Nine and a half

Chapter 284 Cristiano Ronaldo, a God Descending to Earth! (Chinese National Football Team Story)
"Back in the peak years of Guangzhou Evergrande's rivalry with Real Madrid, I faced Cristiano Ronaldo head-on."

"What peak showdown? That was a friendly match."

"Strictly speaking, it was a commercial exhibition match, and we still conceded seven goals."

"Haha."

The laughter was tinged with a hint of helplessness.

The Chinese national team had few options against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

The opponent is unlikely to adopt a narrow 1-0 winning strategy like Spain.

They won't have their legs give way like Morata.

What if we suffer a crushing defeat against Portugal like North Korea did back then? How will we face the expectations of Chinese fans?
"Brother Qi."

One of the teammates hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Gao Qi didn't laugh along with everyone, but said seriously, "The experience of the World Cup is a valuable asset for Chinese football."

Moreover, he also wants Chinese football to leave a greater mark on the world stage.

A few hours later in China.

The rooster crows at dawn.

The land of the East is filled with jubilation.

The score between the Chinese team and Spain made Gao Qi's name resound throughout the streets and alleys once again.

Like a strong spring breeze, it blows across the four seas and five continents.

He was like a great hero of ancient times who repelled the enemy on the front lines, and his achievements stirred the hearts of countless compatriots.

The headline on the front page of the newspaper reads: "That tall figure in the national team jersey inspires countless young people."

World Cup special programs on major TV stations are in full swing.

"Coach Zhang, what do you think?"

"It's the same old saying: recognize the gap, play freely, and hopefully the players won't have too much psychological pressure."

On the main stage of the CTV5 studio, several football legends and commentators, dressed in formal attire, sat around a large round table.

The big screen was showing clips of the match between the Chinese national team and Spain.

Everyone's heart is still frightened.

Even the extras in the audience felt like they were reliving a horror movie.

They were suppressed throughout.

The Chinese team couldn't even touch the ball.

In the end, Gao Qi's personal abilities allowed him to force the powerful invincible fleet to a draw!

With a goal scored in the final moments.

There was thunderous applause.

The group's emotions gradually calmed down, as if no matter how many times they watched that scene, they would still feel their blood boiling.

"Gao Qi scored China's first goal in the World Cup."

"Thank you Gao Qi, thank you Morata, thank you Spain for your narrow victory."

This is very unusual.

Coach Zhang's summary of the first round of matches was not lengthy.

There was also no criticism of the mistakes made by other national football players during the match.

They also ignored the "strange" questions in the comments.

The only somber statement was: "This is a collective achievement of the Chinese team, inseparable from the efforts of every player and staff member."

But in his heart he thought: Perhaps on that night in Sochi, Gao Qi on the green field was lonely.

During the off-season.

Gao Qi didn't pay attention to other news. After listening to the coaching staff analyze the video of Portugal's match, he spent most of the remaining time either training or reading on the sidelines.

Instead of reading "Selected Works of Great Men," I read novels that can relax my mind.

The war is imminent.

Try to keep a calm and composed mindset.

A teammate stepped forward, handed him a bottle of mineral water, and couldn't help but mutter, "Brother Qi, if we lose the game by a large margin, the whole country will be shocked by the fact that our opponent is Cristiano Ronaldo."

Yes.

The opponent's terminator was Cristiano Ronaldo.

It's not Morata.

In recent years, Portugal has been known as the "killer of Asian teams".

They often achieve large victories when playing against Asian teams.

Even if North Korea and South Korea parked the bus, they still couldn't hold on.

In a match of this intensity, it's impossible for Ronaldo to falter.

What about the Chinese national football team, whose overall strength is even worse?
Gao Qi nodded: "It's okay, we just won't watch the news. We might not lose by a large margin."

Since his debut.

He has never lost to Real Madrid at the club level, so he has never lost to Cristiano Ronaldo either.

But on the World Cup stage, the hope of escaping unscathed is very slim.

When North Korea participated in the World Cup, the Korean Peninsula Sun believed that the team had a chance to qualify, so the entire peninsula was broadcasting the North Korea vs. Portugal match live. Unfortunately, the signal was cut off during halftime.

Because the North Korean team was completely outplayed by Portugal in the first half.

The next few days were uneventful.

Your world will be very quiet if you don't watch the news.

The second round of the World Cup group stage.

Kazan Arena.

The place was packed with people, every seat was taken, and it was a sea of ​​red.

"Gao Qi!!!"

"Gao Qi!!!"

"Gao Qi!!!"

The sound waves were like the surging Volga River.

The camera switched to the players' tunnel: Cristiano Ronaldo gently patted Gao Qi on the chest, the two smiled at each other, and gave each other a simple hug.

Studio.
-
Damn, that's so cool! I want to wear the national football team jersey and stand there too.
-
I have a feeling we can't win, even though the media has touted the Chinese national football team as the strongest in history.
-
[Some idiot media outlet even predicted a 3-0 victory for the Chinese national football team against Portugal. That's complete overpraising them before the match; the more they praised them before the game, the harsher they criticized them afterward.]
-
[I've heard that when Cristiano Ronaldo plays against weaker opponents, he never dives into the water or yells at his teammates.]
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[Alas, considering his World Cup performance, Gao Qi's historical status is already sealed.]
-
It's too early to say. In another decade or so, perhaps Gao Qi will actually encounter China's next generation of super-golden players? His achievements in European football have inspired young people in various fields.
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Who's that old man in the stands? Beckenbauer!
-
[Rumor has it that Gao Qi will transfer to either Bayern Munich or Arsenal after the World Cup!]
-
The transfer is highly probable because Manchester City has a group of racist fans who have made anti-Chinese remarks. Manchester City not only refused to apologize but also supported that group, which the angry young man, Gao, will not tolerate.
-
[It's impossible for him to go to Arsenal; Wenger has already retired.]

The Chinese national football team's locker room.

Lippi's pre-match pep talk: "The Champions League winners, Portugal, are not invincible!"

The three key strategies for motivating renowned coach Silver Fox throughout his career are: clarifying tactical roles, reducing psychological pressure, and strengthening a sense of collective honor.

However, he found that this approach was not entirely applicable to the Chinese national football team.

"There's no need to be afraid."

"The opponent's defense is more afraid of Gao Qi."

"We can use Gao Qi's goal to force a draw against Spain, and we can also use Gao Qi to give Portugal a taste of their own medicine."

"Everyone, when there's space to pass the ball, try to pass it high!"

Translator Zhao stood tall and proud, mimicking the tone of a famous coach as he relayed the message.

Everyone nodded seriously.

Player tunnel.

The Portuguese contingent remained calm.

Peipei stared intently at Gao Qi's back with a sinister look in her eyes.

'The World Cup? Tonight is your last dance, kid!'

If Pepe were to encounter the Chinese national football team from over a decade ago, a team teeming with ruthless individuals, he would have to think twice before taking action, because back then, players like Li, Fan, and Sun were known for their willingness to stand up for their teammates.

If you could travel through time, Pepe would be choked, pinned to the grass, and beaten like a dog.

What about the current national football team?

On the field, they were bullied by the Koreans and were in a sorry state, only daring to glare angrily at their own country's fans.

Apart from Gao Qi.

Portugal was at the very front of the line.

Cristiano Ronaldo looked serious.

The commentator's body stiffened: "That resolute gaze, that's Cristiano Ronaldo!"

"Similarly, the eyes of our national football players are also very determined. We will not give up easily when fighting for national honor."

The Chinese national football team remained calm.

The overall pace of the game shouldn't be as suffocating as it was against Spain's possession-based system, right?
You won't feel like you're being slowly scraped by a knife.

Another fearful premonition arose: against Portugal, if we concede a goal, it will be conceded even more cleanly and decisively!

Gao Qi stood at the front of the line, gazing at the surging red in the stands.

I couldn't help but recall the scene of my first appearance on the Serie A field when I was a teenager.

The referee team led both teams' players out of the tunnel.

The Kazan Arena erupted in cheers.

Gao Qi's name echoed continuously in the night sky.

The cheers carried the hopes of Chinese fans for victory.

"Zhuangdianertai! Zhuangdianertai! Good evening, viewers!"

"We are now broadcasting live the second round of the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia."

"China vs. Portugal!"

"Gao Qi and Cristiano Ronaldo meet for the first time in the World Cup."

"A clash of titans between two superstars and two legendary strikers of all time!"

"Tonight's viewership ratings have broken the World Cup group stage record!"

The commentator suspected that FIFA's draw had some ulterior motives: knowing that Gao Qi's national team would have difficulty making it into the knockout stage, they arranged for Spain and Portugal, two highly anticipated opponents, to be drawn in the group stage.

Gao Qi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a guaranteed ratings hit!

Achoo!

In the VIP stands, FIFA's top leader, Gianni Infantino, couldn't help but sneeze.

"I had a dream last night."

"I dreamt that Gao Qi led the Chinese national team into the knockout stage, where they faced Messi's Argentina." "That was indeed a dream, Mr. Infantino."

The commentary booth at the scene.

As in previous years, Wenger became a temporary commentator for French television.

The elderly man seemed more like a special guest, patiently answering questions from his commentator partner.

What are your thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo potentially joining Juventus next season? What are your thoughts on Gao Qi potentially joining Bayern Munich next season?

"I don't really think much of them; they were both very close to joining Arsenal at one point."

The professor didn't have many regrets.

He personally believes that Gao Qi's early career was particularly crucial during his two seasons in Serie A. This kid seems to have the ability to absorb talent, inheriting and surpassing the talent and skills of legendary attackers throughout Italian history.

There is an old Chinese saying: "Gather the strengths of a hundred schools of thought and create your own unique style."

This phrase perfectly describes Gao Qi.

Another VIP box.

Beckenbauer's eyes were full of anticipation.

"No rush, I won the World Cup when I was 29."

"Gao is still very young."

Everyone was speechless.

He won the World Cup at the age of 29, his opponent being Cruyff.
Gao Qi might never win the World Cup in his lifetime!

That's not right either. Maybe becoming a coach after retiring would be a good option!

The pre-match ceremony has ended.

Beep!
With the referee's whistle, the game officially begins!
"The Chinese team is using a 4-4-2 formation!"

Goalkeeper: Wang Dalei.

"Defenders: Wang Shenchao, Feng Xiaoting, Deng Hanwen, Zhang Linpeng."

Midfielders: Hao Junmin, Zheng Zhi, Huang Bowen, Yu Hanchao.

Forwards: Gao Qi, Wu Lei.

"Go China!"

"Portugal also fielded a 4-4-2 formation!"

Goalkeeper: Patricio.

"Defenders: Guerrero, Fonte, Pepe, Cedric."

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Moutinho, William Carvalho, Bernardo Silva.

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, André Silva.

Studio.

The barrage of comments flew by.
-
Before the match, the media hyped up the Chinese national team to the skies, but now that I've seen Portugal's starting lineup, tell me! How can they possibly win?!
-
[Win a few rounds!]
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[Damn, they can't even control the ball properly, and yet a bunch of sycophants are trying to whitewash them and hype up how strong the Chinese national football team is.]
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[The domestic football media are all out of their minds. No matter what match the national team plays, they hype it up before the game and criticize it afterward. It's become a regular phenomenon, haha.]
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[Is that bastard Pepe planning to cripple someone again tonight?]
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Don't worry, Pepe will only target Gao Qi. Against other weaker opponents, he can easily defend without resorting to dirty tricks.
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Fonte is pretty good.

China has possession of the ball.

Lippi anxiously gestured on the sidelines.

The football sometimes rolled slowly on the green field, and sometimes bounced and jumped.

The commentator blushed: "Smooth and fluid attacking play! This is the Chinese national football team's super-golden generation."

"Yes, we lost the ball, which is understandable."

"That's understandable. The opponent is Portugal, and the intensity of the match is different from that in the Chinese Super League."

"Moutinho! He wants to pass to Ronaldo on the wing!"

"Danger!"

Cristiano Ronaldo's off-the-ball movement is historic.

He unleashed his special technique in advance: a feint forward dash followed by a sudden stop and retreat.

In past top-level Champions League matches, even opponents with world-class defenses have been forced to concede space to receive the ball.

Ok?
next moment.

The Portuguese superstar was a bit confused: He didn't manage to create space to receive the ball?

The Chinese national team's full-back charged straight up, looking completely clueless.

Is it
Either the opponent is a slow-reacting "idiot," or a world-class full-back with defensive awareness comparable to Lahm.

Snapped!
Instead of his usual "twitching in place," Ronaldo made a stylish receiving and adjustment move, stopping and dribbling with ease.

He easily got rid of the Chinese national team's full-back in his position.

It turns out he was slow to react.
A huge roar erupted from the Portuguese stands.

A gasp of fear erupted from the Chinese stands.

On the green field, Cristiano Ronaldo runs forward with unstoppable momentum.

"oops!"

"Why is the Chinese team so slow in positioning themselves?!"

"The opponent is Portugal, they won't pass the ball around like Spain!"

"Wow!"

The Chinese team has already tried its best.

Efforts are being made to shrink the defensive line.

However, the defensive strategy was not unified, resulting in a gap in the 30-meter zone.

It cannot be said that there was no unified approach.

Even if everyone has the same idea, their body and pace won't be fast enough.

In the command area, Lippi, in his frustration, swore in Italian: Before Ronaldo received the ball, the veteran coach was observing Moutinho's passing tendencies while frantically signaling for the Chinese defense to drop back and position itself, forming a rectangular defensive line overall, with some areas creating "pockets".
Useless.

Chinese national football player Gao Lin once said in an interview: "Lippi is a university professor, and we are primary school students. The tactics he talks about are too complicated for us."

The statement that Gao Lin is a good person and an honest man reflects the gap between the Chinese national football team and international football philosophies.

but.

Many fans of the Chinese national football team like to use this quote to criticize Lippi as an old fraud: "Why make it so complicated? I could have won all your previous Serie A, Champions League, and World Cup titles as head coach."

"Avatar!"

"Nuclear explosion!"

Cristiano Ronaldo!

"Earth-shattering!"

The commentator hadn't finished speaking.

Bah!
Cristiano Ronaldo has completed an incredibly stylish and elegant long-range shot!

The leg muscle lines embody a powerful aesthetic.

His proudly standing figure resembled that of a god.

A resolute gaze.

At this moment, perhaps in the eyes of Chinese fans, the Portuguese superstar is a terrifying presence that the Chinese national team's defense is powerless to resist.

The football, like a cannonball, whistled through the Chinese team's goal!
Wang Dalei was stunned.

0:1! ! !

The Kazan Arena fell into a brief silence.

Then, the cheers of the Portuguese fans broke the silence.

Less than three minutes into the game! Cristiano Ronaldo scores!

Cristiano Ronaldo jogged all the way to the corner flag area.

She leaped up gently.

Turn around in mid-air.

After landing, swing your arms down.

“Siu~”

His response was a wave of cheers from the stands.

Siu~siusiusiusiusiu~
Overwhelming.

Around the world, countless fans watching on television couldn't help but join in the commotion.

【Siu~siusiusiusiusiu~】

A cold, mechanical, synthesized voice quietly began to play.

In Gao Qi's field of vision, a golden phantom appeared faintly.

Cristiano Ronaldo's illusory image.
Several years ago, the Chinese genius had already mastered many skills, and all the phantoms disappeared as a result.

But Ronaldo's shadow still lingers.

Perhaps it's because I'm too resolute, but I occasionally let out a little shiver.

"Would you have such a strong competitive drive even when playing against yourself?"

call.

Gao Qi dispersed the legendary phantom of the soaring golden light.

The system notification sound did not stop.

[Mission Triggered: The Ultimate Showdown of Archers.]

[Mission Details: On the banks of the Volga River in Kazan, the evening breeze heralds your fateful duel with Cristiano Ronaldo. Fans worldwide will witness this epic battle!]

What? Three minutes into the game and you still haven't scored? What happened to our destiny?!

Gao Qi: "."

The Portuguese fans in the stands were immersed in the joy of victory.

The distant Iberian Peninsula.

Real Madrid's homegrown extreme fans were gloating.

They love watching Gao Qi lose.

"Gao Qi is a system player, and his true colors were revealed at the World Cup! That's his actual ability; he became a superstar by relying on easy baskets!"

"His goal against Spain in the last game was definitely a fluke!"

"Gao Qi has gone three minutes without scoring! Oh! Including the celebration time, it's four minutes!"

"Portugal beating his team is like beating the Strait of Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Andorra, and Malta."

(End of this chapter)