When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 67 For the Son of Riel! (Third Update!)

2003 5 Month 23 Day.

Special episode of the French football program "Le Sport en Or": The ultimate suspense in the battle for the Golden Boot.

The host excitedly said:

"Ladies and gentlemen! The most exciting individual duel of the Ligue 1 season is about to unfold! Roy – Monaco's rising star, has scored a staggering 20 goals in 14 games, just one goal away from Portuguese striker Pauleta's 21! In the final round, Monaco, already crowned champions, face Troyes, currently 20th in the league, at home in their last match before the championship parade, while Bordeaux travels to face Lille. This is not just a game, but a battle for the Golden Boot!"

The camera switches to Bordeaux coach Pope's pre-match interview:
Popper smiled, but his eyes were sharp.

"Monaco has already won the Ligue 1 title and the French League Cup, and Roy has swept both the Player of the Year and Best Young Player awards (pause). It's time to stop. Today, the entire Bordeaux team has only one goal—to help Pauleta defend his Golden Boot!"

The studio erupted in cheers.

Legendary footballer Petit sneered and raised his eyebrows:

"Coach Pope makes it sound nice (suddenly serious), but in my opinion, Roy is already the Golden Boot winner! How many of those 20 goals were key goals? How many were game-winning goals? How many of Pauleta's 21 goals were penalties? (turns to the camera) The data doesn't lie, Roy's goals are far more valuable than his opponents'!"

That's so objective and fair!!!

The host added with a mischievous smile:

"And based on my understanding of Roy (slow-motion replay of Roy's celebrations for his last five goals), the word 'know when to stop' simply doesn't exist in this young man's dictionary! His ambition? To dye all the honors in Monaco's red and white!"

The large screen suddenly splits into two parts:
On the left is a picture of Pauleta and Roy practicing shooting on the field.

The host couldn't help but chuckle and moved on to the next topic:
Breaking news! Lille coach Pierre played mind games during the pre-match press conference!

The camera then switches to Pierre's interview.

The coach, who enjoys pre-match psychological warfare, once again revealed a sly smile.

"Roy is the most outstanding child in Lille's youth academy history, a true son of Lille! As his 'father,' I've given the defense a death order—"

He deliberately dragged out the tone.

"We absolutely cannot let Pauleta score on our pitch before the game ends. After all, we have to support our own team."

"Lille will win, for Lille's son!!!"

The studio erupted in laughter.

Petit slammed his fist on the table and burst into laughter:
"Listen to this! This is the social etiquette of French football!"

The host wiped away tears of laughter:
Subtitles appeared:

[24-hour countdown to Lille vs. Bordeaux match]

[Monaco vs. Troyes - Match Starts Simultaneously]

Pettit delivered the final blow:

"Now the pressure is on Pauleta—he has to break through both Lille's defense and Pierre's 'fatherly defense' at the same time!"

Canal+ produced a special program specifically for the two matches: The Battle for the Golden Boot: 90 Minutes of a Dynasty Revolution

(Original French version: "La Bataille du Soulier d'Or: 90 Minutes de Révolution")
The game utilizes dual-screen live streaming technology: simultaneously broadcasting the Monaco vs. Troyes and Lille vs. Bordeaux matches, with real-time updates to the top scorers list.

Program slogan: "Un soulier d'or ne se gagne pas il se conquiert!"

("The Golden Boot isn't won, it's conquered!")
May 24, 2003, the final match of Ligue 5.

Monaco vs. Troyes.

In the 4th minute, Monaco launched a lightning attack! Pulso opened the scoring!

The commentary was explosive:

"BUUUUUT!!! Monaco explodes from the start! Rothen crosses from the left, and Puliso heads the ball into the net! 1-0! Troyes are still asleep!"

12 minutes.

The commentary booth erupted: "BUT——————!!! History stands still at this moment! Roy! Monaco's devil! He received Giuly's pass back at the edge of the penalty area and, without the slightest hesitation—BANG!!! A thunderous blast! The ball flew straight into the top corner! 2-0! This is his 21st league goal of the season!"

The camera switches wildly:

"Look at that shot! The net is shaking violently! Troyes goalkeeper Hertebis didn't even make a save!"

The live scoreboard is updated immediately: Roy has 21 goals, tied for first place in the top scorers list with Pauleta!

"Roy charged toward the sideline camera, tearing at his jersey and roaring, his finger pointing straight to the sky! This 18-year-old was declaring to the world: I'm here for the Golden Boot!"

"Look at his eyes! That hunger, that ambition! This isn't just a simple goal celebration, it's a king's declaration!"

Slow-motion replay: "Let's watch this brilliant goal again: Roy spotted the opening before receiving the ball, his leg swing was minimal but incredibly powerful! That's the instinct of a top striker!"

(Suddenly switches to another match)
"Wait! He received the ball, beautifully shielded it, and then passed it to his teammate, helping Bordeaux launch an attack. He seems to sense the threat! The battle for the Golden Boot has officially entered a heated phase!"

The commentator's voice cracked with excitement: "Ladies and gentlemen, you are witnessing the most exciting individual duel in Ligue 1 history! Roy has officially declared war on Pauleta with this world-class goal! The match has only been going on for 12 minutes, and the best is yet to come!"

14 minutes.

The commentator roared in a dramatically exaggerated tone:

"Wait! Another stadium! Pauleta! Lille 0-1 Bordeaux! The Portuguese calmly slots the ball home! 22 goals! The top scorer list changes hands again!"

(The camera cuts back to Roy)
"Roy's expression shows he saw the scoreboard on the sidelines! The battle has only just begun!" 21st minute.

The commentator's tone was frenzied:

"3-0! Pulso scores again! Roy returns the favor with an assist! Monaco are on fire! But this won't be on his goal-scoring list! He should have played a bit more selfishly tonight!"

(Data pops up)
"Pulso: 15th goal of the season! But everyone's eyes are on Roy, he needs to score another one!"

39 minutes.

The commentator shouted hysterically:
"BUT————!!! Roy! 22 goals! He's here! He's here! A goalmouth scramble, a calm follow-up shot! 4-0!"

(Slow motion replay)
"Pauleta's expression! He looked up at the stadium screen, his expression resolute! He received the news at another venue! The battle for the Golden Boot has reached a fever pitch!"

In the 81st minute, Rothen added another goal!
The commentary was somewhat disappointing:

"Rothen! 5-0! But this isn't Roy's goal, he needs another one! Time is running out!"

87th minute: Pauleta scores his second goal!

The narration was powerful and moving.

"Pauleta! A brace! Lille's goal has been breached! 23 goals! He's celebrating wildly! Is the Golden Boot already secured?!"

(The camera cuts to Roy)
Roy gritted his teeth and stared at the scoreboard. Three minutes left in regulation time!

"The match has reached the 88th minute! Monaco leads 5-0, but Roy needs more! Bernardi intercepts the ball in midfield and passes it to Giuly on the right wing—"

"Giuly dribbles forward, then suddenly stops and changes direction! His cross is cleared—no! The ball lands at the edge of the penalty area!!"

"Roy charged forward with the ball! Three defenders blocked him! He had no time to adjust—"

"A direct volley!!! BUUUUUUUUUUUUUT!!!"

(Slow motion replay)

"That shot was like a cannonball! The ball barely spun in the air, flying straight into the top right corner of the goal with a perfect trajectory! Although the goalkeeper got a touch on the ball, the force was too great! The ball slammed against the underside of the crossbar and bounced into the net!"

"23 goals! Roy has equalized with Pauleta again! Look at the look in his eyes when he celebrates—it's not joy, it's a beastly hunger!"

"If Pauleta can't unleash his full potential again, the two will share the season's top scorer award!"

(The sound from the scene suddenly increases)

"Monaco fans went absolutely wild in the stands! Assistant coach Jean Petit frantically pointed at his watch: There's still time! There's still a chance!"

90 minutes.

"One minute of stoppage time! Monaco gets one last attacking opportunity! Roma launches a long goal kick—"

"Purso heads the ball down! Roy receives it near the center circle! He starts his sprint!"

(The narrator's speaking speed increases)
"Get past the first one! Change direction to shake off the second one! At the edge of the penalty area!"

"Defender slides in! Roy deftly flicks it on—"

"Facing the goalkeeper! Feint! Dribble!"

"BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!"

(After a 0.5-second silence, the entire audience erupted in deafening cheers.)

"Incredible! Unbelievable! Roy! Four goals in a row! The 24th goal! In the last second! With the last kick!"

(Multi-angle slow-motion replay)

"Watch the whole process of this goal: from the start to the finish, Roy completed four changes of direction, and finally sent the ball into the net with the outside of his right foot!"

"This is no ordinary goal, it's a work of art! This is the birth of a legend!"

(The camera cuts to another location)

"Pauleta is standing frozen on the Bordeaux bench! The big screen has just updated the top scorers list: Roy with 24 goals, overtaking by 1 goal!"

(Final whistle blows)
"History was rewritten at this moment! 18-year-old Roy, in the most dramatic way, at the most critical moment, completed the greatest comeback!"

"This is not the end, it is the beginning of a dynasty! Monaco's top scorer is crowned tonight!"

The moment the final whistle blew, Roy stood rooted to the spot, his chest heaving. He first glanced down at his boots—the ones covered in grass and mud—then slowly looked up at the flashing number [24] on the scoreboard. There was no ecstasy in his eyes, only a cold certainty, as if all of this had been expected all along.

The next second, his Monaco teammates surged towards him like a tidal wave! Giuly was the first to rush forward, jumping hard on his shoulder from behind, almost knocking him to the ground; Pulso opened his arms and hugged him like an excited bear; Rothen pounced from the side and ruffled his hair; even goalkeeper Roma sprinted halfway down the field, roaring as he lifted him up around the waist!

Roy staggered slightly amidst the crowd, but a slight smile finally appeared on his lips—not a triumphant laugh, but an almost savage, victorious one. His arms were being pulled by his teammates, and his jersey collar ripped open in the celebration, revealing a scratch below his collarbone. Beads of sweat slid down his jawline, dripping onto the grass and mingling with the soil.

From above, the Monaco team's celebration circle resembled a bursting red firework. Roy was lifted high, sitting on the shoulders of Pulso and Squillaci, his left hand for balance, his right hand pointing towards the stands—where Monaco fans throughout the Stade Louis II were wildly waving scarves, many with tears in their eyes.

As the camera zoomed in on Roy's face, his gaze swept past the revelers and landed directly on the camera. What burned in those eyes transcended the joy of winning the Golden Boot—it was ambition, hunger, a king's silent declaration of war against the future on his coronation night.

(Subtitles appear)
[18 years old, 24 goals, youngest Golden Boot winner in history]

But this is just the beginning—

(End of this chapter)