Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

169 – The Last Game

169

[Pablo Lopez!! The Barcelona captain scores with a magnificent mid-range shot!!]

[Fernando Alvarez’s opening goal had given Real Madrid a good atmosphere, but Joo Jitae’s stunning performance eventually led to Pablo Lopez’s winning goal.]

[No one could stop Joo Jitae, who had finally set foot in La Liga this season, not even Real Madrid! This was the moment when Barcelona’s conqueror finally conquered the Bernabeu.]

Real Madrid’s president, Manuel Gonzalez, stared blankly at the TV screen, repeatedly showing the scene of yesterday’s El Clasico. He then lowered his gaze to the newspaper in his hand.

On the front page, a composite photo of Joo Jitae standing on the Real Madrid logo, with a crown on his head, was plastered in bold letters.

“Conqueror Joo Jitae, finally dominates La Liga!”

“Conquistador… conqueror, indeed.”

That’s exactly what it was.

With Real Madrid, the last hope, falling as well, La Liga had humiliatingly surrendered to the Korean conqueror who had come from the Bundesliga.

It wasn’t just one defeat.

It was at the Bernabeu, and as a Barcelona player, he had led the standing ovation.

Manuel Gonzalez couldn’t help but regret his decision not to sign Joo Jitae last summer.

And it wasn’t just Real Madrid that was affected.

“A new ruler has emerged in the football world.”

“Is the icon of this era’s football an Asian?”

The result of El Clasico had caught the attention of the decision-makers of top football clubs.

It was inevitable.

One of the two players representing the new era had taken the lead in the match, and although it wasn’t an overwhelming gap yet… it was only a matter of time before it became an “overwhelming gap”.

As a top-tier club aiming for the best, it’s essential to have a player who can represent the era, an icon of the times.

Especially,

『Barcelona, the best of the best, but financially in the red?』

『Top-notch performance, but financially in shambles! Barcelona, on the brink of bankruptcy again!』

If they were to put a ‘reasonable’ price tag on the market, it would be even more so.

* * *

Barcelona’s financial crisis was no joke.

Starting from the late 2010s, it had already been over 20 years since the club’s financial struggles began. The red ink in Barcelona’s financial records had become a tradition, a ‘passive’ situation that seemed irreversible.

They would cut personnel expenses, fire employees, and downsize the team, only to temporarily avoid crisis, but then they would splurge on big-name signings to maximize revenue, repeating the cycle of financial struggles.

This time, they were lucky to have signed Juzi, achieving a big success, but – their luck had turned sour.

“Kaixa Bank and Banco Santander have rejected additional loans, and Goldman Sachs, Allianz, and Prudential have refused to extend the repayment period.”

The meeting room fell silent at the somber report from financial director Antoni Pruna.

“…How much do we need right now?”

“The 500 million euros in short-term debt due in the second half of the year is the most pressing issue, but… we expect to cover it with prize money and broadcasting rights. However, due to the banks’ refusal to extend the repayment period, we need to secure around 5.34 billion euros in the long run.”

The astronomical figure left everyone aghast.

“It’s a huge amount, but we can pay it off gradually. We’re lucky to have Juzi, and our Asian revenue has skyrocketed, right?”

“Especially with broadcasting rights showing a record increase… but as you all know, it doesn’t amount to much for us. After sharing the revenue, our actual profit plummets.”

Barcelona, whose finances had collapsed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had sold 10% of its broadcasting rights to investment company Six Street for 267 million euros in June 2022, and then sold an additional 15% for 400 million euros in July, as well as 25% of its branding and merchandising rights for 100 million euros.

As a result, whenever there was a financial crisis, Barcelona would sell off its shares, leaving it with only 10-20% of its actual shares.

This meant that even if they earned 1 billion euros from broadcasting rights, they would only get 10-20% of it, and after taxes, it would be even less.

It was as if they were selling off their future, and it was only a matter of time before the fire spread.

“Why… why are the banks doing this to us!! What kind of mindset do they have! Is it Real Madrid… is it Manuel’s doing!?”

“…No, it’s not that. According to our investigation…”

Financial director Antoni Pruna hesitated before continuing.

“It seems that the improved revenue due to Juzi is the problem.”

“What nonsense is this! Our finances are improving, so why are they being so stubborn!!”

“It’s as if they think we’re just trying to take advantage of the situation… receiving as much as we can when we can. Anyway, the investment banks don’t seem to have a good view of our club’s long-term vision.”

“…”

The room fell silent at his words.

They all knew that Barcelona’s financial situation was a mess, living in the present by selling off their future, and the banks were well aware of it too.

Barcelona’s financial struggles were notorious, and they had borrowed a massive amount of money, so it was impossible to hide it.

But when debt exceeded its limits, the debtor became the master, and Barcelona, having borrowed such a large amount, couldn’t be forced into bankruptcy, so the banks would reluctantly provide additional loans whenever there was a crisis.

That’s why, from Barcelona’s perspective, there was an unfounded optimism that ‘they’ll give us another loan this time’, ‘they’ll extend the repayment period this time’.

With 20-year-old Juzi at the center, they thought they could reform the team, revive the era, and restore Barcelona’s glory, but… the investment banks thought the opposite.

They thought that with the ‘Juzi effect’, Barcelona’s finances would improve, and they could finally recover their loans and get out.

“Let’s try to communicate a bit more.”

The meeting ended with a weak voice.

And soon after,

“Who is it!! Who leaked it!!”

A loud shout erupted in the director’s office.

『Shocking! Barcelona on the Brink of Bankruptcy, Will Juzi Tai Be Sold?』

『Barcelona Ponders Juzi Tai’s Price Tag!』

The football world was turned upside down.

* * *

Running a football club isn’t just about having good coaches and players. While small clubs might get by with that, a giant like Barcelona can’t.

The team’s performance might be okay if the coaches and players work hard, but the club’s long-term future ultimately depends on the decision-makers.

In that sense, Barcelona was facing both crisis and opportunity at the same time.

『Barcelona Crushes AT Madrid 3:0 in the Copa del Rey Final』

『Juzi Tai Did It Again! 1 Goal, 1 Assist, and He’s the Atlético Killer!』

『Madrid Can’t Stop the Conqueror, Admitting Defeat』

After winning the Super Copa de España and the Copa del Rey, Barcelona had achieved a double, and their La Liga title was all but secured.

Their recent performance, not just in the past few years but over the past decade, was unparalleled.

『Deepening Financial Crisis! Will Barcelona Collapse?』

『One Disaster After Another! Banco Santander Rejects Additional Loan』

The club’s situation was nearing its worst in years.

Predictions were rife that the club would reduce personnel costs to overcome its financial struggles, and it was obvious that the football team would be the first to be affected. Front office staff? They wouldn’t be much help.

While there might be layoffs among employees and front office staff, the core personnel costs of the football team were the coaching staff and players, especially the high-salary players. Reducing their wages and selling them off would be a quick fix for the financial situation.

Naturally, everyone’s attention was focused on the Barcelona players’ futures.

Especially since Barcelona had many young and promising players.

There was 23-year-old forward Pode Diyal, who had already scored double digits this season, 21-year-old Destini Cosso, 22-year-old midfielder Leo Martinez and Hector Santiago, and 20-year-old center-back duo Max Moreno and Joel Cabrelera.

And above all, there was Juzi Tai, a football icon.

The timing couldn’t be worse, with the season coming to an end.

As the season drew to a close, rumors began to swirl.

『Barcelona Finally Wins La Liga and Achieves Domestic Treble!!』

But Barcelona remained unfazed.

They wrapped up the league games with style, securing an early title, and the Champions League final was just around the corner.

Their opponents would be—

『It’s Happening Again! The El Clásico is Confirmed at the Allianz Arena!』

Real Madrid.