Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

192 – Farewell Ceremony

192

As Jitae’s transfer reached its final stage, with only the official announcement left, the Barcelona fans, who had been in a state of panic, gradually came to accept reality.

—It’s a shame, but we have to let him go…

—He may have only played for us for three years, but he’s an eternal captain

—I’ll never forget him. Probably for the rest of my life

—I never thought I’d see a player like him again after Leo

—He was an exceptional captain and player, worthy of respect

In the early days of the transfer rumors, the fan forums had exploded with fierce reactions, but now they were filled with regret, sadness, and longing.

It was as if the fans’ hearts had been shattered into pieces, and the final blow was the unofficial contract details that had been leaked.

A five-year contract with an annual salary of 2 billion euros, a truly enormous sum.

—Is the total contract worth 13 billion euros? Am I seeing this right?

—A five-year contract with options, totaling 13 billion euros? This is unbearable.

—I thought a 200 million euro salary was only possible in Saudi Arabia.

Of course, it wasn’t official news, but it wasn’t baseless either, and many people predicted it would happen.

Barcelona fans were resigned to it.

It was surprisingly easy. As the supporters of a club that boasts the highest status in the football world, Barcelona fans had grown accustomed to resignation.

The financial crisis that had been ongoing since the 2020s had made resignation a familiar feeling for Barcelona fans.

The team’s pillar leaving? It was too common and didn’t even warrant a mention.

The captain leaving? They had already sold captain Pablo Lopez last year, so what’s the big deal?

Even the departure of living legend Lionel Messi couldn’t faze Barcelona fans, who had grown numb to the pain.

Of course, the pain was immense, and the void felt huge, but… it was something they couldn’t avoid. Barcelona fans knew this fact all too well.

So—

『(Official) Manchester City, Juzi Tai signing announcement』

『Juzi Tai signs 5-year contract with Manchester City, estimated to be worth 130 million euros』

『Manchester City successfully signs Juzi Tai with a 41 million euro buyout clause!』

Even when the news of Juzi Tai’s transfer finally broke, Barcelona fans managed to put on a calm and positive face.

—It’s really sad, but it’s probably for the best.

—I agree. Juzi Tai only had two years left on his contract, right?

—Even with the current terms, he’s already at the top level within the team. If we re-sign him, the financial burden will only increase.

—41 million euros is a huge sum that can solve the team’s financial issues and fill the gaps in the roster.

It’s not like anyone would be furious or outraged; even ordinary football fans would be stunned. The transfer fee alone is over 41 million euros, and the salary is 20 million euros per year.

At this level, it’s only natural to let him go. No matter how great a player he is, his contract is only two years left.

—There are still some idiots who don’t get it. There’s no player greater than the team.

—Yeah, we were really sad when Leo left, but we got over it. It’ll be the same this time.

But then, an event occurred that shook the fans who had barely reached the stage of resignation and acceptance.

『Barcelona prepares a grand farewell ceremony for their great captain』

『Juzi Tai’s farewell ceremony to be held at Camp Nou』

The board had prepared an unprecedentedly grand farewell ceremony.

Barcelona only holds farewell ceremonies for a select few players, like Iniesta or Mascherano, and even Lionel Messi didn’t get one.

A few days later, the farewell ceremony held at Camp Nou was unexpectedly packed, with a solemn atmosphere.

“I had a dream as a football player that I had to achieve. The first was to become a pro, the second was to play in the World Cup as a national team player, and the third… was to play at Camp Nou. I’m a lucky person. I’ve achieved all my goals.”

Juzi Tai, wearing a Barcelona uniform instead of a suit, calmly continued his speech from the podium set up on the field.

“I’m not just happy to have played as a player, but also as a member of this team and as the captain. I’m grateful to have been able to play at this glorious stadium.”

“I’ll never forget the feeling of playing at this stadium as a player and as the captain.”

“And finally…”

“I have to say something I’ve been wanting to say since 15 years ago, when the legend left.”

Juzi Tai paused for a moment, looking out at the tearful Camp Nou with a bittersweet smile.

“I’m leaving, but I’ll come back someday. I hope to return in any role and help this team become the best in the world. Even though it was only three years, those three years were a time when I and my family became Korean and Catalan. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved here. It may take a few years, or maybe ten years, but… I believe I’ll be back. Let’s meet again.”

As he finished his last words, Camp Nou erupted into applause, with Juzi Tai performing a deep Korean-style bow.

Even players who were on vacation returned to attend the farewell ceremony, and those who had initially cursed and criticized him were now applauding with tears streaming down their faces.

On the other side, there were Real Madrid officials.

The chairman himself didn’t come, but instead sent the publicity director, Emilio Butragueño, as his representative, and they applauded with a mixture of sadness and admiration.

And among the former Barcelona legends and influential figures in Spanish football, including Coach José, the one who was crying like a faucet was Jo Ye-rin, who was sitting closest to Joo Ji-tae.

“Why…?”

She’s his fiancée, so it’s only natural for her to attend this event… but why is she crying?

For a moment, Joo Ji-tae’s expression, which had been trying to hold back tears, almost crumbled.

After overcoming his emotions, Joo Ji-tae exchanged handshakes with the Barcelona officials, hugged his tearful colleagues, and returned the captain’s armband to Coach José, marking the end of the schedule.

On the way home.

Joo Ji-tae still couldn’t help but ask Jo Ye-rin, who was sniffling with tears, “Why are you crying so much?”

“Hing. It’s just too touching. So many people are crying because we’re parting ways. How can I not cry? It’s just too touching. When will we meet again?”

“When will we meet again?”

Jo Ye-rin’s face showed a questioning expression at Joo Ji-tae’s puzzled look.

“What? Didn’t I promise you earlier? What did I say? I’ll leave, but I’ll come back, I’m Korean and Catalan, we’ll definitely meet again.”

“Oh, that.”

That was the farewell speech Messi gave when he left, crying.

He was going to add some touching words, but it felt awkward, so he just used Messi’s lines. Why bother adding unnecessary words when the ‘former legend’ can deliver the farewell speech himself?

The fans all understood and loved it.

“It’s completely romantic. You left, but you’ll come back. Will we raise our kid in Barcelona? Half Korean and half Catalan.”

“What nonsense is that? What’s with the Catalan thing? You’re not coming back.”

“…What?”

“You’re not coming back. What’s with ‘when will we meet again?’ It’s just a meaningless phrase.”

“……??”

Although Jo Ye-rin’s shocked expression wavered, Joo Ji-tae regained his composure.

Now that he’s an adult, he needs to understand the harsh realities of society.

“That’s… yeah, it’s just lip service. Maybe I’ll leave a message just in case.”

* * *

The transfer of Joo Ji-tae, a black hole that absorbed all the issues in the football world, finally came to an end.

The transfer market, which had been occupied by Joo Ji-tae’s news for nearly a month, was still active despite the huge scale and intense competition from top clubs.

There were already many transfers involving Korean players that caught people’s attention.

“K-League MVP and Young Player, Song Ga-ram, makes a shocking transfer from PSV to Everton!”

“Song Ga-ram, included in the Netherlands’ Best 11, heads to the EPL!”

“Han Seung-jun completes transfer to French powerhouse Marseille!”

“National team’s ace striker Park Hye-chan joins La Liga after Joo Ji-tae’s departure, signing a 4-year contract with Eibar!”

As the core players of the Korean national team made big transfers, they excited and puzzled Korean football fans at the same time.

“What’s going on this year…?”

“Six players from the national team have already transferred…”

“Is Jo Jae-shin going to transfer too…??”

The transfer market was far from over.

No, perhaps this is the real beginning.

Why? Because the reading clubs that had been saving money for nearly two years to recruit Joo Ji-tae had finally started their “rage shopping” after failing to achieve their desired goal, despite having a lot of money.

‘(Exclusive) Joo Jae-shin, transferring?’