057. French Legend(1)

Immediately after the final whistle sounds.

Kim Shin-woo could hardly get over the shock.

'What… just happened?'

Kim Shin-woo.

He was a promising defensive player with so much potential that he won the Excellence Award in the defense category at the National Sports Festival in the high school division.

However, they couldn't stop a 13-year-old striker.

I have dealt with many youths with outstanding individual skills, but Woo Ho-young's individual skills felt different.

flamboyance.

However, it was a Marseille turn that was not sloppy, uncluttered, and had speed.

'That… is that… a genius…'

I understood.

Why was the media so upset?

'You're good at it… a lot…'

I had no choice but to acknowledge his skills.

Then I suddenly remembered what I said to Hoyoung this morning.

'Small disease.'

It was dark history.

'You idiot, why do you say things like that? 'I'm embarrassed for elementary school students.'

It was said that if you don't want to get hit, take care of yourself.

I wanted to erase it from my memory.

I couldn't bear to see my teammates.

It was a moment when the armband on my forearm became extremely shabby.

however.

In the meantime, it was none other than Hoyoung's voice that broke the silence.

"Thank you for your effort."

"Oh, okay…"

Hoyoung is the first to come and nod.

Maybe that's why Kim Shin-woo didn't feel that bad despite the loss.

If we had lost unfortunately, we would have felt angry, but the difference in basic skills was so stark that there was no time to feel that way.

As if that wasn't enough, Woo Ho-young also hoped for character at a young age.

Plus, he has an enviably handsome face…

Most of all, Kim Shin-woo likes players who are good at soccer.

Whether you are 10 years old or 100 years old, you will be successful as long as you are good at soccer.

Kim Shin-woo's hand went to Ho-young's shoulder.

"He did well. "You're thirteen?"

"yes."

"How are you so good at it?"

It was a ridiculous question, but I was really curious.

But Hoyoung's words were more shocking than that.

"haha. "You can do well even if you don't get hit."

"Yes… I see…"

Kim Shin-woo nodded.

Because it was something that couldn't be refuted.

As is typical in Korea, where the relationship between seniors and juniors is strict, the words "Thank you for your hard work" were echoing across the pitch even long after the game ended.

After saying hello to Shinwoo Kim, Hoyoung headed to another place.

Because there was a player I really wanted to shake hands with.

But surprisingly, there was no need to go there directly.

"great job."

Cheongryong Lee Because he came first.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Hoyoung's heart was touched for no reason.

It was partly because I missed Korean-style greetings, but it also made me cringe when a player I had always liked shook my hand in person.

Of course, he was less nervous than when he was Neymar, but the so-called Gukbbong made Hoyoung even more excited.

"Please take care of me, brother."

"Ha ha ha ha ha. "Why are you being so hard? Take it easy, take it easy."

Lee Cheong-ryong smiles brightly, showing off his protruding teeth. Contrary to his known personality, he is kind.

For now.

In addition, he said he gave Hoyoung a nice gift.

'Excellent composure (B-).'

First day on board the national team.

It was a very good start.

Sunday, March 20th.

'Montaigu', a county-sized region located under French jurisdiction.

Dreaming soccer players under the age of 16 gathered from all over the world to a place with a striking old-fashioned scenery centered around a river.

It was to participate in the Mondial Football Montague competition, which will open on the 23rd.

This competition, held every year in Montague, France, has a long history, celebrating its 32nd anniversary this year.

The status of the competition was as great as its history.

Players who participated in the tournament included Hadji Nedved, Henry Pirlo, Ronaldo, and Tevez.

It was the most famous and prestigious youth competition in Europe.

It is natural that youth scouts flock from all over the world.

That was the reason why the participating players showed their spirit and performed their best.

To get noticed by them.

To go to a big league big club.

"As soon as you unpack your bags, please gather in the lobby on the first floor."

The Korea U16 national team arrived at the Montague accommodation and immediately headed to the nearby training ground after unpacking.

The facility was provided by local club Montague FC for a week, but with eight countries participating, there were restrictions on the use of the training facility.

Even if it was just for a minute, I had to make the most of it without wasting it.

Coach Park Kyung-woon, who gathered the players on the field, opened his mouth.

"As everyone knows, our first opponent is France."

Of course, the first opponent was the host country.

That's why the players clearly looked nervous.

"Anyway, we and France are the same age. They eat bread, we eat rice, that's all else. "I'm saying don't be scared."

France was not a strong contender for the championship this year.

There were reports that the player base had become much weaker than last year.

On the other hand, Korea was missing four players over the age of 16 from the existing U17 team.

Lee Cheong-ryong and Kim Shin-woo, who had not yet reached their birthdays, were able to participate, so the team's strength did not fall significantly, but there was a problem with momentum due to the absence of senior players who had served as mental support.

Moreover, the opponent is the host country.

It was clear that France would do their best to have a successful opening match.

However, losing this game does not mean you will be eliminated immediately.

The Montague competition is divided into two groups, Group A and B, and the preliminary round is held, and the first and second place players from each group advance to the tournament and play in the semifinals.

Korea was in Group A along with France, Germany, and Ivory Coast.

'I think our country's best result was runner-up.'

Hoyoung recalled the news he saw before returning.

It was news that Korea finished second with Barcelona's youth players such as Lee Seung-hoo and Jang Gyeol-ui.

'There's nothing that can't be said about 2005.'

Of course, it was a matter of the strength of the opposing team.

It was important to see how great a player was to represent France.

'indeed!'

There was great anticipation.

Since I had already experienced some of the best youth in Brazil, I was confident no matter who came out.

And above all.

'I hope a lot of familiar faces appear.'

Thinking about the participating countries, including France, Germany, Japan, Portugal, and England, my mouth watered with anticipation.

Isn't it truly a paradise for promising players?

It seemed like it would be a fun competition.

Three days later, March 23rd.

The 36,000-seat Maxime Bossis de Montaigu Stadium.

Although the temperature dropped to 5 degrees Celsius, the home team's locker room was filled with heat.

It was the energy radiating from the boys wearing blue uniforms.

It was the French U16 national team, the country with the most wins in the competition.

They were working together to regain the glory of winning from Japan, the previous year's champion.

Among them, there was a boy who was particularly serious.

Mamadou Sakho.

Currently playing for the Paris Saint-Germain youth team, he was born in 1990 and was a key defensive resource.

The nickname among players is 'Beast'.

The wide, uncharacteristically boyish backrest explained the reason.

'Whoa. It is expected. 'I can't wait to run.'

As a black man with exceptional physical strength, he could not control his excitement at the thought of winning.

The two burning eyes proved it.

A few minutes after that.

As he entered the stadium, Sacco's eyes were caught by a boy with a sharp jawline.

I remembered what the director had said to me a week ago.

-Beware of the young boy named Woo Ho-young.

'I heard you kicked a ball in Brazil.'

but.

'What difference does it make if one person does well?'

The opponent is Korea.

'Korea', the outskirts of world soccer.

Although Korea made it to the semifinals at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, that alone did not change Korea's image.

For Sacco, Korea was nothing more than a meal for the weakest.

However, there were some erotic issues.

Unfortunately, several key members of the team suffered minor injuries during training and were unable to participate in today's game.

'It's okay if you don't exist today. 'I just have to stop it.'

Sacco had no doubts about his abilities.

He said he was ready to chew on everything and ran out onto the pitch like an angry animal.

It was time to go on a rampage.

3 p.m.

Warm sunlight fell on the field.

The opening match between France U16 and Korea U16 was scheduled to begin soon.

"Oooooh!"

The number of spectators, which were half full, showed how great the status of the competition was.

Sacco strengthened his resolve once again.

'I'm sure a lot of scouts came too. 'Because it's the opening game.'

Sacco's eyes were fixed on a boy.

Woo Ho-young, number 7.

'Born in 1993?'

He chuckled as he looked at Hoyoung, who was three years younger than him.

'I guess I don't want to cry. Scouts around the world will be watching.'

"Hehe."

Beep!

The opening match began with Sacco's mischievous laughter.

Percussion.

It was central midfielder Quentin who announced the start of the game with the kickoff.

At the same time, the France U16 players scattered widely like eagles spreading their wings.

The intention was to block Hoyoung's infiltration from the midfield with a 4-3-3 formation with two defensive midfielders.

On the other hand, Korea came out with a 4-3-1-2 formation.

'The opponent is two tops. A guy named Seok Hyeong-jun and… Woo Ho-young.'

Mamadou Sakho, the core of the French defense, moved diligently and stepped on Hoyoung's shadow.

The game took on a different form than expected.

Contrary to the expectations of the spectators, who naturally thought that France would have the upper hand, a fierce and bloody battle unfolded.

The momentum was so equal that it wouldn't be surprising who won.

However, as time passed, France's midfielders began to dominate the midfield and gain the upper hand.

They used the left and right sides to confuse the opponent with active movements, and central midfielder Quentin delivered accurate passes to both wings, opening up an offensive path.

Wingers from both sides crossed, throwing Korea into chaos.

The situation continued until the 15th minute of the first half.

15 minutes in the first half.

The tense tug-of-war battle had suddenly become one-sided.

France, who had taken control of the midfield early on, was beginning to gain more than 80% of the possession.

'It's no big deal.'

Sacco was relieved that his team was winning, but he was also disappointed.

If it had been the original plan, I should have attracted attention by capturing the opposing team's ace.

But what is this?

Woo Ho-young, Korea's ace, could not even catch the ball properly for 15 minutes.

With the midfield suddenly cutting off the flow, the Korean attackers were like a folding screen, unable to do anything.

'The director scared me too much. 'They're so bad.'

No matter how you look at it, Korea was not an opponent.

I couldn't understand the director's words to be so careful.

'I can't believe a country like this makes it to the semifinals of the World Cup. 'Isn't this too much?'

Sacco, who was in the middle of the game, narrowed his eyes.

Out of nowhere, I started to feel irritated.

'It only went up there because it was the host country.'

The 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup where France, the unrivaled champion, was eliminated in the group stage.

However, I was somewhat annoyed when I looked back on Korea, which is far from soccer, and made it to the semifinals.

'It was the worst World Cup ever.'

Just thinking about that time made me feel nauseous.

However, it did not mean that I hated the country called Korea.

I was just grumpy.

'I get annoyed when I only see soccer games being played by luck.'

Sacco raised his competitive spirit from an unfamiliar place.

And I made a promise.

He said he would step on it with his skills.

'They play well in the midfield, so I just have to block the space. Then, victory is a given.'

He was confident that he could tie Hoyoung down as his strengths were pressure and man-marking based on his monster-like physicality.

However, there was only so much room to relax.

Until Korea showed a tactical change.

Pow!

"…Tsk!"

Woo Ho-young.

Suddenly, his movements became faster, and while occupying space, their bodies collided.

'It's pretty hard.'

gulp.

Sacco's uvula rose and fell.

However, there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

'He's just in good shape for his age, but not at my level.'

In addition to the three-year age difference, Woo Ho-young's Asian race gave Sacco confidence.

I went into the game with the thought that my opponent was just a precocious Asian.

He intentionally continued to cling to Hoyoung and provoked a physical fight.

Stupidly.

Sacco didn't know what the real problem was.

Taaaaagh!

"what!"

The midfield that France had been holding tight had suddenly become loose.

I watched to see what was going on, and in the background, I saw Hoyoung moving actively.

Although his position was striker, Hoyoung went down to the second line and was receiving the ball.

Because of this, the pressure on the midfield was dispersed.

'That crazy guy.'

A lot of activity.

The amount of activity was at a level that even Sako, who was second to none, could admit.

'Tsk…. After running around like that, I have to lose strength in the second half to come to my senses.'

However, even after 3 or 5 minutes, Hoyoung's aggressive movements showed no signs of stopping.

Even though I'm out of breath, my legs don't stop.

It was fighting spirit.

And Sacco was annoyed by that.

To make matters worse, the opponent's midfield came to life and the ball was slowly being distributed to the forwards.

It was a situation that could have resulted in a loss of goals.

Sako tried his best to chase after Hoyoung, but it wasn't enough.

This is because his off-the-ball movement was at a very good level, cleverly finding gaps and digging into them.

'damn.'

What do scouts think of this ridiculous sight?

It was obvious.

The attention that was given to Sako will be given to Hoyoung.

'I turned on nonsense.'

So Sacco had to do something.

Be it for the team or for yourself.

"You rat! Don't run away, just attack!"

He got on his nerves and made a provocation, but Hoyoung didn't even listen.

At that moment, Sacco felt it intuitively.

For some reason, the economy is unstable and it feels like something is going to happen.

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