Chapter 71

The day after tomorrow is August 10th, the first round of the Brazilian National Championship.

Although it's not the last training session before the match, every player is giving it their all during the training.

Because they all know that after this training, the list of eighteen players for the first round of the National Championship will be announced.

Even though everyone's condition and performance have been demonstrated over the past month of training and friendly matches, and the head coach has a good idea of the situation, everyone still hopes to seize this last opportunity to show their best.

Especially those who feel their positions are not secure are working even harder, hoping to win the head coach's trust and secure a spot on the team.

When the training ended, Kaká supported himself with his hands on his knees, bending over and panting heavily, looking very tired.

"You don't need to work so hard, Kaká," Renaldo said, patting his back. "If you can't make the list, there must be something wrong with the world, right?" He made a joke that wasn't very funny.

Kaká shook his head and didn't answer.

How could Renaldo know that Kaká's goal wasn't just to make the list of eighteen, but to be in the starting lineup?

He returned to the team and started training on the 12th.

It's been about a month now. During this month, he has developed a strong sense of crisis.

He always feels that if he doesn't work hard, he might even lose his starting position...

Logically, as a player who participated in the World Cup, he is the undisputed core of the team, and he shouldn't have such worries. In São Paulo, no one can threaten his position.

But he has this feeling, especially after seeing Rong Guang's performance in training.

That kid, of course, isn't as good as him. Kaká is confident about that.

But why does he feel that this kid poses a significant threat to him?

For this reason, he trains with all his might.

He doesn't dare to relax his standards every day.

Even though the head coach, Oswaldo Oliveira, and the assistant coach, Mauro, have advised him to rest and not work so hard, Kaká can't listen.

In his heart, there is a sense of crisis. He feels as if a fierce tiger is chasing him from behind, and if he slows down, he will be caught and devoured.

This feeling surprises Kaká.

Just a few months ago, that kid was just a beginner he didn't take seriously. How can he now make him feel genuinely threatened?

Especially in the past two months, after returning from the World Cup, he has noticed a significant improvement in Rong Guang.

It's as if he can't recognize him anymore.

He originally thought that after experiencing the highest level of world football, his skills and knowledge would have greatly improved.

But who knew that upon returning, Rong Guang's improvement was even greater!

What happened to the Chinese rookie during the month he was away at the World Cup?

Kaká can't figure it out.

After the training ended, the head coach, Oswaldo, announced the list of eighteen players for the match against Botafogo.

As expected, Kaká was on the list, and so was Rong Guang.

Renaldo even spread his hands at Kaká: "See, you worked so hard, and you're still on the list. What are you worried about?"

Kaká didn't look at him but instead focused his gaze on Rong Guang behind him.

After announcing the list of eighteen players, Oswaldo didn't immediately dismiss everyone. Instead, he said, "Kaká, stay behind for a moment."

Everyone turned to look at Kaká, but they didn't pay much attention and soon turned their attention back.

After the World Cup, Kaká has become the core of the team, even showing a trend to replace Ricardinho. It's normal for the head coach to keep him back before the first match to give him some instructions...

But then Oswaldo pointed at Rong Guang. "Oh, Rong, and you, stay behind for a moment too."

The expressions of the players became complicated.

Kaká is kept back because he is the core of the team, and it's normal to give him some instructions before the match.

But what does it mean to keep Rong Guang back?

What is there to instruct a substitute?

This time, Kaká also turned to look at Rong Guang.

He seems to have a premonition from the head coach's unusual action...

※※※

Although Oswaldo called two people, he didn't intend to talk to them at the same time.

He first called Kaká into his office, and Rong Guang waited outside.

"Participating in a World Cup in Asia must have been tiring, right?" Oswaldo didn't get straight to the point but started chatting with Kaká.

Kaká quickly shook his head: "No, not at all, sir!"

He sensed something not quite right from this opening and had to go against the head coach's intention to avoid things going in a bad direction.

But is the head coach's intention so easy to reverse?

Oswaldo smiled slightly: "No need to be tough, Kaká. We have scientific test results, and we have a conclusion about your physical condition. Both Mauro and I have reminded you multiple times during training to rest. But you always seem very urgent. I don't quite understand what could make you so anxious..."

Kaká's face turned a bit unnatural when he heard this.

He can't tell the head coach that he's worried about Rong Guang surpassing him, can he?

"Since you're not willing to rest, I have to force you to rest. So, Kaká, you'll have to sit on the bench for the match after tomorrow."

Kaká was stunned. The thing he feared the most finally happened.

Why did I work so hard in training and refuse to rest? Wasn't it to keep my starting position?

But I still lost my starting position...

Doesn't that make my efforts over the past month a joke?

I can't accept that.

"Sir, my physical condition is completely fine, and my state is very good. I believe I have the ability to start the match," he quickly defended himself.

He sensed that losing his starting position in the first match would be very dangerous for him.

So he was trying to persuade his head coach.

But Oswaldo had clearly thought it through and wasn't easily swayed.

"You need to rest, Kaká. I'm not questioning your ability or state, but you need to rest. Haven't you forgotten the frequent injuries you suffered in the first half of the year?"

Hearing this, Kaká opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

The injuries in the first half of the year were indeed his pain.

How did Rong Guang rise to prominence?

Wasn't it because the injuries gave him the opportunity to come off the bench?

Since then, that Chinese rookie has been like a wild horse, out of control, and rising rapidly.

If I get injured again, will the now stronger Rong Guang give me another chance to catch up?

Kaká nodded with difficulty: "I will recover my fitness as soon as possible, sir."

Oswaldo nodded: "Don't rush, Kaká. Don't worry. As long as you rest well, you will return to the starting lineup."

Although Oswaldo doesn't know what the future holds, he naturally had to give such empty promises to calm Kaká down.

※※※

The door to the office was pushed open, and Kaká came out. He saw Rong Guang waiting at the door.

"Sir called you in," Kaká relayed the message from the head coach to Rong Guang.

Rong Guang didn't walk in immediately but suddenly asked, "What did he say to you?"

To Kaká, this question was like rubbing salt in his wound...

So he refused to answer and said to Rong Guang with a faint voice, "You'll know when you go in."

After saying that, he walked past Rong Guang.

Rong Guang turned to look at his back and made a face. "Pfft, what's so great about it!"

Then he turned and walked into the head coach's office.

※※※

"I'm starting?" Rong Guang was stunned, repeating the head coach Oswaldo's words.

"Yes, you'll start this match, Rong," Oswaldo nodded to confirm.

"Yay!" Rong Guang couldn't control his emotions and punched the air in front of the head coach.

He suddenly remembered why Kaká looked so unhappy when he came out...

If I'm starting, that means Kaká will be on the bench, right?

Finally, I've pushed that guy to the bench, hahaha!

Although the season hasn't officially started, Rong Guang felt as if he had already won the ultimate championship.

Seeing Rong Guang so happy, Oswaldo knew he was right.

Given the relationship between Rong Guang and Kaká, it's easy to foster competition between them.

He hopes to have such healthy competition in his team, which is good for everyone.

※※※

When Rong Guang left the office happily, he met the assistant coach, Mauro, outside the door.

Seeing Mauro, Rong Guang quickly reined in his overjoyed emotions and acted a bit more composed.

It's strange, but he is somewhat afraid of this assistant coach who personally decided to recruit him into the São Paulo youth team.

"Good day, sir," he stopped to greet Mauro.

Mauro nodded: "Go on." He waved his hand.

Rong Guang quickly ran off.

Mauro turned to watch Rong Guang disappear at the end of the corridor, then turned and pushed open the door to Oswaldo's office.

"It seems you've already told them?" he said as soon as he entered.

Oswaldo nodded: "Yes, I told them both. Sometimes, I really thank God for giving São Paulo such a spirited rookie."

Mauro laughed: "You shouldn't thank God; you should thank me. It was I who decided to sign that rookie."

Oswaldo also laughed: "Then I thank God for having both of these young men in my team. Because of Rong, Kaká trains so hard, even giving up his vacation. And because of Kaká, Rong can improve so quickly. Mauro, do you know? Watching these two young men compete with such determination, neither willing to lose to the other, makes me feel young again..."

Mauro sat down and spread his hands: "Have you thought about what to do when Kaká recovers his fitness and form, and Rong is also performing well? Will you let them compete for one spot? Wouldn't that be a bit... wasteful?"

Hearing his assistant's words, Oswaldo's smile froze.

Clearly, he hadn't thought about this issue...

Mauro laughed maliciously: "Be careful not to set yourself on fire, Oswaldo."

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