Chapter 126: Chapter 125: Player Skill Power Bank (Request for Full Subscription, Request for Continued Reading)
The 79th minute.
Portugal, confident and aggressively attacking, unfortunately exposed their weakness and Switzerland counterattacked successfully.
The Swiss players didn’t perform dramatically when fishing the ball out of the net either.
There were ten minutes left.
Three goals short.
They couldn’t catch up.
As it turned out, they were wise not to rush and retrieve the ball; they could have conceded even more goals if they had.
The 83rd minute.
Deng Kai, usually switching positions to the right with Quaresma, suddenly made a direct forward pass during a dribble.
The football crossed the center-backs from the right side.
Portugal’s left attacking midfielder Viana accelerated forward, rushing past the Swiss central defender on the left to go one-on-one, and deftly shot the ball into the net.
Five to one!
Portugal was on the verge of a great victory.
Turning neutral Switzerland into anything but neutral.
Quaresma was named man of the match, regaining some of the prestige of a first-team star.
Viana, with goals and assists, truly deserved to be the team’s midfield cornerstone.
Deng Kai, with assists for two goals, was Portugal’s biggest surprise.
Ronaldo scored his first goal for the national youth team, starting his legendary national team career.
After the match, a reporter asked Quaresma the reason for his explosive performance.
Quaresma generously praised Deng Kai: "Playing with Deng Kai is very comfortable; he can create an environment full of opportunities. I know some media believed he should have been benched, but in my view, this formation is Portugal U16’s true destiny."
"We have the best forwards and midfielders of this year’s UEFA youth league, and not just one person. Of course, we should bring out the best abilities of these excellent players."
"There was some luck in my goals today, but I like this feeling."
"I also believe that it was my ability that made Lady Luck favor me because I was there at the right moment."
Reporter: "What’s your take on Simon’s transfer? Do you think you can fill Simon’s spot at Sporting Lisbon?"
Quaresma: "Simon is my senior, and we have a good relationship. I am happy for his transfer to Barca because that’s the team he wanted to join."
"His transfer fee was close to Figo’s, making him the second-highest valued player departing Sporting Lisbon in recent years, which is his honor as well as Sporting Lisbon’s pride."
"As for myself, I’m excited to kick off my very own first season in the Primeira Liga. I also believe that I can perform well, and rather than just filling in, I hope to make a mark of my own, not merely replicating or reliving."
Quaresma’s responses were excellent.
But he was still a bit naive.
Because the real purpose of the reporter, aside from provoking Quaresma into saying he could surpass Simon, was also to set a trap.
Reporter: "I see. But Deng Kai has said that stars who actively seek a transfer to Barca often don’t end well. Could we interpret that as his curse on Simon?"
Quaresma was dumbfounded on the spot. Could you really interpret it like that?
What does that have to do with anything!
"No, no, no, that’s not what it is," Quaresma tried to clarify, but the reporter had already excitedly rushed off.
That very night, media outlets released related news stories.
"Quaresma believes he can do more than Simon, Deng Kai curses Simon to a bad end at Barca!"
Upon hearing this, Barca fans were enraged.
Who dares curse our newly bought player?
When they saw the name Deng Kai, Barca fans let it go.
So it was that detractor!
Barca fans had always been irked by this short fellow.
Because he was one of the rare ones who had dared to turn down La Masia Film and Television Academy.
"Deng Kai is such a petty person; it’s typical of him to make such comments."
"I have no doubt that Deng Kai could say something like that; no fan of Spanish football would like this guy."
"To curse even his own senior, such a person deserves to stay short!"
"A dwarf like him should just play football at Bernabeu; he’ll never have the chance to step foot in Camp Nou!"
"Uh... He just set foot in Camp Nou a few days ago, went to watch a game, and even lifted the Champions League trophy."
"Camp Nou doesn’t welcome shorties!"
"He’s just jealous of Simon’s transfer fee! Simon transferred to Barca for twenty million euros and will become the next Figo! That’s a peak that Deng Kai could never reach in his lifetime!"
"Not only him, his character is no good just like Ronaldo’s. I saw it from the start; my judgment is the most accurate. They can’t compare to their predecessor, Figo. How could Portugal produce these two unfilial sons? Why can’t they be like Figo and stay loyal to Barca forever?"
Andres Iniesta, the midfield core of Spain after playing the second round of the U-21 tournament, found it hard to feel happy reading the reviews from Barca fans in the media.
Because... according to the latest intelligence, Deng Kai grew silently from 141 cm to 153 cm in the past year.
The opponent was clearly going through a growth spurt.
And now he was not much shorter than Iniesta anymore.
Barca fans call anyone a shorty who doesn’t deserve to play at Camp Nou, but while it may be a careless remark for them, Iniesta took it somewhat to heart.
Responding to some media’s false reporting, Deng Kai made clarifications through the "Echo Report".
"Deng Kai has never disrespected Simon and believes Simon is a role model for all the young players from Sporting Lisbon!"
"Deng Kai: Some media always love to take things out of context. I’ve called Figo to ask him to explain things to Simon for me!"
Indeed, Figo, as Portugal’s elder brother, was worthy of his reputation. Before the third round of the U-21 championship, he accepted an interview and addressed the issue.
Figo: "I’m very happy that Simon could transfer to Barca, his skills can truly shine here. The twenty million euros transfer fee is proof of his ability, he deserves all of this."
"I’ve been following the U-21 tournament, paying close attention to the growth of Deng Kai and Ronaldo. In fact, I watched their Youth Champions League final."
"I stayed in contact with Deng Kai quite frequently. He would sometimes ask me for advice, like if I could send him a few signed footballs, he’s my avid fan. And when I have time, I’d send him some gear I don’t need. I’ve almost memorized his address."
"He’s not an arrogant type. He knows when to be confident and when to be humble."
"His words were twisted by the media. I have already explained it to Simon, and Simon says he won’t be swayed by the media."
"I wish Deng Kai the best of luck in achieving his desired results at this U-21 tournament!"
When the Portuguese superstar steps in,
even huge issues get ironed out.
With their team captain speaking out, Barca fans stopped being petty about the matter.
But they still found it hard to take a liking to Deng Kai.
...
"Ding! You have won a match, with a rating of S. You have received a blue fragment..."
"Ding! You have spent 20 blue fragments to acquire the player skill ’Power Bank’."
"Power Bank: In the 85th minute of a match, instantly regain 10% stamina, and thereafter, stamina recovery speed increases by 100%."
!!!
YYDS!
Deng Kai, shocked by the post-match reward, saw something incredible.
This is nuts!
This ’Power Bank’ is practically a divine skill.
Are you sure this is just a blue player skill?
Call it a golden legend and I’d believe you!
What does after the 85th minute mean?
Most midfielders and forwards have less than 8% stamina left, and many drop below 5%!
In a fierce match, even below 3% is possible!
But ’Power Bank’ can directly give Deng Kai 10% stamina.
For a talented player, the late stages of the game are when they truly show their mettle.
With ’Power Bank’, Deng Kai would have the stamina of a god descending in the last eight minutes of the match.
And this recovery ability, if it goes to extra time, that’s just godlike.
After all, Deng Kai’s stamina recovery is already stronger than most people’s; with Power Bank, it feels almost like a "mini perpetual motion machine."
Not very tall, not white, midfielder, exceptional stamina, this... a Chinese Kante?
Deng Kai felt ambivalent about his new template.
It’s not that Kante isn’t great, it’s just this damn Esporte.
