Chapter 12: The Shocking and Terrifying Roster Announcement? (3)

“This isn’t a hidden camera, right?”

“No matter what, you’re really picking a first-year high school student instead of a goalkeeper with plenty of national team experience as number one?”

“So this is why he fought with the directors. Still, it’ll probably go similarly to before from now on, right?”

However, contrary to the reporters’ expectations, Coach Cheon Mu-seok nominated new faces for the defense as well.

“The defenders are Jang Hyun-sung from Jeju United, Yoo Ji-yong from Ulsan FC, and Kim Eun-woo from Gimcheon Sangmu.”

“No, not Yoo In-hoo, Kim Hyun-soo, or Hwang Sun-il?”

“Huh, they’re all players with no national team experience.”

“Jang Hyun-sung, Yoo Ji-yong, and Kim Eun-woo were all selected because they have excellent speed and stamina, and their great passion was judged to be beneficial to our national team.”

Yoo In-hoo, Kim Hyun-soo, and Hwang Sun-il are all players who never miss out when it comes to international matches.

In contrast, what about Jang Hyun-sung, Yoo Ji-yong, and Kim Eun-woo?

All are players with no national team experience; in other words, players for whom this is practically their national team debut.

“This isn’t just bold, it’s revolutionary.”

“The Football Association allowed that?”

“At this rate, isn’t Park Seo-joon not going to be picked either?”

“Hey, if Park Seo-joon isn’t picked, the coach might change even before it starts.”

Park Seo-joon is the current ace of South Korea, the heart of South Korea, an undisputed ace playing for Chelsea who ignites the days and nights of Koreans.

Fortunately, Coach Cheon Mu-seok announced a midfield roster that included Park Seo-joon, which everyone could agree on.

The reporters, who judged that the attackers would also be similar to previous selections, were contemplating how to report this bold, even revolutionary, roster announcement.

“Next are the attackers.”

‘This must be the end of it.’

‘Hmm, the attackers will be similar anyway, I want to quickly post the article.’

“Park Kyung-sik from Ulsan-“

As expected, when Park Kyung-sik, who was always selected, was picked, the reporters became indifferent.

“Next are Lee Tae-yang from Pungwol High and Yoo Hee-sung from Inha High.”

………
………
………

“He did say Lee Tae-yang and Yoo Hee-sung, right?”

“Uh, I don’t think I misheard.”

“This concludes the announcement of the 2036 Madrid Olympics football team roster.”

As the announcement concluded, the reporters, as if they had been waiting, quickly began to pour out questions.

‘Huh, can that coach handle this? Picking high school students, not even university leaguers, this is going to cause an uproar.’

***

[National Football Team Roster Announced, Revolutionary Generational Shift Heralded in the Football World.

The 2036 Madrid Olympics football team roster announced today is causing a huge stir in the football world.

This roster, announced by new coach Cheon Mu-seok, is a bold player composition that completely overturns existing conventions, heralding a new era for Korean football.

The most noticeable point is the large-scale selection of young players.

Starting with the selection of Jeong Tae-woo, a first-year high school student, for the goalkeeper position, the defense and attack lines also include a large number of players with no national team experience.

Especially in the attacker lineup, the inclusion of high school students Lee Tae-yang from Pungwol High and Yoo Hee-sung from Inha High has caused even greater surprise.]

[Controversial Olympic Football Team Roster Announced… A Reckless Gamble, or Innovation?

The 2036 Madrid Olympics football team roster announced today is causing great controversy in the football world.

Criticism is pouring in that this roster, announced by Coach Cheon Mu-seok, is closer to a ‘reckless gamble’ than ‘innovation’.

The biggest problem pointed out is lack of experience.

Starting with the selection of first-year high school student Jeong Tae-woo for the goalkeeper position, a large number of young players with no national team experience were included in the defense and attack lines.

The selection of Pungwol High’s Lee Tae-yang and Inha High’s Yoo Hee-sung in the attacker lineup, in particular, is raising concerns among many experts.

Football commentator Kim Mo stated,

“It is a very risky decision to use such inexperienced players on an important stage like the Olympics,” adding,

“It is questionable whether they can withstand the pressure of the international stage.”

Whether this choice is a gamble or a revolution, only the Olympic results will tell.]

“Ha, as expected, public opinion has hit rock bottom.”

Public opinion was worse than he had thought.

There’s a clear difference between one first-year high school player and three.

‘Ha, if the news is like this, the gallery must be in even more of an uproar, right?’

[Where is Cheon Mu-seok’s house?]

-If you tell me, I’ll go catch him right away. No, common sense-wise, does this even make sense?

-4010: No, even 1 is f*cking controversial, but 3… He’s just kidding, right?

-CheonMuSeok: Trust me. I will repay you with an even more certain preliminary elimination than before.

-4010: Ha, I really can’t imagine how miserably they’ll lose.

-OriginalPoster: Jeong Tae-woo, Yoo Hee-sung, Lee Tae-yang are good, I admit. But is this a high school tournament? It’s strictly an international match and the Olympics, and you’re taking a first-year? Leaving aside proven players… Ha, I can’t stand it. Tell me the address.

[Park Seo-joon]

-Ah, Park Seo-joon-nim will have to go to the military if he doesn’t win a medal this time. Probably one of the biggest victims.

-FireEgg: Ah, right. Sh*t, is Park Seo-joon really going to play for Gimcheon Sangmu?

-FireEgg: But why aren’t other European-based players coming?

-JangJangHeeHee: As far as I know, their teams refused to release them.

-POP: It’s understandable. Yoo Hyuk and Kim Chan-wook transferred not long ago.

‘They’re just cursing them to lose.’

“My son…”

Mom approached me and called out to me, looking worried.

‘Her son has practically become a national traitor, so of course she’d be worried.’

“Mom, it’s okay. Public opinion will change quickly once I show my skills anyway.”

I wasn’t particularly affected by the criticism.

I knew better than anyone that public opinion would change if I did well, if the Olympic results were good.

However, Mom, who didn’t know that, continued to worry.

“Still, son, absolutely do not go on the internet. Got it?”

“Okay.”

“And even if you make a small mistake in the game, absolutely don’t get depressed-“

“Mom, I’m not going right away. It’s okay because I just need to do well. Soccer is one of the two things I’m incredibly good at, isn’t it?”

“Then what’s the other one, son?”

“This handsome face you gave me?”

The shadow of worry on Mom’s face seemed to lift a little.

“Oh my goodness, you… Yes, my son will do well.”

Mom let out a small sigh but now wore a slightly relieved expression.

She lightly patted my shoulder and slowly headed out of the room.

Before closing the door, Mom turned back to me once more and said.

“Son, Mom is proud of you. I’ll always be cheering for you.”

As the door closed softly and I heard Mom’s footsteps, I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

There was a warmth in this family that I had never felt in the whole world when I was called the God of Football.

Mom’s worried eyes, and the love contained within them, warmed a corner of my heart.

Just then, the ringing of my cell phone filled the quiet room. I reached out and picked up the phone.

‘Lee Tae-yang? Did he call because of the Olympics?’

I hesitated for a moment before answering the call.

-Hey hey hey hey hey!

Lee Tae-yang’s excited voice burst out from the other end of the receiver.

‘Does this kid not care about malicious comments?’

What high school student could maintain a sane mind when they are being heavily criticized on the internet?

But that high school student was nearby.

-This is crazy. The time has finally come for me, Lee Tae-yang, to show myself to the world!

“Don’t you use the internet?”

-Ah, you mean the malicious comments? They’ll become my fans once they see my fantastic goals anyway, so there’s no need for me to get upset.

“Yeah, that’s like you.”

-What’s like me?

“Hmm… An idiot with a flower garden planted in his head?”

-Shut up. You’re in big trouble now too. Your fan club members will see my fantastic plays, leave you, and come to me.

“Tae-yang, I’m sorry, but even if they leave me, those fans won’t go to you.”

-Hey. You don’t know that.

“Look in the mirror, my friend. Is that a face that will get a fan club? I don’t think so.”

After saying that, I immediately hung up the phone.

As soon as I hung up, the phone kept ringing as if it were on fire, but I ignored it.

Jiiing- Jiiing-

‘Ha, he’s sending KakaoTalk messages because I’m not answering the phone. Keep it up. See if I look.’

Tiring!

Just then, a different notification sound than before was heard.

Since I had Lee Tae-yang on silent, I picked up my phone, puzzled.

-Jang Da-min: Hey, come out.

‘Come out’ probably didn’t mean to come to her house. Did she come all the way to my house?

-Why?

-Jang Da-min: Just come out when I tell you to.

Da-min always seemed to grumble at me, but when things were tough, she was the friend who would rush to my side before anyone else.

She probably came to comfort me after seeing the current public opinion situation.

I opened the front door, quickly took the elevator down to the first floor.

As I entered the lobby, I saw Da-min beyond the glass door.

She was wearing a light pastel-toned dress with a denim jacket, and cute sneakers that hugged her ankles.

It was a slightly different look than usual, but seeing her under the late-night lights, she felt new for some reason.

“You here?”

Da-min’s voice was a little lower than usual.

“What’s up?”

“Um… Are you okay?”

At times like this, I always realize how blessed my life as Jeong Tae-woo is. Parents and friends who worry about me when things are difficult.

“Hey, I’m Jeong Tae-woo. I’m not someone who gets discouraged by things like this.”

“Stop joking around.”

Her voice was a mixture of annoyance and worry.

“Da-min.”

“What?”

I slowly looked her up and down and said.

“You dressed up nicely today.”

“Whaaaat?”

Da-min’s eyes widened. Her cheeks turning slightly red was clearly visible in the streetlight.

Pfft-

“Don’t worry about me. I’m confident enough to do well.”

Da-min turned her head and replied bluntly.

“When did I say I was worried? I just came just in case.”

The night breeze blew gently, slightly swaying the hem of Da-min’s dress.

Under the streetlights, we looked at each other and fell silent for a moment.

“Jeong Tae-woo, you’re confident, right?”

For some reason, looking down at Da-min, an unexplainable emotion surged within me.

A warmth I had never experienced before.

At this time, I considered this to be friendship.

“Of course.”