Can't Afford to Lose Face

In March, during the international break, as teams around the world were intensively preparing for the World Cup, China served as a practice opponent. However, Wang Feng was not called up for these matches; he usually didn't participate in friendly matches.

At this time, he was leisurely playing with his son in the courtyard. The little one skillfully stopped the ball his father passed to him, wobbled to the small goal, and with great effort kicked it out, only to fall to the ground due to exerting too much force.

Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes, but neither his parents nor even his grandmother, who usually would come to him upon hearing his cries, came over. "Xiaoxin, be a good boy. You're a boy, you need to learn to be strong and stand up by yourself!"

The three-year-old boy obviously didn't fully understand his father's encouragement, but he understood that crying wouldn't solve anything. After a while of delay, he finally managed to stand up with his small hands on the ground and ran to his father with the ball he kicked off course.

"So obedient!" Wang Feng praised as he lifted his son, while his mother, feeling a bit sorry, said, "Ah Feng, Xiaoxin is still so young. Are you being too strict with him?"

"Mom, what's this? Have you forgotten when I was playing in the fields as a child, fell and got a big cut on my hand with blood flowing everywhere? It didn't affect me much, did it? Boys need to be tough and not spoiled too much."

His mother nodded, still feeling sorry for her grandson, as she rubbed his little hand.

In terms of parenting views, Wang Feng and his wife generally agreed, but sometimes she would be more lenient, so they played the roles of a strict father and a kind mother in the family.

"If Xiaoxin enters the professional football field, do you think there's a chance for you two to play together?" Lu Yao smiled.

Wang Feng was taken aback for a moment. "It's unlikely. Even if he debuts at 16 like I did back then, I would already be 44 by that time. There's no way I would still be playing football."

"Well, I recently saw the news about Rivaldo competing on the same stage with his son, and it was quite a sensation. I thought you might also want to achieve this feat."

The Chinese superstar shrugged. "That's because he's still young. He had a child in his early twenties. Besides, I dedicated almost all of my time to football in the first half of my life. In the second half, I want to enjoy life."

In fact, there are countless examples in the history of modern football of sons following in their fathers' footsteps, and father-son competitions are not uncommon. For example, Gudjohnsen once represented Iceland alongside his father in the national team, and they even played in the same game.

This time, the 41-year-old Rivaldo appeared for Mogi Mirim in the Sao Paulo State League, while his 18-year-old eldest son, Rivaldinho, also appeared in the starting lineup.

As a legend of Barcelona and AC Milan, the Brazilian star spent his later years playing for various clubs such as Olympiacos, AEK Athens, Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan, and Kabuscorp of Angola.

Regarding such career planning, Wang Feng had reservations. If it were him, he would never wander around aimlessly. When he couldn't play anymore, he would retire. If he really enjoyed it, he could return to his hometown team to play occasionally.

The family played together, and it became livelier when their daughter returned home from school.

Lu Yao suddenly remembered something and asked, "Feng Ge, are you really not going to the World Cup final in Brazil? The relevant person in charge has called several times."

"No, I can't afford to lose face. Let them find someone else. They dug their own pit; let them fill it themselves." Wang Feng said firmly.

At this point, his status and prestige were enough to say no to anyone, and he was also at odds with the Association. Although almost all of the previous staff had been replaced, the mistakes made in the past still had to be borne. They could only rack their brains to think of other solutions.

The lineup of each country for the World Cup always causes countless controversies, with experts and media giving evaluations and predictions. Perhaps the most anticipated team is Spain.

The British Daily Mail compiled a list of those who didn't make it into the Spanish national team, and it was enough to assemble a luxurious lineup worth £166 million, envy-inducing indeed.

For example, Manchester United's De Gea and Mata, Real Madrid's Isco, Chelsea's Torres, Atletico Madrid's Villa, and many others, all influential stars in football, but Bosque resolutely kept them out.

"Any player in this rejected lineup could stand firm in the Premier League. If they were to face England, the Three Lions would definitely not have an easy time, which shows the strength of Spain."

Another title contender, Argentina, was also not calm. After the team was held to a 0-0 draw by Romania, the once-taboo name was mentioned again. Tevez, many media outlets called for his return to the national team.

Former Argentina captain Ayala publicly exclaimed, "He has the ability to join the national team. We all regret it for him. Coach Saveljic should seriously consider it."

In fact, everything boils down to the irreconcilable conflict between him and Messi. To maintain Messi's authority, Tevez had to be sacrificed.

Not only did the head coach turn a blind eye to him, but now all the players in the team also avoided this issue, refusing interviews one after another.

Tevez vented his grievances in an interview with The Horn newspaper, criticizing the monopoly of the "Messi faction" within the Argentine team. "I don't think I have a chance to play in the World Cup anymore."

"Whether it's at Manchester City or Juventus, my performance is there for all to see. Even in the absence of important players like Aguero, Saveljic still didn't call me up."

"Even if I score 130 goals, even if I become the best player, I still won't get the chance to wear the national team jersey. You know who's responsible for this."

"He's too domineering. He always behaves politely in front of the public, but he has a different face in private."

Tevez was full of grievances, and there were many supporters for him within Argentina. People called him the "people's player." However, for the higher-ups, making Messi comfortable was the top priority.

Returning to the league, in the 28th round of La Liga, Real Madrid faced Malaga away.

The main players who had just returned from the national team were somewhat out of shape, and both sides were deadlocked after the start of the match.

In the 28th minute, Bale received a diagonal pass from Isco on the wing and made a powerful run, surpassing Ferreira with a curveball cross into the penalty area.

Wang Feng, positioned near the front post, saw the ball flying towards him, but with two nearby defenders closing in, he had no time to control the ball.

So, the Chinese superstar leaped into the air, leaned backward, and lifted his left foot high to strike the ball with the back of his foot – a bicycle kick!

"Boom!" A fiery meteor flew straight into the near corner of the goal, and Malaga goalkeeper Caballero made a flying save, but the ball still slipped under his arm and into the net. 1-0!

This stunning bicycle kick goal became the only goal of the game, allowing the Galacticos to win 1-0 against Malaga.

The direct competitors in the league, Atletico Madrid, also won 1-0 against Espanyol in this round, and the competition between the two teams remained intense.