Chapter 731: Chapter 730: Ade Should Always Play Football for Deng Kai
Facing charges from the Spanish legal system, Adriano’s father, who had previously been silent, gave an exclusive interview to "Football Emperor."
Almir: "More important than championships is the health of loved ones! Many teams say this, but I never believed that a team would actually do this."
"Manchester City is great, at least for me, it’s the greatest team in the world."
"I was aware of my own condition. Months ago, I fainted several times, and there are medical records of my visits to the hospital in Rio de Janeiro."
"I didn’t tell Adriano because he and the team were going through the toughest time, and I knew they couldn’t afford to fall apart at the end."
"But at the same time, I was worried that I myself would fall apart at the end. I could feel my heart was giving out; it was a strange and terrifying feeling."
"Every night, I would pray to my heart, hoping it would let me see the sun the next day."
"Kai is a good kid, a good leader."
"He understands what a father needs, what he worries about."
"I’m most grateful that he helped me hide everything before the surgery, a man’s promise. I know it could bring him immense trouble, if my surgery failed..."
"He knew that too, but he was still willing to take it on for me."
"He is a true leader! He showed me Manchester City’s sense of responsibility!"
"If possible, I wish Adriano would always play for Deng Kai! Because I hope Adri can learn from Deng Kai’s spirit!"
Later, Adriano also accepted an interview: "Making this decision was perhaps difficult because I really like the fans of Inter Milan."
"But for my father, and to show gratitude for Captain Kai’s training and care, I solemnly promise to be willing to play for Manchester City forever."
The truth was out.
The whole world applauded for Deng Kai.
Only Moratti of Inter Milan was in such pain that he could barely breathe.
Adriano... can’t return to Inter Milan?
This...
"Those damn Spaniards!" Moratti was so angry he could have declared war and conquered Barcelona.
Let you run your mouths!
Give me back Adriano!
...
Soon, the national teams qualified for the European Cup announced their full 23-man squads.
On Sweden’s side, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was of course selected.
For the Czech team, Cech was chosen as the starting goalkeeper.
The line-ups of several championship-favored teams were much talked about.
The Netherlands team boasted three generations of new and old football gods with Fan Peixi, Cruyff, and Makai.
Unfortunately, the previously rampant Dutch forward star Fan Peixi had fallen out completely with the head coach Van Marwijk and was condemned to sit on the bench for the majority of the matches.
Young players, without excellent league performances, were unlikely to be called up to the national team.
If you are a veteran player with a big name and can win people over, even a six-month break might be considered by the national team.
Because of his explosive temper, Fan Peixi lost a valuable opportunity to compete in a major tournament.
In midfield, the Netherlands team boasted stars old and new, with Overmars, Cocu, Seedorf, Wild Boar Dai Weisi, Van der Vaart, Van der Mede, Sneijder, Robben, and Cen Deng.
In defense, they were equally formidable, with Stam, Deboer, Heitinga, Van Bronckhorst, Bouma, Reiziger, and others.
The goalkeepers were Van der Sar of Fulham, Westerweld of Real Sociedad, and Waterreus of PSV Eindhoven.
Many thought this to be the year of the rise of Dutch football.
Because players of similar ages to Portugal’s superstars—like Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Robben, Heitinga—were also due to emerge.
The Portuguese league had already risen.
Could the Dutch league be far behind?
Soon, good news also came from Italy.
At the age of thirty-seven, the distinguished Italian veteran Roberto Baggio barely made it into the Italy national team, clutching the last available spot.
Regarding this, the Italian coaching staff stated that Baggio’s performance at Manchester City this season was outstanding, and he deserved his fourth entry into the European Championship!
Baggio was overwhelmed with emotion and burst into tears on the day the roster was announced.
The melancholic Prince finally found his fulfillment.
The outcome was no longer important to him.
At his age, receiving such recognition was no easy feat.
Apart from Baggio, the Italy team also included many familiar faces.
Former Sporting Lisbon champion Barzagli, former Manchester City player Grosso, and current Manchester City player Chiellini were all selected.
Of course, what really draws attention to Italy are their world-class football stars.
Vieri, Pierro, Totti, Buffon, Toldo, Peruzzi, Cannavaro, Nesta, Camoranesi, Cassano, Gattuso, Pirlo, Ferrari, Panucci...
How else could one say Serie A is a mini World Cup!
Another championship team, France, also had a lineup to despair over.
On the front line were the unbeatable Gunner Henry, Juventus’ new star Trezeguet, Manchester United’s New Beckham Saha, and Arsenal’s trio of musketeers Wiltord.
And from Manchester City came the Premier League’s top right winger, Ribery!
Whether it was the forward line or midfield, his competitiveness was formidable.
Of course, France’s midfield was even more devilish.
Former world number one midfielder Zidane led the team.
Zidane: ???
Zidane: How come it’s former? Deng Kai’s playing on the wing, you know!
Vieira, Pires, Makelele, da Corte, Rothen, Julie.
Among them, Julie and Rothen had achieved the distinction of becoming UEFA Champions League runners-up that season.
Rothen was even dubbed the "left-sided Beckham."
Of course, Manchester City’s starting defensive midfielder Essien was also selected for the list.
Whether he would get the opportunity to play was still up to the tactical decisions of the France team’s coach.
Because Vieira was already the immovable defensive midfielder for France, despite the fact that Essien’s Manchester City had dominated Vieira’s Arsenal that season.
But the roles they played within their teams were different.
Essien was a piece of the championship puzzle.
Yet Vieira was the core of the championship team.
In defense, Manchester City’s stalwart Desailly was decisively chosen, Bayern’s Lizarazu and Sagnol, Juventus’ Thuram, and Chelsea’s Gallas also made the list.
The starting goalkeeper for France was the renowned Barthez, on loan from Manchester United to Marseille.
...
For Manchester City fans,
their main concern was the selection of their own players for this European Championship.
You see, for the sake of the European Championship, Manchester City had agreed to many players undergoing surgical treatment.
These players missed the most crucial time of the league as a result.
If they ultimately failed to be selected for the national team, then it would all be in vain for Manchester City.
Fortunately,
Baggio had already been selected beforehand.
And with the announcement of the Germany team’s roster, Manchester City’s considerations for their players were once again validated.
The recently recovered Lahm successfully made it into the Germany team!
