Chapter 72

On August 10, the 2002 Brazilian National Championship officially kicked off. São Paulo will face Botafogo at home. This is São Paulo's first appearance in the National Championship.

Due to their victory in the Rio-São Paulo Championship in the first half of the year, São Paulo's performance in the National Championship has been highly anticipated.

At the press conference the day before the match, Oswaldo announced the starting lineup for São Paulo in this game. World Cup champion Kaka was not on this list.

Instead, it was Rongguang!

This result was somewhat unexpected by the media. Although Rongguang performed well in the first half of the year, in terms of ability, he still could not compare to Kaka.

Kaka, who had just won the World Cup, was at the peak of his confidence. They really couldn't think of any reason why Kaka shouldn't start.

"... Kaka unexpectedly missed the starting lineup, and the Chinese player Rong replaced him. Oswaldo's announcement of the starting lineup sparked debate among the media. Oswaldo explained that Kaka's physical condition was not good and he needed rest. However, Ricardinho, who also participated in the World Cup, is on the list. Is Ricardinho, who is older than Kaka, in better physical condition?"

"... It seems that Rong has won the trust of head coach Oswaldo through his outstanding performance in the Rio-São Paulo Championship. But how will Kaka, who plays the same position as Rong, be arranged? Is Kaka not yet at his best physically... What about later? Kaka can't always be in poor physical condition or always injured. What will Oswaldo do then?"

"... Before this, Rong has also started, but that was when Kaka was injured. This is the first time Rong has replaced Kaka in a game where Kaka is not injured..."

Cui Hao put down the newspaper and said with a smile, "It's really impressive. In just half a year, Rong has secured a starting position in São Paulo..."

His daughter, Keris, sitting across the table, rolled her eyes, "Do you even understand football? It's just a starting position for one match. How can that be considered a secure starting position? To be considered a regular starter, you have to start every match like Kaka!"

Cui Hao knew his daughter was a loyal fan of Kaka and naturally didn't like Rong, who was Kaka's rival. So he just smiled and didn't argue with her.

Keris continued, "Once Kaka is rested, he will immediately reclaim his starting position! Then, Rong will be waiting to return to the bench! That's where he belongs!"

Cui Hao said, "That's a matter for the future. For now, he is a starter. I'm going to watch the game tomorrow. Are you coming?"

Keris turned her head and huffed, "I don't want to go! Kaka isn't playing!"

"Kaka is on the roster. What if he comes on as a substitute?"

"Ah... I'll go, but only reluctantly!"

Seeing his daughter say this, Cui Hao laughed.

※※※

The night before the match, in the hotel room, Rong was making a local call to Gordo using the hotel's free phone.

"You're doing great, Rong. You've already earned the 2,000 reais appearance fee, do you know that?" Gordo encouraged Rong over the phone. However, he was different from others. He didn't say things like "play well" or "for your dream," but rather talked directly about money.

It sounded vulgar, but it was very effective.

Especially for someone like Rong.

"Is that true, Gordo?" Indeed, Rong perked up at the mention of money.

"Of course. Being a starter means you will definitely play, and as long as you play, the 2,000 reais is guaranteed. Next, you should aim to win the goal and assist bonuses, Rong! Even just one would be great, but don't put any pressure on yourself, just play freely!"

"I'll try to get all of them, Gordo!"

Rong was always very enthusiastic about matters involving money.

Unlike salaries paid annually or monthly, bonuses are paid per match, and the bonus is given in cash immediately after the match. The stack of colorful bills had a significant visual impact.

This was money he could get right away.

It was more attractive to Rong than a large but abstract annual salary.

So Rong was now highly motivated.

Ricardinho, who shared a room with Rong, found Rong's excitement very strange. It was just a phone call, and Rong didn't say anything particularly unusual.

How did this Chinese kid suddenly seem to be on fire after the call...

He could even feel the heat!

What was going on with this kid?

※※※

"Alright, get ready to go out. But Rong, stay." After finishing his pre-match speech, Oswaldo once again kept Rong behind.

Even a fool could see that the head coach was giving Rong special attention. Before the match, he was giving this rookie extra coaching to help him perform well.

Soon, the dressing room was left with only Rong and head coach Oswaldo.

"Have you seen the news, Rong?" Oswaldo asked.

Rong shook his head, "I rarely read the news."

"Um, the media has many different opinions about my decision to start you instead of Kaka. I can imagine that the journalists in the press box will be scrutinizing every aspect of your performance with a magnifying glass. Any mistake you make will be exaggerated in tomorrow's newspapers, TV, and radio. This will be used as a reason why you are not as good as Kaka. You will be under immense pressure in this match. Are you ready?"

Rong nodded without hesitation, "Of course, I'm ready! I'm not afraid of pressure!"

Not as good as Kaka?

What a joke?

I'm the one who's going to beat him!

Seeing Rong's confidence and lack of nervousness, Oswaldo was very satisfied.

No wonder this kid is always a key player for São Paulo; he has a big heart!

"Play the way we practiced. Your job is to hide behind Luis Fabiano and look for opportunities to score. Of course, don't forget to use your speed to surprise them on their corners and free kicks." Oswaldo gave his final instructions.

"You can count on me, sir!"

Rong gave a thumbs up.

※※※

"The first match of the new National Championship season, São Paulo faces Botafogo at home. This is São Paulo's first home game, so the stadium is packed. However, I think most of the fans are here for Kaka, wanting to see the World Cup champion's performance up close. But this match is destined to disappoint them... because at yesterday's pre-match press conference, Oswaldo announced that Rong would replace Kaka as the starting attacking midfielder for São Paulo!"

In the stands, Keris was sandwiched between her father on her left and her friends on her right, caught in the middle of two very different opinions.

"Oh, Rong, you must try your best! It's not easy to get a starting position, so you have to work hard to keep it!" This was her father.

"Damn! That damn rookie! It's all his fault we can't see Kaka! He better score an own goal and get kicked out of the starting lineup!"

"One own goal isn't enough! He should score a hat-trick of own goals!"

"That would be great! I'll pray to God!"

This was the voice of Keris's friends.

Keris remained silent, caught between them.

On one hand, she didn't want to support her father, but on the other hand, she thought her friends were too cruel...

※※※

Amid the cheers of the fans, Rong followed his teammates out of the tunnel and onto the pitch.

He was wearing São Paulo's new jersey, and even his number was new—during the Rio-São Paulo Championship, Rong's number was 33, which symbolized a fringe player. This number was usually given to players who joined the team mid-season, as the better numbers were already taken, leaving only the very high numbers.

However, after his performance in the Rio-São Paulo Championship, he had earned recognition, and his number changed.

From 33, it moved up ten digits to 23.

Coincidentally, this was the number Kaka wore for the Brazilian national team...

For Kaka, this number symbolized that he was the last man of the Brazilian national team.

For Rong, it meant that his position in São Paulo was becoming increasingly important.

Lucas, watching the game from the stands, also noticed the change in Rong's number.

He probably understood the significance more than Rong did.

Half a year ago, he was still an outsider, but now he had become a regular in São Paulo's first team...

But this time, Lucas didn't simply think that Rong was exceptionally talented.

Beyond talent, he saw the effort Rong had put in. He thought of the inhuman training Rong did on the beach, the shorts drenched in sweat over and over again, and the suffocating feeling when the old man pushed his head underwater.

Because Rong's desire to become stronger was as strong as his desire to breathe, he has reached this point today.

I have to catch up to him!

Lucas clenched his fist, setting a rookie as his goal.

※※※

The referee's whistle blew, and the match began!

Luis Fabiano passed the ball from the center circle, and it landed at Rong's feet.

The Chinese kid...

The fans in the stands, the journalists in the press box, Kaka on the bench, and Oswaldo on the sidelines... almost everyone's eyes were focused on this 23-year-old rookie.

Does he... have the ability to replace Kaka?