Chapter 106

Even though the China U20 team was already on their return flight, they remained immersed in the joy of their victory from the previous night. 

Winning the Toulon Cup would be a glorious highlight in the careers of all the players, apart from Yang Yang. 

Back home, the news generated a jubilant response, with celebrations erupting across the nation. 

The championship was something that domestic fans had scarcely dared to dream of for many years. Even though it was only the Toulon Cup, it represented an unprecedented honor for fans in China. 

At last, they had achieved it! 

Many players were so elated that they had struggled to sleep through the night, leading to a surprising issue during check-out: the team found themselves short on cash. 

This predicament stemmed from inadequate logistical planning. 

The China U20 team had brought only four thousand dollars to the Toulon Cup, which was converted into euros upon arrival. Each player had pocket money of fifty euros, totaling 1,300 euros, with the remainder allocated for room and board during the tournament. 

The coaching staff had been equally frugal, often tightening their belts and skipping meals. During their visit to Monaco, they had even gone without lunch. Ultimately, Yang Yang took the initiative to treat the entire team to dinner and gifted each member a thoughtful present. 

However, the team still found themselves in a bind at check-out. The hotel charged for the use of the conference room and additional beverage fees, which amounted to 1,300 euros. Celebratory expenses from the previous night added another two hundred euros, leaving the team with a debt of 1,500 euros. 

Both coaching staff and players felt embarrassed, initially considering seeking assistance from the organizing committee. In the end, it was Yang Yang who stepped forward, paying the bill out of his own pocket, enabling the team to leave the hotel. 

As they reflected on this situation, many players stole glances at Yang Yang, who had closed his eyes and was resting quietly during the flight. 

His four goals and four assists had earned him the title of best player in the Toulon Cup, overshadowing France's strikers, Gemini and Flamini, who had just joined Arsenal this summer. 

Yet, despite his accolades, Yang Yang remained humble, earning the admiration of his teammates. 

Given his experience of winning the Champions League with Ajax, it was no surprise that he viewed the Toulon Cup as a lesser achievement. 

Many talented players on the team found themselves pondering whether they, too, should pursue opportunities in European football, inspired by Yang Yang's remarkable progress. 

For players like Liu Yang, this was an irresistible temptation. 

In the past, such aspirations felt distant and unattainable, but now Yang Yang had forged a path for them to follow. 

... 

... 

The players of the China U20 team had no idea that Yang Yang was not merely resting with his eyes closed. 

As soon as he boarded the plane, he entered the Dream Training System to continue honing and refining his skills. 

After several days of competition, he had gradually recognized his progress, particularly in addressing his weaknesses, which had left him feeling encouraged. 

In the past, his one-on-one breakthroughs had been his only strength, while his first touches and subsequent passes had been utterly lacking. 

At that time, he could manage against the Almere youth team and in amateur games, but advancing further had proved challenging. 

Thus, he began to practice diligently, focusing on his passing. 

His wing breakthroughs and precise crosses became the foundation of his success within Ajax's second and first teams. Particularly, the influence of Ronaldo's and Beckham's star skills had significantly enhanced his performance, culminating in the winning goal during the Champions League final. 

A substantial portion of the credit for that goal belonged to his first touch, a skill derived from his third star skill, Bergkamp's first touch. 

If the goal in the Champions League final had been somewhat fortuitous, Yang Yang felt much clearer about his progress at the Toulon Cup. In front of his peers, he discovered an increasing sense of confidence in his abilities. 

The first touch he executed against Colombo from the French U21 team in the final had been a reflection of that newfound confidence—something he wouldn't have dared to attempt previously. 

"Zax, I've noticed that my third star skill is improving faster than before," Yang Yang inquired. 

"Indeed," Zax's calm voice resonated from the Dream Training System. "That's quite normal, as your foundational skills are now more solid." 

Yang Yang raised his head, contemplating. "Are you saying that stronger basic skills enable faster learning of football techniques?" 

"Did I not mention that before?" 

"No," Yang Yang shook his head. "You only said that improving my basic skills is key." 

"Correct. Basic skills are the foundation of everything. Think of it like building a house: the stronger the foundation, the higher the house can stand. You'll also notice that compatible football skills can work in harmony—one plus one can equal more than two." 

Yang Yang nodded, recognizing the truth in Zax's words. "When will I learn the fourth football skill?" 

He was eager to progress. 

"It's still early. Focus on polishing your star skills before considering a fourth. You need to fully integrate the three existing star skills first, ensuring you can execute them reliably in the Champions League—that will be the right time." 

Yang Yang didn't argue; he was aware of his current situation. 

As the saying goes, "Haste makes waste." The most important thing for him now was not to rush into acquiring more star skills but to refine and enhance what he already had. 

Ultimately, the Toulon Cup was just a youth tournament, and the defensive intensity was not particularly high. Even without the Bergkamp star skill, he could still dominate; however, the final outcome might not have been as impressive. 

Looking ahead, the upcoming Asian Cup, as well as the new season with Ajax in the Eredivisie and the UEFA Champions League, would be the true tests for Yang Yang. 

After all, he was only seventeen. 

As their conversation continued, Yang Yang discussed various topics with Zax, who emphasized that practicing his first touch would significantly aid his subsequent learning in shooting, passing, and dribbling, allowing him to acquire more star skills. 

Zax also pointed out that Yang Yang's conversion rate during the Toulon Cup was somewhat low, leading to a waste of numerous scoring opportunities. 

Of course, this evaluation was made in comparison to the standards of top forwards in the Eredivisie. 

Yang Yang was well aware of this. Compared to players like Kezman, Kuyt, and even Ibrahimović—who had faced criticism from Ajax fans for his low shooting efficiency—he understood that his own conversion rate still needed improvement. 

Nonetheless, he was confident he could gradually rectify this issue. 

Whether it was the exhilaration from his Champions League final goal or the four goals he scored at the Toulon Cup, Yang Yang found himself increasingly obsessed with the thrill of scoring. He even began contemplating designing a celebration for when he found the net. 

Ideally, it would be something stylish and memorable. 

... 

... 

As the flight from Paris gradually descended towards Beijing Capital Airport, the atmosphere at the pick-up gate erupted with excitement, rivaling the intensity of the blazing sun outside. 

When the players of the National Youth Team began to emerge, carrying an assortment of bags, the scene quickly became chaotic. 

"Yang Yang! Yang Yang!!! Yang Yang!!!" 

Most of the fans present were shouting Yang Yang's name, while media reporters scoured the crowd in search of him. 

Soon, they spotted their target. 

Yang Yang emerged, lugging two bags and walking alongside Wei Zhen. He was momentarily taken aback by the surge of enthusiastic fans and media reporters rushing towards him, leaving even Wei Zhen stunned. 

The coaches and players of the China U20 team looked on with a mix of envy and amusement. Yang Yang's popularity had soared, especially following the victory in the Toulon Cup, which had catapulted him to new heights of fame. 

Fans clamored for Yang Yang's autograph, and he graciously obliged, signing for anyone who approached him. 

The media reporters sought interviews, but the frenzy made it difficult for Yang Yang to decide who to respond to first. 

In the end, Wei Zhen stepped in to help maintain some semblance of order, urging everyone to ask their questions one at a time. 

The media's primary focus was on Yang Yang's performance in the Toulon Cup, the upcoming Asian Cup, and his situation at Ajax. 

Regarding the Toulon Cup, Yang Yang emphasized the contributions of all his teammates, refusing to take credit for himself. For the Asian Cup, he expressed a desire to approach it with a learning mentality, hoping to gain insights from the more experienced players on the team. 

At Ajax, there was a media training session specifically designed for players, and Yang Yang had attended one for the first team. After handling the domestic media inquiries, he remained composed and articulate. 

The negotiations for his contract renewal with Ajax were still ongoing. His outstanding performance in the Toulon Cup, where he helped secure the championship and was named the tournament's best player, had sparked speculation among European media about a potential transfer to a club in one of the top four leagues. 

The Toulon Cup, being a youth tournament, attracted numerous scouts, making gossip about player transfers commonplace. 

In the interview, Yang Yang firmly stated that he had not been in contact with any teams. 

"I have two main focuses right now. First, I want to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming Asian Cup. Second, after the Asian Cup, I will return to Ajax and work hard for the new season. As for anything else, I won't think about it." 

His response was a clear rebuttal to the recent rumors. Yang Yang had never considered leaving Ajax, at least not this summer. 

In an interview with national team coach Arie Haan, Yang Yang addressed the national team's offensive struggles. He was non-committal about his ability to address these issues but promised to give his all regardless of the coaching staff's arrangements. 

"For me, it is an honor to serve my country. I will accept any role assigned to me and do my utmost." 

When asked about his skyrocketing popularity, even eclipsing that of Yao Ming in the NBA, Yang Yang expressed humility, acknowledging the fans' support while vowing to work even harder to deliver improved performances. 

In addition to various questions, Yang Yang faced some that were too personal, prompting him to deftly sidestep them. 

Wei Zhen, who accompanied Yang Yang, understood the media's tactics and quickly helped him navigate through the throng, leading him away from the chaos at the Capital Airport. 

However, Yang Yang's return to the country immediately ignited a media frenzy and garnered significant attention online. 

He is the first Chinese player to reach and win the Champions League final!