Chapter 27

Grayson Ferreira de Oliveira Andrade is a journalist with considerable influence in São Paulo. As the star reporter for *Scoreboard*, his views are often sharp and professional.

As a journalist, he has criticized many people, even publicly scolding the former coach of the Brazilian national team, Luxemburgo.

However, he has many supporters because his criticisms are professional and well-reasoned.

His criticism is characterized by its credibility, logic, and persuasiveness.

His article criticizing Rong Guang also maintained his usual style, being well-reasoned and evidence-based.

Even if you don't like his words, you can't deny that he makes a lot of sense.

He analyzed Rong Guang's performance in the match, explaining why he doesn't believe Rong is a genius but just lucky.

Many people agreed with his analysis because he addressed many of their doubts. In the midst of the "genius" hype, others had similar questions but lacked Grayson's eloquence to express them as well.

Now that Grayson has spoken, they support him.

From that match, Rong Guang's performance indeed seemed to be heavily influenced by luck.

If he really hadn't learned how to shoot, then his goal was purely a fluke. And that's exactly what happened.

Grayson pointed out that through slow-motion analysis, Rong's shooting technique and footwork were incorrect. According to his movements, the ball should have flown over the crossbar.

In fact, the ball almost did fly over the crossbar, which confirmed Grayson's analysis.

What did Rong show in that goal besides speed? Speed alone doesn't make a good player.

He had three touches in that attack, and the first two were just poking the ball.

What technique is there in that?

None. He didn't demonstrate any ball control or dribbling skills in that attack.

The final shot was also a fluke—what else could it be?

If you asked him to do it again?

Not just once, but a hundred times, and he wouldn't be able to replicate that goal!

Apart from that goal, in the rest of the match, he only showed his speed, with nothing else to support his "genius" label.

Grayson's analysis, like peeling an onion, stripped away the "genius" halo around Rong Guang, dispelling the public's迷信.

He reduced the "genius" Rong Guang to a very ordinary rookie.

He told everyone that Rong Guang is not a genius but just a lucky outsider!

"Grayson really went all out with his criticism..."

"His words make me think Rong isn't a genius either..."

"Is being a genius so cheap? Anyone can be called a genius!"

"*Lance* really disappointed me this time. They were too excited... Maybe they were pushed too hard by *Scoreboard*?"

After reading Grayson's article, many readers shared these thoughts.

***

"Coelho, have you read Grayson's article *Don't Abuse the Term 'Genius'*?" The door to the office opened, and Flavio Leite, the deputy head of the football department at *Lance*, walked in.

Coelho Alexandre Costa had just put down *Scoreboard*.

Flavio saw it immediately.

"Looks like you've read it. What do you think of Grayson's article?"

Despite their competitive relationship, Coelho didn't completely dismiss the article, which clearly targeted him.

"There's some truth to it. Rong's success does have a significant element of luck," Coelho said, tapping the table. "But that's precisely why we should pay more attention to him, more so than ever. Let's see how far this rookie can go."

Coelho thought of Rong Guang's confidence.

Let's wait and see.

***

Different people can draw different conclusions from *Lance*'s interview. Grayson saw exaggeration.

Eduardo Simões, the football director of Corinthians, saw malice...

In the *Lance* interview, Godo specifically talked about how he sought opportunities for Rong Guang in São Paulo's teams.

He emphasized Corinthians.

"… After discovering Rong, the first team I thought of was Corinthians, as I am a Corinthians supporter. But when I brought Rong to Corinthians for a trial, the team I support didn't even give us a chance! Corinthians' football director Eduardo Simões arrogantly rejected my request. His reason was absurd. Just because Rong is Chinese, he doesn't think Rong can play football! This is the most ridiculous rejection I've ever heard! It's no different from when football in Brazil was just starting and they refused to let any black people join. This is discrimination, blatant discrimination!"

When Simões read Godo's words in the newspaper, his face turned pale. Racial discrimination is a serious issue, especially in a multi-racial country like Brazil, where it is highly sensitive.

Godo's accusation was very serious!

If proven true, he could lose his job!

"This bastard…" Simões, who never expected Godo to do this, cursed in his office, gritting his teeth.

At that moment, Grayson's rebuttal article saved his life.

Like a drowning man grabbing a branch, he quickly read Grayson's article and then reread it several times.

He then praised it in his office.

"Great job, Grayson! Truly a renowned journalist in São Paulo! So professional! Yes! What is that Chinese guy, a so-called genius? He's just a lucky outsider!"

At that moment, the phone in his office rang.

It was the club president, Alberto Dualibi.

His tone was not good: "Eduardo, I want to know why that Chinese kid came to Corinthians for a trial…"

If Simões hadn't read Grayson's article, he would have been speechless, not knowing how to answer his president.

But after reading Grayson's article, he was convinced that Rong Guang was not a genius, and he spoke more confidently.

"Yes, Mr. President. He did come to Corinthians for a trial, but a Chinese kid who hadn't touched a football until he was sixteen, logically, couldn't have a future. So I rejected their trial request."

"But now he has become the culprit who disgraces us! Everyone is laughing at us for letting a genius slip away! And this genius has given us a fatal blow!" Dualibi shouted.

Simões calmly replied: "That was just a fluke, Mr. President. Have you read the article *Don't Abuse the Term 'Genius'* by journalist Grayson?"

"Huh?" Dualibi didn't understand how the conversation had shifted to a journalist's article.

"… In fact, Rong is not a genius; he's just lucky. We lost to him because we didn't know him well enough. Once we understand him, I believe the next time we face him, he won't be able to cause any trouble—of course, if he even makes it to the São Paulo first team and we face him again…"

Simões summarized the main points of Grayson's article for Dualibi.

Dualibi was silent for a moment, then said, "Have someone bring this issue of *Scoreboard* to my office."

"Sure, Mr. President." Simões smiled.

He thought he had convinced the club president.

A major crisis had been perfectly resolved!

He even admired himself.

At the same time, he believed even more in the correctness of Grayson's article.

Chinese genius?

Just a stroke of luck!

The next match will reveal his true colors!

***

Although Coelho Costa didn't respond to Grayson's article, the debate over whether Rong Guang was a genius still arose in the media.

Other media outlets followed up, expressing concern about Rong Guang's success in the match and what would happen next.

If Rong Guang had a solid foundation and seven or eight years of professional football training, the media's concerns wouldn't be an issue, and no one would worry about it.

But when this happens to a rookie who has only been playing football for a little over a month, the situation is different.

His success is more easily seen as a fluke.

It was because people didn't know him well enough that he emerged and made a name for himself.

But once everyone knows he's just a rookie who has only been playing football for a little over a month, what will happen in the next match?

Under immense pressure, can he still perform well?

The media's exposure has taken away his biggest weapon—mystery.

What will he do next?

Everyone decided to wait and see the next match.

Whether Rong Guang is a genius or just a rookie with a false reputation might be revealed in the next match…

***

The media debate didn't affect Rong Guang much.

He didn't have time to read newspapers because he spent all his time training.

When the team resumed training after the break, Rong Guang noticed a change in his teammates' attitudes.

When he met Rico outside the locker room, Rico no longer avoided him and even greeted him warmly.

The match the day before seemed to have dispelled many of Rico's concerns.

Rong Guang, though not well-educated or experienced, was not stupid.

He had already seen through many things from Rico's attitude changes.

But he never pointed them out.

Rico greeted him warmly, and he responded warmly, showing no difference from before.

Walking into the locker room with Rico, Baptista also greeted them warmly.

Luís Fabiano, though still expressionless, nodded at him.

These changes spoke volumes.

He had won over more and more of his teammates with his outstanding performance. Their initial coldness had turned into friendliness, indicating that they recognized and accepted Rong Guang as their teammate.

In the locker room, others were discussing Kaká's injury.

Kaká's second injury should have been big news, but the media was flooded with reports and debates about Rong Guang, overshadowing Kaká's injury.

"Apparently, it's a muscle strain, and he'll need to rest for a few matches…"

"Two matches? Three matches?"

"Whatever the number, it's bad luck… The final 23-man World Cup squad will be announced in May. It's uncertain if this injury will affect Kaká's selection… The competition is already fierce, and now he's injured twice, which might make people doubt his durability…"

Although Rong Guang had won limited friendliness in the locker room with his outstanding performance in one match, the focus was still on Kaká, even though he was injured. Kaká remained the center of attention.

***

On the training ground, head coach Oswaldo Oliveira confirmed everyone's suspicions.

"There's some bad news, guys. Kaká has a muscle strain and will need to rest for two weeks. Ricardinho's recovery is also not optimistic, so we'll have to play a defensive counter-attack strategy."

Hearing this, everyone looked at Rong Guang instead of the coach.

They all thought of the defensive counter-attack against Corinthians.

Whether they liked or disliked Rong Guang, they had to admit that his speed was crucial in winning against Corinthians.

Even Oswaldo looked at Rong Guang.

"Rong, from now on, you'll need to undergo specialized shooting training—this isn't the kind of practice where you kick against a wall."

Rong Guang's eyes lit up as if he had seen money and delicious food!

Shooting training!

The skill he had been longing for since his first day at São Paulo was finally within reach!

He no longer had to imagine it on the rooftop; he could practice it in official training sessions.

Thinking about this, Rong Guang was very excited.

"Absolutely no problem, sir! Just watch me!" he replied with determination.

Oswaldo smiled.

The rookie's enthusiasm was high, and it might subtly influence others.

Although São Paulo had defeated Corinthians at home, Oswaldo knew the crisis was far from over.

At this critical moment, if the team's morale was high, it would make his job much easier.

In this sense, Rong Guang was exactly what the first team needed now…

The other players looked at Rong Guang, knowing he had been entrusted with an important role by the coach.

But after his "great match" (as described by *Lance* journalist Coelho), he deserved this treatment.

No one would be foolish enough to question the coach's decision, no matter how annoyed or dismissive they were of Rong Guang.

Whether Rong Guang truly deserved this treatment would be seen in the next match…

The next match would be the real test for Rong Guang!

As for the match against Corinthians, it was a fluke—many first-team players, especially those who were annoyed with Rong Guang, still thought this.

Rong Guang, however, had no such thoughts or worries. He was just thrilled to finally be able to practice shooting.

Some people, seeing his happy expression, thought to themselves—ignorance is bliss…

Rico looked at Rong Guang enviously, clenching his fists.

Rong Guang has already caught the coach's attention; I need to work hard too!

After all, I'm a player for the Brazilian U-19 national team (even if not a starter), and I can't let a rookie get too far ahead!