Chapter 52

Pacaembu Stadium often changes its identity. During the semi-finals of the Rio-São Paulo Championship, it was the home ground of Palmeiras, and now, for the final, it has transformed into the home ground of Corinthians.

In fact, it belongs neither to Palmeiras nor to Corinthians.

It is entirely owned by the São Paulo municipal government.

Palmeiras and Corinthians merely rent the stadium.

In Brazilian football, this is a very common phenomenon. Not every football club, like São Paulo, owns a large stadium of its own.

In Rio de Janeiro, the famous Maracanã is the home ground for several Rio de Janeiro teams.

Pacaembu Stadium was also packed today, as this was the last match of the Rio-São Paulo Championship this season.

Who will win the championship depends on this match.

"… From the current situation, it is clear that Corinthians has the advantage… In the first leg of the final, Corinthians defeated São Paulo 3-2 away, and the score is now 0-0. If this score holds until halftime, Corinthians will win the championship!"

"São Paulo's team seems somewhat distracted… This is a match that will decide their fate! Whether the defending champions can end the Rio-São Paulo Championship with a two-peat depends on this match! But the players of São Paulo are not in form! This is really a matter of life and death!"

"Not just this match, but from the previous match, São Paulo has seemed out of form… especially their core player, Kaká. In the first leg of the final, Kaká was completely out of form, and was substituted off after 70 minutes with no contribution… After the match, many media outlets believed that Kaká's poor form was the main reason for São Paulo's home defeat to Corinthians… Since being selected for the 23-man Brazil national team for the World Cup, Kaká has faced a lot of criticism and controversy. I think this controversy is the main reason for Kaká's poor form…"

The commentator analyzed the previous match thoroughly.

Kaká's poor performance in the previous match was indeed the main reason for the team's loss.

As the rising star of São Paulo, Kaká has always been known for his sunny and cheerful personality.

It seemed that nothing could make him worried.

When everyone discovered that Kaká could also be troubled, his mood affected the entire team.

His form also affected the team's form.

In the first leg of the final, São Paulo had a good start, leading by a goal within ten minutes.

But they then collapsed under the constant pressure from Corinthians, ultimately losing 2-3.

The home defeat pushed São Paulo to the brink.

Not only were they behind in the aggregate score, but they also allowed Corinthians to score three away goals.

Logically, São Paulo should have fought back in the second leg, with their backs against the wall.

But…

Even now, there is no sign of São Paulo's fighting spirit.

The match has been going on for almost 60 minutes, and the score is still 0-0. Corinthians has the advantage in the aggregate score, and this is their home ground, so they don't need to rush. They deliberately slowed down the pace, which is in their best interest.

But why is São Paulo, who should be eager to score, also slowing down the pace?

***

"Kaká's form is really worrying…" Assistant coach Mauro shook his head. "Is he still unable to get over the criticism?"

Oswaldo frowned and said, "Being criticized and condemned by the whole of Brazil… the pressure is indeed too great. Kaká is just 20 years old, he is still a young man."

"Then what do we do? Are we just going to watch the team lose this most important match?" Mauro asked.

Oswaldo fell silent.

He had no solution.

Kaká has always been a player who can boost the team's morale. His sunny personality and charisma make everyone willing to follow him. His emotions naturally influence the other players.

Now that Kaká is being criticized, the other São Paulo players also feel the same way.

It's as if they are sinking with Kaká, feeling depressed…

Mauro turned to look at the substitutes' bench and noticed that many of the players there had the same expression—like they were under immense pressure.

He clicked his tongue.

Then he saw Rongguang.

The rookie was frowning, clenching his fists, and sitting on the substitutes' bench.

Just by his expression, he didn't seem different from his teammates, but his fists were clenched.

Is he also feeling the same way as Kaká?

Mauro, who knew the relationship between Rongguang and Kaká, smirked: I don't believe it!

Then what does this expression mean?

***

Rongguang watched the São Paulo players on the field, who showed no fighting spirit, and frowned.

We lost by one goal in the first leg, and so far in this match, there's no sign that the team has a chance to win…

Is my first championship going to slip away from me?

He remembered what Godo said to him after eliminating Palmeiras.

"Rong, this is a great opportunity, we've made it to the final!"

"What do you mean, Godo?"

"If you can win the championship, you will gain more fame, which will help you secure a better contract. The members of a championship team and those of a non-championship team are completely different. If you want to earn more money, this championship is very important for you, Rong."

Rongguang didn't understand the difference between championship and non-championship players.

But when it came to money, he understood immediately.

To earn more money, he must win this championship!

Championship equals money!

This equation was firmly established in Rongguang's mind.

So he was more eager for the Rio-São Paulo Championship title than any other player on the team.

In the first leg, he didn't get a chance to play.

He sat on the bench for 90 minutes, watching the team lose 2-3 to Corinthians.

Since São Paulo wasn't leading or needed to secure a draw in the final moments, there was no need for Rongguang to come on.

Seeing the team lose despite a good start, Rongguang was very frustrated.

He thought this match would be a do-or-die battle to turn the tide, but what was the result?

It was the same as the previous match… No! Even worse!

In the previous match, we at least scored two goals… but in this match? There hasn't been a single decent, threatening shot!

Rongguang, though a rookie, had played nine professional matches and had a basic understanding of football. He could tell the difference.

São Paulo's performance was clearly poor.

Damn it! My championship!

My money!

Can't you guys take this seriously?!

He saw colorful banknotes sprouting wings and flying away, getting farther and farther…

So Rongguang clenched his fists, frowned, and angrily stared at the players on the field, especially Kaká.

Aren't you the team's core player? How can you perform so poorly?

***

Kaká received the ball in the center of the field, intending to pass forward, but he hesitated and missed the best passing opportunity. His path forward was quickly blocked by Corinthians' defenders.

Not only could he not pass, but he couldn't even move forward with the ball.

However, Kaká still didn't choose to pass, neither a lateral pass nor a back pass.

Facing the pressure from Corinthians' players, he chose to dribble laterally, moving from the center to the sideline.

"Wrong choice," commentator Cafurei shook his head.

During the lateral dribble, Kaká still couldn't find a way to pass the ball forward. Whether he dribbled or passed, it was impossible.

Corinthians' defensive midfielder Vampeta followed him closely.

At this moment, if he passed the ball, he could break through Corinthians' defense. Vampeta was right next to him!

But Kaká didn't do that at all.

His vision narrowed, and he couldn't see his teammates around him.

In the end, he was forced to the sideline by Vampeta. There was no space left to pass the ball.

He tried to force a breakthrough but found that Vampeta didn't give him the chance.

So he suddenly changed his mind, stopped abruptly, and used his right heel to flick the ball backward.

He wanted to turn and go around from the inside.

Vampeta didn't give him that chance.

When he flicked the ball backward and turned, Vampeta saw through his strategy and turned as well.

Blocking Kaká again!

Kaká was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Vampeta to see through his feint so quickly…

Vampeta took advantage of his moment of hesitation and decisively tackled the ball.

The ball was kicked by Vampeta and then hit by Kaká's raised right foot, sending it out of bounds.

Kaká was also tackled out of the field by Vampeta.

"Is it a foul?! No! The referee signaled for a throw-in for Corinthians!"

"Although the tackle looked fierce, it wasn't a foul… Kaká was too attached to the ball. After being caught by Vampeta near the sideline, he should have quickly passed the ball, even a backward pass. But he didn't do that. He insisted on moving forward, and this is the result… he and the ball fell out of bounds!"

"Truly embarrassing…" Seeing Kaká fall to the ground with a bewildered look, Cafurei couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

***

"Kaká… oh—" The loyal fans in the stands covered their mouths, tears welling up in their eyes. Some even shed tears.

Kore and her friends were like this.

Seeing Kaká being tackled out of the field by Vampeta, they couldn't help but feel heartache for him.

When Kaká was selected for the Brazil national team, they celebrated, feeling happy for him.

But who would have thought that this would not be a good thing for Kaká, but a bad one?

Subsequently, a flood of criticism came at Kaká, and his form deteriorated day by day.

Seeing Kaká like this, his fans were heartbroken.

The sunny and spirited young man who ran like the wind on the field was nowhere to be seen.

His eyes were filled with deep confusion.

A shadow loomed over his head, blocking the bright sun.

Even though the weather in São Paulo had been good recently, with clear skies and pleasant autumn weather, Kaká seemed to be living in a cold winter…

Seeing Kaká sink day by day, Kore and her friends felt heartache.

They would even trade their happiness for Kaká's bright smile!

But they couldn't. They could only watch helplessly as Kaká fell to the ground on the field.

Someone reached out to Kaká, as if trying to help him up.

But their hands only grasped air.

Through her tear-filled eyes, Kore suddenly saw a figure appear next to Kaká, looking down at him from above…

Is that the bastard?!

She widened her eyes in surprise.

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