On June 12, 2026, Gao Nuo, along with the China Team, stood on the World Cup stage for the first time.
The new head coach of China Team was Carlo Ancelotti, and on the day he took office, the veteran coach publicly declared his attitude.
"After retiring from Real Madrid, I regretted not being able to coach Gao Nuo. Thank you, Chinese Football Association, for your trust. I will lead the China Team forward."
Gao Nuo looked at the squad carefully selected by Carlo Ancelotti, a mix of veterans and new blood, which was already the best choice for China at present.
He tightened the captain's armband on his arm, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
Two group stage matches.
The China Team lost 1:3 to Belgium.
The China Team defeated Mali 3:1.
Gao Nuo scored 3 goals.
The China Team advanced to the Round of 32 as the second-place team in their group.
In the first match of the knockout stage, the China Team faced Canada, one of the host nations.
After 90 minutes, thanks to Gao Nuo's hat-trick, the China Team narrowly won 3:2, advancing to the Round of 16.
In the Round of 16, the China Team was once again favored by the Goddess of Luck; their opponent was the United States, another co-host.
After 90 minutes, a 2:2 score sent the two teams into extra time.
After 120 minutes, the 3:3 score on the big screen made China Team fans extremely nervous.
The penalty shootout was about to begin. After four rounds, the China Team was tied 2:2 with the United States.
As the United States' fifth-round penalty taker kicked the ball into the stands, all the pressure fell on the China Team.
Gao Nuo carefully placed the ball on the penalty spot, his eyes not on the opposing goalkeeper, but fixed on the five-star red flag in the stands.
Carlo Ancelotti stood on the sidelines with a calm expression, his eyes revealing a glint of wisdom.
The whistle blew, a run-up, and a powerful shot.
The United States' goalkeeper stared blankly at the ball in the net.
It was too powerful!
Even if he had guessed the right direction.
The United States' goalkeeper still couldn't touch the ball.
The bullet-like speed left him far behind.
Carlo Ancelotti's tactical arrangements received countless praises.
Gao Nuo's powerful shot in the final moments made people's blood boil.
The China Team eliminated the second host nation in a penalty shootout, advancing to the World Cup Quarter-Finals.
Satisfied!
All China Team fans were already satisfied!
China vs. Spain. Looking at their Quarter-Final opponent, China Team fans cheered even more enthusiastically for their National Football Team.
No miracle occurred.
Gao Nuo gave his all, once again going wild on the field, scoring two goals!
The physical exertion made him unable to continue.
In the 82nd minute of the match, Gao Nuo sat on the bench, looking at the large 4:2 on the scoreboard, feeling disheartened.
The China Team stopped at the Quarter-Finals!
This World Cup!
This China Team!
Had reached an unimaginable height!
Whether it was luck or strength!
The China Team had no more regrets!
Returning home to enjoy his vacation, Gao Nuo became a hero of Chinese football.
After the World Cup, Spain won the championship, returning to their peak.
Gao Nuo scored 10 goals in 5 matches, winning the World Cup Golden Boot.
Haaland had bad luck, encountering Portugal in the first round of the knockout stage and being eliminated early with the Norway Team.
Mbappé led France all the way to the final, ultimately losing to Spain's tiki-taka.
The three world-class forwards of the Premier League stood on the same level for the first time.
In July 2026, Manchester United's pre-season preparations were about to begin.
A bombshell announcement shocked European football!
"Here We Go! Gao Nuo joins Bundesliga Hamburger SV! Transfer fee 150 million euros! Weekly salary 400,000 euros!"
One stone stirred up a thousand waves, and countless media reports followed one after another.
"Mysterious move! Manchester United superstar Gao Nuo joins Hamburger SV!"
"World Cup new Golden Boot winner joins Hamburger SV, Bundesliga welcomes a viewing frenzy!"
"Bayern Munich expresses confusion over Gao Nuo joining Hamburger SV!"
"Manchester United's official media is in chaos, fans are emotional, and protests are endless!"
"The Chinese Football Association issued a statement that the Chinese Super League will strengthen cooperation with Bundesliga clubs, and several satellite clubs have been established."
"A large number of young Chinese players join the Bundesliga, and the Bundesliga's revenue from the Chinese market has surged!"
While Gao Nuo's popularity had not yet subsided, a piece of news was overlooked.
"Chinese Su Xun Sports acquires 49% of Hamburger SV, and Zhao Dong becomes the team's new owner."
Zhan Jun, as Gao Nuo's number one fan, made an announcement that clarified the situation.
"After the 2026 World Cup, I met Gao Nuo in Shudu."
"We talked a lot. Gao Nuo was not satisfied with the China Team's historic entry into the Quarter-Finals."
"From my perspective, this 23-year-old child has done his utmost."
"He is worthy of the National Football Team jersey he wears and even more worthy of the support of all China Team fans."
"Despite this, Gao Nuo was still not satisfied; he hoped to carry the China Team even further."
"Zhao Dong, the owner of Su Xun Sports, and his relationship with Gao Nuo is obvious."
"This time, whether it's Gao Nuo joining Hamburger SV or Su Xun Sports acquiring Hamburger SV shares."
"For Chinese football, these are historic moments."
"Among the top five Leagues, only the Bundesliga has no foreign player restrictions for Asian players."
"I think this is the most important reason why Gao Nuo chose the Bundesliga."
"In the past, I simply liked Gao Nuo's performance on the field."
"Now, I truly admire this 23-year-old man."
"Gao Nuo is already a hero of Chinese football!"
"I believe that in the near future, he will also be a legend of Chinese football!"
Zhan Jun's article resonated with countless China Team fans.
Gao Nuo's influence in China reached its peak.
Countless young players running on the football fields had only one idol: Gao Nuo!
At the press conference for joining Hamburger SV, Gao Nuo directly answered all questions.
"Thank you, Manchester United fans, for your continuous support. Joining Hamburger SV was not an easy decision."
"Some people say I'm a coward, afraid to continue competing with Haaland, Mbappé, and others in the Premier League."
"Some people say I abandoned the world's number one Premier League for money to come to Germany."
"Some people say I will fall like a meteor and miss many honors in the Bundesliga."
"None of this is true, nor will it happen."
"I want to apologize to my fans and friends who have always supported me."
"The Chinese football behind me needs me to make such a decision!"
"Chinese football continues to produce talented young people, and they need a platform."
"My joining is not only my own pursuit of the football path but also brings convenience to my compatriots."
"I promise all Hamburger SV fans."
"Coming to the Bundesliga, give me some time, and I will lead Hamburger SV to the position of Bundesliga overlord."
Gao Nuo stood on Hamburger SV's field, closed his eyes, and accepted the last task the system had left for him.
Becoming a legend of Hamburger SV would not be an easy task.
Gao Nuo believed that when that day came, he would formally bid farewell to the system.
Time flew by.
June 12, 2030.
The 27-year-old Gao Nuo, leading a group of young people full of fighting spirit, once again stood on the World Cup stage.
The head coach of the China Team, Michael Carrick, looked at the scene before him, his heart surging with emotion.
Gao Nuo did not break his promise. In the just-concluded 2029-2030 season, Hamburger SV won the treble, becoming a newly established giant in European football.
In just four years, Gao Nuo not only led Hamburger SV to win the Bundesliga but also completed the collection of the Champions League trophy in the fourth year.
Ai Feierding, Hu Hetao, Li Hao, and Wu Tong, all under Li Qiang, joined Hamburger SV.
With the treble, the five Chinese players in the Hamburger SV team were indispensable, and Hamburger SV fans jokingly called it the 'Chinese Hamburger SV Team' led by Gao Nuo.
This World Cup, Gao Nuo was no longer surrounded by half-baked teammates.
In four years, all 11 starters of the China Team came from the top five Leagues.
With the Referee's whistle, Gao Nuo kicked off the ball, and the China Team officially began its World Cup journey.
The players on the field started running, and the China Team fans on the sidelines cheered themselves hoarse.
Gao Nuo knew that even if this World Cup still yielded no harvest.
Give Chinese football another four years, and the World Cup would no longer be far away.
The sky of international football was about to change!
(The End of the Book)