Football: The immortal legend on the green field

On July 2004, 7, the official website of Haarlem SC announced that "after friendly negotiations with Ajax, the team signed a contract with Shen Bin from China. In the next four seasons, Shen Bin will represent Haarlem SC in the Dutch Professional League...

I believe that this young Chinese man who can play in multiple positions in the frontcourt can quickly win the love of the fans...' The website sent out sincere blessings.

This news, like countless unknown player transfers this summer, did not cause any splash.

Apart from Shen Bin's relatives and friends, the number of people who knew about this news in China could be counted on one hand. Who would pay attention to the signing of a new player in a second-tier team in a second-tier league? Even if some media noticed this news, they would not report it. After all, it was a big step backwards for Ajax, a quasi-giant club, to regress to the Dutch second-tier league.

Fans were shocked by the news revealed by Sport Weekly that the popular Beckham transferred from Manchester United to Real Madrid for 3750 million euros.

In Nice, France, at the Coca-Cola "Rising Stars" office, Daniel, the external relations director, walked into the suite of Bobby Charlton, the head coach who was temporarily hired for this event, holding a videotape.

Then, Daniel put the videotape of Shen Bin's amateur competition that Neeskens had mailed into the VCR and pressed the play button. Tigana and Giresse were impressed by what they saw. Tigana said, "Damn it!"

When Charlton entered the suite, he saw the group gathered around the television and asked them what they were watching.

"His name is Shen Bin," said Tigana.

Charlton looked confused.

Since being hired by FIFA as a youth football development commissioner 10 years ago, he has traveled around the world every year, even to war-torn Africa. Not only does he know all the young geniuses in the world, but he also knows at least most of the young geniuses who have a little fame.

"He came from the ancient Eastern country." Tigana said, "Daniel thinks he is better than Dong Fangzhuo you brought from there."

Bobby Charlton rolled his eyes and moved closer to the TV, while the others made room for the conceited old man. Charlton narrowed his eyes and spent a minute watching the video of the game that Neeskens had filmed.

Although the filming was not very professional, Charlton could still tell that this was a low-level amateur league.

"? This is the Amsterdam University Park in the Netherlands? I've been there." Charlton asked, "Where did this kid come from? You said he was a Chinese, why haven't I heard of his name before?"

Charlton also knew about Shen Bin's transfer to Ajax, which caused a sensation in China last year. But when he was about to contact Ajax, he learned that Shen Bin's serious injury ended his playing career. There are countless young talents like Shen Bin emerging every year all over the world. After a while, not only did Shen Bin disappear from people's sight, but Charlton also forgot about it.

Daniel explained: "He seems to have recovered and was signed by Neeskens to the Dutch second division team Haarlem. I think he is like Napoleon said, he is a sleeping lion that has awakened and has great potential."

Charlton did not respond to Daniel.

He continued to watch the game tape.

The qualities displayed by Shen Bin are comprehensive.

You say he is a defensive midfielder, his sense of smell in front of the goal is at the ceiling level for this age group, but you say he is a striker, his ability to intercept and judge the incoming ball in the back position of midfield is quite outstanding; you say he is a midfield organizer, his dribbling is varied.

"How old is he?" Hearing Charlton asking about Shen Bin's age, Daniel knew that there should be no problem for him to use the backdoor for Neeskens. The number of places for training camp every year is fixed. In order to prevent the young players from feeling lost, only two best players are selected for each position. This year's quota was decided half a month ago.

There are only 15 places in each of the four age groups from 18 to 22 years old, and a total of 88 players will come to Nice. Kakou Coke will not only cover the round-trip air tickets, food and accommodation, but each player will also receive a bonus of 1 US dollars after the training camp.

For most of the young players participating, this $10,000 is a huge sum of money.

After leaving Neeskens' office, Shen Bin returned home and told his father that he was going to attend the training camp.

Shen Yuanchao was excited about this. Ronaldo became famous in the training camp, Owen shocked everyone in the training camp, and Torres, who was originally unknown, went from being unknown to being hailed as the Spanish Golden Boy overnight. In the past six years, all the world's young talents have left their footprints in the training camp.

Shen Yuanchao wanted to go with his son, but the training camp only provided accommodation for Shen Bin alone.

There are many young players who bring their followers to the training camp, especially those famous young players. They all have a large team, because it is not just as simple as training. They also need to contact top clubs and negotiate endorsements. There is a clear division of labor, and some are responsible for livening up the atmosphere, some are responsible for taking highlight shots, and others are the players' commercial agents, responsible for negotiating with jersey and shoe companies.

"It doesn't matter. We have money now. The 50 from Harlem Athletic is enough to pay off our domestic debts, and there is still a surplus. We can find a hotel. You don't have an agent yet, and if there are special circumstances, you won't even have anyone to discuss it with." Shen Yuanchao made up his mind.

"I'll call the nursing home and ask for leave right away." Shen Yuanchao began to prepare for this matter.

Afterwards, Shen Bin called Chen Tao who was wandering outside.

The moment Chen Tao received the call, he heard the other end of the phone ask: "Brother Tao, do you have any plans for the next half month? The day after tomorrow I will leave for Nice, France to participate in the "Star of Tomorrow" training camp. Dad will go with me, what about you?"

"Really? They invited you?" Chen Tao was a little surprised.

"You know, I just signed a contract and planned to go back to China before the league starts to deal with the debt. I didn't want to go..." After all, he is a young man, Shen Bin said, "But there is no way. The staff of the training camp insisted on inviting me to go and arranged my food, clothing, housing and transportation. I really can't refuse their kindness."

"Don't brag, Xiaobin. They didn't invite just you, the only Chinese player. Dong Fangzhuo was also invited. He just called me and said he was unfamiliar with the place and invited me to accompany him!"

Shen Bin was embarrassed.

"My food, clothing, housing and transportation are all covered by Xiao Dong. The signatures of Figo and Zidane are now handed over to you. They will be present to guide your training this time."

"Sure, I'll shamelessly stare at them and ask for it when the time comes."

"That's a deal?"

"deal."

"I love you so much, Xiaobin!"

This is the inevitable path for a precocious boy to transform into a man.

You must be able to be both soft and hard, and bend and stretch.