Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

132 – El Clásico

132

[It seems like I finally got into an accident. I should get sent off for intentionally hitting a player. Anyway, when was the last time I got sent off?]

Jo Jae-shin’s voice was bright for the first time in a while.

Although his words were annoying, Joo Ji-tae decided to let it slide this time.

It wasn’t just stressful to transfer to Arsenal; as a Korean player and a striker, it was a team that Korean fans wouldn’t prefer.

Moreover, Jo Jae-shin hadn’t scored in three consecutive games despite being a starter since the opening match.

He must have been thrilled to score his first goal in four games.

Joo Ji-tae decided to humor his friend, who had been struggling.

“Did you score a goal? It’s your first goal after the transfer, right? Congratulations. But I’ve already scored three goals.”

[…The goal I scored was a masterpiece, so let’s start from now on.]

“Yeah, you scored your first goal, so you’ll keep scoring from now on. But I’ve scored three goals as a center back.”

[….]

Ha.

Joo Ji-tae let out a sigh, feeling sorry for his own friendship.

He was taking on the role of a villain to stir up his friend’s competitive spirit. Who else would be a good friend like him?

[It’s been an adaptation period until now. It’s really hard to adapt here. You don’t know, but England is difficult, from food to climate.]

“What nonsense are you talking about? There are so many delicious places there.”

[Do you know about the infamous British food that’s bad? You’re eating paella in Spain, so what do you know?]

No way.

Arsenal’s team food wouldn’t be that bad. As a player’s diet, it might not be at a gourmet level, but it should be decent enough.

[…Of course, the food provided by the team isn’t bad. It’s not bad, but buying food outside is a different story, that’s what I mean.]

“There are many delicious restaurants there, what are you talking about?”

No way.

Joo Ji-tae racked his brain. Was it Islington? Emirates Stadium…

Joo Ji-tae had never played for Arsenal, but he had played for Chelsea, another London-based team, for three years.

Chelsea’s home stadium is located in West London, near Hammersmith Fulham, which is not far from Islington, where the Emirates Stadium is located. Anyway, it’s all in London, right? Not too far, not too close.

So, when I went to Arsenal’s away game, I often visited a few restaurants.

“There are many good restaurants in Islington. There’s an Ethiopian restaurant called Wolkite above the stadium, and a seafood restaurant below it. I think it’s called Western something. There’s also a Chinese restaurant and a Malaysian restaurant below that.”

A faint sigh escaped from the other end of the phone.

[Have you tried fish and chips? Have you tried jellyfish?]

“I won’t eat it.”

[See?]

“Who eats that? You don’t eat it either. Have you tried it?”

[…….]

I had heard rumors about it during my Chelsea days, but I had never seen it in person.

[How do you know so well if you’ve never been there?]

Joo Ji-tae replied immediately.

“I might transfer there, so I’ve done my research. I’m you, after all.”

Of course, it was a lie.

It was a memory from my Chelsea days.

Anyway, the English Premier League (EPL) is a real deal.

In my first year, I experienced two leagues, and I thought that Spain was much better than England. No matter how many good restaurants there are, it’s still a big city team. The neighborhood restaurants are nothing. And the weather is terrible, always cloudy and rainy.

On the other hand, Spain is a real vacation spot.

It’s no wonder that European teams choose Spain as their training camp.

As a football player, it’s only natural to pursue a good environment to live in. From that perspective, Spain is much better than England… but the EPL is a league that I must eventually enter.

It’s the richest league, after all.

La Liga has a salary cap policy, known as Límite Salarial or Tope Salarial, after the Malaga incident. It’s La Liga’s financial fair play (FPF).

Germany has its famous 50+1 rule, and Italy… well, it’s a league that’s fallen to the bottom four.

That’s why it’s the EPL.

It may not be the best in the world, but it’s the richest league. That’s why famous players flock to it, and that’s why it’s the most intense and popular league.

If I conquer La Liga, I need to prove myself in the EPL.

I don’t know when it will happen, but it will be a proof of my skills as one of the world’s top players.

Later, I gave some advice to a disappointed Jo Jae-sin and hung up the phone.

[You have El Clásico next game, right? Prepare well.]

“Yeah, thanks. I’ll prepare well.”

And I’ll win.

* * *

Rivals are common in football.

They’re common for reasons ranging from “they’re just next door” to “I don’t like their religion” or “I don’t like their wealthy opponents”, and even “we’re rivals starting from today”.

Initially, the term “Derby Match” in football refers to a match between geographically adjacent teams.

As rivals are common in football – some teams have five or six rivals – Derby Matches are also plentiful.

But just because they’re common doesn’t mean they’re not intense.

Football can spark wars, and even trivial reasons can lead to intense rivalries. Of course, there are exceptions, but among the world’s most famous Derby Matches, there aren’t any that aren’t intense.

And among them, the greatest Derby Match is the so-called “90 minutes that divide the world” – El Clásico.

The match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, two of Spain’s most prestigious teams, is the greatest Derby Match.

Even those who don’t know soccer have heard of the name, a rivalry that’s hard to describe, to the extent that if they lose in El Clásico, they might get fired, even if they’re first in the league.

With a long history, they’ve already had nearly 300 matches, and the win rate is still neck and neck. Just a tiny bit… well, Real Madrid is slightly ahead.

A long history, an equal win rate, and worldwide recognition. It’s just one league game, but its importance is unparalleled, like a championship final.

As the first El Clásico of the season approaches, it’s natural that global attention is pouring in.

And the interviews of famous soccer figures, igniting people’s competitive spirit, have begun to pour in.

“It’s going to be a fantastic game. Two dream teams will show us a dream game. I’m already too excited.”

“It’s a great game between great teams.”

“The world’s best derby is coming. Win or lose? I don’t know, but… anyway, the game between the two teams always gets me excited.”

“Barcelona is like a virus. It’s hard to get rid of. No matter how hard you try, it sticks to you. When I played for Madrid, the players called it ‘Madriditis’.”

“Madriditis? What’s that? So, where is Real Madrid now? Are they below us? They’ll taste despair at Camp Nou.”

The climax of the pre-game interviews was the two teams’ star players, Real Madrid’s ace Fernando Alvarez, already considered the best player of his generation, and Barcelona’s ace, Joo Ji-tae.

“I’ve experienced it many times, but El Clásico always gets me pumped up. Barcelona is a very strong team, and their home games are always tough. But we’ll win, just like we always do. You know that, right? I’ve never lost in El Clásico. Joo is a great player, but he lost to me at the World Cup. It won’t be different this time.”

“I’m a lucky guy. I got the chance to play in the world’s best derby, El Clásico, and I’ll get to beat the self-proclaimed best player, Fernando Alvarez.”

The public opinion exploded.

* * *

It’s not rare for the two teams’ aces to clash in an interview.

But it’s been a long time since it’s caused such a huge stir.

In the past, the legendary rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo, and Pep and Mourinho, had reached its peak.

Fernando Alvarez, the Uruguayan superstar, considered the best player since Messi.

Joo Ji-tae, the Asian player with incredible talent, evaluated as having the potential to surpass others, despite being a defender, a position that’s hard to get noticed in.

The two superstars, who have enormous popularity both in and out of the soccer world, have never had a big clash until now.

At least, Fernando Alvarez won at the World Cup, but that was due to his teammates’ skill difference. The two players showed a fierce competition throughout the game.

And now.

Both players are facing off in the best team, in the best environment, with no excuses.

“The game starts! The two superstars who divide the soccer world will finally decide who wins today. We’re at Barcelona’s home stadium, Camp Nou.”

The curtain rises on El Clásico, where the best team and the best player will be decided.