Chapter 435: Best Cinematography of the Year
As the referee's whistle sounded, the exciting century derby finally came to an end, and the ultimate winner was the Galacticos. They defeated Barcelona 6-5 at the Camp Nou, securing three valuable points.
After this match, Real Madrid became the only undefeated team in La Liga and surged to the top of the league standings, surpassing Barcelona.
Wang Feng staged a miraculous performance, scoring six goals in a single game! After 15 rounds of the league, his goal tally reached an astonishing 35, averaging two goals per game, which is unmatched across Europe.
More importantly, at crucial moments, the Chinese superstar proved that he alone could defeat Barcelona's attacking trio, casting an indelible shadow over the Catalan team's title ambitions.
In the post-match press conference, Barcelona coach Guardiola appeared extremely despondent. He sighed deeply into the microphone, saying, "I'm sorry for everything that happened. The past forty-five minutes have been a disaster for Barcelona."
"Perhaps we could have performed better. If Yaya had been more resolute, if Sergio had been more rational. But frankly, Barcelona has already expended all its energy in this phase. Otherwise, the situation wouldn't have been so dire."
"But ultimately, we were one move short. This means the team still needs to improve to compete for the league title and even the Champions League. We will continue to strive and act in the winter transfer window. Real Madrid is a hurdle we must overcome."
Regarding Wang Feng, the Spanish coach didn't have much to say: "I think there's no need to talk about him anymore. Anyone who watched the game or knows the score can understand what kind of player he is."
Real Madrid coach Schuster, with a red face, said enthusiastically, "Was I dumbfounded in the final moments? Yes, absolutely, I admit it. That last-minute winner exceeded my imagination. Wang always gives me unparalleled surprises."
"The strength of Barcelona is undeniable, but we are fully capable of conquering them, especially at the devil's home ground, the Camp Nou. So, tonight marks the beginning of the Galacticos' great journey. We will achieve unprecedented trebles in the league and the Champions League!"
This game sparked widespread discussion in Europe. Media from Spain, Italy, Germany, and other countries highlighted the miraculous performance of the Chinese superstar, overshadowing everyone else.
Catalan media completely stopped their rhetoric, even "The Godfather" Cruyff didn't update his column anymore because they had nothing to say. At this moment, all they could do was pray that Wang Feng's form wouldn't remain this good forever, so they could have a chance to regain the initiative.
When the Galacticos arrived at Yokohama International Airport, the teammates once again felt how popular Wang Feng was in Asian countries. Almost all the fans who came to greet them held up banners with the Chinese superstar's name, some even made life-size cardboard cutouts, and there were even anime-style two-dimensional standees.
Real Madrid, already having a decent fan base, experienced a surge in popularity after Wang Feng joined, especially in Asia. According to the latest official team merchandise sales data, Madrid ranked first in the Madrid region and second in China, mainly due to the prevalence of pirated products domestically.
However, with the popularization of genuine awareness and the improvement of people's living standards, it is believed that many people will choose to support the Chinese superstar, making it no problem to rank first in the future.
Surprisingly, sales in Japan also ranked in the top five. Considering they also have many European players playing there, their attention was clearly not as high as Wang Feng's.
This trip of the Galacticos to Japan will further drive official merchandise sales. Just by seeing countless fans wearing Wang Feng jerseys on the streets, one can glimpse the huge market in Japan.
The club doesn't have too many expectations for match results. Being able to defend the title is good, but more importantly, it's about relaxing during the dense schedule to better prepare for the cruel tests of the second half of the season.
Therefore, before the semi-finals, the coaching staff decided to train for only one day, giving the rest of the time off, a full two days! This made all the players ecstatic, but Schuster gave them three rules: no messing around, no staying out all night, and no breaking local laws. Otherwise, they will be suspended.
Other teammates planned to go out and have fun, but Wang Feng found it difficult to do so because his popularity in Japan was too high. Coupled with the enhanced recognition of fellow East Asians, even if he disguised himself, he might still be recognized.
If he encountered a group of "crazy fans," he would probably be devoured entirely. The handsome face and robust physique of the Chinese superstar were not only beloved by European and American women but also highly sought after in China, Japan, and South Korea. Some joked that he could become an idol without being a football star.
"You just stay at the hotel and behave yourself. I'm going to meet some Japanese girls," Guti said with jealousy itching him.