A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"If we give you the number 7 shirt?"
Ferguson didn't want to give up and threw out a trump card.
The number 7 shirt at Manchester United is different from that at other clubs because every player who wore it became a football legend. George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Michael Owen!
Giving Ye Chen the number 7 shirt would be like promising him the future core position in the team!
It could be said that Ferguson was showing his utmost sincerity.
When Ferguson said this, Mendes was a little surprised.
"Ye, I think you should reconsider your decision!" Mendes said seriously. "The number 7 at Manchester United represents greatness, the core, and being the star!"
Greatness refers to the legacy of the number 7 shirt.
The core is its tactical significance to Manchester United.
And the star is the centerpiece of Manchester United itself!
What is Manchester United? The top team in England!
That means if Ye Chen joins Manchester United, he can become a player with a global influence!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
And even Mendes, who is usually calm, felt a bit excited.
David Gill looked at Ferguson in surprise.
Ferguson, however, smiled kindly at Ye Chen.
Ye Chen remained silent.
Ye Chen started watching football because of Beckham, after all, the idol's influence in China was huge.
He became deeply involved in football later, feeling its charm.
Now, he had the chance to wear the same Manchester United number 7 shirt Beckham once wore...
It was indeed tempting!
Ye Chen took a deep breath. "Sorry, I've said before that I won't go to the Premier League for three years!" He stood up slightly and bowed.
"Sir Ferguson, get some rest. I won't disturb you!"
Without waiting for Ferguson to speak, he turned and left.
To be honest, he was moved.
But he knew that joining Manchester United wasn't the best choice.
Dortmund was the most suitable club for his development!
Their strength might not be the strongest, and they were only a second-tier club in Europe, but they were on the rise.
He could grow with them.
Even if he made mistakes, they would forgive him.
But Manchester United was different.
At Manchester United, you can only succeed!
And any minor mistakes would be blown out of proportion.
Think about the disastrous Maguire—after his poor performance, he was even threatened with bombs!
The most terrifying part is that English football hooligans actually do such things!
Ye Chen felt he hadn't lived enough yet, and his current strength wasn't enough to compete in the Premier League.
He had said that he would go to the Premier League in the future, but not now.
Of course, he felt that if he didn't leave soon, he might fall into it.
So he chose to turn a blind eye.
Mendes followed Ferguson out after bidding him goodbye.
"Ye, do you realize how many people would die for the opportunity you just rejected?" Mendes caught up with him, sighing.
"So, what do you think?"
"I think you're very wise!" Mendes smiled. "This only strengthens my belief that you will replace Messi and Ronaldo and become the greatest player!"
The compliment of "wisdom" was very high.
After all, wisdom surpasses intelligence, and it also expressed Mendes' attitude—that Ye Chen made the right choice!
"You really think so highly of me?" Ye Chen smiled slightly.
"To be honest, I didn't think so at first, but now I have no doubt."
"Why?"
Mendes smiled. "When a man can reject an offer like Manchester United's and stay clear-headed, sticking to his own path, I believe you won't lose yourself due to all kinds of temptations."
"But many people will mock me for starting a relationship at 17, saying that I'm driven by impulses and wasting my football talent on women."
Mendes laughed heartily, "People are not animals. Being together is not just about that. And players are never ascetics. We need love, we need emotional support! Moreover, your situation is special. You need someone who cares about you, accompanies you, and encourages you. Only then can you fully devote yourself to football."
Ye Chen's eyes flickered with surprise.
No wonder Mendes became such a big player—his observation skills were truly remarkable.
Why did Ye Chen like Lina?
It started with her looks.
She was like a fairy, shining brightly from the moment she appeared.
Her delicate features, lively personality, and radiant smile made her seem like a sparkling elf.
But it was also because of her integrity.
When Ye Chen was far away in a foreign land, fighting alone, she was there for him, unhesitatingly.
She even came to a strange city on her own. What kind of courage did that take?
Their love wasn't one-sided; it was mutual.
As for Ye Chen, in terms of relationships, he had no grand ambitions. He didn't want to give every girl a home, nor did he want to numb himself with alcohol at a bar and then use it as an excuse for reckless behavior.
Science proves that alcohol doesn't make people lose control of themselves.
Typically, those who get into trouble are the ones who seek self-indulgence...
But Ye Chen was willing to choose one drop from the vast sea.
"You're right. Let's talk more next time." Ye Chen smiled. "But I have to go home now. Lina is waiting for me!"
"Please!" Mendes smiled.
He was in a good mood.
Because in Ye Chen, he saw a brilliant future.
In today's competitive society, even someone like Mendes felt the pressure.
Especially after Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer, he had to find a new marquee player!
Ye Chen was that golden sign from the heavens.
He had decided to equip Ye Chen with the best team and set up a special China office for him!
On the way home, Ye Chen pulled out his phone and opened a sports website.
Sure enough, it was all over the news!
Five consecutive hat-tricks, and the last one even had five goals—Ye Chen had become the hottest new star in the Bundesliga!
Let's not forget, Dortmund was also building momentum for him.
After all, Ye Chen was their player, and they would be proud to be associated with such a record!
Of course, the main reason was that the player who set this record was incredibly frightening.
He was only 17 years old!
Ye Chen's name was shining in the Bundesliga, shocking European football!
The headline of the authoritative BBC read: [Five Consecutive Hat-Tricks, Dortmund's Phenomenon Ye Chen Sets Guinness World Record!]
A photo of Ye Chen standing in front of a huge tifo was splashed across the screen, with another picture of him with Guinness World Record officials.
"France Football": [An in-depth analysis of Ye's rise from a Manchester United reject to a Dortmund star in the making!]
"L'Équipe": [The Next Cristiano Ronaldo? China's Newcomer Ye Chen Scores Five Goals in Five Matches and Breaks Guinness World Record!]
"Kicker": [Bundesliga's New Star Shocks the World, Ye's Guinness World Record Recap!]
This record was truly shocking for the football world. Of course, as the most authoritative European sports newspapers, they were all modest in their praise.
Take The Sun, for example, their headline read: [Shocking! A 17-year-old Chinese Kid Creates World Record! His Girlfriend Is…]
...
In the luxurious Hilton Hotel, David Gill looked solemnly at Ferguson. "Old friend, what do we do now?"
"Head back to Manchester tomorrow morning," Ferguson said calmly, then couldn't help but smile.
"You can still smile at a time like this? This kid is truly stupid. What a great opportunity!" David Gill couldn't help but complain.
However, Ferguson shook his head. "He's not stupid. In fact, he's very smart! Compared to Manchester United, Dortmund is actually a better fit for him!"
"Huh?"
"Now contact the club's chief scout and have him keep an eye on Ye! As soon as Ye decides to leave Dortmund, let me know immediately! A talent like him belongs to us at Manchester United, or else…" Ferguson's eyes suddenly became serious.
"Or else what?"
"Ye will become Manchester United's greatest enemy!" Ferguson sighed deeply.
Such a young man with this mindset—his future achievements are limitless!
Of course, Ferguson had no idea what would happen in the next few years...
By then, Manchester United might not even be qualified to be Ye Chen's rival!