Chapter 29: "Endurance, Rivalries, and Second Chances"

Even after the players had left, the lights in the first-team training ground remained on.

Thwack!

Yoo Jiwoo was practicing his shooting, with a cart full of balls beside him. The countless balls scattered across the ground mirrored the turmoil in his heart.

"Louis."

A man approached the security guard, who had been watching Yoo Jiwoo train with concern.

"Oh? Mr. Rodrigo, what brings you here?"

It was Rodrigo, holding a paper bag containing something.

"I had some business to take care of."

"Does it have to do with Yoo?"

"Maybe."

While exchanging greetings with the security guard, Rodrigo kept his gaze fixed on Yoo Jiwoo, who was training alone.

"Does he always do this?"

"He always stays longer than the others, but today he's been here even longer."

Yoo Jiwoo typically trained two or three hours more than other players. He was the type of athlete who wouldn't feel satisfied unless he trained twice or thrice as hard as everyone else—a training fanatic.

Hearing this, Rodrigo walked into the training ground.

Thwack!

As Yoo Jiwoo drove another powerful shot into the goal, Rodrigo approached and spoke to him.

"Your shooting posture has improved. You've eliminated a lot of unnecessary movements."

"You're here?"

"Aren't you heading home? Mr. Cha has been waiting in the parking lot for quite a while."

"I told him to leave first, but I guess he stayed."

"He's a loyal guy."

"He is."

"Here, take this. Found it on the way."

Rodrigo handed him a paper bag, which contained churros.

"If you dip them in the jam in that white container, they taste great."

"Thank you."

Yoo Jiwoo paused his shooting practice, sat down, and began eating the churros Rodrigo had brought.

Crunch.

The savory dough and sweet jam spread through his mouth, bringing a sense of comfort.

Rodrigo also sat down beside him, taking a churro and biting into it.

"Did you see the article?"

"Yes, and I'm grateful for your help."

"I didn't do much."

"Still, thank you."

As they exchanged light conversation, Rodrigo looked at Yoo Jiwoo and asked, "Is it tough?"

"A little."

Although the truth had been revealed, other club fans continued to muddy the waters.

[What if this is just another publicity stunt? They admitted the coach assault was real, didn't they?]

The previously forgotten incident had resurfaced, and Yoo Jiwoo found himself the target of harsh words. Saying it wasn't hard would have been a lie.

Yoo Jiwoo tilted his head back to look up at the sky. The moon and stars shone brightly through the darkness.

"…It was the same back then. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I just kept moving. It stopped the unnecessary thoughts."

In Korea, too, he had shaken off intrusive thoughts this way. While sweating, there was no room for overthinking.

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"How's the churro?"

"It's good."

"The shop is to the right of Lezama Park. If you like it, you can get some there."

"But you said you picked it up on the way?"

"Someone must have tossed it in a park trash can."

Rodrigo stayed by Yoo Jiwoo's side, chatting casually until the churros were all gone.

Only then did he speak seriously.

"If you're going to continue living in the world of professional football, there will be harsher criticism ahead."

"Yes."

"If you win, the home fans will cheer for you, but the opposing team's fans will taunt you and do whatever they can to shake you. That's how it works here."

The professional world seemed glamorous, but it was full of pain. Among the most important traits, along with skill, was mentality.

In the world of professionals, players with weak mentalities couldn't survive.

"I'm not here to tell you to 'endure it'—that's a careless thing to say."

"..."

"Just hold on."

"Will holding on really change anything?"

"It will. A lot."

Rodrigo looked at Yoo Jiwoo with a sincere gaze.

"In the professional world, criticism follows you like a shadow. Plenty of players go through it, just like you."

"…Yes."

Yoo Jiwoo knew that. He wasn't the only one experiencing these challenges.

But that didn't make what he was going through any less real.

"Do you think those players all 'overcame' it?"

"..."

"Not even close."

When Yoo Jiwoo remained silent, Rodrigo continued.

"Those players didn't overcome it—they just got used to enduring it."

Glory in professional football was fleeting, like a passing breeze.

There was always more criticism than glory.

Even the current first-team players were no exception.

With no league titles to their name, they endured daily ridicule from fans. Beneath their tough exteriors lay many scars. They had simply learned to hide them behind a mask.

Due to the lack of league championships, being ridiculed by fans had become an everyday occurrence for the players, leaving many with emotional scars. They had merely crafted a façade to hide their pain behind.

---

"If you've decided to become a professional, you'll have to get used to enduring it. If you think, Why should I bear with others' troubles when I'm already struggling?, like a child, you'll eventually face significant repercussions."

"..."

"You're not the only one thinking that way."

Rodrigo stood up, using the sole of his foot to pull a soccer ball lying on the ground towards him.

Thud.

He lightly passed the ball to Jiwoo Yoo.

"Endure. And if you find yourself unable to, don't keep it all bottled up. Speak to those around you, ask for help."

"..."

"You've been building good relationships with people, haven't you?"

His point wasn't that Jiwoo should face everything alone. Instead, he encouraged him to overcome challenges together with the people around him. After all, simply having someone you could open up to could provide the strength to keep going.

"I'd like to think I'm one of those people now. Or am I wrong?"

Jiwoo Yoo, who had been expressionless, let the corners of his lips curl ever so slightly—a movement so subtle no one would have noticed.

"Thank you for coming all the way here, Rodrigo."

---

"What's the schedule for the intrasquad match?"

Before the opening of the first division league, three friendly matches had been arranged.

Sebastian planned to use the intrasquad match to determine which players would start in the friendlies.

"This Thursday," someone replied.

"Hmm."

Sebastian Ranzella quietly examined the schedule. With the first division league starting mid-August, one idea crossed his mind.

"After watching the intrasquad match, if Yu proves he's fit for the first team, how about letting him play in the first division?"

The unexpected suggestion startled everyone. Alberto Varela, the head coach, smiled.

"I think that's a great idea. The player registration period lasts until the end of August, so even if we later reassign him to the second team, it won't violate any regulations."

Encouraged by this, the staff monitoring Jiwoo Yoo chimed in with their opinions.

"Yu must join the first team. Rumor has it he stays behind late for individual practice after training sessions!"

"His kicking accuracy is remarkable, and he'd be a valuable asset as a late-game substitute."

"Not a bad idea. His speed and dribbling skills could help unsettle opposing defensive lines."

Most of the feedback was positive.

Initially, there had been skepticism about Jiwoo, given his youth and Asian background. However, his diligence and dedication had gradually won over the coaching staff.

He arrived earlier than anyone else.

Left later than everyone else.

And worked tirelessly to improve his weaknesses.

"I agree."

In the end, they acknowledged Jiwoo Yoo.

Not just as an exceptional athlete, but as a true soccer player.

---

July and August marked the transfer window when countless clubs scrambled to strengthen their rosters.

[Liverpool signs German prodigy Kevin Kruger!]

[Paris Saint-Germain acquires attacking midfielder Jerome Schringer!]

While various clubs bolstered their teams, Boca Juniors also moved to fill their gaps by signing key players.

One glaring issue Boca had been facing was the aging of their attacking lineup. To address this, they successfully brought in a star player.

[Boca Juniors signs Real Madrid midfielder Ángel Molilla!]

[Ángel Molilla rejects contract renewal with Real Madrid, signs a four-year deal with his hometown team, Boca Juniors!]

[Ángel Molilla: "I'm thrilled to return home."]

Molilla, a six-year starter for Real Madrid and a legend from Boca Juniors' youth academy, was returning to his roots.

[Is Molilla really coming back?]

[Am I dreaming? Molilla to Boca? Hey, board members! If you could do this all along, what have you been doing till now?]

The news shocked fans.

Having won multiple trophies with Real Madrid and being only 31 years old, Molilla still had at least three to four years of peak performance ahead of him. Yet, he chose to reject Madrid's renewal offer and return home.

[A legend returns!]

[But isn't this overhyped? Why celebrate a player who ditched us when we were struggling?]

Of course, alongside the excitement, there was also skepticism.

---

A week later, on the day of the intrasquad match.

At Boca Juniors' training ground, club officials gathered and began whispering among themselves.

Rustle, rustle.

"Long time no see!"

Ángel Molilla, set to officially join the team five days later, had arrived early.

The staff welcomed him warmly, engaging in lively conversations.

Soon, as the players began warming up, Molilla spotted someone and enthusiastically waved.

"Javier!"

Despite Molilla's cheerful greeting, Javier Casero ignored him entirely.

"What's he doing here now?"

He muttered under his breath, but everyone nearby heard him.

"Come on, don't be like that. Give him a break!" said Ricardo Mesa.

Javier, however, shot Molilla a displeased look.

"No."

"You two were inseparable when you used to bully me. Remember?"

"When did we ever do that? You're the one who bullied us! Don't twist the facts."

The two had once been close.

At 28 years old, Javier Casero and the 31-year-old Ángel Molilla had spent their late teens and early twenties playing together at Boca Juniors.

But their paths diverged.

Molilla left for Real Madrid to chase bigger dreams, while Javier chose to stay at Boca, keeping his promise to the fans.

From that point onward, their relationship soured. Molilla wanted to maintain their friendship, but Javier had already turned away.

---

"Javier!"

"…What?"

"Are you still mad? Didn't we resolve this during our time on the national team?"

"Did you resolve it by yourself?"

"Oh, come on. Don't be like that~"

Molilla clung to Javier, who, clearly annoyed, tried to push him away.

"…Ugh, grown men acting like children," said Ricardo Mesa with a sigh, though a smile crept onto his face.

There was a history between the two.

And while their emotions couldn't be resolved in a single conversation, Ricardo believed time would gradually mend their bond.

"Ángel! Tackle him!"

"Got it! Here I come!"

"Wait, Ricardo! Don't encourage him! Stop it!"

If their relationship could slowly thaw and improve, Ricardo thought,

Boca Juniors might become stronger than ever.