Awakening the Messi template, Florentino Pérez begs me to join Real Madrid

May 23, 2011, Suncope Stadium, Brisbane, Australia.

Brisbane's weather is unpredictable. A clear sky in the morning can be covered by clouds in the afternoon.

When the national youth team bus arrived at the stadium, large raindrops had already begun to patter against the windows.

Wu Shi wiped the fog off the car window and looked at the fans pouring into the stadium.

The red Vietnamese flag stood out against the rain – although they are far away in Australia, there are quite a few Vietnamese expatriates who occupy a small portion of the south grandstand.

The number of Chinese youth team fans was not as small as in the previous two games. The excellent performance of the Chinese youth team in the previous two games attracted many overseas Chinese and Chinese living in Australia to come and cheer for the team.

The air in the locker room was damp and the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

老李的声音响起：「积分形势都清楚。我们4分，净胜球+3。澳大利亚4分，净胜球1。越南3分，净胜球0。」

The team standings were posted on the tactics board, with the word "Vietnam" circled in red pen.

"Vietnam only has one path—to win. A draw means they're out." Old Li scanned the entire team. "So today, they'll go all out from the start. The first twenty minutes will probably be the most intense phase."

The screen began playing a replay of the Vietnam team's match. Their players were generally short and stocky, with quick footwork, but their passing accuracy was noticeably inconsistent under pressure.

"See that?"

Old Li paused the video.

"The Vietnamese team has the technique, but they lack finesse. When facing pressure, their passing choices are often problematic. What we need to do is tighten our defense in the first half, let them attack, and wait for them to make mistakes."

He turned to Wu Lei and Wu Shi: "You two are just waiting. Waiting for counter-attack opportunities. Vietnam has to push forward to score, and there will be gaps between the defense and midfield. Once you win the ball, don't hesitate to attack behind them."

Wu Lei and Wu Shi both nodded and said, "Understood."

"Also," Old Li added, "the field is slippery when it rains, and long passes can have unexpected effects. So remember, you need to take advantage of this when passing."

As we warmed up, the rain intensified. The grass was already visibly waterlogged.

Wu Shi tried a few long passes. On the slippery grass, the ball's spin and trajectory were more difficult to control, but correspondingly, it was also more difficult for the defenders to predict.

"This awful weather!" Chen Liang kicked the ball away, "My technique is completely ruined."

"It's the same for them," Wu Lei said calmly. He was practicing poaching in the penalty area, and every start he made was clean and efficient.

On the south side of the stands, the cheers of Vietnamese fans had already begun. They were beating drums and singing war songs in Vietnamese, their voices piercing through the rain.

Game start.

Just as Lao Li predicted, the Vietnamese team launched a frantic high press and attack from the start. Their 4-3-3 formation almost pushed across the halfway line, with their three forwards constantly harassing the Chinese youth team's defense.

In the 3rd minute, Vietnam had their first chance. A cross from the left wing was headed towards goal by the striker near the penalty spot – but the ball went just wide.

In the 8th minute, Vietnam's number 10 took a long-range shot from outside the penalty area. The ball accelerated on the slippery grass, grazed the post, and went out of bounds.

In the first fifteen minutes, Vietnam had 71% possession and took five shots. The Chinese youth team's goal was under immense pressure.

But just as Lao Li predicted, the Vietnamese team's "hands weren't meticulous enough".

Their attacks were all bark and no bite, always missing the mark by the last pass or shot.

In the 22st minute, the turning point arrived.

The Vietnamese team's midfielder made a passing error, and the ball was intercepted by the Chinese youth team's defensive midfielder. A simple through pass found Wu Shi.

Wu Shi received the ball with his back to goal near the center circle, and two Vietnamese players immediately double-teamed him.

[An opportunity to retaliate has been detected]

[Open space ahead]

[Vietnam's defensive positioning: Press forward, with the offside trap line five meters behind the center circle]

[Suggestion: Quickly pass to the wings or dribble past the defenders]

Wu Shi did not choose any of the system's suggestions. He saw Wu Lei's start before he even received the ball—it wasn't a straight forward run, but a roundabout run that circled around to the outside of Vietnam's left center-back.

Wu Shi gently tapped the ball with the outside of his right foot—the ball flew over the heads of the players double-teaming him and landed behind the Vietnamese defense!

Almost simultaneously, Wu Lei launched himself like an arrow released from a bow!

"Offside trap broken! Wu Lei is one-on-one with the goalkeeper!"

Wu Lei dribbled the ball forward, and the Vietnamese defenders desperately chased back, but couldn't pick up speed on the slippery grass. Facing the onrushing goalkeeper, Wu Lei calmly flicked the ball to his right, creating space before slotting it into the empty net.

1: 0!

"Goal! Wu Lei! His fourth goal of the match! A textbook counter-attack! Wu Lei's pass was absolutely perfect!"

The stands erupted in cheers. Wu Lei rushed towards the corner flag and slid down to his knees in celebration on the slippery grass.

This goal was like a bucket of cold water poured over the Vietnamese team.

They needed to score two goals to advance, and they started to get impatient.

After the restart, Vietnam's attack became more direct, but also more crude.

In the 31st minute, the Vietnamese winger made a strong breakthrough on the right wing and crossed the ball, which went directly out of bounds.

In the 38th minute, Vietnam won a free kick in the attacking third. The shot hit the wall, and the Chinese youth team launched a quick counter-attack. Wu Shi dribbled the ball forward for 30 meters before being fouled.

The referee showed a yellow card.

In the first half stoppage time, the Vietnamese team launched a final, fierce attack. Three consecutive crosses were cleared by the Chinese youth team's defenders.

The halftime whistle blew, 1-0.

In the locker room, Old Li didn't offer much praise.

"A one-goal lead isn't secure. Vietnam will be even more aggressive in the second half, so we need to defend well and look for opportunities to extend our lead."

He looked specifically at Wu Shi: "Your passing choices were good, but in the second half, Vietnam might assign someone specifically to mark you. Pay attention to your off-the-ball movement and create space."

"clear."

The rain eased slightly at the start of the second half, but the grass became even more waterlogged.

Vietnam intensified their pressing. In the 51st minute, a Vietnamese striker fell in the penalty area while attempting to get a header, but the referee waved a booing ovation from the Vietnamese fans.

In the 58th minute, the Chinese youth team won a corner kick.

Wu Shi walked towards the corner flag area. He glanced at the penalty area, where the national youth team had arranged four players to contest for the header: Wu Lei at the near post, Chen Liang in the middle, and Li Haoran at the far post.

Vietnam's defensive focus was clearly on Wu Lei and Chen Liang.

Wu Shi raised his right hand and extended two fingers – the second corner kick tactic.

He took a run-up and unleashed a low, quick shot with his left foot.

The ball was extremely fast, with a strong spin, and flew straight to the near post!

Wu Lei feigned a header, but suddenly dodged, and the ball slid past him!

The Vietnamese defender was faked out, and Li Haoran at the far post was completely left open!

Li Haoran heads the ball towards the goal.

2: 0!

"Goal! Li Haoran! Corner kick combination! Wu Shi takes a low cross, Li Haoran is unmarked at the far post, and heads it into the net!"

Li Haoran rushed frantically towards the corner flag area and embraced Wu Shi.

"That's an incredibly accurate prediction!" he roared.

A 2-0 scoreline practically sealed Vietnam's fate. In the stands, the cheers from Vietnamese fans noticeably subsided, and many began leaving early.

The Vietnamese team's morale completely collapsed. The forwards were still running and pressing desperately in the attacking third, but the midfielders and defenders had lost their fighting spirit, and the three lines were severely disconnected.

In the 67th minute, Vietnam's midfield pass was intercepted, and the Chinese youth team launched a quick counter-attack. After three passes and two turnovers, the ball came to Wu Shi's feet.

He dribbled forward, and facing Vietnam's last defender, instead of trying to dribble past him, he delivered a diagonal pass.

Wu Lei understood perfectly, cutting inside from the right wing and receiving the ball to create a one-on-one opportunity!

Facing the onrushing goalkeeper, Wu Lei deftly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper.

3: 0!

"Wu Lei scores twice! His fifth goal of the tournament, truly living up to his title of 'King Wu'! Vietnam has completely collapsed!"

Wu Lei ran in celebration with his arms outstretched, raindrops hitting his face.

The remainder of the game became garbage time. The Vietnamese players ran around numbly on the field, while the Chinese youth team controlled the tempo and stopped taking risks to attack.

In stoppage time, Vietnam scored a consolation goal – a shot during a corner kick scramble.

The final whistle blew, 3-1.

The Chinese youth team won two and drew one of their three matches, accumulating 7 points and advancing to the quarterfinals as the top team in their group!

The players embraced and celebrated in the rain. Wu Shi was lifted up by Chen Liang and Li Haoran, one on each side, to receive cheers from the away team's stands.

Old Li shook hands with each of the assistant coaches on the sidelines, and finally a smile appeared on his face.

In the mixed zone, reporters' questions focused on the "Double Wu combination" and the qualification situation.

"Wu Lei, five goals in three games, you're now the hottest candidate for the Golden Boot in this tournament. Many people on Weibo and among fans have given you the nickname 'King Wu,' what are your thoughts on that?"

Wu Lei wiped the rain off his face: "The goals are a team effort. Without the midfield's passes and the distraction from my teammates, I wouldn't have scored so many goals. I really can't accept the title of 'King Wu,' I know I still have a long way to go, but we will continue to work hard."

"Wu Shi, you've contributed 7 assists and 2 goals in three games. How would you rate your understanding with Wu Lei?"

Wu Shi thought for a moment: "Lei Ge's positioning is world-class. I just need to pass the ball into his running path."

"In the next round of the knockout stage, your opponent could be Yi Jianlian or South Korea. Who would you rather face?"

Wu Lei and Wu Shi exchanged a glance.

"It's all the same," Wu Lei said. "There are no weak teams among those that make it to the quarterfinals. We just need to do our best."

"Yes," Wu Shi added, "our goal is the championship."

Back in the locker room, Coach Li announced, "We'll take a day off tomorrow. The whole team will watch another group stage match to scout potential opponents. We'll have a meeting tonight to analyze the situation."

While showering, the system prompted the following:

[Group Stage Ends]

[Competition Performance Assessment: A+]

Assists: 7

Key passes: 25

Template integration accuracy improved to 2.5%

[Unlock New Ability: Adaptability to Severe Weather (Intermediate)]

Wu Shi looked at his newly unlocked ability and a thought struck him. After three consecutive rainy matches, he was indeed becoming more and more accustomed to playing on slippery fields.

That evening, the whole team had dinner together. Although it was a buffet, the atmosphere was lively.

Chen Liang, carrying a plate, sat down next to Wu Shi: "Little Stone, who do you think they'll face in the quarterfinals?"

"Let's see the results of the other group tomorrow. It could be South Korea or Yi Jianlian. Both teams are strong, especially South Korea."

"I hope it's South Korea," Chen Liang gritted his teeth. "I lost to them by two goals in the AFC U-16 Championship, and I want revenge."

Wu Lei also came over with a plate: "No matter who it is, they'll be tough to beat. South Korea's tireless running and superstar individual abilities, and Yi Jianlian's speed, are all difficult to deal with."

Wu Shi thought to himself that this South Korean team had Son Heung-min, the future number one in Asia, and that Son Heung-min should still be very inexperienced at this time.

Wu Lei looked at Wu Shi: "Your passes are becoming more and more threatening. But in the knockout stage, opponents will definitely study you closely and may use more aggressive defense."

"I know," Wu Shi nodded. "I'm ready."

After dinner, Wu Shi returned to his room. His phone was flooded with messages, which he replied to one by one.

Su Qing sent a message: "Congratulations on advancing as the group winner! I saw your brilliant assist again today. Good luck in the knockout stage!"

Thank you. Are you still in Brisbane?

"Yes, I'm here with the team on an interview. You guys have the day off tomorrow, I'm planning to go to the Gold Coast. But I heard it's going to rain again."

"be safe."

"You too. Get some rest, and I look forward to your performance in the quarterfinals."

Putting down his phone, Wu Shi walked to the window. The rain had stopped, and the Brisbane night view was exceptionally clear after the rain.

The group stage has ended.

The quarterfinals will be a do-or-die battle, no matter who the opponent is.

But Wu Shi is not afraid.

He has a system, teammates, and an increasingly high degree of integration.

More importantly, he has a peak he wants to climb—that Argentinian wearing the number 10 jersey has already reached the pinnacle in this world.