Manchester United's heir apparent, but can't play football.

Chapter 16 That year, at 18, he stood like a lackey?
Players' bench
To Li Luo's left sat a strong little black egg.

He carefully examined the other man's features and the Everton crest on his suit; it looked like something out of a shooting tutorial video.
"Lukaku? Hello."

"Ok?"

Lukaku turned his dark forehead to the side, smiling to reveal a set of white teeth: "Hello, Lee from Wolfsburg?"

The two had a general understanding of each other's stories.

Everton is a Premier League club, and I've seen news about Li Luo more or less in Manchester United's mouthpiece newspapers.

"I never expected we'd run into each other in the group stage."

How many spectators can Everton field at their home stadium?

Li Luo asked curiously.

This is an important question: the maximum amount of shock value that can be obtained for each game depends on the stadium's capacity.

Little Black Egg was a little confused: "Why are you asking this? Everton's home stadium has about 39,000 spectators when it's full, but I don't know the exact number."

"If we go to Italy to challenge Inter Milan, there might be 70,000 to 80,000 spectators at the stadium."

Li Luo nodded: "That's great, thank you."

Very good?
Young Lukaku couldn't help but feel puzzled, and then he suddenly remembered the protagonist of an animated film who became stronger the more viewers he had.

Li Luo silently noted down what he needed to do when he got home that night: holding his textbook, watching recent videos of the Bundesliga's next round opponents, studying recent videos of the three group stage opponents, and training diligently to continue experiencing the boost brought by the 60-point shooting attribute.

Study hard and keep getting stronger.

The Europa League group stage draw has concluded.

People gradually walked out of the small auditorium.

"The Europa League process is relatively simple, while the Champions League draw ceremony is much larger and more elaborate. I started playing in the Champions League when I was 16, have you ever heard of that?"

"Forget it, let's hurry up and leave. I'll feel uncomfortable if we run into representatives of those Champions League powerhouses."

Little Black Egg's tone was a little hesitant.

Li Luo asked curiously, "Why?"

Lukaku shook his head: "I don't know how to express it, I can't put it into words."

Assistant Tom came over and led the two from the side hall of the small auditorium to the long corridor.

At the end of the corridor, the main hall was found to be constantly flashing lights.

Two rows of hostesses stood at the main entrance.

The prelude to Beethoven's "Fate" music, sometimes near, sometimes far.

I saw a pretty girl holding a jar of fortune sticks surrounded by crystal chandeliers.

Then I remembered that the Europa League draw just now used a regular metal box.

A wave of cheers erupted from the main hall.

Then I thought of the sparse applause during the Europa League match.

Tom couldn't help but laugh and said, "The sound system for the Champions League ceremony is even better."

Da da da.

The leather shoes made a dense clattering sound as they stepped on the carpet.

Li Luo and Lukaku turned around and saw reporters surrounding a group of player representatives wearing suits with the Barcelona logo.

"Get out of the way!"

"Get out of the way!"

"Hey you, mopping the floor, get out of the way. Didn't you see the Barcelona delegation coming?"

Catalan accent.

Several staff members were shouting and yelling, their uniforms printed with the Barcelona team logo.

The flashbulbs were constantly going off as all the media reporters rushed to point their cameras at the dazzling red and blue stars.

Lukaku silently took two steps back, his burly back almost hitting the wall.

Mixed feelings.

At the age of 19, as a fringe player for Chelsea, he didn't even dare to touch the Champions League trophy.

Because I didn't contribute anything to that trophy.

Standing under the dazzling lights, it seems that even one's own shadow is unwilling to overlap with that of the representative of the wealthy family.

Tom, like a young wolf cub, dared not meet the eyes of the adult wolves.

A scene flashed through my mind: one year in the Champions League final, even the proud Sir Alex Ferguson was beaten so badly by Barcelona that his fists trembled.
He clenched his fist secretly: "One day, I will also become a manager of a top company."

Li Luo, however, stared directly at the faces of the Barcelona delegation.

He watched match videos during this period and gained a general understanding of the power rankings in European football.

Especially in the comment sections of videos, I've seen many 'funny' pictures: martial arts teams, film academies, etc. Are elite clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid equivalent to boss-level monsters in a game?

suddenly.

Among the Barcelona delegation, a tall, thin figure stopped in front of Li Luo and looked him up and down.

Busquets.

The 'Bu' in the midfield trio of Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets.

The tone was full of praise:

"Li, I accidentally saw your match video online."

"You have a great vision and think very quickly. Judging from your style, keep up the good work. Maybe you'll have a chance to join Barcelona next year."

Everyone laughed.

Reporters picked up their pens, ready to record: the Barcelona star's encouragement to the young people.

In the past, young people who received encouragement would be extremely excited, even blushing with excitement.

"I will not join Barcelona."

Li Luo looked completely matter-of-fact: He had agreed with Manchester United that he would return after his loan period ended, so how could he join another club?

The atmosphere suddenly solidified.

Busquets' smile was stiff.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment: How could this kid have such low emotional intelligence? Couldn't he understand Busquets' encouragement? Becoming a substitute for Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets is already the highest praise a young player can receive.

Joining Barcelona is the dream of so many players.
They'd come even if it meant paying out of their own pockets.

Busquets pressed further, "You like Real Madrid?"

Li Luo shook his head: "No."

"So you're a Espanyol fan?"

"No."

The Barcelona midfielder shook his head helplessly, unwilling to give up and wanting to continue asking.

Someone came out to dissuade them: "Oh, stop asking, let's go to the main hall."

The crowd dispersed.

Little Black Egg exclaimed, "Li, as far as I know, many talented midfielders want to succeed Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets. Have you forgotten how many honors they've won?"

Tom covered his face with his hands, peeking out one eye through his fingers.

Lukaku: "."

"just kidding."

Li Luo said earnestly, "If I return to Manchester United next year and have the opportunity to play in the Champions League, I hope to face an opponent like Barcelona."

Defeating those European powerhouses and big bosses, how much would that shock the market and cause its value to rise?

You might even be able to redeem higher-tier player blind boxes.

Lukaku thought for a moment and said, "Lee, I want to learn from your confidence. Your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about playing against the big clubs."

He didn't take a few steps.

I ran into the Juventus delegation again in the corridor.

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon warmly extended his hand to the three men with a broad smile.

"What a wonderful night!"

"Young men, where are you going?"

"Are you hungry? Turn right at the corner, go to the end and then turn left, then keep walking. Turn again and you'll reach a large hall with an open-air balcony, where there's a buffet."

clap clap.

A simple high-five, no further pleasantries.

After a while.

Watching the Juventus delegation depart into the distance.

Lukaku asked in confusion, "Li, did you know Buffon before?"

Li Luo shook his head: "This is our first time meeting."

Tom shrugged: "I'm even less likely to know him."

"How does Buffon know this place so well? The buffet route is making my head spin."

"Perhaps he has attended many Champions League draw ceremonies?"

(End of this chapter)