Chapter 43: Deceiving His Own Teammate
This match between the German and Brazilian youth national football teams was highly anticipated by those within the football industry. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that many scouts and agents were watching, hoping to discover long-term prospects.
Among the twenty-two players on the field, Adriano was already well-known, and Kaka and Baptista were rising stars. Many scouts had marked them as potential targets, but it remained to be seen if they could adapt to European football or live up to the hype.
So, Kaka's every move was closely watched by these individuals, like wolves tracking their prey.
Initially, Kaka focused on linking play and transitioning between attack and defense, rather than dribbling much.
However, the German team's defense on him was too lax, making it seem like a missed opportunity not to create chances.
After Adriano and Robert's attacks were thwarted, Kaka took on the German team from midfield.
Baptista, who was increasingly venturing forward with glimpses of transitioning to a striker role, made the pass to Kaka. However, Baptista hadn't forgotten his primary duties and was doing a decent job breaking down Germany's attacks.
Kaka received the ball with his back to the defender, using his body strength to hold off the opposing player. He then turned and drove forward seven or eight meters. Just when others expected him to set up Adriano or Robert for a shot, he ignored Adriano's call for the ball and executed a simple body feint, bypassing the incoming German midfielder. Within two or three seconds, he was at the edge of the penalty area.
The commentator said, "The German defense is tight, but Adriano has found some space. Here's a chance, Kaka passes... No, Kaka didn't pass, he dribbled past the defender and has reached the German penalty area. Will he shoot? Oh, unfortunately, Kaka didn't shoot but continued dribbling, although his path is now blocked. Let's see his ball control skills..."
Kaka made a shooting motion but didn't shoot, instead executing a dummy shot and nutmeg. Despite the German defender's reaction, his momentum had already been thrown off, and he couldn't prevent Kaka from entering the box.
With Adriano, Robert, Leo, and Costa converging from the sides, and Kaka dribbling aggressively, the German penalty area was suddenly chaotic.
Kaka wanted to take a shot, but the German defense was too compact, leaving no shooting space. Moreover, his pace had slowed, reducing the threat of his dribbling.
The best option would have been to pass back and reorganize the attack from outside the box, but apart from the incoming Baptista, the only players outside were the retreating German defenders, whom Kaka typically wouldn't pass to.
It was a momentary dilemma.
The observing Argentinians noticed Kaka's predicament and couldn't help but snicker, with the commentator adding sarcastically, "Kaka's style is more European and unlike a typical South American player. In terms of close control, many professional Argentinian players could probably teach him a thing or two."
Even the Brazilian substitutes and coaching staff sighed with slight disappointment, though Costonio still held out hope that Kaka could turn things around.
He hadn't forgotten that match in the regional championship final.
Kaka's feet seemed to have a magnetic quality, deceiving everyone. While he could play with the flair of a Ronaldinho, he deliberately used a more rugged dribbling style, leading people to believe his main asset was raw pace.
These fools didn't seem to realize that Brazilians could play with skill too. Of course, Kaka could play with flair, but in his current predicament, surrounded by opponents, it remained to be seen how effective those tricks would be.
Instinctively, he glanced at Adriano's position and pointed with his hand towards the area in front of Adriano.
Any experienced player would recognize this gesture, often used by dribblers who find themselves trapped, indicating to teammates where they should run to receive the ball.
Ignoring the showboating aspect, the gesture carried a certain commanding aura, reminiscent of a leader surveying the battlefield and issuing orders, much like Zidane's signature stance that exuded an air of "I'm going to pass it there, and there's nothing you can do about it."
That's exactly what Kaka was doing.
Adriano started running even before Kaka's hand had fully extended, and all eyes followed. Even Kaka himself nearly passed the ball in that direction.
But at the moment his right foot touched the ball, he inexplicably lifted it towards the goal instead of passing.
Not a shot, not a scoop, but a delicate flick of the foot's surface against the bottom of the ball, suddenly imparting force to send it looping upwards.
The German defender in front of Kaka had been drawn away by his gaze and hand gesture, leaving just enough space for the ball to pass through.
The goalkeeper, crouched in anticipation of a save, never imagined the ball would come at him in such a manner.
Years of training caused his body to react slightly, but his brain couldn't keep up, resulting in his feet rooting to the ground while his hands futilely stretched towards the incoming ball.
His entire being exuded a sense of helplessness.
While the description was lengthy, the entire sequence happened in an instant. Kaka's inspiration came from Ronaldo's famous goal against Chelsea, but instead of using his hips to feint the defenders, he used his eyes and hand to deceive them. The process differed, but the result was the same.
The ball hit the back of the net, and the stadium fell silent.
Was this the second time Kaka's hand had proved decisive?
The Germans now wished they could chop off that hand and mix it with some beer and sausages... well, these lads do have peculiar tastes...
As the ball nestled in the net, Kaka was already running towards the sideline, raising his arms towards the gloomy sky, as if trying to poke holes in it.
Robert, Costa, and others joined in the jubilant celebration, but Adriano remained rooted for a moment before running over and playfully ruffling Kaka's hair.
Was it acceptable for the captain to deceive his teammates like that? What a trickster!
(end of chapter)