Chapter 72

The Derby hasn't even started, but the advertisements are already rolling out!

How many players are envious of this?

Now, even the top football stars in the country, like Zheng Zhi and his ilk, find Liu Hao's name as thunderous as ever.

This guy's advertising fees are truly the envy of everyone.

In the past, it was rumored that his advertising fees exceeded a million dollars. Zheng Zhi and the others just laughed and dismissed it, but now? They need to wear sunglasses to block out the stares of others.

It's not that we consider ourselves big-name players; it's just that we can't afford to lose face, and we're afraid someone will ask about their feelings...

After playing football for over a decade, they can't even match an uncle. Do they have the nerve to call themselves stars? It's better not to be recognized.

However, not every player in the industry is like them. For example, Mao Jianqing.

Although Mao Jianqing has fallen to the second division, he says this is the most enjoyable year of his football career.

Playing for Qingdao Zhongneng, you don't have to think too much; just focus on playing well.

Last week, against Hunan, he scored again, making a significant contribution to the team, and he's in high spirits.

Although Xiao Shen Si and Song Bo are envious, they are also frustrated because their own fame is too great, and they can't do anything out of line.

His replacement of Shen Si in the free-kick master competition is known nationwide. If he were to do something out of line to Mao Jianqing to secure a starting position, the media would be all over it, and he would have no place to hide.

So, he has been diligently practicing his free-kicks.

Although he has the nickname "Little Shen Si," he still has a lot of work to do to live up to it.

What Shen Si can do, he may not be able to do. Just look at how he sidelined Castillo to secure a starting position; his character and mindset are questionable.

But everyone has dreams, whether they are good or bad. Song Bo has his own dreams, and although the paths to achieving them are different, Castillo became a sacrifice.

Chinese sports are different from those abroad. Song Bo's participation in the free-kick master competition has also attracted the attention of the Shandong Football Association, which has given some guidance to the Zhongneng team, emphasizing that Song Bo should practice free-kicks as much as possible, without letting matches affect his training, and ensuring he doesn't get injured and miss the competition.

Li Xiaopeng was both amused and frustrated. The FA is interfering in internal affairs. If it were just the Shandong FA, it would be one thing, but even the Chinese FA has gotten involved... What kind of situation is this?

If possible, can I represent Song Bo in the competition? Li Xiaopeng laughed bitterly to himself. As for that freak Liu Hao? Who would dare take his spot?

One Song Bo would be enough, but there's also Liu Hao. Two players from one team representing the country? That's big news, more exciting than having two national team players.

However, are the two FAs being so enthusiastic just for the glory? The prize money is reportedly in the millions. It can't be like many Chinese athletes, where the FA takes half of the prize money, right? Li Xiaopeng naturally thought along these lines, as it was common in the past.

Of course, things have improved in recent years. Take tennis star Na Li, for example. After winning the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, the Hubei government rewarded her with 800,000 RMB, causing a significant stir.

It's not just about dividing the prize money; it's also about the rewards...

Song Bo was also at a loss.

He never thought he would have to give up the league for the master competition... Mao Jianqing is in high spirits, while he can only watch from the sidelines.

Liu Hao is fine, as he only comes on as a substitute and never fights for the ball, so the risk of injury is almost zero, unless it's due to his own shot...

Song Bo is different. As a left midfielder, he must attack and defend, and is always at risk of injury. So, in a situation where he is not essential, Li Xiaopeng decided to fulfill the FA's wishes and let Song Bo sit out the entire 90 minutes.

Another piece of good news for Mao Jianqing is that the head coach, Alain Perrin, is reportedly coming to watch the FA Cup match to evaluate the Shandong Luneng players and possibly Mao Jianqing from Zhongneng.

"Ah..." Song Bo was a bit depressed. He thought that by sidelining Castillo, he would get a chance to play, but instead, he ended up helping Mao Jianqing. Now, Mao Jianqing is likely to return to the national team, while Song Bo, though he has a chance on the world stage, doesn't know if he can achieve anything. If he doesn't, he'll just be criticized.

And then there's Liu Hao. Both are going to the master competition, but Liu Hao has a starting spot, while he has a substitute spot. And Liu Hao is even sponsored by Nike. Comparing people like this is really frustrating.

Achoo! Achoo!

Liu Hao sneezed twice.

Damn, who's cursing me? His sixth sense is pretty strong...

But when he arrived at the shooting location, he was surprised.

Why are Zheng Zhi and the others here? Did they change teams too?

At first glance, he thought it was them, but on second look, he burst out laughing.

"Is there someone who looks so much like Zheng Zhi and the others?" Yes, just like, not Zheng Zhi and Zeng Cheng...

Is Nike trying to copy Adidas's ad? Is this plagiarism? Since it's not the real Zheng Zhi and the others, Liu Hao relaxed a lot.

China is the world's largest copycat country, so copying Adidas's ad is not impossible.

However, Liu Hao was only half right.

Last time, Adidas shot an ad here with the F6 from Evergrande as the main focus, and Liu Hao was just an extra.

This time, Nike did the opposite, making Liu Hao the main character and the fake F6 as extras... The sarcasm is obvious.

The two sports companies are even battling in their ads.

I'm sure once the ad airs on CCTV, it will cause a stir.

Although he's just using fake F6 as extras, Liu Hao is already on cloud nine, even if it's a bit of a fantasy.

By the time he returned to the training base, it was already midday.

The training field was bustling, and it was unclear what was happening.

Usually, there's no one around at this time, but now it's packed?

People are gathered, but it's not clear what they're doing. Many are dressed formally, not like fans, but more like they're here to inspect.

"What's going on?" Liu Hao grabbed Mao Jianqing as he passed by.

"Brother Hao, the leaders are inspecting," Mao Jianqing changed his nickname from "Little Fat Brother" to "Brother Hao." "This is all because of you. The incident at home has been replicated in many places, with talk of a national fitness movement. I don't understand it either, but the leaders are just making a fuss..."

"Oh! Then we should leave quickly, or we'll be interviewed again." He was about to leave, but Li Xiaopeng's familiar voice called out.

"Xiao Liu, wait a moment..." He didn't call him Liu Hao but "Xiao Liu." Brother Xiaopeng's official tone was quite good. Liu Hao stopped, not knowing what Li Xiaopeng wanted.

He just told Brother Hao to wait, not me... Mao Jianqing pretended not to hear and left.

Damn, what a spineless guy!

"Here's the thing. The provincial sports commission thinks your participation in the free-kick master competition is very important, so they've provided us with a private training ground and a professional goalkeeper for you and Song Bo to use..."

Liu Hao was stunned. Is this a bit much? It's just practicing free-kicks. Do they need a private field and a goalkeeper? Song Bo might need it, but what use does Liu Hao have for these things?

But this isn't the first time he's heard about it. The Xiguan Sports Commission called him this morning with the same news...

Isn't it obvious? Representing Shandong or Xiguan, it's still representing China, right?

It's not like they're representing a provincial team in the National Games...

It's just that Liu Hao is too attractive, and everyone wants a piece of the action.

As long as they help Liu Hao during his training, they'll be credited when he wins.

"Coach Li, actually, Nike is fully sponsoring it, so there's no need to trouble the provincial government."

"That won't do. Since the leaders have instructed it, you should at least show some respect, or I won't be able to explain it."

"Show respect... How exactly?" Liu Hao smiled, pretending not to understand.

"Ahem, you just need to go to the training, teach everyone some free-kicks, and do some programs to promote it," Li Xiaopeng said without blushing, his face already quite dark.

"This... is a bit difficult. You know, I still have to go back to Yin City to work. If I do this, I'll be criticized. Civil servants need to maintain their image and can't mess around during work hours, Coach Li. This will harm the team too!"

Li Xiaopeng, who was reasonable and serious, said, "Who said we'll use work hours? We'll use Saturday evenings, starting tonight. Do you think Shandong is like Xiguan, without a lit field?"

"Who said Xiguan doesn't have lit fields? As far as I know, Xiguan has more lit fields than anywhere else in the country, just like how the private cars of Yin City's traffic police outnumber all the police cars in Hong Kong combined..."

"Are you going or not?" Li Xiaopeng was exasperated. This guy can talk even more than he can.

"Of course, I'm going. By the way, is there a fee? We may not have the three million yuan appearance fee like God of Songs Zhang Xueyou, but a few packs of cigarettes would be nice, right?"

"I'll cover the cigarettes, and we'll see about the rest. Since you're going, prepare this afternoon and don't train. I'll send a car to pick you up in Jinan."

"Jinan? Not Qingdao? Oh my."

"Of course, it's 'Ruyu Youyue' (a popular TV show)!"

(Third update, hahaha, it's been a while since I wrote so much. More tomorrow. I'm going to play soccer now, 7 PM match.)

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