Football Card System

Gao Bo stared at Adam's shoes.

They were a worn-out pair of hard-court football boots, completely unsuited for today's conditions.

The pitch had been watered before training, and although it hadn't rained recently—a rarity in England—the grass was slick. Trying to play on wet natural grass with those cleats was a recipe for disaster. It was no wonder the boy couldn't show any speed or balance.

"Sir, are you calling me?" Adam turned around, surprised. He knew his earlier performance had been poor. Playing street football and playing professionally were entirely different worlds, and he realized his dream of becoming a star might already be over.

But it didn't matter much, Adam thought. The dream was only planted a few days ago by Mr. Charles. His next goal was more realistic: find a stable job and get his younger brother out of the gang-ridden, crime-infested slums.

"Where have you played football before?" Gao Bo asked with a smile.

"My brother is the streetball king of Manora!" Alan White, Adam's younger brother, proudly chimed in.

"Manora…" Gao Bo's face softened as he recognized the name.

Manora, in northeast Stratford, was one of London's most infamous slums. Despite its location in central London, it was home to illegal immigrants, gangsters, drug dealers, and the downtrodden. It was a place that shattered the idealized image of the British capital.

Hearing the mention of Manora, Adam puffed up his chest with pride.

"Have you ever played on a real grass pitch before?" Gao Bo asked.

Adam's confidence faltered. "There's no park with grass in Manora…" he admitted, trying to justify himself.

Just then, the youth coach Tom arrived with a pair of shoes.

"I can't believe such a small guy wears size 43 boots!" Tom exclaimed as he handed them over.

"Change into these and try again," Gao Bo said, patting Adam on the shoulder. "But remember—this is your last chance!"

Adam looked up in surprise. "I still have a chance?"

"Of course!" Gao Bo replied, raising a single finger. "One last chance! Show me your strengths—your very best!"

"Understood, sir! You'll see it!" Adam said enthusiastically, immediately swapping his tattered boots for the size 43 Adidas cleats.

As Adam tested the new shoes, a smile crept across his face. They felt perfect.

"Second half, let's go!" Tom clapped his hands, signaling the players to return to the pitch.

Adam took a deep breath and stepped back onto the field.

The second half started, with the young players now watching from the sidelines, many of them smirking as they remembered Adam's earlier clumsiness.

Gao Bo, however, focused on Adam. He hoped the boy could deliver something special.

For the first three minutes, Adam didn't even touch the ball. His teammates seemed unwilling to pass to him after his earlier poor showing.

"He can't even get the ball now," Tom said, shaking his head.

"At least he's staying on his feet," Gao Bo replied, intrigued.

Adam's off-ball movement caught Gao Bo's attention. Unlike a typical winger who stayed wide and waited for the ball, Adam roamed freely, moving cleverly between defenders.

"Watch his movement," Gao Bo said to Tom.

Tom observed for a moment. "It's interesting!"

"Pass to him!" Tom shouted to the players on the pitch.

Reluctantly, a teammate sent the ball Adam's way.

As the ball approached, a defender closed in. Adam took one touch with the outside of his foot, turned sharply, and split the defender with a deft move.

Gao Bo's eyes widened. What acceleration!

Adam darted toward the penalty area, dribbling with pace and rhythm. The defenders he had bypassed tried to catch up but found the gap widening.

"He's fast!" Gao Bo said, leaning forward.

One defender stepped up, with another ready to assist. Adam feinted, drawing the ball outward, then quickly switched direction and slipped between the two.

"What quick feet!" Gao Bo exclaimed, reminded of a young Messi.

Adam entered the penalty area, faced one last defender, and took a shot. It lacked power, and the goalkeeper easily collected it.

The sidelines groaned in unison. If the ball had gone in, it would have been a stunning goal.

Gao Bo, undeterred, activated his scouting skill, "Wisdom Eye."

Adam's attributes appeared before him:

Explosiveness: 80

Speed: 80

Agility: 83

Dribbling: 82

Technique: 80

Gao Bo nearly salivated. A gem!

Adam's weaknesses were equally clear: low stamina, poor strength, and weak finishing—all issues stemming from his lack of professional training. But these could be fixed.

Minutes later, Adam received another pass on the wing. This time, he used his speed to outpace a defender older and stronger than him, dribbled into the box, and poked the ball past the goalkeeper.

"Goal!" Adam sprinted to the sideline, hugging his brother as the two celebrated wildly.

Gao Bo turned to the youth director, Steve Powell.

"Sign him!" he said, pointing at the jubilant Adam.