Chapter 22: "The Calm Before the Showdown"

"Finally!"

Rodrigo's eyes sparkled as they had the first day he discovered Yoo Jiwoo, seeing something he hadn't noticed in the videos Daniel had sent or during his time in Korea.

"Did you know Yoo has a pass?"

"I searched for old game footage. Watching it, I realized that kid is a high-level passer."

While Yoo Jiwoo was away in Argentina, Rodrigo had stayed in Japan for two months to take care of some business.

During his time there, he asked Yoon Mutae to find footage of Yoo Jiwoo from his elementary school days. Watching it, he became even more convinced.

He was an unpolished diamond.

"Amazing. We were so worried because the club wasn't utilizing Yoo's passing, but he's finally showing it here."

"Now it's the opponents who'll need to worry. Are there any players at the youth level who can stop that? Hahaha! Rare, even at the pro level!"

"…Rodrigo seems happier than Yoo, who's actually playing."

"Of course! He's my boy, the one I discovered!"

One pass from Yoo Jiwoo.

That one pass was enough to destroy San Lorenzo completely.

4–0.

When the first half ended and the second half began, the gap widened further, and the match tilted entirely in favor of Boca Juniors U-20.

Ooooooh!

San Lorenzo's coach, watching Yoo Jiwoo dribble on the field, looked utterly defeated.

Two defenders?

Three defenders?

No matter how many players marked him, he found a gap to break through.

Thud!

His technique, combined with speed, left only fouling as an option to stop him.

'Sigh. Now that he's passing, it's even harder to contain him.'

They couldn't stop him when they focused solely on his dribbling. Now, with his passing in play, their options had run out.

Apply pressure, and he escaped with passing combinations. Stand off, and he closed the distance with dribbling.

His understanding of soccer was evident in his every move.

87 minutes.

Boca Juniors relentlessly attacked San Lorenzo, pushing their lines forward in search of more goals. At that moment, San Lorenzo tried to push up for a consolation goal.

Sebastian intercepted a through pass aimed at exploiting the defensive line's gap.

It was a chance for a counterattack. Yoo Jiwoo, sprinting from the right flank toward the center, shouted:

"Forward!"

Tadadadak!

Gesturing with his hand as he ran.

Beep!

Lautaro Orban, seeing this, received the ball and immediately attempted a penetrating pass.

Tap.

But a desperate defender stretched out his leg, deflecting the ball and sending it airborne.

The attack seemed doomed to end, but luck was on their side. The ball floated toward Yoo Jiwoo.

Without taking his eyes off the ball, Yoo Jiwoo calmly assessed his surroundings, quickly deciding on his next move.

The ball slowed just enough for the defender to mark him. Yoo Jiwoo, however, focused on the ball's drop point, finding the perfect timing.

'Now!'

Just before the ball landed, he extended his foot.

Tap.

With a deft trap, he flipped the ball over the defender behind him, turning in the process.

Grip.

The defender had no intention of letting him go easily. He grabbed Yoo Jiwoo's jersey in a desperate attempt to stop him, but he hesitated, fearing a penalty.

Yoo Jiwoo, slightly off-balance, maintained his focus on the ball still in the air.

Jumping, he twisted his body for a volley.

The ball spun fiercely, hurtling into the left corner of the net.

Thud.

The crowd roared in unison.

Waaaah!

With just two touches, Yoo Jiwoo had turned a loose ball into a stunning goal. The spectators erupted into cheers of pure delight.

Lying on the ground, Yoo Jiwoo closed his eyes and listened to the crowd until he suddenly felt someone lifting him up. Startled, he opened his eyes.

"…What are you doing?"

"Um… let's call it a group celebration?"

"If I were as tall as Guillermo, I couldn't do this, but you're just right."

"Stop messing around and put me down."

"Come on, enjoy it!"

The big guys carried Yoo Jiwoo around with outstretched arms.

"Hahaha! What is that?"

"Isn't it like Yoo's usual 'Christ the Redeemer' celebration? But portable?"

Shortly after, the final whistle blew, confirming Boca Juniors U-20's championship in the second half of the season.

Among the players greeting the fans, Yoo Jiwoo waved with a blank expression, prompting Rodrigo to speak.

"Daniel."

"Yes."

"Watch closely. Before long, that little guy will make Boca Juniors the greatest club in South America."

In Korea, Yoo Jiwoo looked lonely when he played soccer.

Even when his team won and others celebrated, he could never bring himself to share their joy.

But here, in this place, Yoo Jiwoo was different.

Though his face was expressionless, he didn't look lonely.

'I'll see him in the first team soon enough.'

And so, Boca Juniors U-20 secured an early championship with three matches to spare.

---

June.

The 28-29 Argentine Primera División season had ended, but one competition still remained.

Copa Libertadores.

The South American Champions League.

Boca Juniors had reached the semifinals, where they faced Brazil's powerhouse, Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense.

The first leg ended in a 1–1 draw at Grêmio's home, making the second leg the decider for a spot in the finals.

But the result was a 1–0 loss.

Boca Juniors' 28-29 season concluded in defeat, with Argentine media flooded with stories about Javier Casero's tears.

Despite his efforts as Boca Juniors' ace, he failed to achieve the coveted South American championship.

Now, the fans' attention turned to the U-20 team, with one match remaining.

The Argentina Junior Cup.

A tournament to determine the best of Argentina's brightest young talents.

A Mini El Superclásico Between Boca Juniors U-20 and River Plate U-20 Set to Happen Again

"Unbelievable! What are those Boca Juniors youth players made of? They've gone undefeated to win the Clausura!"

"There's a little Asian kid in their squad. He's just 16, small in stature, but he absolutely dominated players over 20 on his own."

"The River Plate players must be fuming after that humiliating Christmas Derby defeat. They'll be out for revenge."

"This year's Argentino Juniors Cup will be exciting. Last year was boring with River Plate steamrolling everyone, but this time, it feels like we're in for something different."

"Please, someone stop River Plate. If we can't beat them in the first division, at least let us enjoy some satisfaction here."

On June 22, the day before the match, both clubs' coaches attended a press conference.

Rodolfo Pintí, Boca Juniors U-20's coach, met with reporters at a press room arranged by the club.

"Your opponent is River Plate, who have won the Junior Cup five years in a row. How are you preparing for the match against Argentina's best youth players?"

"We're preparing as we always do."

"Will your tactics be the same as in the Christmas Derby?"

"The circumstances are different now, so there will be some changes."

The questions were all standard and uninspiring.

As Rodolfo Pintí yawned out of boredom, the reporters were taken aback.

"Oh, sorry about that. It's just that all the questions are so predictable."

Though he apologized, his expression showed no hint of regret. It was clear he was ready to end the session and leave.

Then, a reporter raised their hand.

"Yes, you in the third row on the end."

"I'll keep this brief."

"Brief is good!"

"After tomorrow's match, what kind of scene do you envision in front of you?"

The question was different from the others.

Rodolfo Pintí smiled, grabbed the microphone, and began acting as if he were peering into the future.

"Ahhh, I see it now. We're frying a chicken head in oil!"

It was clear this press conference was just a formality. Fans didn't care much about these events, so Rodolfo Pintí decided to put on a show and create a buzz, ensuring all eyes would be on the game the next day.

"I see Boca Juniors fans having a grand chicken feast together."

The stunt worked like a charm.

---

The next morning, after a brief training session, Jiwoo Yoo was heading out when Cha Myunghoon rushed over to him.

"Jiwoo!"

Panting heavily, Cha gestured behind him.

"Take another route."

"Why?"

"There's a horde of reporters camped at the front entrance."

"Why?"

Cha grabbed Jiwoo's shoulders with urgency.

"Everyone knows you're the ace of the U-20 squad now. Naturally, they want an interview before tomorrow's match."

"Can't I just give one?"

"…Are you sure you're okay with that?"

Interviews may seem simple, but they're far from easy for the person involved. Every word spoken could impact one's image, so Cha Myunghoon had always tried to shield Jiwoo from media exposure until he reached the first team.

But Jiwoo had a different perspective.

"It's something I'll have to deal with eventually, so I might as well get used to it now."

Cha laughed at his response.

"You're impossible to argue with."

"Then I'll head out."

"I'll stay by your side, so speak freely."

When Jiwoo stepped outside, reporters swarmed around him, thrusting microphones and cameras in his face.

"Jiwoo! A quick interview, please!"

"I'm Julian from Sunday Soccer! Just a few words, please!"

"Hey, don't push!"

"Let's keep some order!"

All the reporters were from well-known outlets in Argentina.

"Please ask your questions one at a time," Cha instructed as he stepped in to organize the chaos.

Soon, club staff arrived to set up a barrier around Jiwoo.

"You joined Boca Juniors last October and have been delivering unbelievable performances. How do you feel about it?"

"I'm happy to be playing in an environment I've always wanted."

"There were some unfortunate incidents in Korea. Can you tell us what happened?"

"The articles cover it well enough. I don't have much to add, but I'll share more when I'm lifting the championship trophy."

More questions followed, and Jiwoo answered each of them. Eventually, Cha stepped in.

"We'll take one final question."

Among those who hadn't yet spoken, one reporter raised their hand and was selected. Smiling provocatively, they asked:

"River Plate defender Americo Chero said he'll stop all your attacks tomorrow. What's your response?"

Jiwoo could have brushed it off lightly, but he knew the passionate South American fans would appreciate a bold reply.

"What did he say he'd do if he couldn't stop me?"

"…Excuse me?"

"Did he say anything else?"

"No, nothing specific."

"Big talk for someone with nothing to back it up."

The reporters fell silent at Jiwoo's sharp retort. Then he delivered one final blow.

"Football isn't played with words. I'll show him how it's done on the field tomorrow."