'It's Woo Ho-young.'
Of course the man knew the name.
"Woo Ho-young is the world's best prospect. "I'm preparing to buy a uniform when I debut," Perez was openly playing to the media, but it was impossible not to know.
Moreover, even if that wasn't the case, he had actually already known Woo Ho-young since last year.
This is because I heard it when I met my close friend Desailly, who finished his playing career last year.
'Desai said that. 'He's a cool boy.'
The man's eyes turned fierce.
His eyebrows narrowed, and his gaze at Woo Ho-young gradually deepened.
How amazing is he that everyone who sees him praises him so highly?
The title of U-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner?
'Amazing, of course.'
But that doesn't give you a right of passage into the professional world.
The gap between amateurs and professionals is the difference between heaven and earth.
Of course, there is a precedent for Spain's Fabregas, who won the Golden Ball and top scorer at the 2003 U17 World Cup, to have achieved success as a professional, but he was already 15 years old at the time.
However, Woo Ho-young turns 13 only two months later.
And above all, in the man's opinion, Hoyoung's personality did not suit him.
This is because I heard that Woo Ho-young is a player whose main weapon is breakthrough.
It seemed better to send Ronaldo, who was missing training due to his knee, for mental mentoring.
This is because tutoring is essentially something that only happens when the propensities and playstyles of the student and the teacher match, and it doesn't just happen by teaching.
thus.
Is Woo Ho-young really worthy of receiving a tutor despite his young age? What can he achieve through tutoring?
And whether or not there will be interest in tutoring him will be determined through today's game.
The man crossed his arms and stared at the player with unmoving eyes.
Hoyoung's gaze did not waver for even a second.
It was Chairman Perez who spoke confidently to him.
"Take a good look. "Because we are the Los Blancos of the future."
Los Blancos.
It is a nickname for Real Madrid, meaning 'white', and is a word often used to refer to first-team players.
In other words, you have to leave Juvenil and officially become a professional to be eligible to be called 'Los Blanco'.
Although Real Madrid's youth policy is closer to 'profit seeking' through player sales rather than 'development', it does not spare full support for players who have clearly made a mark.
Therefore, a new Blanco might be born today.
"Who is the candidate?"
"See over there? "A guy with blue eyes and a straight forehead."
The man's eyes turned to the left side of the field.
I saw a Spanish boy wearing a white uniform.
"A decision will be made at the end of this month. "Whether it's release or promotion."
Juan Mata.
He is 18 years old.
He was now a transfer target who had to leave Juvenil at the end of this season.
However, because his record was so good and the coaches' evaluations were so good, they were planning to offer him a professional contract as early as next month.
Therefore, today's practice match was very important for Mata.
Depending on how much you win Perez's heart, the terms of your contract will change in the future.
The car you drive next year and the house you live in will depend on your performance today.
The temperature is 16 degrees.
It was perfect weather for the game, with a cool breeze blowing.
The total length of the game is 90 minutes, and since it is a match to evaluate players, there are no restrictions on substitutions.
There are 14 players waiting on the Juvenil B team bench.
If you performed poorly or showed signs of difficulty, you had to return to the bench without notice.
A player who has been replaced once cannot play again.
Twenty-two players who were familiar with all the rules took their seats on the field and began preparing for the game.
Juvenil A (U18) team on the left.
Juvenil B (U17) team on the right.
If they do well, they can rise to the top, but if they don't, they may never rise again. It was a game that depended on their soccer career.
Beep!
The game started around the time when the sun was setting in the sky.
Common sense dictates that the game should be led by Juvenile A, which has a high age group and the best youth in the team.
In reality, it went like that.
At the beginning of the first half, as everyone expected, the Juvenil A team on the left clearly controlled the flow.
Two years ago, they came up with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which was a tactic used by Real Madrid, and the key position was the attacking midfielder.
The person who took over that position was Juan Mata.
He was playing the role perfectly.
Wide field of view and high-level passing ability that ensures smooth distribution of the ball to the left and right fronts.
Crack's masterful movement creates space by penetrating directly into the second line.
It was Mata who had the genius to make it all possible.
He showed off his abilities to the fullest and made Team B's second line a mess.
'good. The team members are also doing well. If I just keep going like this, I'll win easily.'
As the captain of Juvenil A, he always sets an example for others and has always received the trust of his teammates and the love of his coaches.
He was evaluated as a divinity who would succeed Captain Raoul, so his mentality was also exceptional.
'There is only one step left to become a professional. I will do my best until the end.'
Excited.
My heart was pounding like a live fish that had just landed on land.
Club officials and President Perez will be watching his play from the stands.
I wanted to leave a good impression on them.
For that reason, Mata focused on the game with all his might.
Using his innate soccer intelligence and vision, he occupied half the pitch.
The sophisticated yet destructive play completely enthralled Team B's defenders.
Every time new players were replaced on Team B, the pressure came on, but they were able to escape the pressure with an excellent first touch and solid fundamentals.
The level was different.
And it didn't take long for his level to translate into goals.
Slosh!
Team A's first goal came in the 16th minute of the first half.
The scorer was Team A's top striker Fernando.
The helper was Juan Mata, who provided an assist that featured a key pass that neutralized the offside trap.
"Let's score two more goals like this."
"Say that!"
"child. Quickly go and get a position. "Let's do it one more time like we just did."
Mata was always dissatisfied with his own play, but today he was quite satisfied.
I was able to play whatever I wanted.
'Maybe because it's Juvenil B, it definitely feels different against him. It's much easier.'
Although the difference was only one year, the difference it made was quite significant.
However, at this point, I had one question.
'Woo Ho-young. It's not really noticeable yet. 'Why?'
Today's No. 1 watchdog, Woo Ho-young, had unexpectedly no presence.
In fact, it was natural because Team A's market share was overwhelming, but considering Woo Ho-young's reputation, it could not help but be questionable.
'Was it a bit of a surprise?'
I've had an ominous premonition since morning because of Woo Ho-young, but it seems I was worried for no reason.
I had no idea that the game would go this well.
'Let's see the match today.'
Mata's expectations were soaring over the fact that he would become a real professional.
But unfortunately, that feeling didn't last long.
This happened just 5 minutes after scoring the first goal.
"what?"
Mata's face hardened like clay and her complexion darkened.
The game, which I thought was already under control 10 minutes ago, had already loosened up.
Team A's defenders were struggling little by little, and it was eventually affecting the third line and midfield.
At the center of it all was Team B's attacking midfielder.
'…Woo Ho-young.'
Woo Ho-young's play, which became increasingly sharper every time Team B attacked, was slowly twisting the flow of the game.
"Wake! "The other person is only twelve years old!"
As Mata said, Hoyoung was 12 years old.
However, the person facing Team A's defenders was not a 12-year-old boy, but an unprecedented prospect with extraordinary talent.
Woo Ho-young's play, which is beyond his years, crushed Mata's cries.
Like a swamp.
As time passed, Woo Ho-young's playmaking was throwing Team A's defenders into confusion.
The soccer stadium was motionless, but the momentum and atmosphere on the pitch had suddenly turned.
It was a headwind.
In other words, a move that takes advantage of Ballack's versatility and Kaka's playmaking.
Mata, unable to understand it, began to feel an eerie sense of crisis.
It felt like something that couldn't be explained in words was disturbing the game.
'okay. It's the flow. Our flow is being read.'
His playmaking, created through elaborate passes and precise coordination of offense and defense, was being eaten up by Woo Ho-young.
At this rate, victory was uncertain.
I didn't know that I would suffer the humiliation of defeat, let alone a great victory.
Possession was already balanced and a tug-of-war between the two teams had begun.
If the initiative were to be taken away, it would be a truly dangerous situation.
The only area that is still intact is the second line, where Mata is holding on.
The place where the initiative was held had to be protected until the end.
That way, you will be able to score additional points.
Mata shouted.
"We'll get the line down! "Joongwon, please come up!"
If a sudden wind blows and tries to take off your coat, all you have to do is cower.
And aim for when the wind stops for a moment.
That was Mata's plan when he was cornered.
Hoyoung's plan gradually became a reality.
It wasn't anything grand.
It was simply a matter of applying basic tactics that every player knows to the game.
It's easy to say, but it was only possible if basic qualifications were supported.
The tactical understanding I wanted from Coach Carlos.
The teachings of Central Commander Balak, which helped me lead the flow.
Even Kaka's playmaking.
These talents came together to create this achievement.
Of course, only players like Zidane, Xabi Alonso, Pirlo, and Ballack can play like a meal, but Hoyoung was thrilled just to come this far.
'good. If we kill Mata's movements here, we can win.'
The psychological warfare is over.
Now is the time to take action and decide the winner.
Hoyoung reflected on what he felt while observing Mata.
'The central orientation is too strong.'
That was its weakness.
Mata has tremendous destructive power in the center, but if it is shifted to the left or right, it loses its destructive power.
So Hoyoung aimed for that.
Pow!
"…!"
Hoyoung, who moved slightly from the second line to midfield, collided with Mata.
'also.'
Although we were 5 years older than each other, I didn't feel like we were significantly behind in the physical fight.
"Tsk."
Rather, Mata was being pushed back little by little.
That's because Mata's height of only 168 centimeters and his small physique were not enough to compete with Hoyoung, who was over 175 centimeters tall.
Mata, who thought this wasn't going to work, ended up running away from Hoyoung to escape the pressure.
Because of this, problems arose in controlling space, which soon gave the B team defense some space.
Hoyoung gestured to Marcos.
"Marcos! "Cover it up to here!"
Marcos Alonso, who had regained his composure, expanded his zone defense and quietly put forward pressure on Mata.
Marcos, who had a massive body, pushed Mata to one side like a fish out of water.
In the end, Mata, unable to withstand the pressure, fell away from the center.
It was right then.
"Hoyoung!"
After a scuffle, Marcos cut the ball and gave it short to Hoyoung, cutting into the right side.
Over the past three months, we have been building up quickly through frequent exchanges with Marcos.
Tap, tap.
Hoyoung immediately gave the return pass.
And as he ran deep to the other side, the return pass came back soon after.
Hoyoung's feet, which had been breaking through without hesitation, stopped for a moment.
Knock knock.
By gently rolling the ball like a baby, I spread my view wider.
The movement of the one saw digging from the left center to the front right was captured.
For an instant, Hoyoung's pupils dilated.
As my neck became stiff, my right leg gained strength.
'now!'
This is the moment when the passing talent acquired from the guard shines.
Excellent passing ability.
Percussion!
The ball left the tip of his right foot, splitting the grass and extending to the front right.
It was a key pass that went slightly beyond the defensive zone of Team A defenders.
"run!"
As the offside trap collapsed, the top striker ran into the back space and caught the ball at his feet.
Percussion!
A one-on-one situation created like that.
The goalkeeper, who saw that the first touch was a little long, ran out in a hurry.
However, he is Team B's top striker.
Jose Callejon showed tremendous will to score.
I was desperate because at the end of this season, I would either be promoted to Juvenil A due to my age, or else I would be released from the team.
I couldn't miss this opportunity that Hoyoung gave me.
That will was clearly conveyed on the ball.
Cough!
A stunning shot with an inside kick.
That created the equalizer.
The first half ended with Team A's Mata and Team B's Woo Ho-young recording assists.
The result was the same, but in terms of content, it was a game with a clear winner and loser.
"What do you think?"
Perez asked.
And in-house Zinedine Zidane responded.
He held out both palms as if he was dumbfounded.
"Didn't you say that you definitely have a strong Shadow Striker temperament?"
Then Mikel, who was next to me, spoke.
"It varies from time to time."
Even as he spoke, he had a puzzled expression on his face.
.
.
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