Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

176 – The Decision to Part Ways

176

The Barça that Juzitai remembered was not like this.

Of course, they’ve always been in financial crisis, but at least back then, they didn’t actually die…

“Why did it turn out like this?”

Not long ago, thanks to the talents pouring out of La Masia, Barça was enjoying a golden era. Even if it was only for three years, it was still a successful period for Barça.

And with himself, an irregular, added to the mix?

It’s only natural that things would go well. As someone who directly taught and raised the young members with a promising future, I knew their potential.

But reality was different—

‘(Official) Barcelona’s next-generation striker, Destiny Kosiso, reaches an agreement with Dortmund.’

‘Did Pode Di Aloma also leave? Strong link with Juventus, but Barcelona remains silent?’

‘(Official) Jose Marsa completes personal agreement with PSG! The club agreement is almost finalized, with only the option remaining.’

‘(Official) Pau Berges agrees to a 5-year contract with Tottenham for 47 million euros.’

The way Barcelona sold out the future stars I had carefully nurtured was just unbelievable.

“This is ridiculous. It’s all ruined.”

There’s no other choice.

I should start looking for another team.

Transfers aren’t easy, but everything is relative.

With my skills and star power, I can be welcomed anywhere.

[It’s… going to be tough. The board said they would keep you, no matter what, and not to worry.]

“…….”

But ultimately, a transfer requires an agreement between teams.

Joo Ji-tae could only respond with a simple “okay” to the words of his agent, Jung Sun-woo, on the other end of the smartphone.

One year had passed, leaving four years on his contract.

The club still held the upper hand.

In reality, the power dynamic between the club and the player was fluid. It wasn’t always the case that Barcelona held the power. Each club had its own circumstances, and each player had their own.

For instance, if an ace player from a lower-tier club had a long contract remaining, they could suddenly become unhappy and leave. Players could also get injured, and if they wanted, they could refuse to train or even boycott games. It wasn’t like such cases never happened.

If a rich club wanted, they could bench a player and make them practice overhead kicks, but a poor club struggling financially couldn’t afford to let a highly-paid player go. They could use that money to sign two other players!

In the end, it was inevitable that big-money clubs would take advantage of the situation.

On the other hand, if a mediocre player at a top club became unhappy, they might only attend training sessions for the remainder of their contract.

Of course, this too would depend on the situation.

Everything in life is relative. Even a high-status club could be brought down by a world-class player, and a player who thought they were world-class could be treated poorly by a top club that had the upper hand.

From that perspective, Joo Ji-tae was not in a situation where Barcelona could control him. If he wanted, he could transfer, even with four years remaining on his contract. There were ways to make it happen.

For instance, he could use the media to express his unhappiness, negotiate with the board, engage in a public relations war, or even threaten to boycott games. Or, he could pay his own transfer fee using his salary and contract bonus.

But that would ruin his image.

Joo Ji-tae would have to give up the ‘legendary road’ he had built up, the image of a professional with a strong sense of leadership and teamwork.

That would be a total waste.

So, Joo Ji-tae decided to give up on the transfer.

He didn’t need to fall from being Barcelona’s quasi-legend to a has-been in just one year. He was only 21, and he wouldn’t spend his entire life at Barcelona. The club wouldn’t be able to keep him until his contract ended.

This was a team in a financial crisis, and they would eventually let him go.

The time to leave Barcelona was approaching. It could be as soon as one year or as late as three years.

It was better to leave with a good impression.

As the saying goes, “one word can pay off a huge debt.” If he handled things well, he would be praised as “Joo Ji-tae, the legend!” If he messed up, he would be ridiculed as “Joo Ji-tae, the loudmouth!”

Let’s start with a light tone.

“‘Joo Ji-tae, on vacation in Korea, responds to questions about Barcelona’s recent moves with ‘It’s not my place to say anything.'”

A man’s words should be heavy with responsibility.

When a reporter asked if he wanted to say something, he blurted it out, but it didn’t carry much weight.

Hmm, let’s take a look at some internet comments.

After browsing through the community for a while, Joo Ji-tae laughed contentedly and found the next interview location. It wasn’t that he wanted to do the interview, but rather that he had no choice but to do it in a place—

“I’ve found it. The next one is here.”

“Oppa~~ Mom is going on an overseas trip, where should we go?”

“Oppa is busy.”

“What’s with that! You’re on break, what’s so busy? You’re busier than a high school student!”

“Yeah, I’m busy.”

“What’s going on? …Charity match? Ah, yeah. That’s a good thing. I’m a considerate and kind wife, so I’ll understand.”

“…?”

“Why?”

“…….”

“What.”

“…Nothing, really.”

『Legend Gathered for Underprivileged Youths! Team Legend Holds Charity Match』

『Current European Star Jo Jae-sin and Joo Ji-tae Attend, “I Wanted to Attend This Meaningful Event”』

『Team Legend Captain Son Heung-min “I Thought He’d Be Busy, But He Participated Willingly. He’s a Young Player with a Deep Mind”』

『At the Charity Match, Joo Ji-tae Finally Spoke Up, “The Board Does Its Job, and the Players Should Focus on the Game”』

—It’s still different at the root, though;

—Can you bear with this? Can you bear with this? Can you bear with this? Can you bear with this?

—If it were me, I’d curse first, but his patience is impressiveㅋㅋㅋ

—Honestly, even if he’s unhappy, he can’t curse, right?ㅋㅋ

—He’s really the only one who can be the next captain of Koreaㅋㅋ The leader has to be strong, indeed.

『Joo Ji-tae Attends Interview Before Pre-Season Departure』

『(photo) Joo Ji-tae with a Dark Expression』

『Joo Ji-tae Finally Opens Up』

『Joo Ji-tae “It’ll Be Tough, but I’ll Do My Best for the Team” Shows His True Professional Spirit』

35/36 Pre-Season Begins.

A new season has arrived.

* * *

After returning to Barcelona, Joo Ji-tae received a call from Coach Jose and headed to the coach’s office.

Coach Jose, who had looked happy before leaving for vacation, now greeted Joo Ji-tae with a face that looked 10 years older.

“Welcome, Joo. Seeing you is like seeing a ray of light in a dark world!”

Although his appearance was awkward, like meeting a long-lost family member, Joo Ji-tae couldn’t help but be annoyed by the coach’s greeting. He opened his arms wide and hugged the middle-aged man, who was now scowling.

‘Ugh, what a smell…’

How long had he not showered?

The smell of sweat, tobacco, and middle-aged bachelorhood was so strong that it made Joo Ji-tae want to stick out his tongue.

“Coach, can I go home?”

“…Home? Ah, home. It’s a nostalgic sound.”

“…….”

That ambiguous expression told me it was over.

A wise person knows when to retreat.

Joo Ji-tae chose to retreat strategically.

“Well, I’ve submitted my report, so I’ll just…”

“Ah, Joo!”

“What?”

“Do you know that Pavel has left?”

This team is ridiculous, selling off their captain like that.

Joo Ji-tae nodded, still grumbling.

With the captain’s position vacant, Vice-Captain Actor Fort would take over. Does that mean I’m the vice-captain now?

I was thinking that when…

“Actor has declined the captaincy.”

“Then who’s next in line?”

“Yes, the 3rd captain will take over.”

Normally, Vice-Captain Actor Fort would become the captain, but Actor declined the position. The next in line is naturally the team’s 3rd captain.

“How about it, Joo? Can you carry Barcelona’s name forward?”

Joo Ji-tae was Barcelona’s 3rd captain.

In response to Hose’s question, Joo Ji-tae answered firmly, as if he had been waiting for it.

“Of course.”

And so, Barcelona’s new season’s first official schedule was set with Joo Ji-tae’s captaincy.

The appointment ceremony was simple.

All he had to do was receive the captain’s armband from the coach in front of the players. No need for a separate introduction.

“Has everyone rested well? There are new faces, but… what’s the point of introducing myself? There’s no one who doesn’t know me. That’s right. I’m the new captain, Joo Ji-tae.”

Ah— the sweetness of power is…

As the new captain, it was inevitable to give an interview. In an interview with a Catalan regional broadcasting station, Joo Ji-tae showcased his eloquence.

“It’s an honor to become the captain of a great team. My goal? I want to become a captain who doesn’t shame Barcelona’s history. Not as an individual, but as a member of the Barcelona team, I will do my best. I know the current atmosphere isn’t good, but please trust us. As the captain, I will devote myself to the team. So, please give us trust instead of criticism.”

It was an interview that brought peace to Barcelona, which had been boiling with protests.

It was a moment when a great soccer player, like Drogba, who stopped wars, was born—

But Joo Ji-tae, who was about to start the first preseason training, couldn’t hide his excitement.

“Hmm.”

Although the transfer market period was still ongoing, seeing Barcelona’s almost complete 1st team squad… I shouldn’t say this, but…

“This looks pathetic.”

Is this the squad of a quadruple-winning team? My heart is swelling.

“I need to get rid of the extras and leave quickly.”

This is over.