At the match venue.
It wasn't until the final whistle blew that Tang Yi truly relaxed.
Right in the center of the field, he lifted his chin, clenched his fists above his head, and slowly surveyed the entire stadium.
The sea of red stretched endlessly, with cheers and shouts like a mountain tsunami.
His teammates quickly rushed over.
Wei Shihao tackled Tang Yi.
Everyone piled on top.
Captain Huang Dalei came last, leaping high onto the pile, making Tang Yi beneath him slap the grass.
"The Five-Starred Red Flag flutters in the wind, how loud the song of victory!"
When the National Football Team bowed to the fans, the Dragon Country fans' song "Ode to the Motherland" began to play.
The magnificent song spiraled, soaring into the sky, dispersing a patch of dark clouds in the night sky, and also dispersing decades of gloom in the hearts of Dragon Country fans…
Back in the locker room.
The National Football Team was still excited, singing "How loud the song of victory!" along with the Dragon Country fans who lingered in the stands, unwilling to leave.
The leaders of the Dragon Country Football Management Department arrived.
The locker room fell silent.
The officials offered all their words of praise.
As the biggest contributor to the comeback victory, Tang Yi was the undisputed protagonist.
Tang Yi wasn't particularly fond of these officials.
But he wasn't a hothead; he said that it was the entire team's effort, and he merely seized the opportunity they created together, while also thanking the coaching staff for their trust and the leaders for their care and guidance.
Finally, Tang Yi solemnly added, "I thank the National Football Team's predecessors."
Everyone in the locker room was stunned to hear this, but they didn't think much of it.
They only thought Tang Yi's words were well-rounded, implying that he was inspired by the fighting spirit of past National Football Team players, which led to his performance today, and they couldn't help but cast admiring glances at Tang Yi.
The leaders made their rounds and left.
The locker room became lively again.
Captain Huang Dalei laughed and shouted, "Come on, let our hero of today, Tang Yi, say a few words!"
"Right!"
"Xiao Tang, speak!"
"You little rascal, you really did a number on Little Japan, leaving them stunned!"
…
Amidst the jeers and applause, Tang Yi stood up.
"Most of what I just said was from the heart. To win against Japan, who are several times stronger than us, we relied on everyone working together…"
Everyone in the locker room fell silent.
Tang Yi was only 18 years old, the youngest player on the team.
Was he really giving a serious post-match summary?!
"That's right!"
Ignoring everyone's surprised expressions, Tang Yi first looked at Huang Dalei and said seriously, "Dalei, you were like an octopus in front of the goal, preserving our hope of victory!"
Then he turned to Wei Shihao, "Xiao Weizi, you dare to tackle anyone. Next time someone acts up in our home stadium, we'll serve them the wheelchair and fruit basket combo. I'll take responsibility if anything happens!"
Next was Xie Wenneng, "Wuneng, you sprinted across the entire field. I estimate your running distance today was the most on the team!"
"Lin Liangming…"
"Shenglong…"
…
He called out each National Football Team player by name.
Tang Yi spread his palms and roared, "Today we handled Japan, and in March, we can also defeat Saudi Arabia and Australia, and advance to the World Cup in America, Canada, and Mexico!"
"Come on, Dragon Country, sure to win!"
No one came over to high-five in response.
The locker room was silent.
The National Football Team players looked at Tang Yi, their mouths wide enough to fit a football.
Huang Dalei was the first to react, rushing forward with flailing arms, "You talk big, you little rascal. Brothers, let's give Comrade Xiao Tang a taste of intensity!"
Wei Shihao, Xie Wenneng, and others immediately followed suit.
"You called me Dalei, huh? I'll give you a big slap!"
"Haha, 'Xiao Weizi,' and 'I'll take responsibility if anything happens.' That wheelchair and fruit basket combo is for you!"
"Who's Wuneng?"
…
Tang Yi, knowing discretion is the better part of valor, ran in circles.
【Host leads team to comeback victory, system upgrading…】
The system prompt flashed before his eyes.
Tang Yi was stunned and was immediately tackled by Huang Dalei, who rushed forward first.
The locker room was in chaos.
The laughter of the crowd and Tang Yi's "screams" mingled together.
"Youth is truly wonderful…"
In a corner of the locker room, Ivankovic, Tokic, Chen Tao, and others stood with their arms crossed, looking at Tang Yi with smiles in their eyes.
…
Post-match press conference.
Ivankovic attended with Captain Huang Dalei.
This caused some dissatisfaction among the reporters present.
Everyone had come to interview the "hero" Tang Yi.
But Ivankovic's statement, "Tang Yi is still young and shouldn't bear too much pressure," instantly quelled the Dragon Country reporters' grievances.
To score a hat-trick and secure a comeback victory in a crucial National Football Team match, Tang Yi would immediately become the hottest star in Dragon Country. Such a person was a "treasure," and no amount of protection was too much.
A reporter asked Ivankovic for his evaluation of Tang Yi.
"Surprise…"
The old man repeated "surprise" several times, beaming with joy. "Tang's football talent is visible to the naked eye. He has astonishing match experience, can create advantages in multiple positions, and even more remarkably, he possesses leadership qualities…"
His words of praise were endless.
Ivankovic even seemed a bit incoherent.
The reporters were satisfied and then turned to the Japanese head coach, Moriyasu Hajime.
"The Dragon Country National Football Team performed better today, and their victory was well-deserved. Their number 18 player, Tang Yi, was the biggest variable in this match. As the head coach, I will bear all the consequences of the loss…"
Moriyasu Hajime praised the National Football Team and Tang Yi a few times.
Then he stood up with a grimace and "bowed in apology" to the Japanese media cameras present…
This made all the Dragon Country reporters feel a surge of pride.
The next day, November 20th, a large photo of Tang Yi standing in the center of the field, defiantly raising his fists, appeared on the covers and homepages of major Dragon Country media outlets.
All mainstream news apps were also frantically pushing related news.
"4:3, National Football Team Achieves Crucial Victory!"
"30-Minute Comeback Against Japan, Dragon Country Youngster Creates a Miracle!"
"All Four Goals Were Spectacular, Dragon Country's Chances of Entering the World Cup Greatly Increased!"
"Tang Yi, the New Generation Leader of the National Football Team is Rising!"
…
In the reports, all media outlets not only focused on the National Football Team's process of defeating Japan but also highlighted Tang Yi.
"With Tang Yi's appearance, the National Football Team regained its long-lost match form…"
"From defense to midfield organization, and then to attacking upfront, Tang Yi was almost omnipotent…"
"In Tang Yi, we were pleasantly surprised to see the shadows of famous National Football Team players like Fan Zhiyi, Li Jinyu, and Li Ming…"
"Young yet experienced in matches…"
"Tang Yi becoming the leader of the National Football Team is just around the corner…"
"The Dragon Country National Football Team has successors…"
No one stinted on praise.
An 18-year-old youngster, entrusted with a critical mission, led the team to a comeback victory against Japan.
The National Football Team thus rose to second place in Group C of the World Cup Qualifiers, greatly increasing their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
It was no exaggeration to call Tang Yi a national hero.
In addition, many media outlets also included photos of the Japanese head coach bowing in apology at the end of their articles.
This instantly made Tang Yi a god-like figure in the hearts of most Dragon Country fans.
His market value on the most authoritative international football data website, "Transfermarkt Germany," also rose from the original 80,000 euros to 1.3 million euros, making him the most expensive local player in Dragon Country football, without exception.
At the same time, Tang Yi's match brief and highlight reels also appeared on the desks of chairmen of major European powerhouse teams.
18 years old.
Almost all-around.
Experienced, with leadership ability.
Scored a hat-trick in a major match, a comeback and last-gasp winner, an absolute "big-game player."
Most importantly, he was also a Dragon Country native!
Dragon Country finally produced a decent player!
Signing Tang Yi could leverage the vast Dragon Country football market.
The ensuing money and influence were immeasurable.
The European Leagues' winter transfer window was approaching.
Ligue 1, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga—almost all well-known top clubs sprang into action, sending teams flying to Dragon Country to snatch up ownership of Tang Yi.
Several Premier League teams even went so far as to offer precious "special talent clauses" for Tang Yi.
And Tang Yi's information was also placed before Florentino, the Chairman of Real Madrid…
…