When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 69 Remember, when you stand at Camp Nou, you will remember tonight (8,000 words)
2003 5 Month 28 Day.

Roy stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of the Giuly family apartment, overlooking the lights of the yachts in Monaco Harbour.

The phone screen was lit up; Gallardo had just sent a message: "Bro, I have to go back to Riverplate."

Roy held his phone, and Gallardo's French with a Rosario accent came through the receiver: "They promised me a starting position. Monaco's bench is just too cold."

"I've already asked my agent to negotiate an early termination of the contract. To be honest, it's better if I leave. The number 10 jersey should have been yours anyway; you need to have a decent number."

Just then, Giuly happened to be passing by with a bowl of nuts. After overhearing a few words, he blinked and said, "Invite that Argentinian to watch the Champions League final together."

He deliberately raised his voice so that the person on the other end of the phone could hear him, "Anyway, he'll be bored out of his mind soon."

Roy chuckled and said into the microphone, "Did you hear that? Ludo invited you to his house to watch the game."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Gallardo's wry laugh: "Damn Frenchmen. Tell him I'll bring the best mate."

Shabani Nonda's departure announcement first shattered the post-title calm. The key striker from the first half of last season declared in the locker room, "I don't want to be anyone's backup." Several top Ligue 1 teams are currently interested in him, including Marseille, Paris Saint-Germain, and Rennes.

If it weren't for Roy's arrival, Shabani would have been the Ligue 1 Golden Boot winner this season.

Roy's breakout performance after joining the team caused the Congolese striker to completely lose his place, but he showed no remorse whatsoever.

His teammates helped him rack up stats, but he disappeared in crucial matches. Without Roy, he wouldn't have even gotten this Ligue 1 title.

The team's summer signing of Egyptian striker Mazar Abdelrahman for two million euros proved to be a failure. The young man, touted in scouting reports as the "North African Vieri," proved to be an overreaction to the Italian tank and the North African words.

He only got 37 minutes of playing time throughout the entire season, and after sitting on the bench for a year, he will be sold to cut his losses.

The 2002-2003 UEFA Champions League final was held at Old Trafford.

63215 fans came to Old Trafford to watch the game.

The two teams met 2-1 in the league this season, with each team winning one game. Juventus ultimately had 11 more points than AC Milan. Juventus last won the Champions League in the 1995-1996 season. In today's starting lineup, Del Piero and Ferrara, who returned from suspension, participated in the final seven years ago. Davies was also on the field at that time, but he played for Ajax.

A new record will be set if either side wins the match.

If Milan wins, both Maldini and his son will captain AC Milan to victory in the Champions League, a first in the history of major international competitions.

Forty years ago, Paolo Maldini led his team to AC Milan's first Champions League title, defeating Benfica 2-1 at Wembley. Paolo Maldini participated in six finals, winning four times, losing to Marseille in 1993 and Ajax in 1995. In Champions League history, he has reached the finals eight times, behind only Gento (eight times) and Di Stefano (seven times), and also won the title six times, behind only Gento. Diego Costacurta participated in the finals five times, winning four times. Clarence Seedorf became the first player to win the Champions League with three different clubs, having previously won with Ajax and Real Madrid.

Ancelotti can finally shed the label of "perennial runner-up" and become the fourth person to win the Champions League as both a player and a coach.

If Lippi loses the match, he will become the first head coach to lose three Champions League finals.

Lippi reached the final four times, but only won the title when he first reached the final in 1996.

In the Julius family's living room, the television reflected the dazzling lights of Old Trafford.

Roy slumped lazily in the leather sofa, a glass of ice water between his fingers.

Rothen and Pulso sat cross-legged on the carpet, with pizza boxes and beer cans piled up between them; Max leaned against the bar, a handful of nuts in his hand, his eyes glued to the screen.

AC Milan wore white "lucky" jerseys on the field, having won the Champions League three times in the same color.

"White jerseys? When did Ancelotti start playing with metaphysics?"

He said casually, then looked around, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces: "So what's our lucky color? How about we just get a rainbow outfit custom-made?"

Giuly turned his head sharply, the beer can in his hand frozen in mid-air. Max and Pulso exchanged a meaningful glance.

The room was so quiet that you could hear the noise from the stadium on the TV.

Roy deliberately let the pause last for a few seconds before continuing casually, "Anyway, we need a decent color scheme for next season's Champions League."

This sentence is like a stone thrown into a calm lake.

Giuly was the first to react, a slight smile playing on his lips; Max feigned a cough to hide his amusement; and Pulso dramatically raised his beer can: "To the rainbow jersey!"

Roy knew they all understood—this wasn't a discussion about jersey colors; it was clearly a question: I'll stay, what about you?

At the start of the match, Trezeguet received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but before he could even take a shot, Milan's defense quickly collapsed, and Nesta blocked the shot in an instant.

"Just attack!"

The day before the match, Roy called Trezeguet to wish him well and subtly reminded him to practice penalty kicks more.

Trezeguet's voice was very cheerful and confident: "Hey! Kid, you're not qualified to tell a European final striker how to play."

"I could score a penalty kick with any amount of force!"

Roy chuckled.

In the 3rd minute, Milan crossed from the left wing. Montero headed the ball away ahead of Shevchenko, and Roy suddenly leaned forward and said, "This Uruguayan is going to get his comeuppance today."

Pulso's beer can hung in mid-air: "If Shevchenko were half a second faster..."

Pirlo took a corner kick from the right, and Ferrara and Inzaghi pulled each other's hands in the penalty area. German referee Merk gave a verbal warning.

In the 8th minute, Pirlo made a long pass from the backfield, Shevchenko received the ball, turned and broke through on the left flank. Facing Montero's interception, he passed the ball to the left side of the penalty area, where Inzaghi crossed it to the middle, but Montero intercepted the ball and took it out of the penalty area.

The footage shows that after Inzaghi passed the ball, Tudor pulled on his jersey across his chest, causing Inzaghi to fall to the ground. Merck then signaled for the game to continue.

"This referee is even more blind than those in Ligue 1."

Rothen sat cross-legged on the carpet, twirling pasta with a fork, and let out a cold laugh through his nose.

Roy joked, "Moggi's hand has finally reached out to Italy."

In the 9th minute, Costa delivered a pinpoint through ball from midfield to Inzaghi on the left wing.

The opportunist didn't stop the ball, but instead swept it low across the front of the goal.

Shevchenko appeared near the penalty spot like a ghost, and with a left-footed shot, the ball deflected off Montero's outstretched arm, drawing a strange arc and nestling into the bottom left corner of the goal.

"The ball is in!"

The Ukrainian nuclear warhead charged toward the corner flag in celebration, only to be tackled to the ground by his swarming teammates. But before his smile could fully bloom, the linesman's flag was already raised high.

Referee Merck immediately blew his whistle to disallow the goal.

Shevchenko climbed up from the crowd, his wide eyes filled with disbelief.

He stretched out his left hand, as if trying to grab something, or perhaps asking the linesman for an explanation.

The slow-motion replay clearly shows that Costa was in an offside position the moment Shevchenko kicked the ball. Although he did not touch the ball, he did interfere with Buffon's judgment.

This ruling is indisputable.

Buffon breathed a sigh of relief and bent down to place the ball on the edge of the six-yard box.

Shevchenko remained standing, forcefully pounding the team badge on his chest, as if declaring to everyone: this would never be the last time he threatened Juventus' goal.

Shevchenko was in excellent form, and Costa kept feeding the Ukrainians the ball.

In the 10th minute, Thuram made a long diagonal pass from the right midfield line, and Trezeguet's header from 8 meters out went wide of the right post.

In the 12th minute, Shevchenko cut in from the right wing and was about to enter the penalty area when Ferrara made a timely tackle, beautifully clearing the ball out of bounds.

In the 17th minute, Montero's careless long pass from the left flank of the backfield led to disaster.

The ball's arc was flat and slow, and the sharp-witted Shevchenko immediately started his run and intercepted the ball on the left side of Juventus' half.

After dribbling forward a couple of steps, the Ukrainian player astutely spotted a gap in Juventus' right flank defense and delivered a precise diagonal pass to Seedorf, who had made a run into the box.

Without a moment's hesitation, the Dutch midfielder delivered a low cross with his right foot. Inside the penalty area, Inzaghi, like a ghost, evaded the defense and unleashed a header from 7 meters out, seemingly certain of victory.

The ball, spinning sharply, hurtled straight into the bottom right corner of the goal.

At the critical moment, Buffon displayed the instinctive reaction of a world-class goalkeeper.

The Italian goalkeeper leaped to the left like a spring, his left hand catching the ball just as it was about to cross the goal line. The ball grazed the right post and went out of play.

Inzaghi knelt on the ground, clutching the back of his head in disbelief as he stared at his national team teammates. Buffon, on the other hand, quickly got up and roared at the defense, signaling them to focus.

A long and enthusiastic applause erupted from the stands at Old Trafford, a tribute to both the brilliant goalkeeper and the exquisite attacking play.

In the living room of the Kuri family, the air seemed to freeze at that moment.

"Hold!"

Pulso sprang up from the sofa, squeezing the beer can out of shape, and spilling beer onto the carpet.

His eyes were wide open as he stared intently at the slow-motion replay on the television.

Rothen clutched his head and leaned back against the sofa: "How the hell can it pounce like that? Is this a cat?!"

Max remained silent, but the nuts in his hand had already scattered all over the ground.

His gaze darted back and forth between Buffon and Inzaghi, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

Giuly stood by the bar, his movements of wiping the glasses completely halted.

His lips twitched slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he was too stunned to speak by the save.

Roy maintained a calm demeanor, but his knuckles had turned white from gripping the cup too tightly.

Is this the Champions League final?

I love it! I love it!
Rothen: "Watching Inzaghi's run was like having a god's-eye view."

Max finally found his voice: "But Buffon, Buffon, that prediction..."

He shook his head, his face filled with disbelief.

Giuly finally put down the gleaming wine glass, looked at Roy with a wry smile: "Now you know why we've never made it to the Champions League final, right?"

In the 1997-1998 season, Monaco, with players like Henry, Trezeguet, Barthez, and Sagnol, defeated Manchester United to reach the semi-finals, only to lose 4-6 to Juventus in two rounds. This was their best Champions League result in club history.

Giuly, who joined in the winter transfer window, was still a nobody on the bench at the time.

As the Ligue 1 champion in the 1999-2000 season, Giuly played in the Champions League the following year.

However, due to the departure of several key players, including Trezeguet, they finished at the bottom of Group D with a record of 2 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw against Sturm Graz, Galatasaray, and Rangers.

At that time, Giuly, Shabani Nonda, Pulso, and Max were all in the squad.

Another midfielder was Riese, who later played for Liverpool.

"Because I'm not here!"

Roy's sharp eyes swept over everyone present: "Trezeguet was able to score the winning goal against Manchester United and lead his team to the semi-finals, but Shabani?"

He sneered, "That guy can only get the team to finish bottom of the Champions League group and be eliminated."

That's the difference.

Roy pointed to the screen with his finger, "The difference between a championship player and an ordinary player."

The crowd remained silent, but did not object; they had grown accustomed to Roy's arrogance.

If someone can keep their word, then being a little arrogant is fine; it just means they have a strong personality.

Most of these players were teammates with both Trezeguet and Shabani, two strikers from the same era, and their league goal tallies were not even that different.

The key point is that in the most dangerous moments of the game, you can count on Trezeguet, but not Shabani.

In the 18th minute, Zambrotta made a run down the left flank, and Costacurta tackled him, earning him the first yellow card of the match. Del Piero's free kick was cleared, and Thuram's right-footed volley from the edge of the penalty area went wide.

In the 22nd minute, Davies raised his right arm while dribbling in midfield and hit Pirlo in the nose.

The main focus of the attack and defense was on Milan's right flank, which was Juventus' left flank. Del Piero was almost invisible in the first 25 minutes, while Davies was one of Juventus' best players.

In the 26th minute, Del Piero dribbled down the left flank and was tripped by Costa.

In the 27th minute, Gattuso was hit in the face by Montero and fell to the ground.

In the 29th minute, Zambrotta broke through on the left and crossed the ball, but Del Piero's right-footed curler from the edge of the penalty area went over the crossbar.

In the 30th minute, Davies dispossessed Costa in the backfield, broke through to the front and played a one-two with Del Piero. Del Piero regained possession and passed the ball directly into the penalty area, but Trezeguet's control of the ball was too heavy.

In the 32nd minute, Shevchenko made a series of breakthroughs on the left wing and crossed the ball, but the ball went a little too high and Inzaghi couldn't reach it in the middle.

In the 34th minute, Tacchinardi made an accurate long pass down the right flank. Zambrotta received the ball and was tackled by Seedorf. Del Piero took the free kick from the left, and Trezeguet won the header at the far post and crossed the ball. Montero was about to shoot, but Merk's whistle delayed his action, and Seedorf quickly cleared the ball.

Trezeguet looked puzzled, wondering why Merck had blown the whistle.

In slow motion, it appears that no Juventus player was offside, and Trezeguet did not commit any foul.

Trezeguet's confused expression made everyone burst into laughter.

Gallardo mimicked the referee's gesture: "This whistle has Trezeguet completely bewildered. Who am I? Where am I?"

In the 35th minute, Nesta scratched Del Piero's face with his left hand while challenging for a header. Del Piero suffered bleeding under his left eye, and the team doctor applied ointment to him on the sidelines.

The image of blood-stained battle robes brought silence to the living room.

"Nesta's move," Pulso clicked his tongue in amazement.

Roy sneered: "An elegant foul, worth learning."

Juli added meaningfully, "That is, in the same locker room."

In the 38th minute, Costa played a through ball to Shevchenko on the left wing, but Buffon rushed out to make the save. Shortly after, Pirlo broke through on the left wing to the edge of the penalty area and crossed the ball. Costa took a low shot with his right foot from 17 meters out, but the ball rolled just inside the left post and went out of play.

In the 41st minute, Tudor dribbled down the right flank, with Shevchenko pressing him from behind. The Croatian twisted his right thigh and fell to the ground in pain. Birindelli came on as a substitute to play left-back, while Montero returned to the center.

In the 43rd minute, the previously quiet Camoranesi had a moment of brilliance. He made a clever through pass with the outside of his right foot from the edge of the penalty area. Del Piero's shot from a tight angle on the right was blocked out for a corner. Camoranesi took two consecutive corners from the right, resulting in a scramble in the Milan penalty area. Del Piero attempted a bicycle kick cross from the left, but Dida beat the ball to the ball. Zambrotta then took a right-footed shot from 10 meters out, but missed the target. This was Juventus' most dangerous attack in the first half.

In first-half stoppage time, Gattuso managed a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Buffon caught it.

In the third minute of first-half stoppage time, Kaladze unleashed a powerful low shot with his left foot from the left edge of the penalty area, but Buffon made a clean save at the near post.

Roy clapped slowly: "This is world-class. The level we'll be facing next season."

In the second half, Conte replaced Camoranesi, who had performed poorly in the first half. The former captain moved to the center, Zambrotta moved to the right, and Davies moved to the left. Juventus' attacking pressure noticeably increased.

In the 47th minute, Del Piero delivered a low, flat cross from the left, and Conte, 7 meters from goal, dove to head the ball, which hit the crossbar and bounced back into play. The Milan defender cleared the ball out of bounds.

In the 52nd minute, Thuram made a long pass down the right wing, and Del Piero's header was caught by Dida, but Merk blew his whistle first.

The two sides gradually entered a stalemate, with Juventus having far fewer chances in front of goal than in the first half, and Juventus having a slight advantage in terms of play.

In the 57th minute, Ferrara made a vicious tackle on Costa, and Juventus deliberately kicked the ball out of bounds, disrupting the rhythm of the game with frequent fouls.

In the 59th minute, Tacchinardi fouled Gattuso, and the game was paused. Gattuso gritted his teeth and persevered, but both sides were showing signs of fatigue in their attacks.

In the 60th minute, Maldini's header grazed the post and went wide, giving Milan a rare chance, but they still couldn't break the deadlock.

In the 65th minute, Lippi made a perplexing substitution, replacing the energetic Davids with Zalayeta. The Dutch midfielder left the field looking utterly bewildered.

"crazy!"

"Nedved is suspended, the Wild Boar is Juventus' only fighter in midfield tonight!" His gaze was fixed on the Silver Fox's furrowed brow on the television screen. "Look at what Lippi did? He substituted the only person who could disrupt Milan's defense!"

Juri stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Perhaps they want to intensify their attack."

"Intensify the attack?"

Roy interrupted with a sneer, "How many goals has Zalayeta scored this season? Three? Four?"

He pointed at the bewildered Uruguayan striker on the screen and said, "Just wait and see, this substitution will ruin Juventus."

But soon someone proved that Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were both on the sidelines.

In the 71st minute, Serginho replaced Pirlo, and Milan lost their midfield commander, making their attack even more disorganized.

In the 76th minute, Inzaghi's header went over the bar, a close-range opportunity that he missed due to fatigue.

In the 77th minute, Inzaghi's shot was blocked by Montero, marking Milan's last threatening attack before the game became a quagmire.

In the 87th minute, Ambrosini replaced Costa, and both sides had exhausted their substitution quota, meaning there was no fresh blood left in the game.

In the 90th minute, Seedorf took a low right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area, which Buffon caught securely. His performance today was extremely stable, with not a single fumble. Although both sides had used their substitutions, the fourth official indicated only one minute of added time.

The game ended 0-0 at the end of regulation time, a dull and suffocating match.

The two sides played to a goalless draw after 90 minutes, forcing the game into extra time.

Gattuso is still running at a fast pace, which is amazing to see his incredible stamina.

In the 93rd minute, Birindelli made a diagonal pass from the left wing, and Zalayeta's header from 3 meters out at the far post went wide of the near post.

"what!"

Roy's sneer echoed through the living room, "What did I tell you? The useless player Lippi brought in can't even score an open goal!"

He gulped down a mouthful of water, "If Davis were still here..."

Giuly quietly turned up the TV volume; the commentator was repeating, "Juventus missed a golden opportunity to win."

Roy raised his eyebrows and looked at Max, "Juventus can't function without the Wild Boar, just like we can't function without Rafael."

Max slowly raised his head, met Roy's gaze, and forced a smile: "You're right, the wild boar really shouldn't have been replaced."

“Rafael,” Roy suddenly leaned forward, his water glass tapping crisply on the coffee table, “we need you in midfield for next season’s Champions League.”

Roy laid his cards on the table.

He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, "Just like Davis was supposed to do tonight."

At a time when Roy needed him to make a statement.

Max suddenly interrupted, "I'm going to get some fresh air."

The loud slam of the balcony door shut silenced everyone.

In the 95th minute, Seedorf made a through pass down the right flank, and Roque Junior stretched his legs too far when he cut back, resulting in a groin strain. Milan had already used up all their substitutions, so Roque Junior had to continue playing despite the injury. The team doctor wrapped both of his thighs with bandages to help strengthen his thigh muscles.

Roque Junior was unable to run and could only limp around the field, but he still did his best to participate in the defense.

In the 101st minute, Ambrosini headed the ball away in the penalty area, and Conte controlled the ball with his chest on the edge of the penalty area before volleying it high with his left foot.

One minute later, Del Piero's right-footed shot from 20 meters out went high and wide.

With no goals scored in the first half of extra time, the "silver goal rule" effectively became ineffective, and the match had to be played for the full 120 minutes.

In the second half of extra time, Zambrotta switched to the left wing and launched a strong attack on Roque Junior's side.

In the 106th minute, Conte controlled the ball with his back to goal and turned in the penalty area. Nesta pulled Conte's left shoulder, and Conte immediately went limp and fell to the ground. The ball was somewhere between being called and not being called, but at such a crucial moment, Merk did not blow the whistle.

"They're not going to sentence me?!"

Rothen threw a cushion at the TV.

Roy said with a gloomy face, "The referee in the Champions League final was even more corrupt than the one in Marseille."

Giuly interjected at the opportune moment: "Next season we'll be playing in the Champions League, and we'll have to learn to survive on that scale."

Due to the good relationship between Juventus and Monaco, almost all the Monaco players sided with Juventus tonight.

And Roy is Rossoneri tonight!

Who told Juventus to lose in the end!

He now possesses the prophetic abilities that all gamblers dream of.

Even though Roy had never had a habit of eating spinach before, he sometimes felt an irresistible urge to eat it.

This is a primal desire, and Roy can only try to suppress it.

In the 109th minute, Tacchinardi suffered a right leg cramp after being brought down.

In the 111th minute, Del Piero was dispossessed by Gattuso, and he tackled the opponent but escaped a yellow card.

Roque Junior has regained some of his running ability, while Conte is limping on his left leg and can barely run.

In the 116th minute, Nesta tackled Zalayeta on the right wing, but Merk didn't even call a foul.

In the 117th minute, Trezeguet headed the ball back inside the penalty area, and Del Piero volleyed wide with his right foot from 18 meters out.

In the 119th minute, Shevchenko was brought down and remained on the ground for a long time.

In the 120th minute, Shevchenko broke through on the right and crossed the ball. Thuram headed it away before Inzaghi could reach it, and Buffon excitedly went over to hug the Frenchman.

The two sides had no choice but to go to a penalty shootout!
Milan have missed five penalties this season, with Inzaghi and Rivaldo each missing two, and Serginho missing one.

Moreover, Pirlo, the top penalty taker, has been substituted. Dida and Buffon are both excellent penalty savers. The Brazilian lay on the ground to relax, while Buffon sat on the ground with his head buried between his legs.

"Then it's settled?"

Roy spoke.

Throughout extra time, every word Roy uttered sounded like a precise long pass, while Giuly perfectly played the role of a second striker.

When the penalty shootout began, most of them no longer needed to speak; their eyes all gleamed with the same ambition, and even the port of Monaco outside the window seemed to resonate with the Champions League theme song.

"Done!"

Gallardo roared.

The Argentine has a year left on his contract with Monaco, but just half an hour ago, he said he didn't want to stay in Deschamps' team for even a day longer.

Now, his gaze was fixed on Trezeguet's ball-handling figure on the screen, then he suddenly turned to Roy: "Next season, Champions League, but you'll still wear number 10."

Roy was stunned. Although they had a good relationship, Gallardo was not in his plans for next season.

He has become Rothen's substitute this season.

Forget it, let it be.

The passionate voice of the TV commentator echoed in the living room.

Trezeguet takes the first penalty!

Roy's pupils suddenly contracted as the cold light from the television screen shone on his face.

As Trezeguet took his run-up, he instinctively gripped his water bottle tightly.

The moment the French striker took the shot, Roy's breath hitched – the ball's trajectory was too straight!
"Hold!"

Even knowing the outcome, he still let out a low growl.

"A right-footed shot into the bottom right corner—but the angle is too straight! Dida dives to block! He's made a brilliant save!! The Milan goalkeeper has done a great job!"

Dida resembled a cheetah poised for battle, his yellow and black goalkeeper uniform particularly striking under the lights.

The Brazilian made a precise judgment, and his entire body slammed down to the right like a spring.

Roy could clearly see the debris kicked up by the friction between his cleats and the turf, and he saw Dida's taut calf muscles forcefully block the ball.

The ice water sloshed violently in the glass, the sound of ice cubes hitting the glass walls drowned out by the commentator's shouts.

Roy's gaze was fixed on Trezeguet's stiff back—the Frenchman remained in the position after the shot, his right leg still at the point of contact, and the change in his expression from confidence to astonishment was cruelly magnified in slow motion.

"This is the Champions League final."

Roy smiled, his voice terribly hoarse.

This is a mindset that you can't experience as a fan; the mountain-like pressure is projected onto the screen.

Roy scanned the frozen faces in the living room. "If we were standing in front of the penalty spot, could we have put that damn ball in the net?"

The remote control in Juli's hand fell to the ground with a thud.

On the television screen, Dida was pounding his chest and roaring, while Trezeguet walked back to the center circle with his head down, his steps heavy as if dragging the entire despair of Turin.

"Juventus is doomed!"

Drop this sentence.

Roy got up and walked to the balcony, the night wind carrying the salty smell of the harbor.

Max was leaning against the railing, smoking, the red glow of his cigarette flickering in the darkness.

"Serginho is here! A powerful left-footed shot into the top left corner—Buffon guessed the wrong way! 1-0! Milan take the lead!"

Are you transferring to Arsenal?

Roy raised an eyebrow and teased.

"Birindelli! Right foot to the left—Dida dove the wrong way, but the ball went in! 1-1!"

"Seedorf! Right foot to left—Buffon dives and saves!! The Italian goalkeeper roars in celebration!!"

"Zalayeta! Right-footed shot—Dida blocks it again!! Juventus misses another penalty!"

"Kaladze! Left-footed shot down the middle—Buffon blocks it with his body!! Milan are just one step away from the championship!"

"Montero! Left-footed shot - Dida saves again!! Nesta calmly scores! Milan leads 2-1!"

"Del Piero! Calmly slots the ball into the bottom right corner – 2-2! But Shevchenko seals the victory!! Milan wins 3-2!!"

The commentator roared, "AC Milan! Kings of Europe!!!"

Roy chuckled when he heard the name of the King of Europe.

"Both teams vying for the title of European champions want me to play for them, but I don't want to go now."

“We are also very strong, perhaps stronger than we think. Rafael, I invite you to stay with the team once again and compete in the Champions League for another year.”

Max's hand trembled slightly, and ash fell in a flurry.

Do you really think Monaco can?

"Why not?"

Roy's voice was like a razor's edge: "Davis can play until he cramps up for Juventus, are we weaker than the Dutch and Italians?"

Max then realized that his hands were trembling.

"I heard Barcelona has already made an offer for you?"

Roy remained expressionless.

The Mexican was momentarily annoyed—why was he being questioned by a child?
But Roy definitely has that kind of presence.

So far, he has done everything he said he would do.

He killed everyone who stood in his way, in just six months.

Max suddenly realized that they had begun to get used to the fact that with Roy on the field, the game was much easier to win.

He always fought to the very end, his calmness bordering on cold-bloodedness, ruthless and belligerent.

"You know that."

Max took a deep drag on his cigarette. "I've wanted to play for Barcelona since I was a kid."

Roy did not answer immediately.

Some things only need to be said once; by the time they are said, everyone has already made their choice.

In the distance, the lights of yachts in Monaco Harbour are reflected on the sea like scattered stars.

"Then go ahead."

He finally spoke, his voice eerily calm, "But remember, when you stand at Camp Nou and hear the Champions League anthem..."

He turned and left, leaving only one sentence drifting away in the night wind:

You will remember tonight.

Max's cigarette burned to its end.

"Oh, right!"

Roy turned to look at him.

"You won't be hearing the Champions League anthem in Barcelona next year!"

"That's good, at least we won't become rivals!!"

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It's expected to be available on Friday!

I can't guarantee how many chapters will be released immediately after the book goes live. I can only say that I will try my best to have a backlog of chapters. Although I can type at a decent speed, I'm a lazy person. I type for two hours and then rest for four hours.

Once I've finished writing the update, I don't want to write any more words.

However, once it's listed, a minimum daily revenue of 10,000 can still be guaranteed.

The feedback from some of the controversial plot points earlier was reasonable, and I will pay attention to that when writing in the future. Also, the interview plot has been delayed. Although I think the interview should not be boring, it is currently a bit too rushed.

Let's save it for the Champions League season.

I've been writing all day to stockpile drafts, and there will be an extra chapter at 8 PM tonight for those who voted for monthly tickets. Thank you all for your continued support and love.

It allows me to compete with the old guard even before I'm officially listed.

(End of this chapter)