The perfect midfield: It starts with never passing the ball to Ronaldo.

Chapter 76: Cristiano Ronaldo Shines My Shoes; Euro Qualifiers Resume, New Number 10 Takes the Stage

Everything is proceeding as planned, the only thing that's not quite satisfactory is the arrival of the international match day.

Two national team matches have forced Mario to postpone unlocking the new template!

In the fourth round of the European Championship qualifiers, the Five Shields team will visit Israel to face the former Asian Cup champions.

"José, I heard you want your teammates to shine your shoes?" Pepe joked with Mario as soon as they arrived at the training center.

"Of course, he's the current Champions League top scorer!" Coentrao chimed in, not wanting to miss out on the fun.

"Haha, Cristiano knows me. I always make a lot of mistakes when I'm being interviewed."

"Those reporters are just nitpicking. Although I did score four goals, I'm still a long way from winning the Ballon d'Or!" Mario rubbed the little blond hair and replied with a smile.

As team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo decisively began reassuring his younger teammate. "Indeed, your interview skills need practice. I'll have Mendes provide you with ongoing training!"

"I know what kind of person you are. That guy next door has no idea what your situation is, and his fans are too crazy. It's best not to mess with him!"

"Yeah, I'll be careful. It's all that damn reporter's fault!"

"It's okay. If you score a hat-trick in the knockout stage of a national team match, I'll shine your shoes to celebrate!"

"Haha, it's a deal, I've got it!"

"Keep up the good work, our new core number 10!"

Cristiano Ronaldo was in a good mood after advancing to the quarterfinals and drawing Galatasaray. He remained composed and showed great leadership qualities.

During the extra training session, he even personally demonstrated the moves to Mario in the gym, showing his thoughtfulness.

2013 3 Month 22 Day.

Tel Aviv Region.

Ramat Gan.

The twilight in the City of Diamonds came unexpectedly.

Three hours before the match was scheduled to begin, the plaza outside the Ramat Gan Stadium had already turned into a sea of ​​blue and white.

Israeli fans waved the Star of David flag, formed a circle in the center of the square, and danced the traditional Hora dance.

Their singing was rugged and rhythmic, like the wind rising from the depths of the desert.

Thanks to Portugal's star players, all 40,000+ tickets for this World Cup qualifier were sold out long ago.

The number of Portuguese fans traveling to Portugal was small, but their spirit was by no means weak.

They gathered outside a coffee shop in the southeast corner of the square, and whenever a compatriot wearing a Portuguese jersey passed by, they would burst into a unified shout.

Accompanied by shouts, a boy wearing a number 10 jersey even made Mario's signature celebration move.

"Siu!"

"Super Mario!!"

"Our new number 10, the most terrifying striker in Europe!!!"

Time flew by, and both teams were already in position on the pitch.

More than 40,000 fans filled the old stadium, which was built in 1962.

The blue and white flags of Israel fluttered in the stands, while the flag of the Five Shields Army stubbornly waved in the away stands.

The narrator's voice pierced through the noise of 40,000 people, reaching the ears of everyone waiting in front of their radios and televisions.

Good evening, everyone! Welcome to Ramat Gan Stadium!

"This is the fifth match of Group F in the 2014 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, Israel hosting Portugal!"

"Before the match, we were all talking about how to target Ronaldo, which is reasonable, as he is one of the best players of this era."

"But it must be noted that Portugal's new number 10, that 18-year-old, is currently the top scorer in the Champions League."

"He's top of the scoring charts, surpassing both Ronaldo and Messi!!"

In the players' tunnel, the Israeli captain was encouraging his teammates. His gaze inadvertently swept over the Portuguese team's ranks, lingering for a long time on the young man wearing the number 10 jersey.

The story of early fame is always fascinating. Mario, at the age of eighteen, had already surpassed the glory achieved by all members of the Israeli national team after only one year of playing professional matches.

At this age, he is an absolute mainstay for a second-tier European powerhouse, with a market value of 6000 million, and he surpasses Messi and Ronaldo in the Champions League top scorer list.

It's so dreamlike, it's almost unbelievable!

Soon, with the referee's whistle, the match officially began.

The Israeli team fielded a 5-4-1 formation.

Portugal is still using a 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper: Patricio; Defenders: João Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Coentrao; Midfielders: Veloso, Mario, and Moutinho; Forwards: Varela, Postiga, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal created a dangerous opportunity just 51 seconds into the game.

Moutinho advanced the ball in midfield, while Israel packed up their defense in the backfield.

Varela moved to the wing, but was marked by the opposing defender. Despite being surrounded, Ronaldo still raised his hand on the left to ask for the ball.

Just then, he saw that familiar figure in the club.

Mario moved from the right lane towards the middle lane, like a cheetah slowly pacing across the grassland at any moment.

Snap! Moutinho decisively passed the ball.

Mario didn't stop; after a backhand strike, he quickly moved forward!

Moutinho's longtime partner understood perfectly, and he anticipated the move, sending the ball directly to the edge of the penalty area.

Natjo is marking the home team, but he's not maintaining enough distance.

Two meters is a bit too far for a top-class long-range shooter.

The opportunity presented itself in an instant!

The tacit understanding that the club has built up over time is simply a game-changer at this moment!

Mario didn't stop the ball, and he didn't adjust!

He doesn't even need to look up to see the position because he can observe the goalkeeper's stance in advance.

His supporting leg was firmly planted on the grass, while his right foot whipped backward like a whip.

A powerful shot with the instep.

The moment the ball left the ground, a cracking sound echoed throughout the stadium.

It was like a furious burst of thunder, a meteor piercing the heavens!

"Heavily marking Ronaldo gave the rest of the Portuguese team space!"

"Mario chooses to shoot directly at the goal!!!"

"Goal!!!!!!"

Avatar quickly fell to the ground and lunged towards the far corner.

However, his reaction speed was not fast enough!

The ball, like a white lightning bolt, whizzed past him and flew towards the lower right corner!

A tricky angle, precise guidance!

The ball, carrying tremendous kinetic energy, slammed into the inside of the goalpost, the sound reaching the stands as it bounced back into the goal line!

Portugal 1-0 Israel!!

The score was changed in just one minute!

The ancient Lamatgan stadium was silent for a full two seconds.

The area where the Portuguese fans were located was then set ablaze.

"Goooooooal!!!!!!"

"The fastest goal in the European World Cup qualifiers so far!!"

"Mario from Porto pierced the Israeli goal with a long-range shot, instantly breaching the team's pre-match boast of an impenetrable defense!!!"

"The Champions League top scorer's attacking prowess truly lives up to his reputation!!"

—【That's called a really tricky long-range shot!!!】

—【A powerful tool for breaking through dense defenses, it's so satisfying to watch!】

—【He won't pass the ball to my brother again, what a hater!!!】

—【I declare that so far in this match, Mario's performance has far surpassed Ronaldo's!】

—【Damn it, can't you watch your own team's game? Don't come to Portugal to cause trouble!!】

—【Haha, to be honest, 18-year-old Mario is better than 18-year-old Ronaldo~】

Despite the ongoing online drama, the atmosphere within the Portuguese team remained positive.

Cristiano Ronaldo immediately raised his hand to signal that the goal was valid, and then found Mario, who was spinning and jumping in the corner area, to celebrate together.

Since they weren't teammates on the same national team position, it's natural that Mario was stronger and he was happier!

As for the competition for the top spot in the Five Shields Legion, the confident Giannis Antetokounmpo has no worries about it at all.

The captain has just gained a first mate; does that mean Mario can replace him?

>