Chapter 50

When Kaká saw Rongguang, who always seemed to be full of energy, again in the first team's dressing room, he thought about what his father had said.

"Personally, I prefer to call it competitiveness."

Competitiveness?

Kaká understood competitiveness. Did this mean he was treating Rongguang as a rival and was unwilling to lose to him?

But... how could he possibly treat a rookie who had only been playing football for four months as a rival?

Kaká was at a loss.

Moreover, how could a rookie who had only been playing football for four months pose a real threat to him?

Kaká felt his father was right.

Or rather, he was even more unwilling to believe that he was being petty.

Competitiveness was at least a positive trait.

Fine, even if I treat him as a rival because he is hardworking and improving quickly, it's not entirely unreasonable.

But why do I feel from the bottom of my heart that he might threaten me?

This question left Kaká without an answer.

Even if Rongguang is improving quickly, there is still a seven to eight-year gap between us. Rongguang is working hard, but am I not working hard? I have been training harder than usual.

How could Rongguang catch up to me?

In what way could he possibly threaten me?

Kaká shook his head lightly.

He decided not to worry about these things he couldn't understand.

Anyway, I won't let him surpass me.

He remembered Rongguang's words: "I will beat you, Kaká, I will definitely beat you!"

Want to beat me?

Not that easy!

※※※

The 40,000-capacity Pacaembu Stadium, the home ground of Palmeiras, was packed. Looking around, the stands were almost entirely green.

This green extended from the stands to the pitch, almost forming a continuous sea.

These green colors were the fans of Palmeiras, who cheered for their team non-stop during the match, becoming the best 12th man.

"The match is at the 70th minute... the score is 2-2! São Paulo has two away goals. If this score holds until the end, São Paulo will advance to the final on away goals!"

The commentator Bueno said loudly.

"In the first leg of the semi-final a week ago, São Paulo was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Palmeiras. At that time, everyone was saying that São Paulo might be eliminated by Palmeiras in the semi-final... but who would have thought the match would turn out like this? In what was supposed to be a sure home win, Palmeiras was scored against twice by Kaká! Kaká's form is outstanding! The day when Scolari announces the final 23-man squad for the World Cup is getting closer, which might have spurred Kaká on..."

At the 72nd minute, amidst the loud cheers of the Palmeiras fans, Palmeiras made their second and third substitutions of the half.

Their coach brought on two attacking players, the 35-year-old veteran Zinho and the Colombian international Carlos Alberto Castro.

This was a last-ditch effort!

Just as these two players came on, São Paulo's Oswaldo made a substitution.

Rongguang came on for Kaká!

Substituting the player who scored two goals, Kaká, for Rongguang!

"Ha!" Bueno couldn't help but laugh when he saw this substitution. "After Kaká scored the equalizing goal, I was thinking when Oswaldo would bring on Rong. Sure enough, it happened! Picherni's substitution was in vain!"

Bueno was so certain for a reason.

The match against Santos clearly demonstrated this. When São Paulo needed to ensure the safety of their goal, there was nothing safer than bringing on Rongguang in the final moments of the match.

After the match against Santos, in the first leg of the semi-final at home against Palmeiras, Rongguang did not get a chance to play because the last ten minutes saw Palmeiras defending and São Paulo desperately trying to score. There was no need for Rongguang to solve any problems.

But this match was different.

When they needed to hold onto the draw, Rongguang came on.

Kaká, who was exhausted, was substituted off, though he was very reluctant. His stamina could no longer support him.

Despite the head coach Oswaldo shaking his hand and praising his performance, and despite scoring two goals, he still couldn't be happy.

He was unwilling to be substituted every time due to lack of stamina and hoped to play the full match.

He needed to improve his stamina!

Kaká, feeling frustrated, returned to the bench, sat down, and watched the pitch, making a decision in his heart.

He clenched his fists, but found he couldn't muster the strength... he was really tired.

※※※

Seeing Rongguang come on, the Corintians coach couldn't help but curse.

This was what he least wanted to see, but clearly Oswaldo wasn't a fool and would definitely bring on Rongguang at this moment.

His speed was the most threatening weapon. As long as he was on the pitch, Palmeiras couldn't attack with full force.

Sure enough, Palmeiras quickly adjusted, having to retreat to defend. The two attacking players who had just come on lost their significance and became mere defensive players...

If they didn't retreat, their goal would likely be breached by Rongguang!

No one dared to take that risk.

If Rongguang scored a goal now, it would be all over.

But if they didn't attack, the chances of scoring were slim...

For Palmeiras, the match was too painful.

They had brought on two attacking players, ready to launch a full-scale attack.

But now, before they could unleash their energy, they had to retreat.

They couldn't use their strength and could only watch as the match time ticked away.

It was a case of wanting to fight but being powerless to change the outcome...

Damn! How did São Paulo get such a freak?

Clearly, he was just a fast rookie, but why did he make it impossible for us to advance?

※※※

"Ha! São Paulo's trump card! Rong has become a strategic weapon for São Paulo, with a deterrent effect far greater than its practical use!" Bueno was very happy in the commentary booth, as he had predicted, Palmeiras retreated.

This was too interesting!

A single Rongguang forced the powerful Palmeiras to retreat and not dare to attack. They only needed one more goal to eliminate São Paulo...

The match, which was about to become intense, suddenly turned into a comedy—despite wanting to attack, Palmeiras had to retreat, allowing São Paulo to pass the ball slowly, not daring to press forward. The scene was as ridiculous as it could be.

※※※

"Another chance for me to make a difference!" Rongguang was quite excited when he came on.

But soon he realized the match wasn't as simple as he thought.

He hardly got the ball...

His teammates didn't pass the ball to him.

This was not because he was unpopular in the team.

Although Rongguang scored in the match against Santos, after two weeks of training, everyone could see that he hadn't fully mastered ball control. His goal against Santos had a lot of luck involved.

If they passed the ball to him in the match, who knew if his luck would be good or bad?

The risk of passing the ball to him was too high, basically meaning they would lose possession.

So they occasionally sent through balls, regardless of whether Rongguang could receive them.

Rongguang chased every through ball, regardless of whether he could receive it...

Even if it was heading towards the touchline, Rongguang would run, all the way until the ball went out of bounds or was caught by the goalkeeper.

Each time he didn't get the ball, it made him very frustrated.

"Pass the ball more accurately!" he shouted at his teammates.

Hearing this, his teammates rolled their eyes.

They really didn't dare to pass accurately...

If they let him run like that, he would still pose a threat to Palmeiras.

Once he got the ball, it would be a problem!

"Pass the ball to me! Pass to me!" Rongguang waved his arms on the pitch, signaling his teammates to pass to him.

His teammates pretended to ignore him...

The Palmeiras players around him looked at him with unfriendly eyes.

The more Rongguang did this, the more nervous they became... and the less they dared to attack.

In the end, Palmeiras only launched a full-scale attack in the last three to four minutes of the match—by then, it didn't matter if they conceded a goal.

But time was running out, and they were powerless.

Before they could break through São Paulo's defense, the match ended.

"The match is over! São Paulo held Palmeiras to a 2-2 draw away from home! The total score is 3-3, and they advanced to the final on away goals! Look at the expressions of the Palmeiras players... they must feel frustrated, as they still had energy left when the match ended!"

But it wasn't just the Palmeiras players who felt frustrated...

Rongguang was still complaining as he came off the pitch: "I haven't even broken a sweat, and the match is over?"

※※※

Rongguang's performance in the last ten minutes of the match was a microcosm of the match—he wasn't the star, but his role was important.

The focus of the match was clearly Kaká, who scored two goals!

After the match, Luís Fabiano nudged Kaká with his elbow, pointing to the stands.

Kaká followed his gaze and saw the head coach of the Brazilian national team, Scolari.

Big Phil stood in the crowd, not clapping, just looking at him.

But just that expression was enough to make Kaká excited!

Luís Fabiano winked at him.

Everyone knew what that meant.

While Kaká and his teammates were happy or excited about Scolari's attention,

Rongguang was still complaining about not getting many good opportunities.

"Damn! I'm not satisfied yet! This is so frustrating!"

He was completely unaware of the World Cup, the Brazilian national team, and the topic everyone was most concerned about during this period.

※※※

The next day, whether it was the "Lance," "Placar," or the "Folha de São Paulo," all made Kaká the headline.

They praised Kaká to the fullest.

This time, "Lance" and "Placar" agreed on this issue.

Although Rongguang was also important to São Paulo, no one could deny that Kaká was the top star of São Paulo at the moment.

After overcoming Palmeiras, São Paulo's opponent in the final was Corinthians.

The two teams met again.

The first leg of the final would be held on May 5th at São Paulo's home ground.

But not many people were concerned about this final.

Because before that, there was something more important to everyone.

Not just in São Paulo, but the whole of Brazil was closely watching.

That was the final 23-man squad for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, to be announced on May 4th!

Who would be the lucky 23?

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