Chapter 480: Chapter 479: The Brothers’ Promise
Keira hoped that one day she would hear some "good news."
So, you never know how many people are "eagerly awaiting" your current good days.
In addition, UEFA was relatively fair this time.
The punishment Barcelona faced was almost the same as for Sporting Lisbon.
Considering that hardcore fan Bruno Fernandes was only eight years old, he was not banned from matches.
However, Sporting Lisbon would pay the price, as their next home game would also be played behind closed doors.
The expected loss was over two million euros.
Bruno, young as he was, had thrown around big money, skyrocketing his reputation among the fans.
This laid a solid foundation for his future status as the big B.
As for why he had to be the big B.
Because... if you’re not the big B, you become the small B!
Which one do you think sounds better?
Of course, some Barça fans thought Deng Kai should have been shown a red card for his foul language after scoring a goal.
On this, UEFA pardoned him, aligning with the principle of humanitarian concern.
They explained that for Deng Kai, in that situation, such a spontaneous emotional outburst was normal.
After all, no player could remain calm after being injured at such a crucial stage.
Especially since Enrique’s foul was so malicious.
...
"Football Sprite? Ronaldinho dominates the game with two shots and one assist, gaining favor from the Barça hierarchy!"
"Bombshell! This summer, Barça plans to continue shopping from Sporting Lisbon! While they strengthen themselves, they’re also weakening the enemy!"
"Rivaldo: Ronaldinho is a very good player, and Barça is conducive for South American players to perform."
"Quaresma: If Ronaldinho could come to Barça, I would definitely welcome him, but he’s still a Sporting Lisbon player right now."
"Maxa: Ronaldinho is not for sale, he’s far from reaching the heights we envision for him, he can get even stronger! Even if Sporting Lisbon were to sell, they wouldn’t sell to Barça!"
Watching the news from Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo was infuriated, "Look at these people, do they really treat our Sporting Lisbon like a supermarket?"
From the hospital bed, Deng Kai looked at Cristiano Ronaldo in surprise, "Huh? Isn’t it?"
Cristiano Ronaldo became livid, "How can you say that about our team!"
Deng Kai nearly laughed out loud, "So you’re planning to play for Sporting Lisbon your entire life?"
Cristiano Ronaldo was then at a loss for words.
That was obviously impossible.
Not to mention offers from other teams, just from a player’s own ambition, no one would want to play in the Portuguese league for a lifetime.
If there was a chance, everyone would want to go and see for themselves the core of the sport, to experience a stronger, more varied league.
Cristiano Ronaldo stubbornly said, "I’ll find a way for you to join the same team as me."
"It’s okay, there’s no such thing as a never-ending feast, this is only to be expected," Deng Kai consoled Cristiano Ronaldo, "My grandfather once told me something. In turbulent times, we drift like duckweed, often with no choice."
"He doesn’t blame my dad for leaving China and becoming a citizen of Portugal."
"Football is the war of peaceful times. Since we’ve chosen this profession, often we have no choice."
"Rather than looking forward to the future, it’s better to seize the present."
In fact, the teams that wanted Cristiano Ronaldo and the teams that wanted Deng Kai were unlikely to be the same team.
Firstly, one thing was certain, that they would both "move up," joining the ranks of the elite clubs.
Elite clubs usually don’t lack players, but if they’re at a stage of regeneration, they will reinforce their teams with purpose.
Currently, clubs with an aging roster structure in need of fast wingers include Manchester United, Bayern, Juventus, and Inter Milan, among others.
But none of them really need wingers with strong ability to cut inside and score.
No tactical knowledge, right?
If a club wants to bring in Ronaldo and fully leverage his capabilities, tactical reform is a must.
But the average manager doesn’t have that kind of authority, or may have the authority but can’t take the risk; a few bad results and they’re out in less than six months.
Therefore, although situations vary, this time around only Manchester United could digest having Ronaldo.
And no matter the configuration, Manchester United can’t absorb Deng Kai.
Even if Manchester United wanted him, Deng Kai wouldn’t go.
He’s used to being the king at Sporting Lisbon, and can’t settle for being a prince anymore.
Besides, Mansour has already conquered the main city, it’s just a matter of Deng Kai making the call.
As for getting Ronaldo... that’s actually something Manchester City’s finances can’t handle at the moment.
In the last two seasons, a whole batch of Sporting Lisbon players have increased their market value.
Even those without a high market value, the Sporting Lisbon label is enough to boost their prices.
Buying their players comes with a premium.
Of course, this is only the beginning of their professional careers.
Whether they will reunite in the future, who knows?
Deng Kai pointed to his right foot, "You know I recover quickly, maybe in a month I’ll be able to play football again. But will we still be in the Champions League then?"
Ronaldo found it hard to answer.
Because he was suspended for the next European match.
"We will!"
Outside the ward.
Feng Te, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ibrahimovic, Drogba, Pepe, Wu Xudong, Maicon, Vieira, Reina, Vidic, Barzagli, Veloso and others walked in.
They patted their chests to assure Deng Kai, "You focus on recovering, we will definitely take the team to the semi-finals! Definitely!"
Jiang Yunzhu, who came to interview, had the photographer capture this touching moment.
Then, the photo was featured on the front page of "Football Emperor."
It triggered the tear ducts of most European football fans.
"Racing against time! Deng Kai confirmed to be out for a month! Will miss up to five matches! Including the quarter-final against Leverkusen!"
"We will definitely make it to the Champions League semi-finals! Sporting Lisbon players make a promise in Deng Kai’s ward!"
"The promise of youth! Sporting Lisbon’s young brigade will wait for Deng Kai’s return in the Champions League semi-finals!"
Many fans were moved by this "tragedy."
But that didn’t affect the professional media’s judgement.
Kicker: "Bayern’s medical expert Wohlfahrt professionally analyzes: Deng Kai’s injury theoretically needs two months to fully recover. Playing ahead of time could result in irreparable consequences!"
Bild: "One month or two, it doesn’t really matter. Sporting Lisbon will have a hard time holding off Leverkusen, who are leading the Bundesliga ahead of Bayern this season!"
German Transfer Market: "With Ze Roberto, Ballack, and Lucio in great form, Sporting Lisbon is missing two key players, the outcome is clear!"
Record Report: "Perhaps, it’s time to say goodbye to this miracle. After Deng Kai’s recovery, Sporting Lisbon might already be out of the Champions League!"
Bola newspaper: "Sporting Lisbon should be more practical and focus on the league instead, or they might end up with nothing!"
Sky Sports: "The first leg between Leverkusen and Sporting Lisbon is extremely difficult, the absence of Deng Kai and Ronaldo means the end for Sporting Lisbon!"
