite that history."

Now, this promise is about to be fulfilled.

Roy and his teammates are just one win away from bringing London its first Champions League title.

The streets and alleys of West London are filled with blue and white Chelsea team flags.

At every corner of Kings Road and on every lamppost of Fulham Road, flags bearing the club's crest fluttered.

The bars were packed with fans wearing blue jerseys, and almost every shop window had a Champions League poster that read "On the Way to Istanbul."

The sounds of singing rose and fell from the various taverns, weaving together in a continuous chorus on the street:
The loudest chants of "We're going to Istanbul!" echoed through "The Chelsea Pensioner" bar, where dozens of drunken fans stood on wooden benches waving scarves.

"I absolutely love Roy!"

A fan, his face flushed, clutched his scarf, beer foam splattering on his beard, shouting, "He's the strongest in England! No, the strongest in the world!! He'll definitely be the strongest in history!!!"

He was panting heavily, his fingers trembling as he gestured: "Have you ever seen such a monster? 60 goals directly involved in a single Premier League season! And the Champions League? He scored 16 before the final! 17 last year, and this year?"

"18? 19? Or fucking 20?!"

He gulped down a mouthful of beer, slamming the glass down on the bar: "The championship is ours. It has to be. Roy can score, he always does it."

Following Chelsea's advancement to the Champions League final, orders for final tickets from London surged, accounting for the largest share of UEFA's ticketing system.

By the end of the semi-finals, all commercial flights from major UK airports to Istanbul were sold out, including more than ten charter flights added by Turkish Airlines.

Faced with this situation, Chelsea fans began to spontaneously organize various alternative transportation options: dozens of buses chartered by fans booked seats on the English Channel Ferry, preparing to travel overland through France across the European continent.

More than 200 fan families formed a caravan and set off a week in advance, planning to drive across multiple country borders in 5 days.

Some fans even booked flights to neighboring countries such as Greece and Bulgaria, planning to then transfer to trains or long-distance buses to complete the final leg of their journey.

In Dover, Kent, many private cars bearing the Chelsea FC logo can be seen queuing for the ferry, their interiors filled with tents, sleeping bags, and supplies flying blue flags.

A middle-aged father is leaning against his old Volvo at the Dover port dock.

The car was covered with stickers of players from different eras, from Kyrie Dixon to Vialli to Zola, and a blue flag with "1997 FA Cup Commemoration" printed on it hung on the rear window.

"I started going to Stamford Bridge to watch games when I was five years old."

He brushed a stray strand of gray hair from his sideburns, ruffled by the sea breeze. "I was in the stands watching Zola take that free kick against Wolves. Later I became a fan of Hasselbaink, and then Roy."

The sound of a ferry whistle drifted from afar. He turned to check on his two sleeping children in the back seat, then lowered his voice and continued, "When Abramovich took over, the neighbors all said he was just a Russian oligarch throwing money around. But for us old folks who've been watching football for thirty years, he brought real hope. The day he signed Roy last year, my son was so happy he didn't sleep all night."

His wife handed him a thermos through the car window. He took a sip and continued, “Chelsea has never been just a football team to me. It’s been like a pillar supporting my life, allowing me to grit my teeth and persevere through the toughest times, like when I was unemployed or my family was sick. Whenever I felt like I couldn’t hold on any longer, thinking about how the team came back from the brink of defeat would give me the strength to keep going. Those late-night replays of the games, those goals I celebrated with my kids on the sofa—over the past twenty years, they’ve become an indispensable part of my daily life, just like the mundane necessities of life.”

"Roy once said that every Chelsea fan is special. This time we spent six months' savings on tickets, but as I tell the kids: some moments are worth betting everything on."

The ferry staff started blowing their whistles to urge boarding, and he patted the brand-new Roy sticker on the hood one last time: "You know what? This car will drive all the way to Istanbul. Just like our team, always moving forward."

Suddenly, several young fans wearing the latest season's jerseys squeezed into the frame and shouted at the top of their lungs, "We're going to Istanbul!"

One of them repeatedly chanted the classic Chelsea fan chant: "Super Roi! Super Roi! He scores when he wants!"

After each repetition, he would let out an excited, strange scream.

A group of fans, reeking of alcohol, rushed over, grabbed the reporter's shoulders, and forced him to jump and sing Roy's song with them.

Although the reporter was a Manchester United fan, he still obediently swayed to the rhythm and even forced a smile while humming a few lines of the chorus.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the scene at Port Dover is breathtaking! Chelsea fans have ignited this night with the purest passion. The sounds of horns, songs, and cheers intertwine over the Channel as hundreds of cars, filled with hope, slowly make their way to the ferry."

"This is the last flame of England! Chelsea, the steel team that won the title with a record 110 points, the king team that just swept the domestic treble, is now heading to Istanbul with the glory of the entire Premier League!"

In the distance, the roar of fans counting down could be heard. The reporter turned to the side so the camera could capture the scene: "Look at the children's graffiti on the car windows, look at the blue flags on the luggage racks. Fifty years of waiting, the dreams of generations, now rest on the shoulders of this invincible team. Can Roy and his teammates bring back that long-awaited holy grail for London? The answer will be revealed in four days!"

Abramovich's giant private jet, "Abramovich Sky," is flying from Moscow to Istanbul.

Inside the cabin, the Russian oligarch leaned back in his leather seat, swirling a glass of vodka in his hand.

This season, his football empire is experiencing a double celebration.

His secretly controlled CSKA Moscow team had just won the UEFA Cup, while his heavily invested Chelsea team had also made a strong run into the Champions League final.

Yesterday, the Kremlin held a celebratory banquet to mark the victory of the Central Army.

The esteemed official personally received Abu, and the two held a private conversation in the living room for a full half hour.

The president expressed "high appreciation" for Abramovich's achievements in football.

In response, Abramovich immediately pledged to fund two sports development projects in Russia.

The clouds rolled past the porthole.

He recalled the nickname the British media had given him – "The Football Tsar".

At this moment, this title seems particularly fitting.

Whether in Moscow or London, his teams are making history.

The plane began its descent.

The lights of Istanbul twinkle on the horizon.

Abu straightened his suit cuffs, where his initials were embroidered.

He knew that four days later, he would either be crowned the King of Europe with glory or suffer the regret of failure.

But at this moment, all he wanted was to enjoy the feeling of being in control.

Marina Granovska arrived in Istanbul ahead of schedule to finalize preparations with Chelsea's support staff.

The team chose to stay at the Swissôtel Bosphorus in the Besiktas district, which is about 25 kilometers from the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, the venue for the final.

The hotel has a separate, enclosed garden area, providing a good security environment for the team.

The club booked the entire executive floor of the hotel and temporarily set up a tactical analysis room there.

The team's daily training sessions are held at the Besiktas Club training center, which is only a 10-minute drive from the hotel and meets UEFA's closed training standards.

On May 24, the team will conduct an official training session at the Atatürk Stadium, the venue for the final, as planned.

In an interview with L'Equipe, Spurs star Tony Parker called out to his friend Roy via video call:
"Hey Roy! I know you're giving it your all for the Champions League final right now. Even though I can't be in Istanbul, the whole Spurs team and I will be watching it live in the locker room. Listen, you're the new flag bearer for French football, the kind of player who can turn the impossible into magic. Remember what you said last summer when we were having coffee in Paris? 'Big games are for the strong,' and you always keep your word."

He wiped the sweat from his brow, the sounds of the ball coming from the Spurs' training facility audible in the background: "I talked to Tim (Duncan) about that shot where you dribbled past five players, and he said it was like a reverse layup in the paint. Seriously, your personality is more captivating than your footwork. But in a few days, let the football speak for itself. Bring the trophy back. We'll give it our all, and after the NBA Finals, we'll have a 'French Championship Celebration Party'!"

A L'Equipe reporter said on camera, "We congratulate Roy and wish the Spurs all the best in winning the NBA championship!"

The Spurs are still on their way to the championship, but some teams have already entered the offseason.

A plane was flying towards Istanbul, and the trip arranged by Nike clearly didn't excite James.

He and his team sat silently in the cabin, the atmosphere somewhat somber.

It's worth noting that just recently, James and Roy were on very friendly terms, even filming commercials and doing marketing together.

But now?

Roy has practically swept up all the major football awards in the last two years, and he's on the verge of lifting his second Champions League trophy, potentially achieving his second treble.

In contrast, James hasn't even reached the NBA Finals, let alone won a championship ring.

This comparison is truly heartbreaking. The mockery is already widespread in the United States.

The haters' favorite line is: "What champion are you?"—turning the term "two kings" into a sarcastic remark.

Although most Americans don't watch soccer regularly, Roy's legendary story is so dazzling that, ironically, people now pay attention to Roy often just to better mock LeBron James.

The current situation is a blatant replica of Jordan's second championship win.

Roy is like Jordan at his peak, while James is still trapped in the "unlimited potential" curse and can't even produce a decent championship title.

In Nike's latest advertising campaign, LeBron James is no longer the main character.

When James' team inquired, Nike gave vague answers, only saying that it was a company decision.

However, inside sources revealed that this was likely a request made by Roy's team.

Because Kobe is currently embroiled in the Eagle County incident, his publicity is on hold, and there are no plans to use him in new advertisements.

Nike's latest advertising campaign is as follows: Although Jordan has been retired for many years, he still holds the top spot and is the absolute core of the entire advertisement.

Under him, Nike has carefully crafted a "triangle" lineup: golf superstar Tiger Woods, football newcomer Roy, and tennis star Federer, who just won the Laureus Award.

Although other Nike stars will also make appearances, such as basketball's future star LeBron James and football's magician Ronaldinho.
But it's clear that the company is heavily promoting Roy.

The three of them occupy a position second only to the GOAT in the sports world, becoming the new generation of sports ambassadors.

This puts James, who once called him brother, in a rather awkward position: one has already joined the ranks of legends, while the other is still stuck in the "potential rising star" category.

The gap between the two has unknowingly widened to a lamentable degree, separated by a pitifully thick barrier.

Nike's arrangement of this trip is simply rubbing salt into the wound.

Rich Paul said, "Hey Bron! Listen to me, we have a brilliant idea, how about we wear a whole Chelsea jersey? What do you think?"

"This fits your and Roy's persona. Some media outlets will capture you wishing Roy a championship in advance in front of them, which shouldn't be difficult for Chelsea. Especially considering Kobe publicly wished Milan a championship on ESPN a few days ago, and you clearly support Chelsea, you win on this front."

"This is good for the commercial endorsement we're talking about with Glacéau Vitamin Water, a Coca-Cola sub-brand, because Roy is already one of Coca-Cola's main spokespeople. You're like brothers, which tells Coca-Cola that you're very likely to be interacting on screen together."

"And Roy is going to be filming a Coca-Cola commercial with that gorgeous Scarlett Johansson soon."

James suddenly looked up, his eyes sharpening: "I'm not wearing it."

His voice was calm, but carried an unwavering resolve.

"I'm here to support Roy as a friend, nothing more. To be honest, I've never even watched a Champions League match; this is purely out of friendship."

"But I'm not here to curry favor with Roy, nor am I trying to ride his coattails. If Nike or Coca-Cola wants to create some kind of 'brotherly unity' drama, let them find someone else."

Silence fell over the cabin for a moment, with only the roar of the engines echoing in the air.

Richie opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just sighed and closed the proposal.

"You're right, Bron! You always make the right decisions."

That evening, when faced with questions from ESPN reporters stationed in Türkiye, James replied earnestly:

“I’ve always had a good relationship with Roy. He’s a bit older than me, and to be honest, aside from our business collaborations at Nike, I’ve always looked up to him as a role model.”

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts: "You know, Roy is the kind of athlete who, how should I put it, perfectly embodies what true sportsmanship is. His performance on and off the field deserves the word 'great'."

"To me, he's like an older brother."

James added, his tone softening, "When I first entered professional sports, he was the role model, showing you how to treat the game, the fans, and your career the right way."

When pressed by reporters about their personal relationship, James smiled and said, "We talk on the phone often, not just about sports, sometimes we just encourage each other. Honestly, I'm very lucky to have met such a mentor and friend in my career."

"Wait a minute. You said you 'are sure to win'? Roy, you're facing AC Milan—a legendary team that has won the Champions League six times, and this is the Champions League final! You just casually say 'we're sure to win' without any reservations?"

"Don't you think that's incredibly arrogant? Anything can happen on a football field. What if—I mean, what if—you lose in Istanbul? How would those words sound then?"

"Think about it, Milan has top players like Maldini, Shevchenko, and Seedorf, who have a wealth of experience in finals. And you say 'we will definitely win,' as if the outcome of the match is already predetermined. This doesn't sound like confidence; it sounds like you're looking down on your opponent."

In the final media window before the Chelsea team departed for Türkiye, Italian television station Mediaset secured an exclusive interview.

Female presenter Federica Fontana was given an hour for an interview.

In the hotel conference room, Roy sat alone on the sofa, opposite Fontana, who was wearing an AC Milan red and black striped jersey.

Her outfit was eye-catching, with a tight-fitting jersey that accentuated her curves, paired with a mini skirt and black stockings.

Mediaset set up three cameras that were aimed at them from different angles.

As the interview progressed, the atmosphere became relaxed and casual, more like a talk show than a formal interview.

After the two had discussed several topics, Fontana began to question Roy's previous confident predictions about the outcome of the match.

With a half-smile on her face, she deliberately feigned anger and launched an attack on Roy in a half-joking tone.

Roy calmly replied, "'We will definitely win' is my fixed mindset before every game. I always believe that I can win and others can't, even if the final result might be completely the opposite. But before the final whistle blows, I will never say things like 'The other side is Milan, we might lose'. No, I only think about scoring goals, one, and another."

“This belief in ‘must win’ is indeed very important. Just like Deportivo La Coruña last year, they didn’t have this mentality at the Stade Louis II, which is why they were defeated by Monaco by a large margin. But when they returned to the Riazor Stadium, they must have had the belief that ‘we must beat Milan’ to complete that comeback.”

These words struck a nerve with Fontana, a Milan fan.
"As for your arrogance, if Milan ultimately wins the game, their players and fans certainly have the right to ridicule me to their heart's content. I will accept all criticism with equanimity."

"But now, before the game even starts, I only believe one possibility – Chelsea will win. That's my attitude as a professional player. If we lose after the game, I will naturally take responsibility for my words."

"At this moment, the word 'possible to lose' does not exist in my dictionary. Milan's glorious history deserves respect, but it will not affect my absolute belief in victory."

Fontana raised an eyebrow and continued to throw out a tricky question: "If Shevchenko scores in the first 10 minutes, will you have to change your 'winning dictionary' on the spot?"

Roy answered without hesitation: "Then I still have enough time to score eight goals against them. Of course, this is just something that may not happen, but we can make a bold assumption."

Who do you think is the player in the Milan squad you should be most wary of?

Roy answered without hesitation, "Kaka."

"His speed, vision, and shooting skills, especially his ability to launch long-range runs from the halfway line, can tear apart the defense with just a few touches. It's very difficult to completely contain him tactically, because he can change the game with a single individual performance at any time."

"Moreover, his composure under pressure is unlike that of a young man. That goal against Manchester United in the Champions League this year, anyone else might have made a hasty pass."

Fontana chuckled and teased, "Oh? You admire Kaka so much because you're both handsome guys?"

Roy shook his head, his expression serious: "No, it has nothing to do with appearance. I admire him and appreciate his football talent; he is a true future world-class player."

"Of course, I might feel more at ease if he were less attractive."

This slightly humorous retort made Fontana laugh out loud.

"Did you know that many of our players in the Milan locker room are devout Catholics who go to Mass every week? Don't you think God will favor the Rossoneri even more?"

“Dear Federica, I don’t know what good fervent prayers do, but I’m pretty sure God doesn’t seem to work in Istanbul.”

As the interview drew to a close, Fontana provocatively crossed her long legs, clad in black stockings, with the collar of her Milan jersey slightly open: "As a Milan fan, I will definitely be going to the game, as will many other Milan fans. Do you have anything to say to the Milan fans?"

"First of all, I recommend that they try the local Turkish ice cream. The vendors' tricks are even more interesting than fake falls."

"Secondly, Mr. Berlusconi is undoubtedly Milan's most loyal fan. There is no doubt about that."

"So I just hope that after the match on May 25, Italy won't suddenly declare war on France or Great Britain."

Roy smiled brightly at the camera: "Peace and Love."

After the interview, Fontana and the Mediaset staff were very satisfied with the outcome.

In the hour or so that Roy's answers were both sharp and topical, providing plenty of talking points for the show.

More importantly, Roy promised to be interviewed by them again after the match, regardless of the outcome of the final.

If Chelsea ultimately win the title, this interview will serve as a declaration of victory.

If AC Milan wins, it will be a complete "retribution" for Roy.

His confident remarks will become weapons for opposing fans to retaliate.

In any case, this conversation has added extra tension to the Champions League final.

After the interview, during a brief moment alone in the lounge, Fontana relaxed her professional demeanor and asked with a hint of intimacy, "After the match, won't you invite me for a cup of tea?"

Roy straightened his suit cuffs: "My flight to Istanbul is tomorrow morning."

His eyes were clear when he looked up.

"I need to make sure I'm in top form for victory."

Fontana suddenly lowered her voice, the collar of her Milan jersey drooping slightly as she leaned forward: "That night in Palermo two years ago... I've never forgotten it."

Roy didn't reply, but simply maintained a polite smile.

He was extremely cautious about such private topics, especially after the heated interview that had just ended. Who knows if the Italian anchorwoman had a recording pen hidden inside?
Roy wasn't afraid of such romantic affairs; after all, such things were already commonplace in professional football.

However, this is a crucial period before the Champions League final, and any off-field controversies could affect morale.

He doesn't care if Fontana is photographed leaving his hotel wearing an AC Milan jersey, as long as he wins the championship.

In time, victory will naturally overshadow all criticism.

"I believe the nights in Istanbul will be even more unforgettable for you. Sweet dreams."

(Read one chapter first, brothers. It might be a little late. I'll finish writing the whole thing around midnight.)
(End of this chapter)