CH 8

Matteo Conti carefully read through the system's supplementary explanation and finally understood everything.

So, increasing the number of Ball God Coins only raised potential. The greater the gap between actual ability and potential, the faster the improvement. In addition, as long as the host was diligent and demanding enough, the potential could be fully realized.

Matteo suddenly felt a bit deceived.

They had said that adding points would increase ability.

But now, they were saying it only increased potential. If he wanted to turn that potential into real strength, he still had to train hard!

System Dad, let's be honest—your ability in this area seems a bit weak!

Unfortunately, System Dad did not respond to Matteo's complaints.

Left with no choice, Matteo could only focus on where to allocate his 31 Ball God Coins.

After this period of intense training, his stats had improved significantly.

[Shooting] 61 (73)

[Dribbling] 59 (72)

[Passing] 56 (76)

[Defense] 46 (70)

[Speed] 73 (85)

[Physique] 78 (86)

Looking at his current attributes, Matteo noticed that all six had improved, especially dribbling, which had increased by ten points.

According to System Dad, the greater the difference between potential and actual strength, the faster the improvement. So, where should he allocate his points?

First, [Speed] and [Physique] were not priorities. These two attributes had the highest potential, so there was no urgency to improve them further.

So, what should he improve?

Matteo's eyes fell on his only Ball God Skill:

[Phantom Striker] – Locked. Unlock requirements:

[Shooting 75], [Defense 60], [Physique 80], [Speed 80].

Wait, why did a striker skill require [Defense]?

Even if he considered his potential, he still wouldn't meet the [Shooting] requirement.

Besides, he was a forward!

That meant [Shooting] had to be his top priority!

According to the system, raising an attribute between 71–80 required four Ball God Coins per point.

With his 28 coins, he could only increase his [Shooting] potential to 80!

Since his current [Shooting] was just 61, raising its potential should make improvement much easier.

Without hesitation, Matteo spent all 28 Ball God Coins on [Shooting]!

[Shooting]: 61 (80)

Looking at his newly enhanced [Shooting], Matteo felt satisfied.

Now, he met all the potential requirements to unlock [Phantom Striker].

The next step was to train hard and turn this potential into real ability!

[Ball God Coins]: 3

As for the three remaining coins, he decided to save them for the future.

All his attribute potentials were now above 70, and three coins weren't enough to raise any of them further.

So, he had to score more goals!

Keep working hard!

While Matteo was undergoing intense training, the outside world was still buzzing about the Community Shield. Most of the media coverage focused on Manchester United's victory.

As for Matteo's last-minute winner, it was barely mentioned.

After all, football had no shortage of players who shone for a single game. A one-time performance meant nothing.

Anyone who watched the goal would see it was pure luck.

So, the British media didn't feel the need to hype up a player who had only scored a lucky goal.

However…

While the British media paid little attention, the Sammarinese media thought differently.

When Matteo signed for Manchester United, it had already made headlines back home.

Even when David Gill handled Matteo's paperwork, some Sammarinese outlets published serial reports!

When Matteo arrived in England, the hearing for his special talent exemption was also covered live to keep fans updated.

At the time, both the media and fans were thrilled.

They analyzed Ferguson's decision to bring Sir Bobby Charlton and Gordon Banks as witnesses. It showed that Ferguson valued Matteo highly!

Manchester United didn't sign Matteo just to boost their presence in San Marino. They genuinely saw his strength—or at least, his potential!

But after the hearing…

Although Sammarinese fans kept following Matteo's progress, the media stopped reporting on him so frequently.

Everyone understood that Matteo, who had never received formal football training, would need years to make an impact at Manchester United.

However—

Who could have predicted that Matteo wouldn't just make the squad for the Community Shield but would come on as a substitute and score the match-winner?

The Sammarinese media and fans went wild.

Who cared if it was a lucky goal?

All that mattered was that Matteo had seemingly established himself at Manchester United.

Fans were desperate for updates on his every move!

In response, Sammarinese journalists immediately contacted Manchester United, requesting an interview with Matteo.

"Reporters? From San Marino? So what? Reject them. Reject them all!"

After receiving David Gill's call, Ferguson didn't hesitate to refuse the media requests.

"Matteo is in special training. He can't be distracted by interviews!"

"Sir, if you don't polish jade, it will never shine…" David Gill countered. "Didn't you bring Matteo into the first team to help him adapt to professional football faster? Media interaction is part of a footballer's life. Overprotecting him now won't help his overall development."

David Gill had his own agenda.

San Marino was a small but loyal football market. Manchester United already had a strong presence there, more than any other European club.

And now, Matteo was a national hero among Sammarinese fans.

This was a golden opportunity to expand United's influence even further.

If they didn't capitalize on Matteo's current popularity, what were they waiting for?

Another lucky goal in the Community Shield?

Unrealistic.

"David, I have my own plans," Ferguson dismissed him bluntly and hung up without another word.

David Gill was helpless.

At Manchester United, only Ferguson could talk to him like that.

But if Matteo wouldn't give an interview…

David would.

After all—

Manchester United had to seize Matteo's growing popularity.

So, he immediately contacted the Sammarinese reporters. He apologized, explained that Ferguson was just protecting Matteo, and then subtly hinted that he was available for an interview.

The reporters understood.

A deal was quickly struck.

Meanwhile, Matteo knew nothing about any of this.

He was fully immersed in training at Carrington, with no phone, no computer—completely cut off from the outside world!

Time flew by, and the 2009-10 Premier League season was about to begin.

Manchester United's first league match was set for August 16, at home against Birmingham City.

On August 15, assistant manager Mike Phelan announced the starting lineup and the seven-man bench…