[football] walk side by side

"I won't leave Chelsea until I win the Champions League."

The calm but firm promise of the youth clearly appeared in the ears of every follower across the TV screen, even when making such a sensational statement such as "I love this team" that should be full of emotion, The other party was also extremely calm—not so much a promise or an oath as a blunt statement.

However, it was such a straightforward statement that made the Chelsea fans present, and even many Chelsea fans sitting in front of the TV, immediately feel at ease.

Before many players suspected of leaving, facing fans' retention and requests, most of them would choose to express their love for the team sensationally, and finally promise the fans that they would never leave.But the fans often don't feel much at ease because of the players' promises, because everyone clearly understands that in today's European football, such things as promises are actually worthless.

Even if this side agrees to leave, if you turn your head around, you can still leave without hesitation.

Professional leagues are realistic after all.

The team is realistic, the players are realistic.

No matter how loyal a meritorious player is, he will be abandoned by the team because of his age; the team that has trained players from unknown to well-known in the world will also send away the leading star again and again because they do not have the strength to win the championship. .

In this European football, after all, only money and championships are truly eternal.

On the TV screen, the reporter mixed with the fans took a few steps forward, and seemed to be planning to ask a few more questions, but the person being interviewed had already turned around, pushed aside the crowd with the help of the security guards around him, and left the media range of sight.

Cristiano turned off the TV and leaned on the sofa behind him in a daze.

The late sunlight seeped in from the clear floor-to-ceiling windows, wandering on his face without sadness or joy.He thought for a long time about himself, about what he had experienced in Real Madrid this year, and about Leo Messi, whom he was often compared with.It wasn't until the phone rang suddenly that he came back to his senses and turned his gaze to the phone screen that was thrown on the coffee table.

Jorge Mendes.

He quietly stared at the familiar name on the screen for a while, but didn't move.

The cell phone that no one answered rang alone in the living room for a while, and finally cut off by itself, and then ten seconds later, it rang again indomitably.

Cristiano finally stood up.

He took two steps forward, picked up the cell phone that kept making noises, and pressed his right thumb on a conspicuous button, and the string of persistent ringtones stopped, and then the entire screen went dark. It got dark.

***

"Cyril, are you crazy!"

When Mendes hurried over, Cyril was sitting alone at the desk.At this time, the sky had gradually darkened, and the cool winter wind came in from the half-opened window, blowing on the face of the person, bringing a bit of coolness to the bone.The books on the table were half opened, and there was a simple bookmark and a silver-black pen in the middle.

Cyril didn't look back.

Compared with Mendez's angry posture as if he was going to run away at any time, Cyril was much understated.He methodically tidied up the scattered objects on the table and returned them to their respective places, and then asked unhurriedly, "What's wrong?"

"You still ask me what's wrong?" Mendes walked around the room anxiously, seeing Cyril's calm look at the moment, he almost rushed up and grabbed his shoulder, trying to shake him up up. "Why did you make that promise to the fans this afternoon?"

When he said this, his brows could not help but knit into a ball: "Yes, I know, you also want to reassure the fans. Many players will show their loyalty to the team at this time, but have you ever thought about it?" , you have made this kind of promise now, if you turn your face and deny people like Cesc Fabregas later, how much impact will it have on your personal image? If you decide to leave from the beginning, then it is best not to To the fans..."

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Cyril: "When did I say I was leaving Chelsea?"

Mendez froze.

"You...what did you say?" His eyes widened in disbelief, the shadowy light imprinted on the calm face of the young man opposite him, but at this moment it made him feel like he was in a dream, he frowned: "Cyril , at this time, don't joke with me. I'm talking about business with you!"

He said, staring at those blue eyes without blinking, his heart was in a mess.

From the moment Mendes signed Cyril in Porto, he knew that this young and mature kid has always been a very assertive person. He has his own understanding and planning for his career and even all aspects of life. He will not be too high-spirited, nor will he belittle himself. When and what kind of action should be taken will be beneficial to his career. He even thinks more clearly than Mendes himself.

At this point, Mendes has never been able to influence him in the slightest.

Cyril shook his head: "Jorge, you clearly know what I mean."

Mendes was momentarily speechless.Of course he knew what Cyril meant. The other party would never joke in an inappropriate situation, especially at this moment. He said it was not a joke, so that means...he was serious.

Cyril sat on the bench in front of the table, looking back at him quietly.Until this time, those blue eyes were still as calm as water, and when they met his gaze, they didn't have the slightest intention of dodging.

He is serious.

But precisely because he clearly understood this point, Mendes found it even more incomprehensible and unacceptable.

How difficult is it to convince Cyril who has made up his mind?Mendes didn't know.

He subconsciously touched the pocket of his trousers. He had always carried his mobile phone with him. At this time, it was obviously not enough for him to say it all by himself. When he touched the cold case of the phone, Mendes vaguely remembered that he had tried it long before he walked through the door.

As if he understood what Mendes was going to do—the person who, in his opinion, was most likely to convince Cyril, seemed to have no intention of answering Mendes' call at all.In order to avoid further disturbance, he even chose to shut down directly.

"Cyril, do you... know what you're talking about?" Mendes asked persistently, but Cyril was silent in response.

Mendez's heart sank.

Seeing Cyril's expression, what else does he not understand?

"Cyril... do you know what you're doing?!" Mendes gritted his teeth: "Do you know what people say about Chelsea now? Star black hole, head coach guillotine, top stars can't be invited, Ordinary players look down on them. The head coach walks on thin ice, and the boss has no patience to command blindly and doesn't understand anything. According to your current state and results, whether you can qualify for the Champions League group stage this year is a problem!"

Cyril: "I know."

"No, you don't know." Mendes shook his head, with anger and regret in his eyes, he walked to Cyril's side in a few steps, put his hands on his shoulders, and stared at his face eyes, but almost growled out in a low voice: "Cristiano won the Ballon d'Or when he was 23 years old, and when Leo Messi was 23 years old, he won the six crowns and won two golden balls. Behind these two people , one is Real Madrid, the other is Barcelona..."

"Tell me - you, Chelsea like this, what can you use to compete with them?!"

Cyril: "...I know."

Mendez shook his head with a wry smile.

"Cyril, you are 24 years old this year. Players are a profession that eats youth. You don’t have the strength to win the championship! Your peak period should not belong to Chelsea at all! If you stay here, you will only destroy yourself with your own hands!”

"Cyril..." He rubbed his forehead, with a tired expression on his face: "I always think that you should be a very rational player."

"Isn't the achievements of Chelsea in the past few years not enough to prove anything? Now Chelsea is completely hopeless! No one can save Chelsea! Mourinho can't, Scolari can't, Hiddink can't, Ancelotti No, and neither will Villas-Boas! — nobody can save Chelsea!"

In the end, Mendes was almost yelling at Cyril. He leaned on the wall with one hand while staring deeply at Cyril, and his voice softened uncontrollably: "Just as I beg you, Cyril , even if it’s for your own career future, don’t be stubborn anymore, okay?”

Cyril was silent for a long time.

Time was ticking by on the wall clock on the wall. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but somehow it stuck in his throat.Many pictures popped out of memory abruptly, like a shark jumping out of the deep sea and biting him suddenly.He thought of Lampard who was silent after losing to Manchester United in the Champions League final, and Didier Drogba who knelt on the grass and cried in a mess.

They were infinitely close to the champion, but infinitely far away.

"But," Cyril said softly, "We... have no time."

Mendez's expression froze.

Because he suddenly understood what Cyril meant.

From 2004 to 2010, countless stars came and went from Chelsea, and those who left turned to giants to pursue higher dreams.Abramovich is eager for top stars, so he keeps waving the money in his hand, trying to gather the best players in the world in his team.Chelsea fans don't need to worry too much about the players and the head coach, because no matter what, the Russians are sure to invite the best head coach and use money to poach most of the stars they want.

But how many people have discovered that those players who have accompanied Chelsea from a long time ago, step by step, to today, the generation of iron-blooded blues who once dominated the European arena under Mourinho, are now In the torment of time, gradually, slowly, irreversibly... grow old.

Author has something to say: Current timeline: 2010/2011 season

The current age line: Cyril 24, Luo Zong 25, Messi 23.