Chapter 16

The intense match was interrupted by a sharp whistle. Tens of thousands of São Paulo fans in the Morumbi Stadium, who had been screaming just a few seconds ago, especially the female fans, now stared at the center of the field in silence. They had been cheering for their idol, Kaká, as he advanced with the ball. But now, most of them had their hands over their mouths, their faces frozen in shock and fear, seemingly unable to believe what they had just witnessed.

Just a few seconds ago, Kaká, who was sprinting with the ball, suddenly stopped and abandoned the chase. Without any opposition, he slowed down abruptly. The ball rolled farther and farther away from him, but he made no move to pursue it. He clutched his thigh, his face contorted in pain. Even a fool could see that he was injured.

"Kaká is injured... From the looks of it, Kaká won't be able to continue the match! What a tragedy! Not just for Kaká, but for São Paulo! Poor Kaká, poor São Paulo! Such an important match, and they face this nightmare just thirty minutes into the game!" Globo TV commentator Galvão Bueno exclaimed in his signature dramatic style.

"São Paulo's luck is truly terrible... Before their 'Derby of the Century' against Corinthians, the news of whether Kaká could recover in time was highly anticipated. When Kaká returned to the training field after the match against Bangu, the scene at Bragança was spectacular! It seemed that with Kaká, São Paulo could defeat Corinthians in this match... But now, Kaká has only played for thirty minutes and has pulled a muscle in his thigh... This is a huge blow to São Paulo." Another commentator, Jeca Taffarel from Globo TV's main rival, Bandeirantes TV, pointed out São Paulo's current predicament with his characteristic calm analysis.

"Waldemar de Oliveira was dismissed by the club after São Paulo's 0-5 defeat to Fluminense. Subsequently, São Paulo brought in Oswaldo de Oliveira from Fluminense, hoping that this coach, who has a short but successful career, could lead the team out of the slump. Unfortunately, Oswaldo's first match in charge saw São Paulo suffer a defeat to the weak Bangu in Rio due to a severely incomplete lineup. The second match was against the strong Corinthians, who currently lead the league by four points over second-placed Palmeiras..."

Jeca Taffarel continued his commentary.

The referee had already paused the match. São Paulo's team doctor, José Sanches, rushed onto the field. Meanwhile, São Paulo's new head coach, Oswaldo de Oliveira, paced anxiously on the sidelines. If Kaká were to be injured again, it would be a double blow to the team's strength and morale.

Damn it!

Oswaldo cursed in his heart. If they lost two consecutive matches, especially the 'Derby of the Century,' it would be hard to explain, and he might follow in Waldemar's footsteps.

***

When Oswaldo was at a loss on the coaching bench, a mocking song suddenly echoed from the stands, which had been silent.

Looking in the direction of the sound, the song came from the away supporters' section. A huge banner hung there, with a black background and a red Corinthians emblem. In front of the emblem was a large eagle's head, and above it was the word "Eagles."

This was Corinthians... no, the largest fan organization in Brazil, "Eagles of Loyalty."

They were Corinthians' most loyal fans, but also one of the most controversial fan organizations in Brazil, similar to Lazio's "Irriducibili."

The fact that they could create such a large presence away from home demonstrated the power of the "Eagles of Loyalty," and it also indirectly showed São Paulo's recent decline—their home ground was being taken over by others...

These most loyal Corinthians fans were singing songs mocking Oswaldo de Oliveira.

"Your championships were all given to you by Corinthians! Without Corinthians, you are nothing! You are nothing!!"

Oswaldo de Oliveira had once coached Corinthians, or rather, the first team he coached in his career was Corinthians.

In 1999, at the age of 49, he coached Corinthians and won the São Paulo State Championship in his first season. In the same year, he also won the Brazilian National Championship. The following year, 2000, he led Corinthians to defeat a European powerhouse and win the first FIFA Club World Cup, becoming world champions!

Such a glorious record should have allowed him to stay at Corinthians for a long time, at least more than a year and a half.

However, in the second half of 2000, after leading the team to the Club World Cup, he left Corinthians.

This was because his relationship with the "Eagles of Loyalty" was very poor.

As the largest fan organization in Brazil, the "Eagles of Loyalty" could influence the team and the club. When the team performed poorly, they would directly attack the team bus to threaten the players. They would also break into the locker room and beat players who disrespected the Corinthians jersey. Their power was so great that they could force the club's board to comply with their demands.

Because of their conflict with Oswaldo de Oliveira, they pressured the club to fire him. The Corinthians board, unable to withstand the pressure, not only fired Oliveira but also called him to apologize and explain.

The "Eagles of Loyalty" took great pleasure in seeing those they disliked suffer. Oswaldo de Oliveira's helplessness made them very happy. They loudly mocked Oliveira, saying that anyone who left Corinthians should not have a good outcome!

Oliveira's fate would make those who offended the "Eagles of Loyalty" think twice—were the "Eagles" someone they could afford to offend?

***

Amid the mocking songs of the "Eagles of Loyalty," Oswaldo de Oliveira turned his gaze to the substitutes' bench. No matter what, he had to make a substitution...

His eyes swept over the faces of the substitute players, most of whom looked pained—just like São Paulo's current situation, painful and even hopeless.

Finally, his gaze settled on Rong Guang's face.

The Chinese player.

Unlike his teammates, his eyes were shining, like stars in the sky.

Oswaldo thought of Rong Guang's speed and his determination...

At this moment, although São Paulo had not yet conceded a goal, the substitutes' faces all showed a sense of "we are already defeated."

Of course, according to conventional wisdom, anyone who understood football could see that São Paulo was in a dire situation. With an incomplete lineup and now the loss of their key player, how could they continue the match?

Rong Guang was a newcomer, and his understanding of football was not yet deep.

But...

Oswaldo remembered the youth team match he had watched. In a situation where any football expert would have given up, Rong Guang had fought back...

Perhaps it was precisely because he was a newcomer, who knew nothing, that he could rewrite people's common sense and create the "impossible" when faced with "impossibility." Because he knew nothing, he was less constrained.

At this moment, perhaps what he needed was this... newcomer?

He beckoned to Rong Guang: "You, go warm up!"

***

The São Paulo fans in the stands fell silent. The waving flags had long since drooped. Kaká was the team's savior, the guarantee that São Paulo would defeat Corinthians at home. The fans had pinned all their hopes on him to beat Corinthians.

They never expected that he would only last thirty minutes before being injured again...

The Corinthians fans in the stands continued to sing provocatively. But this time, few São Paulo fans responded with determination. They were worried about Kaká's injury and São Paulo's fate in this match.

Would it be another 0-5 defeat?

The match against Fluminense replayed in their minds.

The São Paulo fans, who were now disheartened, only saw Kaká limping off the field, completely unaware that a stranger, after a brief warm-up, had already returned to the coaching bench, where head coach Oswaldo de Oliveira was giving him instructions.

Only Rong Guang's agent, Godo, noticed, as his eyes had not left Rong Guang since he was called to warm up.

He saw Oswaldo pulling him aside and giving him instructions.

His eyes widened.

What he had jokingly said before the match had actually come true!

Rong Guang was really going to play in such an important match!

The world was too crazy... Had he lost touch with the pace?

This...

Godo was unsure whether Rong Guang's opportunity to play in this match was a good thing or a bad thing. He was worried that Rong Guang would be crushed by the immense pressure, but deep down, he also felt a glimmer of hope—what if the kid really succeeded? Wasn't that what he had hoped for? Hadn't he worked so hard for months, begging and pleading, just to see Rong Guang succeed and become famous?

Watching Rong Guang, who was eager to play, Godo felt a mix of emotions.