Ground football: Ronaldo thought I was going to assist him

That's what everyone thinks.

Deng Kai has already said goodbye to his teammates in the youth team and is preparing to be transferred to the U19 team by Triguera for a month, then to the U21 team, and then to the reserve team.

He should be able to play for the first team in the second half of next season or the year after.

He believes he and Cristiano Ronaldo have the ability.

Before leaving, he gave a lot of advice to Wu Xudong and other players from the "Chinese group," telling them to stick to training, think more about tactics, develop their own unique style, turn their strengths into absolute advantages, start as role players and not focus on becoming superstars directly, etc.

However, on the fourth day of the winter transfer window...

Sporting Lisbon has officially announced that Giuseppe Materazzi, the renowned coach who has managed top clubs such as Lazio, has accepted the team's invitation to become their head coach.

In an instant, cheers erupted from the fans.

Even some seasoned fans know that it should be Triguera's turn by now.

But with a renowned coach at the helm, what are the club's veterans?

Moreover, Triglav has a huge disadvantage: he has never coached a first team before; he has always been a youth coach.

Just because you can develop talents like Simão and Quaresma doesn't mean you're suited for the first team.

The pace of youth training teams and professional teams is completely different.

This official announcement has completely disillusioned Triguera with the team's management.

In the eyes of that group, choosing sides is more important than ability.

They would rather trust two strangers in succession than trust someone they know well and who is capable.

The book "Standpoint" can be said to be the biggest takeaway from the Trigra incident.

Subsequently, Trigra contacted Duncan.

His first words were, "Kai, would you like to come play football with me?"

At this moment, time seemed to have turned back a year and a half.

The words "Coach, I want to play football" still echo in my ears.

This time, Deng Kai didn't hesitate at all. He had said that Trigra had made the right bet.

From now on, it's harvest season in Trigra!

"Coach, I'm willing to play football with you," Deng Kai said.

Trigra was somewhat moved. He had thought Deng Kai would refuse, and he even blamed himself a little, wondering what if he ruined Deng Kai's future.

"It's not a great place I'm going to," Triguera said frankly. "It's the Portuguese Second Division, Moreirense."

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Deng Kai said casually, "That trip to the Portuguese league was only for half a season."

Triguera added, "Tie to last place in the league with two other teams, they may have to stay in the Portuguese Second Division for another season or two."

Deng Kai's tone changed slightly: "That time in the Portuguese league... wasn't it just half a season?"

Trigra was stunned.

"Don't worry, boss. Apart from physical strength, Ronaldo and I are already at the level of professional players, and we're even better in many other aspects. I believe we can bring something different to Moreirense," Deng Kai reassured Triguera.

"But you're not even fifteen yet!" Trigra said. "Players at this stage are in the process of developing their skills. Excessive physical contact will only cause you injuries and won't do you any good."

Deng Kai: "Cristiano Ronaldo and I are different from other players, you must be able to tell. In fact, I really can't stand playing in the youth team anymore. If I can't make it to the first team next season, I will take the initiative to apply for a loan."

"The intensity of youth training matches can no longer bring progress to me and Ronaldo. We have done everything we should have done at this stage. You can see clearly Quaresma's performance this season. His technique is indeed excellent, but his ability to handle the ball under high-intensity pressing and physical confrontation is obviously much weaker."

"Only players who can withstand high pressure can become superstars. The Portuguese Second Division is not particularly intense, but it is still a high-pressure environment for me and Ronaldo. I believe we will make great progress there and truly step into professional football."

"Well, I hope I won't let you down, and I hope we can create a miracle in the Portuguese Second Division." Triguera joked a bit about himself, as he didn't think the team could achieve promotion in the second half of the season.

The two then hung up the phone.

"Honey? What's wrong?" Triguera's wife rushed back immediately after learning about the Sporting Lisbon head coach selection, knowing that her husband must be extremely upset.

"It's nothing, a friend said he supports me." Trigra quickly wiped away his tears before turning around.

"He's really a good friend; it's not often that a friend would remember you in front of Materazzi." Trigra's wife came over and hugged him.

"Yes, he's a really good guy," Trigra laughed.

He is an exceptionally capable person, but he has a strong gambling addiction.

Between youth coaches and head coaches, he bet on the former because he believed that only the former could cultivate superstars, which would solve Portugal's problem of going from zero to one, and that was the most important thing.

But he was wrong. People don't pay attention to youth coaches; the head coach's status is always higher than that of the youth coaches.

Among head coaches, those skilled in building and managing systems are not as popular as those skilled in winning championships and reaping honors.

This is a society that values ​​results.

But Trigra had a feeling that discovering and unconditionally trusting Deng Kai might be the best gamble he'd ever made.

……

Meanwhile, Deng Kai also promptly informed Cristiano Ronaldo of the news.

Triguera originally felt that it would be more sincere and respectful to speak to Ronaldo in person.

But Deng Kai said it wasn't necessary; he was better at bluffing.

Deng Kai: "Luo, to be honest, the U17 league is a bit boring. I actually managed to win both the top scorer and top assist title at the halfway point. Do you think you can overtake me when you come in the second half of the season and eventually take both the top scorer and top assist title?"

Cristiano Ronaldo, clearly frustrated, exclaimed, "I only played half a season, you played a whole season, how could I possibly surpass you?"

Deng Kai: "That shouldn't be the case. I think that given the difference in our abilities, even if you played half a season less, your stats shouldn't be worse than mine."

Cristiano Ronaldo: "Of course!"

That's what they say, but Cristiano Ronaldo is actually quite anxious right now.

He's confident he can surpass Deng Kai in goals, but assists... that's really not his strong suit.

The key is that Deng Kai is the one who truly controls the ball. If Kai doesn't pass the ball to him, he might not even score a goal... No, no, playing for the U17 team is really unwise.

Deng Kai: "By the way, I heard that Mr. Triguera will be coaching Moreirense in the Portuguese Second Division and wants to loan a few players from the club."

"To be honest, the environment in the Portuguese Second Division is actually quite conducive to the development of players like us. The players there may not be exceptionally talented, but they have a very professional attitude. The pace of the game isn't fast, but there's plenty of physicality. I heard that their top scorer at the halfway point of the season only scored twelve goals!"

"When the intensity of the games picks up later in the season, their Golden Boot winner will probably score less than twenty goals."

Cristiano Ronaldo's eyes lit up, and he blurted out, "We can go! Win the Golden Boot, oh no, play professional football!"

Deng Kai shook his head: "That's just the Portuguese Second Division, isn't that a low starting point? I'm actually alright, but I've always felt that you're the kind of talented player who should have made a name for yourself in the Portuguese Super League at a young age! Going to the Portuguese Second Division would have been a waste of your potential."

Cristiano Ronaldo didn't mind at all: "It's okay, it's just a loan. As long as we perform well, we might make it into the first team when we return to Sporting Lisbon next year."

"Is this all you're thinking? You've disappointed me greatly." Deng Kai suddenly became serious. "If you're just planning to play around and don't want to take responsibility, then I won't let Mr. Triglar take you along."

"If I were to go, I would have only one goal: to lead them to promotion!"

Cristiano Ronaldo was stunned for a moment. "Damn, this suddenly got a higher level of understanding?"

"Kai, you know, once I'm on the pitch, my only goal is always to win and score goals. I'm 100% responsible for football," Ronaldo explained. "I want to go to Moreirense, and I hope you can come with me. I just don't want you to feel pressured."

Deng Kai looked at Ronaldo and asked, "Then why are you going?"

Cristiano Ronaldo nodded: "Go! Lead them to promotion!"

I like playing football on the ground: Ronaldo thought I was going to assist him.