Humans have many fascinating characteristics. For example, there's the law of diminishing marginal utility, or how the dopamine threshold keeps rising.
Last week, after winning the Premier League title, the entire Chelsea team partied hard. They rented out a nightclub for a celebration, and everyone stayed on a high for two or three days before things finally calmed down.
During this time, Su Luo got into some trouble due to juggling too much at once.
Josephine, his girlfriend, had a little falling out with him because of it.
This time, however, after winning the FA Cup, the Chelsea players weren't as ecstatic.
Sure, everyone was happy about securing the treble. But... it was just the FA Cup.
The joy was somewhat muted—about half of it was overshadowed by the looming Champions League final.
The FA Cup win brought about 25% of the excitement.
The ultimate achievement—winning the Champions League and securing the quadruple—was the only thing that could elevate the team's happiness to its peak.
Finally reaching the top!
Winning the league multiple times might not be that hard, but defending the Champions League title, especially after the tournament's restructuring, is no easy task.
Not to mention the possibility of top players being poached after a Champions League victory.
Even if the squad remains intact, there's no guarantee that the core players will maintain their hunger for success.
After reaching the pinnacle, many players tend to relax and lose the drive to chase more titles. Due to this, teams that win the Champions League often see a decline in their competitiveness.
Real Madrid, however, in the original timeline, was an exception.
Winning three consecutive Champions League titles is an achievement that's nearly impossible to replicate.
It takes a combination of strength, mentality, luck, and experience—all working together perfectly.
But compared to the Real Madrid that had already won 11 Champions League titles in the previous timeline, the Real Madrid Su Luo is about to face will be even more formidable.
Last season, they suffered a shocking elimination by Union Berlin, and now Real Madrid is fueled by a burning desire for revenge, bulldozing their way to the final.
Their hunger for the trophy has been building for several seasons, and it's now at its peak.
Moreover, this Real Madrid team, in its third phase of the Galácticos, has reached the pinnacle of its power!
There's Luka Modrić, combining excellent fitness with years of experience. Gareth Bale, back from injury and in top form. Karim Benzema, always working hard for the team but now also capable of leading from the front.
Then there are Toni Kroos and Casemiro, the backbone of the midfield.
Defensively, they have an experienced and youthful pairing in Ramos and Varane. And on the wings, Carvajal and Ramos are also performing at the peak of their careers.
This all-star lineup, along with their solid defensive and counter-attacking style, makes them Chelsea's toughest opponent right now!
If all goes well, Su Luo could still outwit them.
In the Champions League final, all it takes is one breakthrough moment, and it can shift the entire game toward a goal.
Moreover, Su Luo has nearly reached his "Warrior Mode" after all the buildup of tension!
If he can enter his zone during the final, and as long as Chelsea doesn't fall too far behind, he's confident they can turn things around!
But there's always a catch. If nothing goes wrong, something is bound to happen.
In the Champions League final, Su Luo knows he can't control everything 100%. All he can do is adapt and react on the field.
At the very least, facing the Champions League trophy that's within reach, Su Luo's fighting spirit is at its highest.
After waiting for a year, he's determined not to let this chance slip away again!
Recently, things have been strange between Josephine and Taylor Swift, after they almost got into a fight in the VIP box.
The two women seemed to have reached some sort of equilibrium.
Josephine moved into a mansion under the guise of "taking care of Su Luo," while Taylor Swift has been staying at a hotel nearby, claiming to be "finding inspiration."
What's even more outrageous is that, after training each day, even when Su Luo went to Taylor's hotel, Josephine didn't say a word.
She just pretended not to care—if she didn't see it, it didn't exist.
Su Luo had spoken to both of them about the situation.
According to Josephine and Taylor, there were two main reasons why they were maintaining "peaceful relations."
First, with the Champions League final approaching, they didn't want to distract Su Luo.
After all, relationships could be dealt with anytime, but the Champions League final only comes once a year. There's no guarantee you'll reach the final every season.
Nothing could be more important to all of them than this.
Secondly, Josephine and Taylor both knew there were other potential rivals in the picture.
This included athletic women with energetic, toned bodies, and even a fellow Chinese beauty, an elegant and delicate Oriental woman.
Josephine and Taylor both knew that if they kept pushing, Su Luo might get fed up and turn to someone else.
Neither of them could bear losing him.
So, for now, they chose to maintain the status quo, keeping the door open for Su Luo's attention.
Su Luo, not one to stir the pot, kept quiet and let things be, understanding that this fragile balance was working in his favor.
Besides, with the Champions League final drawing near, Su Luo's focus was entirely on the game. He had no time to deal with anything else.
But as the final approaches, the tension rises.
Erica and Ma Fanshu, his old friends, texted Su Luo, telling him they were coming to London!
Meanwhile, in China, "Welcome to CCTV Sports Channel's special program Champion Europe—Dragon Europe brings you the latest updates!"
In the CCTV studio, host Du Shengyi was presenting the nightly special.
Since Su Luo had led Chelsea to the Champions League final, CCTV had been airing a special program every night, sharing Su Luo's progress with fans across the country.
CCTV had spared no expense in promoting Su Luo's Champions League final appearance.
Not only were they running non-stop ads on CCTV5, but even CCTV1 was broadcasting segments highlighting Su Luo's involvement in the UEFA Champions League.
"At 2:45 AM on June 4th, the UEFA Champions League showdown! Tune in to CCTV 1 and CCTV 5's sports channel to cheer for Su Luo and witness a historic moment!"
Even three days before the Champions League final, CCTV 1's news broadcast mentioned this:
"The final of the 2016-2017 UEFA Champions League is upon us! European giants Real Madrid and Chelsea will battle at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for the most prestigious prize in European football!"
"Our very own Su Luo will be Chelsea's core player in this football extravaganza. Both our station and the sports channel will broadcast the event live. Don't miss it!"
In China, football doesn't have the same widespread appeal as it does in other countries. Compared to the large population, football remains more of a niche interest. Only global events like the World Cup can really spark nationwide enthusiasm, attracting even casual fans who jump on the bandwagon.
It's not that "World Cup fans" are better than "league fans," but everyone is under pressure from work, school, and life. For most, staying up late to watch football is a luxury.
Yet, Su Luo, a football superstar who has taken the world by storm, is now being compared to legends like Ronaldo and Messi.
Despite this, only a small fraction of people in China have actually watched one of Su Luo's matches. It's similar to how everyone knew Yao Ming during his time in the NBA, but how many people actually watched a Houston Rockets game?
Su Luo's incredible feat of scoring six goals in five minutes left foreigners stunned. In London, people practically worship him when they see him on the streets. Yet, back home, Su Luo can only reach third place in trending searches, overshadowed by celebrity gossip.
That's the state of Chinese football.
But things are changing.
With the help of CCTV, internet portals, social media, and news platforms, more and more people are tuning in for this Champions League final. Even people who don't know the difference between the Champions League and the European Cup, or whether Real Madrid is a club or a national team, are now paying attention to Su Luo.
The final is getting closer, and the buzz is growing. Whether in school dorms, office buildings, or at neighborhood gates, there's only one topic everyone is discussing:
"Can Su Luo win the championship?"
"Is he bringing glory to the country?"
"This kid is really that good? Could he be the best in the world?"
"Wait, isn't our national football team pretty bad? Is there really someone who can beat the foreign players?"
Chinese football has long been viewed as hopeless, but now, Su Luo is giving people a reason to believe. He is carrying the flag of Chinese football and marching towards the pinnacle of the world stage.
#SuLuoArrivesAtTheFinal
#ChelseaCoachConfirmsSuLuoStarting
#CristianoRonaldoCallsSuLuoHisStrongestOpponent
#FirstChinesePlayerInTheChampionsLeagueFinal
These topics are dominating the hot search list. Even celebrity scandals can't steal Su Luo's spotlight right now.
The internet, newspapers, TV, and radio are all buzzing with Su Luo news.
"Su Luo has arrived at the Champions League final with Chelsea. According to English media reports, Su Luo's form in training is exceptional…"
"You may have heard of Su Luo, but how good is he really? Today, let's revisit how China's only Ballon d'Or winner, the 'Light of Asia,' and Chelsea's No. 7, rose to be compared to Messi and Ronaldo…"
To witness a Chinese player standing on the highest stage in football for the first time is a historic moment. If you can watch it live, it will be an unforgettable experience. Travel agencies are even offering Champions League-themed tour packages from London to Cardiff, with prices starting from 18,888 yuan. It's a chance for everyone to share in the rise of Chinese football.
Overnight, Su Luo has become a national hero. Even top-tier celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon, revealing that they've been fans of Su Luo for years.
Hu Ge posted on Weibo: "The Champions League final is almost here! I'm so nervous! Go Su Luo! Go Chelsea!"
Di Reba followed with: "Su Luo is so handsome! Let's go to Wales!"
A popular actress, Fatty, posted a picture of Su Luo's signed poster and her flight ticket to Cardiff, sparking heated discussions online.
Yang Mimi, another famous actress, wrote: "I'm busy filming my new drama Negotiator, so I can't watch the final live. My big screen is ready though, and the beer is chilling! I'll be cheering for Su Luo from home. You're the best, Su Luo! @SuLuoChelsea"
Zhao Liying, known more for her NBA interests, posted: "I don't usually watch football, but I learned the rules just for this day! Go Chelsea! Go Su Luo!"
Even TV stars wearing Chelsea No. 7 jerseys have garnered millions of likes.
Actors like Yang Yang, Song You, and singers like Deng Ziqi are all tweeting about Su Luo, and now, Su Luo is drawing in a massive number of female fans—many of whom had no prior interest in football.
"Wow! I declare myself a Su Luo fan starting today!"
"First day of watching football! I need to catch up on my brother's previous matches!"
"With that face, he could've easily debuted as an idol!"
Some hardcore football fans feel the impact of Su Luo's popularity:
"Don't worry, Su Luo's football skills outshine his looks."
"For real, don't bring the fandom drama here!"
"Please, keep the rice circle stuff out of football!"
Regardless, Su Luo has captured the hearts of the entire nation. With the whole world watching in excitement, both clubs are preparing for battle.
The Champions League final is just around the corner, and the war between these two football titans is about to begin.
June 4th, 2017—June 3rd, European time—get ready for a clash of the titans!
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