Li Kang rubbed his forehead.

After half a season of grueling battles, the shadow energy in his brain was almost depleted.

Suddenly, cheers erupted from the TV.

The BBC commentator was shouting frantically, "Goal goal goal goal~!"

Borussia Dortmund had equalized.

Enrique angrily slammed his water bottle down.

Reus slid on his knees in celebration… and fell.

Favre raised his arms, but after a few steps, he suddenly clutched his left calf in pain. This wasn't the first time the 60-year-old tactical master had injured himself during a celebration.

Li Kang turned off the TV, picked up his phone, and replied to the messages sent by friends and family one by one.

Nothing major had happened.

It was just that Voller was under fire.

He had recently proposed to the German Football Association: "German football is sick. The Bundesliga must give local forwards more opportunities to play. I hope the Bundesliga's top scorer is a local player."

This remark immediately drew dissatisfaction from fans: "Sick? We're the defending World Cup champions!"

Many media outlets also dug up a series of racist behaviors Voller had committed against Black people when he was younger, calling him a "narrow-minded nationalist."

Li Kang didn't care whether German football was sick or not.

He forwarded an article on social media "supporting Voller" and gave it a like.

A Golden Ball winner farting would attract attention from the entire internet.

Gradually.

The public opinion in German football began to reverse: "Voller's wife is Roman, his two sons are Italian, and the Golden Ball winner he nurtured is of Chinese descent. How could he be a narrow-minded nationalist!"

A few minutes later.

Li Kang finished browsing the messages from a few girls before turning off his phone and going to sleep.

As for Messi's forwarded "Red and Blue Soul," he still hadn't read it.

That night.

News about the Champions League Round of 16 quickly dominated the headlines of major sports media outlets.

"The Blue That Never Fades: Chelsea Conquers the Parc des Princes."

"Unstoppable Barca: Liverpool Falls at the Camp Nou."

"A Long Road After Wenger: Gunners Lead Twice, Dortmund Equalizes Twice, Emirates Stadium Ends in a Draw."

"Super Saiyan Bayern! The Bavarian Giant Tramples Old Trafford."

The number of likes, shares, and comments exploded.

-

[Enrique, you idiot! My parlay of four was only missing Arsenal! How could they let Dortmund equalize at the last minute?]

-

[As steady as Li Mingdeng, even he can't save a parlay that includes Enrique.]

-

[Enrique's set-piece level is very high, but his on-the-spot command after the team takes the lead is prone to decision-making errors.]

-

[Too bad. Every time I see Neymar and Mbappe lose, I feel sorry for them.]

-

[What heavy taste? I still prefer to watch Courtois and De Bruyne fan fiction. I'm looking forward to their "dual swords combination" at the 2018 World Cup.]

-

[Bayern is awesome.]

-

[Li Mingdeng is awesome.]

The next morning.

The Chelsea team took a plane back to London.

Diego Costa was wearing headphones with a silly grin on his face.

"The real reason Courtois gave De Bruyne the green light?"

"Belgian estranged couple."

Kante subconsciously shifted his butt, moving away from the Chelsea striker with peculiar interests.

Morata was excitedly gesturing to Li Kang, saying how simple the game would have been if he had been on the field.

Buffon wanted to tell a joke, but couldn't think of one.

After racking his brains, he decided not to think about it.

Just enjoy the beautiful time of the last few years of his career.

Time is like water, once it's gone, it never returns.

Chelsea's schedule was very tight.

The weekend's Premier League match was at home against Arsenal.

Next Wednesday's Champions League Round of 16 second leg was at home against Paris Saint-Germain.

There was also an FA Cup match sandwiched in between.

Stamford Bridge.

Dino had just approached Abramovich's luxurious office.

And was immediately bombarded with questions.

"How could you let Li be so tired? He's not rotated enough. Do you have to let him play the full ninety minutes against a team like Oxford United?"

Dino looked helpless.

Wanting Abramovich not to interfere in the club's affairs? Impossible.

The coaching staff of previous generations had already summed up the experience: don't refute, listen patiently.

At the same time.

Li Kang and his little assistant rushed to Gelsenkirchen.

Ms. Sandra greeted them warmly.

No longer with a professional smile, her tone was sincere:

"Voller is our German team's great hero, how could he be slandered as…"

"Li, thank you for stepping forward."

Voller was the main striker for the German team when he was young, contributing wonderful goals in the semi-finals and finals of the 1986 World Cup. His handsome and charming mustache made thousands of girls… infatuated.

However.

Some fans also called him the King of Diving.

1990 World Cup Final, West Germany vs Argentina.

The battle of Tianwang Mountain.

The decisive battle at the Forbidden City.

Some said that Argentina was a depleted squad, missing two offensive players, but in the actual game, the performance of the rotation players also brought hope to the Pampa fans.

The beginning of the game was a little subtle.

Voller became the most dazzling presence on the field, overshadowing the "Three Musketeers" and "King" Maradona.

He exploded against the Argentine defender, successfully counter-attacking and creating opportunities many times, six shots, twice facing the goalkeeper directly, all the balls that even Ibrahimovic's grandmother could kick in, he all blasted into the sky…

Angering coach Beckenbauer to the point of loosening his tie.

In the 85th minute of the game.

Voller fell in the penalty area, helping West Germany win a penalty kick.

Brehme scored in one fell swoop, sealing the victory!

Maradona shed tears in Rome.

West Germany finally won the World Cup.

This was also the last time they lifted the Hercules Trophy, because a few months later, East and West Germany officially merged.

Without much small talk.

Li Kang went to the studio under the guidance of the staff.

The bearded director was extremely excited.

"Li, my Golden Ball winner, I haven't seen you for almost half a year!"

As he spoke, he couldn't wait to pull out a few Chelsea home and away jerseys.

Li Kang took the pen and skillfully signed his name.

The bearded director quickly stuffed the jersey back into the backpack next to the small stool.

"Let's hurry up, time is money!"

The content of the advertisement shooting was very simple.

Li Kang took a winter new beer from Veltins and made a few poses.

"Turn around!"

"Like holding the Golden Ball, holding the beer, slowly turn around."

"Yes, that's the feeling!"

"Leave the rest to post-production!"

"The final content of the finished product is: the Golden Ball winner holding a beer, slowly turning around at the top of the tower, overlooking Europe."

The bearded director's expression was serious, and he directly copied the script of "France Football".

Anyway, the French didn't dare to do anything to the Germans!

The shooting was stress-free.

Li Kang only changed his clothes once.

Two hours later.

Li Kang took the elevator to the Veltins reception room.

The little assistant diligently took out a football from his suitcase, hinting that Li Kang should go to Claudia's office.

He plopped down on the sofa and began to bargain with Ms. Sandra about the advertising renewal contract.

The endorsement of the Golden Ball winner must be more expensive.

Even if he became Veltins' son-in-law one day, it would have to be more expensive.

Li Kang saw Claudia.

After not seeing her for more than half a year, the German girl had gained a little weight, her complexion was rosy, and her hair was shiny.

He handed the football over.

It was the commemorative ball for completing a "hat-trick" in the World Cup qualifiers.

When a person is in good health, they are also in a good mood.

Claudia smiled and took the football, holding it in her arms.

Behind her, in the display cabinet, were various crafts and commemorative balls.

Night fell.

Li Kang and his little assistant rushed back to London.

Energy was abundant.

(End of this chapter)