Chapter 1 Celebrations Continue

The celebrations throughout Florence continued unabated. They seemed tireless, and this celebration had been going on for three days straight. Meanwhile, the Fiorentina team had already disbanded the day after returning to Florence. Players without World Cup duties would have a beautiful vacation of about a month or so. Players with national team duties, on the other hand, had no time to catch their breath and had to immediately join their respective national teams to participate in the World Cup in South Africa.

Mascherano was returning to Argentina, Joaquin to Spain, Frey to France, Kehl and Lahm together to Germany, van Persie to the Netherlands, and Pazzini, Gasparroni, Bonera, Montolivo and other local players were called into the Italian national team.

Zhang Jun, Xiang Tao, and Krull were heading north to Germany to join the Chinese national team.

Since everyone's scheduled reporting time to the national team was almost the same, a group of people simply gathered at the club and took the team's special bus to the airport.

"I feel like we're going to play an away game," Xiang Tao said.

Zhang Jun looked at the bus, which was more than half empty, and said to Xiang Tao, "It doesn't look like we're going to play an away game, taking so few people? But..."

He didn't say what came next, but what? But this scene reminded him of the past season, with too many things worth remembering, such as this bus, carrying them to the airport, carrying them back from the airport. Every time they returned victorious, it was the liveliest place. Now it was a bit deserted, and most people were silent.

After the group arrived at the airport, they had to say goodbye. Because Zhang Jun's flight was the latest, the three of them saw off batch after batch of teammates.

Mascherano, with a backpack, shook hands with the three Chinese teammates in turn to say goodbye. He was the last one to leave before Zhang Jun and the others.

"Goodbye, see you at the World Cup," Zhang Jun said, shaking Mascherano's hand.

Mascherano smiled, "Should I pray that we don't meet you at the World Cup?"

Seeing Zhang Jun stunned for a moment, he immediately smiled again, "Just kidding. If we really meet at the World Cup, I won't hold back, Captain."

Zhang Jun smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "We don't need you to hold back either. I hope it will be a wonderful game. Go, it's time for your plane."

Mascherano nodded, then turned and walked towards the boarding gate, not forgetting to turn back and wave to his three teammates as he handed his boarding pass to the staff.

Such scenes and conversations had also happened to the previous few people. It was a strange feeling to see teammates who usually fought together in the same team possibly becoming opponents in the national team.

Watching Mascherano disappear on the other side of the boarding gate, Zhang Jun turned back to the two teammates standing behind him and said, "Let's go, it's time for us to board too."

※※※

Two hours later, the three met their long-lost national teammates, Qiu Zhi, and Yang Pan, who had arrived an hour earlier, at the Chinese team's training center in Munich, Germany. The teammates all congratulated the three on winning the Champions League, including Yang Pan. Two days had passed since the game, and the intense smoke of the game had been completely blown away. Xiang Tao and Yang Pan, who had almost scuffled on the field, were also talking and laughing as if nothing had happened.

In that game, they were mortal enemies fighting to the death. Now they were teammates fighting for the same goal. The relationship between club and national team was very interesting.

At this point, all the members of the Chinese national team were assembled, and their time in Germany had come to an end.

The next day, they all boarded a plane to Cairo, Egypt, and then transferred from Egypt to Johannesburg, South Africa.

This would be a long flight.

When the plane was transferring, it was the height of summer. The weather in Egypt, located near the equator, was very hot. Inside the air-conditioned airport terminal, looking at the space outside distorted by the high temperature, all the players couldn't help but click their tongues and sigh that it was fortunate that the game was not held in Egypt, otherwise the weather alone would cut their strength in half.

This World Cup was very special because South Africa, where it was held, was in winter at this time. In addition to bringing enough training equipment, the team also had to bring enough clothes to keep warm.

Qiu Suhui reminded the players again and again on the plane to South Africa to put on their warm coats in advance, so as not to catch a cold when they got there. Catching a cold at this time was a serious illness. So everyone comically put on thick team jackets in the air-conditioned plane.

At the same time, on another plane, Sophie and Li Yan were also rushing to Johannesburg. Although Sophie was no longer a reporter for *Titan Sports*, she was still going to play the role of a special invited photojournalist during the World Cup at Li Yan's request, taking many photos of the Chinese team for Li Yan and *Titan Sports*.

"Sophie, I'm really sorry to trouble you again."

"Don't be so polite, Brother Li. Anyway, I also want to see Zhang Jun play football up close, and being a photojournalist is a good position." Sophie wiped the camera lens.

Perhaps the journey was a bit dull and boring, Sophie took the initiative to talk to Li Yan: "Brother Li, let's predict the Chinese team's results in this World Cup. How far can Zhang Jun and the others go?"

Li Yan shook his head directly without thinking, "I don't predict."

"Why?" Sophie was a little surprised.

"Well, this can be said to be an old problem. It's a problem that I've had since a long, long time ago. At that time, there was no one named Zhang Jun in professional football, haha." Li Yan smiled, "At that time, I sincerely hoped that the Chinese team would win, but the results were always contrary to what I thought in my heart. So, over time, I stopped predicting any of the Chinese team's games. It's a contradictory mentality. Emotionally, I hope they win, but reason tells me it's impossible. So I simply don't predict the score."

What Li Yan said made Sophie seem to return to the past. At that time, neither Zhang Jun nor Yang Pan were professional players, and there was no coach named Qiu Suhui in Chinese football. At that time, she was still watching the game broadcasts with Zhang Jun and Yang Pan in front of the TV. The Chinese national team at that time really gave people no hope. Every time before the game, she would hope that the Chinese team would win, but Yang Pan always discouraged her, saying that it was impossible. What made Sophie very depressed was that Yang Pan was always right.

She thought she could understand Li Yan's feelings.

The current national team has a large group of talented players of similar ages, and a reliable and excellent coaching staff. They have brought countless joy to fans in international football. People seem to have gradually forgotten the dark period when they could not see the way forward.

Li Yan once told her that due to the success of Zhang Jun and others in European clubs, many new fan groups have been cultivated in China. Just like when Yao Ming went to the NBA, he brought a lot of new fans to the NBA. These people are happy because from the time they started watching football, from the time they became interested in football, they have caught up with the golden age of Chinese football - an endless stream of stars, overseas players have their own brilliant achievements, and the reform of the domestic professional league has also begun to show results, which is much more orderly than before... Their football memories are full of joy and pride.

But without a deep understanding and painful memories of the past like Sophie and Li Yan, how can you know how to cherish everything in front of you?

"What do you predict?" Li Yan suddenly asked.

Sophie was stunned for a moment.

"What do you predict for the Chinese team's results?"

Sophie thought carefully before saying, "I believe that this national team will perform very well, and will definitely go further than the last World Cup."

"That is to say, you think they can at least reach the quarter-finals?"

Sophie nodded.

"Why are you so confident?"

"Brother Li, the current national team is not the national team of the past. If they can't do it, then no one can. Now predicting their results, I don't feel so contradictory in my heart. I hope they win, so I say they will win."

Li Yan looked at Sophie's confident smile, and he murmured, "Today's fans... are really happy."

※※※

The sky in Johannesburg was very clear. Looking from the plane, it didn't feel like winter at all. But when the players walked down the ramp, a gust of wind blew at the airport, and a chill immediately made everyone shiver involuntarily.

Xiang Tao opened his mouth and exhaled a puff of white air. His teeth were chattering: "Damn... damn it! Is this how South Africa welcomes us? It's hard to believe that we were in hot Cairo just a dozen hours ago. The weather on Earth is so amazing!"

"You sound like a Martian," Zhao Pengyu, a left winger who had a good relationship with Xiang Tao, glared at him.

"Martian? Why a Martian?"

Zhao Pengyu was defeated by Xiang Tao. He said angrily, "Earth is very dangerous, you should go back to Mars quickly!"

Zhang Jun exhaled a breath, then turned up the collar of his coat and shrugged. Although he was in the tunnel, the wind outside was still blowing in. It seemed that this World Cup would be a very special World Cup.

Assistant coach Hu Li shouted from the front of the team, "Cheer up! There will be many reporters outside, don't let them see you looking like bears! Xiang Tao, stop acting weird!" Xiang Tao was shrinking his neck desperately, his whole body curled up, looking quite wretched.

"Haha!" Everyone laughed, and the coldness just now was swept away.

Qiu Suhui and Zhang Jun walked behind together, chatting casually. Hearing that Xiang Tao was reprimanded by Hu Li, the two looked up ahead. They happened to see Xiang Tao's wretched back.

"This Xiang Tao, hehe, he hasn't changed his nature. He caused you a lot of trouble in Florence, didn't he?" Qiu Suhui asked with a smile.

Zhang Jun shook his head, "No, thanks to him, the atmosphere in the locker room has always been good. He is a very good teammate. Speaking of which, I have to thank you, Qiu Zhi, for digging him out of the country. Xiang Tao performed very well this season. I know some Italian reporters who say that if Xiang Tao continues in this state, he will definitely be the Serie A Defender of the Year this year, no doubt."

Qiu Suhui smiled meaningfully: "The best defender in the Italian league is a Chinese, which is really ironic for the Italians who are proud of their defense."

Zhang Jun tilted his head: "It's not too shameful. I also scored thirty-six goals in a season, which was unimaginable in Serie A before. Their defense is not what it used to be."

As the captain, Yang Pan and Hu Li walked at the front of the team. The national team players were wearing the red, black and yellow sports jackets uniformly distributed by the sponsor, and walked forward one after another.

Going forward dozens of meters and turning a corner is the exit. Zhang Jun could already hear the noise coming from outside, the voices of security guards, the hurried footsteps, the excited voices in the crowd, and the shouts of some fans.

As World Cup teams arrived one after another, the airport was so lively every day.

Hu Li turned left in front, and he was the first to appear in people's eyes, but as an assistant coach with low profile, his appearance did not cause any reaction, and he walked out without any hindrance. He met the officials of the competition organizing committee, and they had to discuss what car to take, where to go, and how to collect the randomly consigned luggage. He was responsible for all these things - due to Qiu Suhui's repeated insistence, even threatening to resign, the Football Association has cancelled the leader system of the national men's football team, and Qiu Suhui has the final say on everything, and all big and small things are handed over to assistant coach Hu Li.

Following Hu Li was captain Yang Pan, whose appearance caused the first commotion in the crowd.

Flashes of light flashed wildly, countless cameras aimed at him, and microphones stretched to his mouth. Judging from the posture, they seemed to want to stick the microphones directly into his mouth.

The Chinese team was the only team to come to South Africa today, so they attracted the attention of all the media. Similarly, as a dark horse in the last World Cup and a team with countless world-class stars, their prospects in this World Cup are also limitless, so the media and the public have set their sights on them.

"Excuse me, Yang Pan, what are your expectations for this World Cup?"

Yang Pan looked at the reporter who asked him the question. He was not a Chinese reporter because he asked the question in Italian. "Try to win every game," he replied.

Yang Pan used this very diplomatic tone to deal with the subsequent questions. As the captain of the national team, there were many things to consider, and some things could not be said if he wanted to. Yang Pan was much more cautious in this regard. When he was at AC Milan, he was praised for his maturity. But now his maturity made the reporters very dissatisfied. They waited for a whole hour and wasted countless saliva just to get a few useless words that were as good as nothing? How could they write the manuscripts when they went back?

With the help of security guards, Yang Pan squeezed out of the crowd and waited in a specially designated area for the main force to come and gather.

During this period, some fans came to ask for photos and autographs, and he satisfied them all.

The next few players who came out were all playing football in China. In addition to the Chinese reporters on the scene enthusiastically greeting them and asking some painless questions similar to personal feelings, most of the foreign media automatically ignored them. Maybe they didn't even know the names of these people.

Qiu Suhui has been committed to improving the overall image of Chinese football, but he has to admit that foreign countries' understanding of Chinese football's strength is still mostly due to those overseas players, and they know very little about domestic players.

The next group to come out was the overseas players, but the players who played in first-class leagues and first-class teams were mixed with the players who played in teams in second-class leagues. An Ke, the famous "big mouth" of the Chinese team, was very popular with reporters because he always knew everything and said everything without reservation. At this time, he was chatting with Shao Jiayi, who also came from the Bundesliga and had many common topics, although An Ke played for the king Bayern, while Shao Jiayi's team Leverkusen basically hovered in the middle and lower reaches.

The flashes of light could no longer make the players look sideways. They were busy with their own affairs. Some were calling to report that they were safe, some were talking and laughing, and some were wearing sunglasses and pretending to be cool in silence.

The reporters' target was locked on An Ke, who was not surprised by this. He stayed where he was, and Shao Jiayi left by himself first.

"Okay, tell me, what questions do you have?" An Ke took off his sunglasses and looked at the reporters in front of him as if he had seen a lot of big scenes.

A reporter immediately shouted, "If every player was like An Ke, we reporters would save a lot of trouble!"

Slight laughter rang out. Immediately a reporter asked, "Four years ago, the scene of you bursting into tears after losing to Italy impressed us deeply. I would like to ask, will you cry again this year?"

This question was very gossipy and did not belong to the category of football at all. The reporters burst into laughter.

But An Ke didn't care at all. He grinned and smiled as well: "Cry! Why not cry? As long as we win the championship, I will definitely cry to my heart's content!"

The reporters laughed even more. They thought An Ke was joking again and talking nonsense again. An Ke put on his eyes and didn't care about the reporters' attitude. With the help of security guards, he broke away from the crowd and walked towards his teammates.

If An Ke and Xiang Tao's appearance could make the atmosphere lively, then Krull's appearance immediately lowered the temperature on the scene by half.

Most Chinese and Italian reporters would not take the initiative to interview Krull, because if they went excitedly, they might be ignored. A better treatment would be that he looked at you, then snorted from his nose and walked straight over.

This time was the same. When many reporters saw Krull coming out, they immediately fell silent, then pretended not to see him and continued to look towards the exit of the passage behind him. Krull also ignored the reporters and the crowd welcoming him, and walked past with his head held high and wearing sunglasses.

This uncomfortable atmosphere was broken by a reckless fan. He broke through the security guards' obstruction and ran excitedly to Krull, a very small yellow-haired child who spoke in English. He nervously and excitedly asked Krull to sign his photo of Krull. At the same time, he kept looking back, fearing that the security guards would rush over and drag him away. Krull looked forward along the other party's gaze. The security guards were indeed running towards here, but they were stopped by a group of teenagers of the same age as this child, who kept shouting: "John! Hurry up! We can't hold on anymore!"

"Stop him! Hold him! Don't let him pass!"

Looking at the few teenagers desperately stopping the strong security guards, Krull smiled at the scene. The reporters who were watching the show were dumbfounded. They even forgot to take pictures of Krull's rare smile.

Krull lowered his head and signed the autograph for the kid, then asked, "Are they all your friends?"

The kid didn't expect Krull to take the initiative to talk to him. He was a little stunned, then immediately reacted: "Yes, they are all my best friends! We often play football in various neighborhoods. We are all your fans. You are great! We imitate your movements when we play football, but only I imitate them the most realistically. So they asked me to ask you for an autograph!"

"A reward for winning the game?" Krull took all the things in the kid's hands - three photos of himself, two of his posters, and a Fiorentina scarf, a Chinese team's number 8 jersey. He signed them all one by one. "Give them to them." Krull signed and returned them to the other party.

The security guards finally broke through the children's obstruction and rushed to Krull, reaching out to pull the rash kid away. Krull reached out to stop them: "Don't move, they are my fans, I want to take a photo with them." After saying that, he put his arm around the kid and walked towards a group of children who were falling to one side.

The kid was excited when he heard that his idol Krull actually took the initiative to ask to take a photo with them: "Really? Really? Did I hear correctly? Are you willing to take a photo with us?"

"Yes." Krull looked around, and finally decided to take them to the Chinese team's rest area, where there were the fewest outsiders. "Let's find a good place, a place where no one will disturb us."

The Chinese team's teammates were surprised to see Krull leading a group of children to them, and then introducing them one by one. The children naturally took out their notebooks one after another and asked for autographs.

After signing the autograph, Xiang Tao looked up at Krull next to him and said, "Tell me, what are you plotting, kid? Are you planning to abduct teenagers? Or molest minors?"

Krull glared at him: "Don't use your dirty mind to measure me."

The children who finished signing were very excited. At this time, Krull called them to gather around him, and then randomly found a wandering photojournalist next to him and asked him to take a group photo with them.

Under the flash, the children's smiles were very happy, and Krull also had a faint smile on his face.

After taking the photo, Krull asked the children to tell him their contact information, and then he transferred the contact information to the reporter, asking him to wash the photos and send them to the children.

"Hey, Krull, I really don't understand you. Why are you doing this? You usually don't even bother with reporters." Xiang Tao asked Krull very seriously.

Krull looked at the children who were leaving happily, and turned to look at Xiang Tao, "Why? Because when I was as old as them, I also played football in the streets, but I didn't get the joy that I should have."

Xiang Tao was so frightened that he took a step back, and as a result, he stepped on Zhao Pengyu's foot. Zhao Pengyu screamed, and the Chinese team's rest area was in chaos.

※※※

After Krull walked over, the reporters recovered from his smile. At this time, the Chinese team's number one star appeared.

Zhang Jun came out from behind the passage with a handbag. When he appeared in front of the public with a smile, the flashes almost formed a sea of light, and countless fans began to scream. Zhang Jun's reception alone was almost equal to the sum of all the members of the Chinese national team who had appeared before him.

Zhang Jun still politely maintained his smile, even though the long journey had made him very tired.

After the photojournalists took his photos, he came forward to prepare to accept the inevitable interview.

After some congratulatory greetings and some very common questions about the World Cup, a reporter remembered the joke that An Ke had just told - he thought it was an obvious joke - so he decided to tell it as well to attract Zhang Jun's attention and find some topics.

"Zhang, your teammate An said just now that he would cry to his heart's content after the Chinese team won the World Cup. What do you think about this?"

The reporters laughed again.

Zhang Jun said with a smile: "Very good, I will personally supervise him. If he dares not to cry."

What does this mean? The reporters did not react for a while. Maybe it was a polite response, tell another joke. The current players are really humorous, um...

Immediately a reporter asked another question: "Two days ago, also at this airport, Kaka said in an interview that he was very sorry that he did not fight against you again in Germany four years ago, and he will not let you go this time. What do you think about that?" The person who asked him was Cariani, who had a good relationship with him among the Italian reporters.

"Brazil did not win the final championship four years ago, and this time they must be aiming for the championship." Zhang Jun thought of Sophie, and thought of the warm afternoon during the Spring Festival this year. He hugged Sophie and said, "So are we."

There was an uproar. Yes, the reporters were so shocked that they could not speak, or rather, they could not find suitable words to describe everything they had heard. The Chinese team actually wanted to compete for the World Cup championship. What was this concept? A team that had only reached the World Cup finals three times wanted to compete for this honor with world-class powerhouses such as Brazil, Germany, England, Argentina, and Italy!

Seeing that the effect he wanted had been achieved, Cariani said: "It seems that you are very confident. So at this moment, when the World Cup is about to begin, what do you have to say?"

Zhang Jun smiled at Cariani, then faced the camera lens of the photojournalist, the camera lens of the video journalist, and the eyes of everyone, and said: "Tell all the participating teams, the Chinese team is here."