Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

187 – 1 Year Later (1)

187

In soccer, there are sometimes judgments that can change the direction of the game.

Joo Ji-tae has experienced such events, where the referee ‘dominates the game,’ several times through his long professional career.

And he knows all too well how painful, unpleasant, frustrating, unfair, and miserable it is to be a player in such situations.

Why? It’s simple.

Because during his first life, Joo Ji-tae’s image wasn’t exactly good, and the referee making the judgment is also human.

People are often called rational animals, but that’s not an accurate expression. ‘Animals with reason’ is a more fitting description.

Can humans really live only with reason?

Usually, emotional judgments prevail. This is especially true in sports, where intense emotions clash. As you immerse yourself in the team and players you support.

The referee is also human.

Of course, they will strive to be as objective as possible, but it’s impossible to completely eliminate emotions. The referee is not a machine, and it’s unrealistic to expect them to maintain perfect objectivity.

There are teams and players you like, and those you dislike.

The atmosphere of the stadium, the players’ breathing, and the sensations they experience on the field also have a significant impact.

As a result, a player’s image can greatly influence the referee’s critical judgments. This is not limited to their on-field performance.

During his first year, Joo Ji-tae was notorious for his bad behavior, earning him the worst reputation. However, on the field, he was just an ordinary player. He didn’t enjoy dirty plays, and he wasn’t particularly rough. Of course, he did make some tackles and played aggressively at times… but that’s not unique to him. Other players do the same.

Anyway, despite being an ordinary player on the field, Joo Ji-tae’s usual image led to him receiving harsher judgments for the same plays.

At the time, it was frustrating and unfair, but on the other hand, it means that a player with a good image can gain an advantage in judgments.

So, what if we apply this principle?

This was one of the reasons Joo Ji-tae wanted to maintain a good image in his current life.

In reality, he had experienced the benefits of a good image, and it was sweet.

The problem is that using it too much can make it lose its effect. But it’s okay. The key is not to waste the “Tina-ge” image consumption, just like in advertising. Even a celebrity with a good image can become less effective if they appear in too many ads.

So, building up is crucial.

For instance, providing the referee with a basis for making a game-changing judgment.

As I mentioned earlier, the referee is also human and can be influenced by emotions, but at the same time, they have reason, making it difficult to make judgments that greatly impact the game. It’s a burden.

However, if there’s sufficient evidence?

If it’s clear who the victim and the perpetrator are? If it’s clear what’s just and what’s unjust?

Then it’s easy.

“This guy… the one who always emphasizes the importance of Hollywood action, why did he get tackled like that and still manage to get back up?”

Jo Jae-shin, who knew Joo Ji-tae’s sensitivity to injuries, finally understood and looked amazed.

“Wow, you… this despicable guy.”

“Ah, thanks for the compliment.”

For a dribbler, getting tackled is like a fate.

The best way to stop a dribbler is with rough play.

As one of the greatest dribblers of all time, Joo Ji-tae was also considered a representative victim of rough play in his era.

A top-class dribbler, a Ballon d’Or winner, and the greatest victim of tackles in his era.

If such a player gets repeatedly tackled and still manages to hold on, it’s only natural for the referee to take notice.

This is why image is important.

No matter how great a dribbler you are, if you repeat Hollywood actions too often, you’ll lose your edge. It’s like what happened to Neymar.

Joo Ji-tae, who knew this fact well, usually restrained himself from performing Hollywood actions.

To use them more effectively in critical moments, like now.

Thanks to this, the referee quickly pulled out the card, and—

“Ahhh! No way!”

The opposing team was furious and indignant.

You could say they were being overly sensitive, but this guy genuinely felt wronged.

And that was exactly what Joo Ji-tae wanted.

It’s more satisfying to win like this.

“Hey, Jaco! I’m fine. Don’t worry too much~”

“What the hell, you b*stard! Are you mocking me right now!! You’re the one who messed with my family first, you trash!!”

How did you know!?

You knew because you saw me secretly curl up the corners of my mouth.

“Calm down, Jaco. I’m fine. It’s just an accident that happened while trying my best. Right? Let’s shake hands like sportsmen?”

“My name is Jacomo, you monkey b*stard!”

“What the hell is this insult! Referee!!”

You fell for it right away.

Tsk, tsk, so simple.

Jaco, no, Jacomo’s face turned pale, yelling at the referee and expressing his frustration while being restrained by Italian players.

Now, he’s not just getting sent off, but also facing disciplinary action for racial discrimination.

Goodbye, Jaco. You didn’t go far.

* * *

The team captain was sent off before the first half even ended.

With all the players gathered around, an incident of racial discrimination occurred.

The atmosphere in Italy was at its worst, and the remaining 10 players tried to revive the mood, but it only backfired.

[Italy! They received another yellow card in the additional time of the first half!]

[Uh…!? Isn’t that Daniel Mancuso, number 13? He already has a card! If this happens… he’s sent off! That’s right, sent off!!]

In the end, Italy set a record in the Olympic football final by having two players sent off in the first half alone, and they went on to concede four goals to Korea in the second half, losing 4:0.

After the game, Italy’s unsportsmanlike behavior was put on the spot, particularly since they had created numerous controversies throughout the Olympics, and finally, the accumulated resentment burst forth, causing a huge stir.

『German midfielder Yan Hebert: “Italy didn’t play football, they did MMA”』

『Nigerian coach Nkuga: “Korea’s victory is a just victory”』

『Italy’s football world is in shock with two players sent off in the first half!』

『Juzi Tai did it again! Selected as the best player of the tournament, Juzi Tai created a huge stir against “Italy” and earned the title of “Italian Killer”』

『Jacomo Immobile’s shocking racial discrimination remarks』

『Olympic Committee: “This goes against the Olympic spirit!”』

『FIFA launches an investigation! Heavy punishment expected!』

Usually, Italy would have hurled all sorts of insults and racial discrimination at Juzi Tai, but this time, they kept silent.

It wasn’t just the defeat, but the two players sent off in the first half, and the racial discrimination controversy that left them with no spirit to do anything.

Italy’s racial discrimination remarks against Juzi Tai were once again highlighted, and they were truly being criticized.

In fact, chronic racial discrimination still existed in Europe, but Italy’s malice towards Juzi Tai was so severe that even Europeans were shocked, and they received even harsher criticism.

The mastermind behind this situation was,

“Italy has become a total mess. I really can’t play in Italy.”

But he was just enjoying his vacation peacefully.

Early August, after the Olympics.

The preseason was already over, and the new season had begun.

The 36/37 season had already kicked off.

Juzi Tai, who had been at the center of numerous transfer rumors during the Olympics, ultimately didn’t leave Barcelona. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to leave. On the contrary, he wanted to leave this time.

However, the club absolutely refused to let him go, rejecting all offers, and even Juzi Tai couldn’t do anything about it.

If you really want to find a way, you can declare your unhappiness and officially transfer. If you push it to the limit, you might even get expelled from training.

But that’s too risky.

If I were to make a small kid’s tantrum like Van Persie, I’d immediately become a traitor in the eyes of Barcelona’s living legend.

“It’s hard to change teams while worrying about my image.”

In the end, I couldn’t leave Barcelona this time either… but it’s okay.

I stayed for three years according to my contract, received a 150 million euro signing bonus, and solved the biggest risk of military service. My contract period is now down to two years.

Moreover, I proved that I can play a solid central role not only when the team is doing well but also when it’s struggling, and I even took care of my image.

I’m still only 22 years old.

I have a lot of time left with Ju Ji-tae.

And a year has passed.