Chapter 34

After Rong Guang scored the opening goal for São Paulo, breaking the deadlock, the team quickly found their rhythm.

Wearing white jerseys, the "Tricolor" dominated the match at home, defeating the Portuguese 4-0.

Ricardinho orchestrated the midfield with ease, while Baptista diligently defended in the middle.

Luis Fabiano had a strong ability to seize opportunities in the attack, scoring twice.

Of course, there was one person who couldn't be overlooked.

That was Rong Guang.

Although he only scored one goal, his speed was São Paulo's greatest threat.

As long as he roamed behind Luis Fabiano, it was the biggest trouble for the Portuguese.

They didn't dare to leave too much space behind their defense, which would give Rong Guang room to sprint.

But if they tightened their defense, São Paulo's midfield core, Ricardinho, could fully utilize his ability to organize attacks.

Although this player was just a fringe figure in the Brazilian national team, he was indeed a capable player in the domestic league. He was a key player at Corinthians and the organizational core at São Paulo.

The reason he didn't play as a starter in the national team was simply because there were too many talented midfielders in the Brazilian national team... not because he lacked the ability.

In front of the Portuguese's penalty area, he played with ease, delivering sharp passes that tore through the Portuguese defense. Assisting Rong Guang was just one of his brilliant performances.

Oswaldo Oliveira finally showed a relaxed smile on his face.

After four consecutive losses, they achieved a three-game winning streak, and more importantly, Ricardinho's performance in the match reassured him.

Rong Guang thanked the fans on the field with his teammates. He heard some fans awkwardly pronouncing his surname.

"Rong! Rong!"

Not only that, he also saw someone holding a sign with his name on it.

Baptista patted his head: "Good job, Rong. The speed at which you've won the fans' affection is just like your running speed! Next, run to Europe!"

"Europe?" Rong Guang only wanted to stand out in the Brazilian league at the moment. He had never thought about Europe. His understanding of football was still very basic, and he thought Brazilian football was already very strong. As for European football, he had never even heard of it!

Baptista nodded: "That's the ultimate goal for a professional player..." His eyes were filled with longing as he spoke.

"Is it better than Brazil?" Rong Guang asked.

"Of course, that's the highest level of football."

"Does it pay better than Brazil?" Rong Guang continued, more concerned about the money.

Hearing Rong Guang's question, Baptista laughed: "A hundred times more than what you earn now!"

He didn't actually know Rong Guang's current weekly salary.

But Rong Guang's eyes lit up like stars in the night sky after hearing his words.

Rong Guang currently received a weekly salary of 453 reais from São Paulo, with almost no bonuses.

What was a hundred times that? Rong Guang, despite only having attended elementary school, could still calculate it: 45,300 reais per week!

He didn't know how many RMB that would be, but just looking at the number, he knew it wouldn't be small.

This was just what he would earn in a week!

A burning flame rose in Rong Guang's heart, making him eager to go to Europe.

Although he knew nothing about European football, as long as there was a lot of money to be made, that was enough.

Seeing the change in Rong Guang's expression, Luis Fabiano snorted: "Don't have pointless daydreams, rookie. Europe isn't that easy to go to, and even if you go, it might not be better than Brazil!"

Saying that, he walked away with a gloomy face.

Although Fabiano often had a serious demeanor, he rarely showed such a sour face to Rong Guang.

So Rong Guang found it very strange.

"Louis doesn't seem to want me to go to Europe," Rong Guang said to Baptista on the way back to the locker room.

Baptista frowned and shook his head: "It's my fault. I shouldn't have talked about going to Europe in front of Louis..."

"Why?"

"Louis has been to Europe before."

Rong Guang was somewhat surprised. He didn't expect this expressionless teammate to have been to Europe. He looked so young!

Baptista nodded and continued: "Just last year, he was playing for Rennes in France. He was one of the earliest players to go abroad, making his debut in the Brazilian professional league at 15... he became famous early. But his experience in Europe wasn't smooth. Few opportunities to play, few goals. So he was loaned to São Paulo last year. This year, he transferred back directly. Louis's European experience was a failure. He understands the intensity and cruelty of European football better than any of us. I think he's doing it for your own good, Rong. He doesn't want you to go to Europe too early and get lost in the intense competition. Rong, you really have talent, but you need time. Spend a few years in Brazil, and then go to Europe. I believe you will shine in Europe!"

Rong Guang didn't expect Fabiano to have such an experience.

"Is the competition in Europe very intense, Julio?" he asked.

"If the competition in São Paulo's first team is one, then Europe is a hundred. Do you understand the difference?"

Hearing Baptista's analogy, Rong Guang stuck out his tongue.

Is the difference that big?

He didn't say anything.

Baptista thought Rong Guang had accepted his advice and patted his shoulder: "Don't think too much about it now, Rong. Focus on training. The Brazilian league suits you well because it emphasizes individual skills more than Europe, without so many constraints."

Rong Guang nodded.

※※※

"Godinho, how much is 45,300 reais in RMB?" Rong Guang suddenly asked, sitting in the passenger seat, fastening his seatbelt.

Godinho calculated in his head: "About 150,000 RMB. Why?"

"So much?!" Rong Guang was also shocked.

150,000 RMB a week!

His family spent nearly 30,000 RMB to build a new house, so 150,000 RMB would be... five new houses!

His parents had to work hard for four years to save up 30,000 RMB.

If he went to Europe, the money he would earn in a week would be equivalent to what his parents would earn in 20 years of hard work.

He suddenly felt a sense of unreality.

Although he knew professional football was lucrative, he didn't expect it to be this much.

His parents' hard work for a lifetime might not even match what he could earn in half a year...

How unfair...

But, fortunately, he had finally embarked on this path.

Rong Guang made up his mind.

"Godinho, I'm going to Europe!" he said, clenching his fist.

He had completely forgotten Baptista's advice. At 16, he knew no fear, and he was full of confidence and hope for the future.

A young bull is not afraid of tigers.

"Europe? Ha, you'll have to train even harder, Rong," Godinho said, not taking Rong Guang's words too seriously.

His thoughts were similar to Baptista's: Europe was still too far away for Rong Guang at the moment...

※※※

"Rong seems to be training even harder these days..."

"You feel that way too? I have the same feeling..."

"He's a freak. His hard work makes us feel embarrassed not to work hard..."

"He was already working hard, and now he's even more? What's motivating him?"

"Maybe it's Kaka... Kaka has just recovered from his injury, hasn't he?"

"This idiot... why does he have to compete with Kaka? Having such a strong opponent always puts him under immense pressure. What's the point?"

As the São Paulo first team players gradually walked onto the training ground, they were discussing Rong Guang's recent changes.

Rong Guang had somehow become the focus of discussion in the locker room...

The coaches, naturally, also heard these comments.

They had the same feeling about what the players were discussing.

"Rong has been coming earlier and leaving later. Rocha told me that Rong's progress in shooting training is getting bigger and bigger, and he's almost keeping up with Rong's pace," assistant coach Mauro said.

"I can see that," head coach Oswaldo Oliveira nodded.

"Is it Kaka's recovery that's motivating him? He must be worried that he'll become a substitute after Kaka recovers..."

Oswaldo smiled: "Isn't that great? Two people competing and promoting each other. I think it's a happy thing for São Paulo to have two such young talents."

He didn't give a direct answer.

But everyone knew that if nothing unexpected happened, Rong Guang would still start in the next match.

After all, Rong Guang was in good form, and Kaka had just recovered from his injury and hadn't trained much with the team. How could they make Rong Guang a substitute?

This is football, where strength is king.

Without strength, you will be sacrificed, but when you have enough strength, you can change the coach's perception and influence his decisions.

※※※

Kaka received a pass from Renaldo in the team training match and immediately unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area!

The ball flew into the goal guarded by Ceni with a speed that was too fast to react.

The fans gathered outside the training ground screamed and cheered.

"Kaka is awesome!"

"Kaka, I love you!"

Even Correia was among them, waving a Kaka poster and cheering for Kaka with his friends.

Kaka is the best! Such a cool long-range shot, who else could do that?!

Thought the 12-year-old girl.

The training ground erupted due to Kaka's goal, and the cheers continued for a long time.

However, the São Paulo first team players and coaches were used to such scenes.

Renato hugged Kaka: "Great job, Kaka! Show some people your strength!"

His words were clearly directed at Rong Guang.

He might be one of the few stubborn people in the first team...

Kaka smiled.

The coaching staff also discussed Kaka's condition.

"Kaka looks to be in great shape..."

"He seems very motivated."

"I always feel that Rong's excellent performance has motivated him," Oswaldo said. "José told me that he's been training harder in the gym than before..."

The coaches beside him looked surprised: "Kaka considers Rong a rival? That's unlikely, isn't it?"

"It's hard to say. But I'm glad Kaka is so positive. It's good for our team."

Mauro, who hadn't spoken earlier, turned to look at the field. Everyone's focus was on Kaka, but his eyes were on Rong Guang.

Others might find it hard to believe, but Mauro thought it was possible... After Rong Guang's excellent performance in three consecutive matches, even Kaka felt threatened by him!

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