Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

188 – 1 Year Later (2)

188

Barcelona, which had entered the glorious era with the start of the 21st century, faced a clear decline in the 2020s.

And the 2030s, a period of crisis and opportunity.

The 2030s were a time when Barcelona faced both crisis and opportunity, glory and hardship.

Despite financial difficulties, they let go of living legend Lionel Messi, and their debt continued to grow uncontrollably.

Despite the financial struggles, they made numerous big signings to maintain the weight of the “Barcelona” name, but the results were lacking.

So, in 2030, Barcelona, which was on the verge of collapse, made a surprising comeback by signing young Korean player Ju Ji-tae.

The 20-year-old Asian center-back made a stunning debut and led the team to quadruple glory.

However, the following year, Barcelona faced bankruptcy and had to let go of several key players.

Although it was a crisis that weakened Barcelona’s power, the 21-year-old center-back, who became the captain in just one year, gathered his teammates and led the team to win the Champions League again.

Although they finished third in the league, Barcelona achieved an impressive feat, winning all tournaments they participated in, despite the financial crisis and the departure of key players.

Many teams were eyeing the 22-year-old center-back, the first Asian Ballon d’Or winner and one of the world’s best players.

However, Barcelona refused all offers and chose to keep him, and Ju Ji-tae decided to stay with the team that believed in him, continuing their partnership into the 36/37 season.

So, the 36/37 season began.

At first, it was good.

Unlike last year, when they faced a crisis and had to let go of several key players, they found financial stability and rebuilt the team around Ju Ji-tae, aiming to win all tournaments.

Barcelona didn’t spend a lot of money. They didn’t have the money to do so.

Although they overcame the crisis, their massive debt didn’t disappear. They only solved their short-term debt, and Barcelona was still in a precarious situation.

However, the recent transfer market was eerily quiet.

Not just the recent market, but the entire transfer market was quiet. It was as if the inflation of transfer fees had stopped.

In reality, the few clubs that led the transfer market were responsible for driving up player prices.

These so-called “leading clubs” in the transfer market included the big spenders of the EPL.

Manchester’s brothers, Chelsea, the original oil-rich club, and Newcastle, the new oil-rich club, were among the teams that spent money recklessly, living up to their reputation as the world’s richest league.

Of course, there were similar leading clubs in other leagues.

For example, PSG or Real Madrid, which were famous for their lavish spending. Barcelona was also among them, but not anymore.

However, over the past two years, the “big spenders” had been quiet, and the transfer market had slowed down, making it difficult for big signings to happen.

The only notable transfer was AT Madrid’s David Martinez moving to Chelsea.

As a result, the bubble had burst, and Barcelona was able to make decent signings with relatively little money.

The fans’ expectations were high.

Although it was a crisis last season, they had achieved remarkable results with Joo Ji-tae at the center. Moreover, this season, with the addition of new players to the existing members, it was expected to be even more dazzling.

The prediction that Joo Ji-tae would lead the team to even greater success this season was prevalent.

And indeed, Barcelona’s first half of the season was dazzling.

Although Joo Ji-tae, the team’s pillar, missed the preseason due to the Olympics and didn’t play in the first round, Barcelona started the season well by defeating Real Betis, and after Joo Ji-tae’s return, they continued to win, eventually securing his second consecutive Ballon d’Or award.

If only Joo Ji-tae could play.

『Joo Ji-tae wins the Ballon d’Or for the second time in a row!』

『Three years of non-stop running! Joo Ji-tae’s overuse controversy』

『Injured Joo Ji-tae is listed on the team’s injury report during the Club World Cup match』

『Barcelona struggles to survive January without Joo Ji-tae, who will be his replacement?』

Despite playing in the league, Champions League, and various cup competitions, as well as A-matches, Joo Ji-tae finally got injured during the Club World Cup match.

Even the iron-like Joo Ji-tae, who had endured endless overuse controversies, was human and had limits.

This season, he didn’t even get a proper break.

After the 35/36 season ended, he participated in the Olympics and didn’t get a rest period, and when the Olympics ended, the 36/37 season had already started.

The club only gave him a three-day break, urging him to return quickly, so he had to start playing from the second round.

Even Joo Ji-tae, who was meticulous about his body management, couldn’t handle the tight schedule.

Fortunately, he was young and strong, and his recovery was quick, so the injury wasn’t severe.

However, when Joo Ji-tae got injured in February, Barcelona faced a real crisis.

『Barcelona loses to RCD Espanyol』

『The disaster at Camp Nou! Barcelona records a crushing defeat in the El Derbi Barceloní』

The first match in February.

Starting with the 1:3 defeat against RCD Espanyol, their regional rival, in the El Derbi Barceloní, a series of bad news followed.

『The defense collapses, leading to a devastating defeat! Barcelona is completely destroyed in El Clásico』

『Fernando Álvarez scores multiple goals! Barcelona suffers a crushing 4:1 defeat against Real Madrid』

『Shock! Barcelona is humiliated by Inter in the Champions League round of 16, their advancement to the quarterfinals uncertain?』

『Coach José’s heavy heart is revealed after barely winning against Real Betis』

『From hero to zero! Coach José, who led Barcelona to their second golden era, receives criticism from fans』

『The jeers echo at Camp Nou』

For over a month, Barcelona was shaken to its core, revealing its true face without Joo Ji-tae.

The coaching staff urged Joo Ji-tae to return quickly.

Of course, Joo Ji-tae was unmoved.

“You think I’m made of iron? Look at that guy Jacomo Immobile, who played recklessly and got injured, and now he’s retired.”

Jacomo Immobile, the Italian Olympic team captain, received a three-month suspension and later played for Cosenza Calcio in Serie B, but got injured again and retired.

“Yeah, but he had a successful career as an Italian national team player, playing in 30 A-matches.”

That’s why people should live carefully.

Agency representative Jung Seon-woo sat beside Joo Ji-tae, who was lying in bed, blowing a whistle and looking relaxed, and spoke with a worried expression.

“There’s another request for you to return quickly. Can you hurry up and come back?”

“Ah, my muscles aren’t fully recovered yet. How can I come back? I told you it’s not possible.”

The club’s request was not unreasonable.

In reality, most football players have chronic minor injuries and play with them, thinking they’re just trivial.

There are even many players who participate in games despite having injuries that aren’t minor.

Some do it out of loyalty to their team, others out of fear of being left behind in the competition for a starting position, or maybe they just can’t stand their team’s poor performance. Whatever the reason, there are many players who ignore their injuries and take to the field.

But Joo Ji-tae is not one of them.

Joo Ji-tae, who takes meticulous care of his body, would never consider playing for Barcelona while carrying an injury.

What’s the point of doing that?

Moreover—

“If I get injured, I’ll just have to transfer. What’s the loss?”

I’m planning to leave Barcelona at the end of the year, so why bother playing with an injury?

Well… if Barcelona fans who idolize Joo Ji-tae heard this, they might be shocked, but what can you do? To Joo Ji-tae, Barcelona is just a workplace.

He didn’t grow up in the youth academy, nor does he have any special connection to the team. He’s just there for work.

People demand professionalism from players, but they’re often disappointed by the contracts that reflect that professionalism.

And Joo Ji-tae is a player who embodies professionalism more than anyone.

So, waiting for Joo Ji-tae to recover from his injury and return—

『Barcelona, which achieved a two-peat in the Champions League, crashes out in the round of 16』

『Inter Milan defeats us, and we fail to advance to the quarterfinals!』

The shocking news that we were eliminated in the round of 16,

『Joo Ji-tae returns and Barcelona barely wins their first game back』

『Joo Ji-tae shows a lackluster performance in his return game, but what about the team’s overall performance?』

『A serious conflict erupts within the locker room?』

『Coach Jose loses control of the locker room』

The team’s atmosphere was in shambles.

“This is ridiculous.”