Chapter 162: Chapter 161: Innocent Mei, Just Ronaldo, Green Tea Kai (two more updates in the afternoon)
The young player in the video displayed an unparalleled football sense and dribbling agility, as if giving viewers a glimpse of a miniature Maradona.
Horn Newspaper: "This is one of Argentina’s most talented young players, two years younger than Deng Kai, but his football sense is something Deng Kai can never catch up to in his lifetime."
"Didn’t Deng Kai claim that he once received an invitation from Barcelona’s La Masia academy? That’s merely his claim, who knows if it’s true? But as for this Messi, he has already attracted the attention of La Masia scouts in Argentina."
"So we return to that question once again, Deng Kai, who exactly is the Argentine player you’re sponsoring? Surely it’s not some distant relative of your second uncle’s in-laws working in Argentina, is it?"
The Horn Newspaper has gone mad!
They must have consulted with Chinese people; they know the situation in Mainland China all too well.
Those four words "went out to work" perfectly capture the current national conditions.
The use of words like ’second uncle’ even casts a spotlight on distinct local mainland characteristics.
As a result, Deng Kai faced further scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the collection of Messi’s football plays had spread all over Europe.
Deng Kai was two years older than Messi, and his classic goals could even compete for the Puskás Award. But even a few years from now, Deng Kai would really struggle to reproduce Messi’s feel for the game.
Even Deng Kai’s good friend, the explosively talented Portuguese player Ronaldo, born during the ’84, ’85, and ’86 period, was far behind Messi in terms of football sense.
In the end, Ronaldo was getting a little worried for Deng Kai.
"Kai, this Messi might not look like much, and he is quite short, but his football sense is matchless. I’m afraid it’s not something you can match." Ronaldo subtly reminded Deng Kai that the foundation might be a tax avoidance tool, and he needed to plan ahead.
Deng Kai was not appreciative: "What, you mean to say you can match him?"
Ronaldo hemmed and hawed, finally squeezing out: "Football sense doesn’t mean everything, he can’t match my goal-scoring."
Deng Kai nodded: "That’s true, each of you has your own strengths."
Ronaldo had a puzzled look, as if to say why do you speak as if you know us so well?
Am I just making small talk, and you’re really comparing him to me?
The new season was approaching.
For the first time in history, both Portugal and Argentina focused their attention on a single youth player.
Even the big event of whether Simon, who transferred for twenty million euros, could adapt and integrate successfully into Barcelona, was temporarily ignored by everyone.
August 19th.
Two days before the first match of the new season for Sporting Lisbon U17.
Deng Kai posted a video on his personal social media platform.
It was the Messi highlight reel released by the Horn Newspaper.
And the caption read, "Incredible, so this is Messi!"
"To say something Messi’s father might not want to hear, could Messi really not be Maradona’s child? He’s so talented, I have no doubt that he will become one of the top players in the world."
"This is the most terrifying ball handling and football sense in the world!"
"Keep it up, Messi, strive to become an even better player."
"I have only one piece of advice for you, maintain your humility, as it is a virtue nearly extinct in Argentines."
"If one day you’re not happy playing in this country, both the Portuguese and Chinese teams welcome you."
Many found Deng Kai’s post somewhat baffling.
What right do you have to advise Messi?
Are you close friends?
The Horn Newspaper used Messi’s video to prove Deng Kai’s mediocrity, thereby arguing that the "fan" Deng Kai mentioned doesn’t exist at all.
Moreover, it implied that Deng Kai’s foundation was just a front for amassing wealth and evading taxes.
Then nailing Deng Kai to the cross of morality and law.
Finally, by generalizing from a specific case, arguing that since Deng Kai was ’crucified’, all his actions were wrong.
Consequently, the Argentines who had issues with Deng Kai in the past were now the righteous ones.
Taking seats was righteous!
Serves them right for taking someone else’s seat!
Is that even reasonable?
With such justifiable arguments, you have to admit that Argentinians have a knack for this.
Even if it’s bandit logic, many have been fooled, or should I say, are already fooled.
In China, although the majority of Argentinian football fans can rationally approach this issue and support Deng Kai’s rights, there are still a few who have knelt for too long, those spiritual Argentinians who crazily whitewash the seat-takers, fervently lick Argentina’s boots, and angrily accuse Deng Kai of violating laws and tarnishing the image of the Chinese on the world stage.
Even in Europe, Deng Kai’s comments about Messi are seen by many as a sign of weakness.
He cowered.
He became scared!
So the Horn Newspaper pressed their attack, "Do you think a few nice words will divert our attention? Now, please tell me, who exactly is that fan of yours, that little Argentinian football player you spoke of?"
"Or does he not exist at all?"
...
The next morning, Deng Kai’s social media accounts wouldn’t stop buzzing.
Messi was looking for him.
Messi: I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you.
Deng Kai: It’s alright, this isn’t your fault.
Messi: I don’t want people to misunderstand you like this.
Deng Kai: I’m actually okay, but what they say about my hometown saddens me. China is a beautiful and lovely place, you would like it if you went there.
Its people are hardworking and kind, the Argentinian media may defame me, but they should not speak of them that way.
Hard work is never wrong, and migrant labor should not be ridiculed. Many places have been built with our participation, Chinese are a guarantee of quality... I need to put in some eyedrops, I cried all night and now my vision is a little blurry.
Messi: Kai, are you okay? Kai! I’ll talk to them, wait for me, I must clear this up with them!
Half an hour later.
Deng Kai: I’m back. Messi? Are you still there? Don’t go talk to them! This won’t be good for your career! You’ll be blamed!
As Deng Kai hit the enter key, Ronaldo shook his head disdainfully nearby and said, "To be fair, you’ve gone too far."
Deng Kai looked towards Ronaldo, signaling him to elaborate.
"You’ve been sitting in front of the computer this whole time. You saw his messages, but you deliberately waited half an hour before replying, pretending you didn’t see what he wrote," Ronaldo said, eyes wide in disbelief, "I know Maxa is a dog, but compared to you, Maxa is just a puppy, and you are truly a big hound!"
"Also, you do need eyedrops, but isn’t it because you stayed up all night texting Hathaway?"
"How can you blame Messi for this?"
"Look at how you’ve deceived him! You are so despicable!"
Deng Kai shrugged his shoulders, "Sorry, where I come from, this isn’t called despicable, it’s called being a ’green tea’. Besides, seeing you so concerned about Messi really warms my heart, I hope you will continue to treat him this well in the future."
Ronaldo frowned, "Why wouldn’t I? He seems very amicable, I think we could be friends. Of course, that’s provided his football taste improves and he becomes my fan instead of liking someone like you who can’t even do a wheelie."
Deng Kai shook his head.
Ronaldo, you probably don’t realize that for a long time to come, you’ll be chasing after this little fan of mine.
If it weren’t for your three consecutive Champions League wins, you would indeed be overshadowed by Xixi.
...
That afternoon, a young player approached the journalist from Financial World Newspaper with a scoop.
Initially, the Financial World Newspaper’s journalist didn’t intend to heed the player until he claimed he was the young player sponsored by Deng Kai.
The reporter took another look at the boy and then at the downloaded footage of the Argentine football prodigy on his phone, feeling somewhat dazed.
He was trembling.
He knew he had struck gold!
This was the biggest scoop to come out of Argentina in a long time!
