Chapter 526: Chapter 525: Football in Europe, Alcohol at Home
Mediterranean Bay.
A large group of female models and young actresses were swimming in the sea.
"Deng Kai! Come down!"
Several young models tried to get Deng Kai into the water.
Deng Kai repeatedly waved his hands to refuse.
"Is this really okay?" Victoria lay on the deck, while Keira was applying sunscreen to her.
"I’m not a good swimmer," Deng Kai said, his mind entirely on his phone and not interested in Victoria.
He wasn’t like someone from Cao, not enjoying this at all.
Victoria frowned, "You know that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about you going out to sea with us before Portugal officially announces their team roster... Aren’t you afraid that you won’t make the national team?"
Deng Kai shrugged, "I won’t be joining the Portugal national team."
Victoria suddenly turned over, trembling, "What do you mean? What the hell are you talking about? Do those foolish Portuguese really think their Golden Generation can achieve good results on their own?"
"Do they think teams like France, Brazil, Germany, and England are dead?"
"You should speak up, with the pressure of public opinion, you... how can the core player of the Champions League-winning team not play in the World Cup?"
Deng Kai signaled Victoria to calm down, given she was wearing a swimsuit.
"I will participate in this World Cup," Deng Kai said.
"But you said you wouldn’t join Portugal... Damn it!" Victoria was dumbfounded, coming up with a terrifying possibility, "Deng Kai, you wouldn’t be... are you out of your mind?"
Ding!
Deng Kai received a message on his satellite phone.
It was from Jiang Yunzhu.
Deng Kai smiled, "This World Cup does not belong to me. The Portuguese Golden Generation has given so much for the national team, and they deserve to reap their own results."
"But the World Cup only happens once every four years, and I don’t want to waste any opportunity."
"If I have to choose, I hope to use this precious summer to accomplish something grand."
"A feat unprecedented in football."
Victoria shook her head repeatedly, "Madman! You are a madman! You will regret this! You are joking with your career!"
"Let’s keep this news between us until after Portugal announces the roster, okay?" Deng Kai looked at Victoria.
The latter nodded.
Because she knew how dramatic this matter was.
But besides being dramatic, this matter had no value.
And... a Portugal team without Deng Kai was actually good news for England.
After all, there is only one champion.
The more strong teams there are, the less chance England has.
Aside from the supporters of the Portuguese Golden Generation, no one would think that Portugal with Deng Kai wouldn’t be stronger!
That evening, Portugal became the last national team to announce their World Cup squad.
"Baia, Nelson, Ricardo, Jorge Costa, Xavier, Caneira, Couto, Andrade, Frechaut, Beto, Jorge, Sasso, Figo, Pinto, Conceicao, Viana, Barbosa, Bento, Rosa, Quaresma, Bolaita, Rui Costa, Gomes!"
Upon the release of this list.
All of Europe was astonished!
European powerhouses even thought they had heard wrong!
It was fine for Lisbon Sporting to have two people selected.
But it was not the expected Deng Kai and Ronaldo.
Instead, it was the team’s veteran substitutes, members of the Portuguese Golden Generation, Joao Pinto and Paolo Bento.
Record Report, "This is a politically motivated list! This is a list of football players that does not belong to football!"
Bola Newspaper, "Adding Deng Kai and Ronaldo might have been better, but it could also have been worse. The Golden Generation has enough power to contend for the championship without taking such big risks!"
Manchester Evening, "The Portuguese Football Association has made the most erroneous decision! They have underestimated the youth, refusing to call up this year’s strongest midfielder and forward in Europe!"
Republic Newspaper, "From a technical style perspective, Deng Kai and Ronaldo’s styles do indeed clash with the Portuguese team, but not even giving them the chance to substitute is way too stubborn!"
"France Football": "Outrage fills the air! Trigella withdraws from the Portuguese national team coaching staff! Admitting that non-football reasons deciding the team roster is a tragedy for football!"
"Sky Sports": "The exclusion of Deng Kai and Ronaldo marks the official beginning of the intense struggle between Portugal’s golden and diamond football generations!"
"Milan Sport Newspaper": "An overwhelming influx of emerging talents isn’t necessarily good! Portugal’s abundance of talents is mishandled by the football association, risking a loss of talents!"
"The Sun Newspaper": "More than twenty national teams are willing to welcome Deng Kai and Ronaldo! They can help them achieve expedited immigration!"
"Joao Pinto during an interview: I am willing to give up my spot for Deng Kai or Ronaldo, hoping that the Portuguese FA would revise the list!"
"Paolo Bento announces publicly: In extreme cases, I would consider retiring to make space for Deng Kai and Ronaldo! They really are outstanding!"
"Barca’s new king, Quaresma, struggles to accept: Kai was the strongest midfielder this year, he should have a slot."
"Inter’s Crown Prince Viana urgently appeals: Let Ronaldo join the main squad, he will surprise everyone! He absolutely deserves a slot!"
"Third-tier player Feng Te angrily scolds the Portuguese FA: They rejected the world’s best player at leading teams to championships! Damn bureaucrats! This is why I refuse to join the national team!"
Portuguese fans are grumbling loudly.
You might not need Deng Kai and Ronaldo.
But you can’t not call them up.
Even the hardcore fans of the golden generation are somewhat surprised by this response.
It’s simply uncalled for, really uncalled for.
Why not let CD play in garbage time and perfect the transition with the golden generation at the next World Cup?
If you don’t let the youth experience it now, how will others manage big moments in the future?
Apropos this, CD fans claim no need to wait for the future; our CD can already handle all sorts of big moments now.
Moreover, my Kai doesn’t need to be brought along!
He’s always been the one leading others to championships!
Feng Te: ???
Yet, impressively, in the face of such a significant blow, Deng Kai responded proactively and gracefully, "Pinto, Bento, you must not step down, this is the honor you deserve."
"As members of Portugal’s golden generation, while you can still shine, you should appear on the World Cup stage to enjoy the cheers of fans."
"Also, I truly appreciate everyone’s support for me and Ronaldo."
"We are still young, we have many opportunities left, let us wish the Portuguese national team good results in this World Cup."
???
Almost everyone was stunned.
Deng Kai... Is he really that easygoing?
This isn’t like Kai at all.
In light of the severity of the situation and Deng Kai’s positive attitude, that very night, Deng Kai received a personal call from Figo.
Figo: "Kai, this is a complicated matter, all of us can only comply... but if you want to come, I could try to bring you in!"
Figo said a lot.
In simple terms, the officials supporting the golden generation led by Figo were one group.
Those nurturing and supporting the diamond generation were another batch.
And Trigella, Maxa, Deng Kai, and Ronaldo were representatives of the diamond generation.
The players are innocent, on the same side.
However, the officials aren’t.
This affected the upcoming big selection in Portugal, which had already completely veered away from the realm of football.
This is how Europe is, every statement clamoring for freedom, but... if they truly had freedom, why emphasize it so much!
Almost any industry, every aspect, the more they emphasize something, the more it proves they’re losing it.
And football, that is a vivid representation of it all, a complex medium, not merely a game, a sport.
Domestically, though, these are systematically distributed through exams, public sector recruitment, and social gatherings, presenting in completely different forms.
Of course, as a leader of the golden generation, Figo indeed could maneuver to get Deng Kai in.
As long as Deng Kai cooperated.
But definitely, he wouldn’t be playing in the matches.
