Awakening the Messi template, Florentino Pérez begs me to join Real Madrid

The first leg of the AFC U-19 Championship opening match is between the Chinese national team and the host country.

Trailing 0-1 at halftime.

That wasn't the worst of it—in stoppage time, center-back Li Ming was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle.

Playing with ten men against the host nation Australia away from home, the second half's 45 minutes felt like an agonizing premonition of a verdict.

In the away team's dressing room at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Head coach Li slammed his tactical board down his hand: "Listen up, everyone! In the second half, focus on one thing: defense and counter-attack! Wu Lei, lead the attack and look for opportunities. Wu Shi, you..."

He looked at Wu Shi, who was panting in the corner: "Come back and help with the defense, even if you can't run anymore, you have to run!"

"Dian Dian, look how pale you are."

Wu Shi paused for a moment, took the bottle, nodded, and drank half a bottle of water.

Thanks.

"Don't misunderstand," Chen Liang turned his face away, "I'm just worried that your cramps will drag the whole team down."

Wu Shi laughed. Their relationship had been one of competition for positions during previous training matches, but now they were teammates on the same team.

As soon as the whistle blew for the second half, the Australian stands erupted in a deafening roar.

The Chinese youth team retreated entirely to defend, with their goal area packed with players. Wu Shi dropped from center forward to attacking midfielder, sometimes even running back into his own penalty area to help out.

Fifty minutes in, Australia crossed the ball, and Wu Shi rushed back into the penalty area to head it out of bounds. He collided with the opposing center-back upon landing, and felt a sharp pain in his ribs.

On the sidelines, Lin Wei gripped the scoreboard tightly in her hand.

In the 58th minute, Wu Shi blocked a long-range shot with his body at the edge of the penalty area. The ball hit his abdomen, and he bent over for more than ten seconds before standing up. The camera zoomed in, showing his face covered in grass clippings and sweat.

Sixty-five minutes, dead ball. He looked towards the sidelines, where Old Li was waving for him to come down, and number 21 Chen Liang had already started warming up.

Wu Shi was stunned when he saw this. He looked towards the sidelines, where Old Li was waving for him to come down.

It's my turn.

He gritted his teeth and jogged towards the sidelines. As he passed Wu Lei, Wu Lei patted him on the shoulder: "Good job, take a rest next time."

These words are simple, but they carry a lot of weight at this moment.

The substitution process wasn't complete, and play continued until the next dead ball situation. The Chinese youth team managed to win the ball back. Under pressure, the defensive midfielder hastily passed forward. The pass was poor, high and erratic, landing on the right side of the attacking third, more than 30 meters from the penalty area.

Wu Shi stopped in his tracks.

Two Australian defenders had already run towards the ball, leaving him alone in that area.

He turned and sprinted.

The ball seemed to slow down as it flew through the air. Suddenly, a series of analyses popped up in Wu Shi's mind:

Landing point: 35 meters to the right flank

[Current situation: Back to goal, 2 defenders, nearest teammate 27 meters away]

[Option A: Pull-up, turn, and power break; success rate: 4.7%]

Option B: Return a safety ball, success rate 97.3%

[Option C: Control the ball, protect it without turning, and wait for your teammate to receive the pass. Success rate: 88%]

[Recommendation: Choose C]

Wu Shi didn't look at the numbers and options. His eyes were fixed on the ball, but his mind was on something else—where was Wu Lei?

In his past life, he watched so many of Wu Lei's matches; Wu Lei's positioning was like having a radar. When to make a forward run, when to maneuver, when to suddenly appear in the most crucial position... Even if he couldn't see him now, he believed Wu Lei would appear where he was supposed to be.

The ball came down. Wu Shi used his chest to cushion it, and the ball obediently landed at his feet. The Australian defender had already closed in, his body pressing down on him like a wall.

I don't have time to think about it anymore.

Wu Shi planted his left foot firmly, then gently flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot—

It's not going forward, nor to either side.

He curled a low, curved shot towards the back of the penalty area, which was completely out of his sight.

Wu Shi did not choose the three options given by the system. Instead, he chose to trust his teammates and Wu Shi's run. He passed the ball with his back to the goal and into the blind spot. He did not know if any teammates were there or if they had received the pass.

"Where did he pass to?!" The commentator was dumbfounded.

Everyone was stunned. The Australian defender followed the ball's trajectory, and his expression instantly changed.

A red shadow cut in like a god.

Wu Lei.

No one knew when he started, and no one expected that he would dare to charge forward like this when the entire front was retreating.

But he appeared, right at the most critical moment when Wu Shi blindly passed the skill to him.

The ball arrives, and so does the player.

Australia's last center-back could only make a sliding tackle from the side and behind.

He was the last defender, and if he didn't do anything, it would have been a one-on-one situation in the penalty area. He touched the ball, but he still managed to bring Wu Lei down.

The whistle was piercing.

The referee immediately pulled out a red card.

Ten against ten!

The national youth team's bench erupted. Old Li jumped to his feet, his fists clenched tightly. On the sidelines, the fourth official was already preparing to raise the board to make a substitution.

Wu Shi didn't move. He gestured to the coach, and after the referee finished announcing the ruling, Wu Shi turned and rushed to the sidelines.

"Coach!" he gasped, his face smeared with sweat, "Let me finish this free kick! Just one!"

Old Li stared at him, but did not answer immediately.

"I can get in!" Wu Shi's voice trembled, not from fear, but from something he couldn't suppress bursting forth.

"I admit I can't score!"

Time seemed to stand still. The teaching assistant tried to speak, but Old Li raised his hand and pressed it down.

a few seconds.

"Go." Old Li said only one word.

Wu Shi turned and ran back. Substitution paused.

The free kick is on the right side of the penalty area, a little over 30 meters from the goal. It's not a great position, but it's a good opportunity to shoot.

Australia formed a five-man wall. The goalkeeper nervously directed the positioning, covering the near post.

Wu Shi positioned the ball, stepped back, and measured his pace. Wu Lei walked over.

"Kick the far corner, their wall will jump," Wu Lei said in a low voice, patting his back. "Don't panic, just like in training."

Wu Shi nodded, and the turmoil in his heart suddenly subsided.

Distant angle.

He took a deep breath. The noise of the entire room suddenly faded away, leaving only the beating of his own heart.

At this moment, the system popped up again:

[Set Piece Analysis: Distance 31.2 meters, 23 degrees to the right]

[Height of the human wall: Average 1.83 meters]

[Goalkeeper habits: Prefers to move ahead of time, has a high center of gravity]

[Suggested strategy: Use the inside of your left foot to curl a shot around the wall, aiming for the top left corner. Success rate: 41%]

[Historical record: Messi scored a goal from a similar position against Atletico Madrid in 2008; footwork data loading...]

Wu Shi ignored the data. He took a running start, three steps.

Stand firmly on your right foot and lean your body to the right. Swing your left leg—using the outside of your foot.

The ankle makes a very slight inward rotation at the moment of contact with the ball, adding a strong lateral spin to the ball.

The ball is up.

It wasn't a violent shot, but a ball with a strange curve.

It went around the top of the jumping human wall, and after reaching its highest point, it plummeted down while simultaneously rotating sharply to the right.

The Australian goalkeeper misjudged the situation – he thought the shot would go into the far corner.

The ball traced an unreasonable arc, plummeted in front of the goal, grazed the bottom edge of the crossbar, and smashed into the upper right corner of the goal.

Blind spot.

1 is better than 1!

The entire stadium was filled with boos from the home team fans and cheers from the away team fans.

Wu Shi didn't run around celebrating. He just stood there, pointed to the sky, then turned around and bowed deeply to Old Li on the sidelines.

Then he ran to Wu Lei, and the two hugged.

"That was a beautiful pass," Wu Lei said.

"You run beautifully."

The substitution was finally completed. As Wu Shi walked off the field, many overseas students and Chinese fans of the national youth team in the away stands roared deafeningly.

"Takeshi! Takeshi! Takeshi!"

He sat back on the bench, covering his head with a towel. Lin Wei immediately handed him an ice pack:

"Apply a compress to your ankle. That was too close."

"Thank you, Sister Wei."

"No need to thank me," Lin Wei said, sitting down next to him in a low voice.

"Do you know how nervous I was when you yelled at the coach just now?"

Wu Shi laughed: "I was scared too."

In the final twenty minutes, the Chinese youth team, playing with ten men, rallied. Although they couldn't take the lead, the score remained 1-1 until the final whistle.

When the whistle blew, the entire national youth team bench rushed onto the field. Chen Liang was the first to run up to Wu Shi, vigorously ruffling his hair: "Not bad, kid! That free kick was awesome!"

Even the goalkeeper, who is usually quiet, came over and patted him on the shoulder: "You're a hero today."

The atmosphere in the locker room was completely different. After a brief summary, Coach Li walked up to Wu Shi and said, "You saved the whole team today. But don't get cocky. The next game against Indonesia is the most crucial."

"Understood, Coach."

"Go take a shower, you're all sweaty."

The shower was steamy. Wu Lei, in the next stall, suddenly said, "How did you know I was there when you passed the ball?"

Wu Shi rinsed the foam off his head: "Just guessing."

"You guessed pretty accurately."

"Brother Lei, your positioning is excellent. I wouldn't dare pass to anyone else."

Someone outside shouted, "Wu Shi! Hurry up! The reporters are waiting!"

The post-match interview area was packed. Cameras and microphones were pointed at Wu Shi, and flashes went off everywhere.

After the domestic reporters finished asking technical questions, a female reporter with a ponytail and big eyes squeezed to the front, her microphone labeled "Football Weekly".

She smiled, revealing her dimples: "Wu Shi, this is Su Qing from Football Weekly. First of all, congratulations on your performance today, it was truly spectacular."

"Thanks."

"I noticed you're the youngest player in this AFC U-19 Championship, only sixteen years old. Off the field, how are you different from your peers? For example, what are your hobbies?"

Takeshi thought for a moment: "It's not much different, is it? I also play games and watch anime. I'm currently watching One Piece."

The surrounding reporters all laughed.

Su Qing's eyes crinkled into a smile: "And what about your love life? You became famous at such a young age, are there any young girls pursuing you? Or... is there anyone you like?"

As soon as the question was asked, several reporters looked up, and the cameras zoomed in even closer.

Wu Shi scratched his head, a little embarrassed: "Well... I haven't thought about that. Right now, I just want to play good football."

"You don't even have an ideal type?"

"I really hadn't thought about that," Wu Shi said honestly. "Maybe... someone with a better personality?"

A male reporter nearby chimed in, "Wu Shi is shy!"

Su Qing smiled and changed the subject: "Today, your partnership with Wu Lei was dubbed the 'Double Wu Alliance' by fans. What do you think of this nickname?"

"Brother Lei is my idol," Wu Shi said earnestly. "It's an honor to play with him. I don't deserve the title of 'Double Wu Alliance,' I just try my best to pass the ball to his feet."

"One last question," Su Qing said, her smile fading and her expression becoming more serious, "Are you feeling a lot of pressure facing Indonesia and Vietnam next?"

"We fight in every game. Today's draw against Australia gives us confidence. Anything can happen in football."

After the interview, Wu Shi walked out. Su Qing caught up with him and handed him a business card: "Wu Shi, this is my contact information. If there's a chance in the future, I'd like to do an exclusive interview with you, not just about football, but also about life."

Wu Shi accepted it: "Okay, thank you, Reporter Su."

"Just call me Su Qing." She winked. "Good luck, I look forward to your group advancing."

Back in the locker room, Wu Lei was changing. Seeing Wu Shi enter, he pointed to the phone on the table: "You're famous now."

Wu Shi picked up his phone; WeChat was buzzing. 99+ unread messages and dozens of friend requests. At the top was a voice message from his mother. He opened it; her voice was trembling with tears: "Son, Mom saw you score... Be careful, don't get hurt..."

He replied with "Don't worry".

Chen Liang leaned closer: "Wow, even Su Qing from Football Weekly contacted you privately. She's a well-known beautiful reporter in our football circle."

"It was just an interview."

"An interview?" Chen Liang chuckled. "Why didn't they ask for my contact information?"

Another burst of laughter erupted in the locker room.

Old Li knocked on the door: "Alright, pack your things and go back to the hotel. Get a good rest tonight, we'll review tomorrow morning and train in the afternoon. Wu Shi—"

"arrive."

"Call me before training tomorrow."

"Yes."

On the bus ride back to the hotel, Wu Shi leaned against the window. The Melbourne night view flowed past the window, a continuous expanse of neon lights.

Wu Lei sat beside him, resting with his eyes closed. Suddenly, he spoke up: "You played well today."

Wu Shi turned his head.

"But don't let the media's praise go to your head." Wu Lei's eyes were still closed. "They can rave about you today, but if you play poorly tomorrow, they'll be the harshest critics. That's just how football is."

"I understand, Brother Lei."

"Good, I understand." Wu Lei paused for a moment. "Your free kick was indeed beautiful. But don't take such risks next time. If you miss, all the pressure will be on you."

Wu Shi nodded. He knew Wu Lei was right.

Back at the hotel, Lin Wei waited at the elevator, holding a stack of documents: "Wu Shi, these are media interview requests. Director Li wants you to take a look. There are also a few business cooperation intentions..."

Wu Shi took it; it was a thick stack of papers.

"Rest if you're tired, we'll talk about it tomorrow." Lin Wei saw that he looked exhausted. "Just tell me if you need anything."

"Thank you, Sister Wei."

Upon entering the room, his teammates were watching match footage. Seeing Wu Shi return, one of them paused the video: "Awesome today! Your highlights are all over the internet now."

Wu Shi threw the documents on the bed and slumped onto the sofa.

"Tired?"

"Um."

"It's normal, it's the first international match." My roommate tossed me a bottle of water. "Have some. By the way, did you and Wu Lei practice your teamwork?"

"No, it was decided at the last minute."

"How could a spur-of-the-moment message be so accurate?" My roommate was skeptical. "Are you two on the same wavelength?"

Wu Shi laughed: "Maybe."

He took a shower and lay down. His phone was still vibrating, so he put it on silent.

In the darkness, he stared at the ceiling. Everything that had happened today felt like a movie—the red card, the blind pass, the free kick, the interview, and Su Qing's question about his "ideal type."

In his past life, he sat in front of the screen, watching the national football team lose and cursing. Now, he's on the field.

The road ahead is long. Indonesia, Vietnam, then the knockout stage, the semi-finals, the final, and finally, qualifying for the World Youth Championship.