Chapter 87: Two Hats

Eighty minutes into the game, the score was 5:0.

Many Botafogo fans had already left early. 

Their head coach sat back on the coaching bench and looked numbly at the equally numb disciples on the field.

If he could, he really wanted to say something to himself from when he played against São Paulo last season: "What the hell were you doing to score so many goals??"

Botafogo was about to kick off, and Baptista shouted in an exasperated tone: "Everyone, please work harder. Kaká scored two goals and provided two assists. We helped him complete his hat trick. Of course, it would be best to get an assist hat trick. I can just work hard on things like scoring goals."

Everyone expressed their disdain for his shamelessness, but who knew that he really worked hard.

Belletti successfully intercepted the ball and passed it to Falcao. Falcao didn't stick to the ball but took the initiative to find Kaká to cooperate.

When their friends who had played indoor football with them saw this scene, they couldn't help but jump up and cheer loudly in the stands, attracting strange looks from the people around them, but they ignored it and continued to enjoy themselves, eager to tell everyone that the two guys on the field who were rushing into the hinterland of Botafogo like two cheetahs had actually been severely tortured by themselves.

Baptista saw the opportunity and ran wildly from the backcourt into the penalty area. He didn't turn around until he was in front of the goal. Just when he was about to see where the ball went, there was a sudden "bang," and a huge force came from his backside.

Baptista's sphincter tightened, thinking that someone had committed a foul from behind, but turned around and saw the goalkeeper staring at him with a constipated expression on his face.

The same goes for the people around him.

Baptista looked at the football lying in the goal, seemed to understand something, and turned to look at Fabiano.

Fabiano pointed to Kaká.

Kaká shrugged, "As you said, assist hat trick, I did it."

"So...I really scored a goal?"

"Yes, my assist, you're welcome."

"...What expression is more appropriate for me to show now?"

"GOAL! There was a dramatic scene on the field. Kaká shot from a distance, but the football hit Baptista and bounced into the goal. Congratulations to São Paulo, they are now 6:0 ahead of their opponent..."

He was embarrassed to say where it came from.

The São Paulo team finally won the game with a score of 6:0.

Kaká and Fabiano performed assist hat tricks and goal hat tricks respectively, while Baptista completed a wonderful throw-in assist and a backside deflection goal.

Starting with this game, the São Paulo team had been going smoothly throughout February. They were fighting on four fronts in the Copa Libertadores, the Brazilian Cup, the Rio-São Paulo Championship, and the São Paulo State First Division. Except for one draw in the São Paulo First Division, all other games were won.

Kaká played all the games, but half of them came as a substitute. The club focused on the Copa Libertadores and the State League. The Brazilian Cup and the Rio-São Paulo Championship were used for training. He played more in these two events as a firefighter.

In addition to scoring goals and assists, Kaká's contribution to the team was mainly to help Falcao quickly adapt to the new game mode.

Needless to say, there is no need to elaborate on Falcao's advantages. The three words "Street Football King" can mean everything. Anyway, he is the only active player that Kaká has seen who can rival Ronaldinho in terms of ball feel and skills.

Of course, the shortcomings are also obvious, including insufficient confrontation ability and awareness, and limited reading of the game.

In fact, his body is still very strong, at least it has reached the average level of professional players. The main reason is that he is not used to making movements under strong physical confrontation, and he tends to drag his feet. These are subjective and habitual problems that can be corrected.

The original reason why Falcao failed to achieve anything famous was mainly because he did not meet the right person. You must know that his best friend and best reference in football is Robinho. Naturally, he followed Robinho's path completely.

Robinho's approach?

Who knows.

Anyway, he succeeded, while some people who were not necessarily less talented than him failed.

There are countless such examples. You never know how many potential Neymars have missed the opportunity to make achievements on the football field due to various reasons.

But Kaká is different. Apart from cheating a little, he has really mastered other aspects.

Be extremely self-disciplined, train scientifically, and keep learning to keep your condition within a healthy range.

People can influence each other, but between Kaká and Falcao, it is obvious that Kaká has a profound influence on Falcao.

Falcao is not naive. Of course, he knows that he is on the right path. Although this path is not as easy and comfortable as he imagined, he finds that he does not reject this state of pain and happiness.

The second point is true. If you work hard for your dreams, you can also have fun in the midst of hardship.

And because of Kaká's good form, he was called up by Scolari.

Unlike last time, this time the national team only called up local Brazilian players, which means that Kaká's playing opportunities and playing time will increase significantly.

This time, in addition to Cheney and Belletti, Kaká set out with Ricardinho.

One team has four members of the national team. Although they may not all be included in the World Cup roster, it is enough to illustrate the strength of São Paulo during this period.

On March 1, 2002, Kaká came to the Brazilian national team's Manor Comari training base in Rio de Janeiro for the third time. They will complete a five-day training camp here and then start a friendly match with the Icelandic team on March 7.

Komari Manor covers an area of 149,000 square meters, with a construction area of 8,500 square meters. It has accommodation areas, entertainment areas, medical areas, locker rooms, fieldside gyms, swimming pools, training grounds, etc. It will become the focus of all Brazil every time it comes to a competition year.

The outside of the base was full of reporters. As soon as Kaká and others got off the bus, more than a dozen microphones were poked at their mouths.

Of course, almost all the firepower was aimed at Kaká.

Ricardinho looked at this scene in surprise.

He knew Kaká was very popular in São Paulo, but he didn't expect him to be so popular outside São Paulo as well.

"Kaká, this is the second time you have been selected for the national team. Are you confident that you can participate in the World Cup?"

"It is the head coach's job to make the list. My task is to play every game well."

The reporter nodded with satisfaction and quietly took notes. Bottom: Kaká said that he can do his best, and it is the head coach's fault if he cannot play in the World Cup.

"Kaká, do you think you can replace Ronaldinho or Rivaldo in the Brazilian team's midfield?"

"They are the best midfielders on the planet. I will work hard. As for whether you can play or not is up to the coach."

Kaká noted again: Ronaldinho and Rivaldo are both great, but as long as I perform normally...

ha! The Uncrowned King...

(End of Chapter)