Gunnard walked towards the frustrated Beckham and discreetly tapped a blue bubble with his foot. The bubble immediately burst and transformed into a strand of light that merged into Gunnard's body.
"Ding~"
"Host has acquired the professional soccer skill: Golden Right Foot: Precision Long Pass +1 from the abundant bubble. Today's acquisition progress: 9/10."
Oh ho!
A subtle, steady smile appeared on Gunnard's lips. Finally, he had obtained a genuine soccer skill!
Golden Right Foot: Precision Long Pass!
This was Beckham's signature skill!
In an instant, Gunnard's mind was filled with images of Beckham's brilliant plays with Zidane and Ronaldo during his time at Real Madrid!
Immediately after, Gunnard felt the muscles in his right foot undergoing subtle yet real changes. His previously stiff and unresponsive right ankle now felt like it had been lubricated—so smooth!
Gunnard couldn't wait to try a long pass to test the accuracy. But not so fast! He still had one more acquisition progress to complete today and couldn't afford to show his hand!
He needed to find a way to exploit Beckham's skills one more time!
Gunnard looked at Beckham with eager eyes.
Seeing Gunnard staring at him, Beckham thought he was a director sent to rush him for the shoot and said angrily, "Stop bothering me! What a lousy ad! I don't want to shoot it anymore!"
Gunnard gave a composed smile, "Mr. Beckham, you're right. The ad's concept is indeed quite poor. But I have an idea. How about you listen to it?"
Beckham replied testily, "You? Aren't you just a backup photographer? What good idea could you have?"
Gunnard calmly said, "Director James' concept is to showcase your dribbling skills, but that actually exposes your weaknesses. My idea is to highlight your strength—your free kick, the 'Bend It Like Beckham'."
Beckham immediately became interested, "Oh? How do you plan to showcase it?"
Gunnard pointed towards some trash cans in the distance, "There are three trash cans over there. Can you use your signature free kick to score into each one from forty meters away? Afterward, drink a chilled Pepsi. This way, you can showcase your amazing skills and also boost the Pepsi brand."
This proposal was exactly the final content for Beckham's Pepsi commercial!
Even without Gunnard, the director would eventually come up with such a shooting plan. However, Gunnard had preempted everyone by presenting this idea to Beckham when everyone else was at a loss!
Beckham was momentarily stunned, "Hmm… this idea is great!"
But Gunnard suddenly shook his head, "Oh no, forty meters is too far. I don't think you can make it, so maybe forget it."
Beckham was immediately provoked, "I can't? Bring me the ball! Today, I'll show you what a real 'Bend It Like Beckham' looks like!"
Gunnard pretended to hesitate and sighed, "Alright then, let's give it a try."
Gunnard had the staff bring three soccer balls while he himself started a hidden fixed camera.
Beckham, barefoot, lined up the three soccer balls on the uneven beach. He then took a small hop, bent his knees slightly, leaned his body at a 45-degree angle towards the supporting leg, and struck the lower right side of the ball with his right foot. As the ball flew, his thigh also swung forward!
The 'Bend It Like Beckham'!
The football curved through the air like a crescent moon and landed precisely in the trash can forty meters away!
The crowd erupted in awe!
This was Beckham's signature technique!
Such a technique is difficult to imitate, not because of its complexity, but because poor control of the ankle could lead to injury, and most players wouldn't risk their careers practicing it. Even if you manage to master the curved trajectory without injuring your ankle, achieving Beckham's precision requires the "Golden Right Foot" to truly execute the perfect curve.
To perform a flawless crescent moon curve like Beckham, both the control of the ankle and the precision of the technique are essential.
Gunnard already possessed Beckham's "Golden Right Foot: Accurate Long Pass +1," so his understanding of footwork had improved significantly. From the effectiveness of Beckham's crescent moon curve, it was clear that, according to the system's rating, Beckham's "Golden Right Foot" was at least +9, and his crescent moon curve skill was also at least +9.
Gunnard couldn't help but admire: This is the level of an international superstar!
How many times did Beckham practice? How much sweat did he shed? How many injuries did he endure to achieve a double +9 skill level?
And I, too, must strive to… freeload!
At that moment, Beckham continued to showcase his unique crescent moon curve, sending the second and third balls into the trash can from forty meters away.
Perfect! Absolutely perfect!
The audience spontaneously applauded and cheered.
Beckham, with a triumphant expression, said, "Hey, backup photographer! Do you still think I'm not up to it?"
Gunnard turned off the fixed camera and replied with a smile, "Indeed, experience shows. Mr. Beckham, even at 35, you're still performing these perfect crescent moon curves. Impressive!"
Beckham laughed, "Haha… Hey, who's old?"
Gunnard shrugged and said, "What else? England didn't select you for this World Cup. Their excuse was an injury, but your injury has healed. If they still didn't pick you, isn't it because they think you're too old? They're just sparing you from embarrassment."
Beckham was stunned.
Gunnard's blunt words were too cutting!
Playing in the World Cup for the national team was Beckham's greatest desire!
Now, even though his injury had healed, he wasn't called up by the national team!
Wasn't this just a sign of them thinking he's too old?
Damn it! No way to contribute to the nation!
Feeling utterly defeated, Beckham broke down, "I want to go to the national team! I'm not old! I can still play! I can still run! Even if they make me a substitute, I'd be fine! I want to play in the World Cup! They actually think I'm too old?! They think I'm too old!!!"
Seeing Beckham's emotional breakdown, Gunnard couldn't help but feel a bit… excited!
"Ding~"
"Detected 91 points of negative emotion from David Beckham. System bubble generated…"
Oh, wow! 91 points of negative emotion!
It seems that Beckham's heart was really pierced this time!
With such a high negative emotion value, he must be able to obtain a top-tier star skill, right?
At that moment, a blue, full bubble appeared at Beckham's feet.
Gunnard immediately walked up to Beckham, gently patted him on the shoulder in a gesture of comfort, and simultaneously used his foot to lightly touch the blue bubble.
The blue bubble instantly burst into a brilliant light, which streamed into Gunnard's body.
…
end