00001 Prologue ------------------------------------------------------------------------=

< He kept breaking through the opposing defense—one, two, three, four… Beauty naturally overflowed. It looked as though he and the ball were having a conversation. I should have approached him first. >

- Pere Guardiola, the scout who missed him

< He is not an opponent that can be stopped. No matter how much I think about it, the answer is the same. Vision, technique, shooting, passing, decisiveness, tactical execution… Seeing him surpass me in every aspect, I couldn’t help but tremble with envy. >

- Michael Ballack

< Aha! So this is his homeland. What kind of youth system do they have to have raised him? I just can’t believe his movements and his play. He’s truly out of this world. >

- Ronaldinho

< Haha, he’s the one who helped me shake off the stigma of a curse. He has become a player beyond any description. >

- Pelé

< I am certain. If he has the ball… no matter how many goals ahead you are, you must defend with all your might. Of course… the very assumption that you could be ahead by several goals before that is laughable. >

- Zlatan Ibrahimovic

< If he is in peak condition… preparing for the next match would be good for your mental health, no? Otherwise, you’ll be obliterated. Of course, this is a disqualifying remark for a manager, so please don’t reveal my name. >

- An EPL Manager

< His strengths… if you tried to list them, I don’t think even a volume worthy of book publication would suffice. Well, you’ll know once you experience it. Just how much of a cheat he is. Damn, I get angry just talking about it. >

- Luís Figo

< I don’t think a player like him will ever appear. Think about it—there’s a being who has synthesized the strengths of all the legends, world-class… such players until now, and you think that makes sense? If a team were to acquire him, many would think it no waste to give up three starting players… no, five right away. I’d like to see a team that says otherwise. >

- Johan Cruyff

< It’s a smokescreen, I tell you. He always sweet-talks you into playing around, but do you think that kind of skill can come from that? Everyone is fooled by appearances. He’s an extremely clever and frightening friend. I’m glad he’s my younger brother… if I thought of him as my older brother… I’d already be trembling. >

- Bak Jiseong

< He is someone we are deeply grateful to for leading Korea’s golden age. Because of him, Korea’s young sprouts are growing perfectly. That Korea came to be called a ‘title contender’ on the world stage… that the world is focusing on and taking Korea’s young sprouts… and that Korea’s youth system is continually improving—it’s all thanks to him. >

- Cha Beomgeun

< Everyone will think he’s so good it’s annoying. But what can you do? That’s talent. You should be jealous of someone worth envying. When someone is too outstanding, you’re just too busy watching. >

- An Jeonghwan

Comments