LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 249
[The game is not over yet! There are 3 minutes remaining. Can Manchester United fend off the attack from FC Barcelona!]
Even after allowing Son Jinho to score a comeback goal, FC Barcelona did not give up on the match.
FC Barcelona began to relentlessly beat down on Manchester United, who had shut down all defenses in an effort to score an equalizer.
Andres Iniesta’s pass headed towards Lionel Messi.
Assessing the goalkeeper’s position, Lionel Messi calmly attempted a shot.
Michael Carrick boldly put his face in front of the shot.
Messi’s shot hit Michael Carrick’s face and went out beyond the touchline.
Having taken a direct hit to the head, the match was temporarily halted for safety reasons.
After a moment, the game resumed with a throw-in from Barcelona.
Manchester United maintained their focus and successfully defended against Barcelona’s attacks.
Before long, additional time was added.
FC Barcelona launched their final offensive play.
Lionel Messi’s pass sought Neymar once again.
Neymar attempted to break into the penalty box with a dazzling dribble.
Manchester United held off Neymar with cooperative defense.
[Son Jinho blocks the ball with collaborative defense and clears it!]
[And! And!!!!!]
Son Jinho, having blocked Neymar’s dribble with collaborative defense, kicked the ball out of the penalty box.
Screech! Beep! Beep!
[It’s over!!!! Manchester United succeeds in lifting the Big Ear trophy after 7 years!!]
At that moment, the referee’s whistle blew, signaling the end of the match.
“Waaaahhh!”
The Manchester United players and staff, anxiously watching the game from the bench, erupted in cheers and rushed onto the field as soon as the match ended.
As the Manchester United players were savoring the joy of victory…
“…I’m really exhausted.”
Son Jinho, who had just cleared the ball, collapsed on the spot from exhaustion.
“Jinho, congratulations on the victory.”
“You, too, congratulations on being the runner-up.”
Lionel Messi quietly approached the exhausted Son Jinho and offered his congratulations.
“…Next time, I won’t lose.”
“Well, I have a feeling we’ll win again next time.”
Seeing Lionel Messi looking a bit annoyed made Son Jinho smile.
‘I can dominate the emotions of a football god!’
With a sigh, Lionel Messi extended his hand to Son Jinho, who took Messi’s hand and got back on his feet.
Until the very last moment of the game, the two players, both wearing the number 10, acknowledged each other’s efforts, and this scene was safely broadcasted on the main screen thanks to the camera crew.
***
At the same time.
[The match!! Has ended!!]
As the match concluded, Han Gyeouri began to shed tears. She could see Son Jinho, exhausted on the ground.
“Mom. Are you crying?”
“Huh? No. I’m just so happy.”
“Then why are you crying! Mom, you’re silly!”
Han Gyeouri couldn’t help but be moved by the sight of her husband who had done his utmost to keep his promise.
***
While the UEFA Champions League victory ceremony was being set up.
I approached the fans who came to support us, taking commemorative photos and expressing my gratitude.
As I shared the joy of victory with the fans, the award preparations quickly wrapped up.
The players of FC Barcelona, who finished as runners-up, were the first to take the stage and receive their medals.
Following Barcelona, we approached the podium amid applause.
A senior official from UEFA placed the medals around our necks, and amidst the gathering of Manchester United players,
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo approached with a smile.
As the Big Ear trophy was raised above his head, fireworks exploded, and confetti filled the air.
***
[The 2014/2015 UEFA Champions League champions are Manchester United!]
[‘Thrilling Comeback’ Manchester United defeats the mighty Barcelona to achieve the treble.]
[Did Cristiano Ronaldo give up a PK? Netizens say, “Our brother wouldn’t do that, right?”]
└ Ronaldo giving up the PK, wow lol, I still can’t believe it.
└ Right? lol, I was doubting my eyes watching it.
└ But he didn’t let go of the ball until the very end, did he?
└ Ah, lol, must’ve been disappointing for him, he probably wanted to take it. But he passed it, you know?
[Cristiano Ronaldo, who gave up a penalty kick, said, “Son Jinho was in good form. That’s all there is to it.”]
[‘Hat-trick in the Final’ Son Jinho becomes the top scorer of the Champions League.]
[The first hat-trick in a Champions League final since Pierino Prati in the 1968/69 season, after 46 years.]
[What are the odds for ‘Champions League top scorer’ Son Jinho to win the Ballon d’Or?]
└ Ah, looking at his performance in the Champions League final, he’s definitely our brother.
└ This is our brother, for sure. If he doesn’t win it, is that discrimination?
└ So true lol
[‘13.21KM’ Shockingly high activity level for Son Jinho in the Champions League final.]
└ Wow, 13KM is insane;;
└ Crazy, Son Jinho has gone off, is he really human?
└ I’m more shocked that Messi ran 11KM than the fact that our brother ran 13KM.
└ So true lol, is that even the same Messi who strolled around in every match? It’s breathtaking.
└ Ah, lol, just how serious was he?
└ I was stunned to see Messi defending lol
[Lionel Messi, “I have no regrets because I gave it my all. But next time, Barcelona will win.”]
[Having defeated Lionel Messi, does a new era for Son Jinho begin?]
[England National Team coach Roy Hodgson said, “Jinho’s addition will bring new energy to the national team.”]
[‘The inclusion of Son Jinho’ makes England a strong contender for Euro 2016.]
[‘Romanticist of this era.’ Son Jinho reveals his unwavering love for his wife in the M.O.M interview. “I played my best for my wife who wanted the Big Ear.”]
***
After the Champions League final ended, the next day.
We were still staying in Berlin.
This was because the players, who burned everything in the Champions League final, complained of physical fatigue and requested rest.
Although there was a championship celebration event left, the club and my mentor had enough time and accepted the players’ requests.
The club quickly extended the hotel stay for the Manchester United players.
Normally, the club would charge the players for the extended accommodation costs.
However, as we had achieved a treble and astronomical club revenue was anticipated, they didn’t act petty.
‘If the club had charged us for the hotel, wouldn’t the owner have summoned the manager?’
Anyway, while the veteran players of Manchester United were groaning,
I quickly recovered my stamina and began my Berlin sightseeing. I started shopping for gifts for Haeun at a shopping center near the hotel.
“…Being young is nice.”
Some of the veteran players looked on with envy.
Well, what can you do?
Unless they go back in time, their wishes would not come true.
In any case, with the Champions League victory confirmed, an endless stream of congratulatory messages poured in.
– Crazy Dog Bongamsan: Jinho, congrats on the treble.
– The Leader is Heavy: Congrats on the victory. By the way, the Big Ear looks heavy. What does it feel like?
– Kang Chan: Jinho, congrats on the treble. Let’s meet up sometime and grab a meal together.
– Hyungmin: Next season, the Big Ear will be lifted by Dortmund. Get ready.
– Gi-hyun Choi: The coach who nurtured a two-time Ballon d’Or winner? It’s me!
Most of the people I had recently met after returning in time sent their congratulations.
– Jisong: Congrats on the victory. Shouldn’t you have stayed one more season? I’m regretting this.
– Yoo Kwan-ho: Is it because raising a child is hard, though?
– Jisong: Can’t deny it lol
I expressed my gratitude for each congratulatory message.
– Yoo Kwan-ho: (warm latest trophy .jpg)
– Hyungmin: ….
And I didn’t forget to motivate them.
***
A few days after returning to Manchester, a celebration event commemorating the treble took place.
Amidst thousands of fans gathered on the streets, we celebrated our victory while riding on a double-decker bus, listening to their cheers.
Some players started dancing to the chanting songs.
I approached Sir Alex Ferguson and cautiously started a conversation.
And that evening.
Just as the heat of victory hadn’t yet cooled,
I borrowed Old Trafford with the help of my mentor and took Gyeouri inside.
“Oh. Wow, this is amazing.”
As Gyeouri, now in the stable stage, began to set foot on the pitch and looked up at the stands, I signaled to the stadium manager, Michael.
At that moment, the lights at Old Trafford began to turn off one by one.
Startled by the sudden darkness, Gyeouri’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Gyeouri.”
Calling her name to reassure her, I approached the Big Ear trophy set on the podium and proposed in front of the flustered Gyeouri.
“Will you marry me?”
And Gyeouri, upon receiving the proposal…
“Uh, a, uh, er?”
She faltered, unable to process the sudden change in situation.
***
After numerous twists and turns, the proposal was successfully concluded.
[Son Jinho’s legendary proposal. Renting Old Trafford.]
As the proposal article began to circulate, we swiftly started looking for a wedding venue.
[‘New groom’ Son Jinho is getting married in June.]
└ ??? What’s this? Doesn’t our brother have a kid?
└ Yea, but he hasn’t gotten married.
└ Totally a European mindset.
└ So true lol
Well, since Gyeouri’s belly had started to round, a wedding after childbirth would have been nice,
But if that were the case, we would have to wait until the end of next season, so we decided to proceed quickly.
By the way, this wedding plan was strongly insisted upon by Gyeouri.
“Can’t we just take a sabbatical for a season?”
My original plan was to take a sabbatical during the 2015/2016 season and travel for a honeymoon and family trip after childbirth.
“Not happening! If you’re gone, our team will collapse!”
This plan was blocked due to Han Gyeouri’s strong opposition.
In the end, we decided to have the wedding in June first and then go on the honeymoon after the end of the 15/16 season.
***
[Cristiano Ronaldo attends Son Jinho’s wedding before heading off on vacation.]
[‘Football God’ Lionel Messi participates in Son Jinho’s wedding.]
[Former Dortmund teammates attend Son Jinho’s wedding.]
[Jurgen Klopp and Alex Ferguson spotted at Son Jinho’s wedding.]
[What did Jurgen Klopp and Ferguson talk about?]
[‘Young Master’ Jurgen Klopp, is he accepting the Manchester United managerial position?]
[Football legends attend Son Jinho’s wedding.]
[Choi Gi-hyun, president of the Korean Football Association, departs to attend Son Jinho’s wedding.]
***
The wedding was simpler than expected.
A modest ceremony was held inviting only close acquaintances.
“Ha… it’s nice to have fewer people.”
Han Gyeouri had a lingering happy smile on her face.
“Do you promise to love, cherish, and dedicate yourselves to each other until your hair turns gray?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Then, you are now ‘It’s We’.”
The ceremony was officiated by my mentor, Gi-hyun Choi, and as the end of the wedding approached.
“Hey, Son Jinho, how much do you like me?”
Han Gyeouri asked with a playful smile.
How much I like her, huh…
“To the point that I would go back in time just to miss you?”
“Pft.”
Her casual response made Han Gyeouri scoff in disbelief.
Hmm.
It’s true, but she doesn’t believe me.
‘Sometimes, truth doesn’t come across.’
With a smile on my lips, I kissed Gyeouri on the forehead.
“Gyeouri, I’ll make you happy.”
“Hehe… I’m already plenty happy, though?”
As our eyes met, we both burst into laughter.