Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

214 – Epilogue

214

The 38/39 season, which followed the World Cup, was Manchester City’s solo performance.

With Joo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin, who had returned as World Cup winners, Manchester City was an unbeatable team at that point.

Manchester City wasn’t just a team with Joo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin; it had a plethora of world-class players.

That’s how it was.

Manchester City was already a completed squad, with a solid foundation to conquer England and Europe.

Some experts predicted that the team’s momentum might slow down in the second half due to the relentless full-time schedule and national team games that had been going on for several seasons.

In reality, the experts’ analysis wasn’t entirely unfounded.

[Ah, what’s going on? Jo Jae-shin, who’s known as the best scorer of the 21st century, is making a shot that’s not like him at all.]

[This is a perfect chance, but he’s missing it. He’s not himself today.]

[Oh no, Joo Ji-tae is dropping the ball! Focus! The game isn’t over yet!! As the team’s last defender and captain, you can’t show this kind of performance!!]

Over the past few years, Joo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin had been running non-stop.

After establishing themselves as starters in Europe, the two players had been playing full-time every season. Of course, this wasn’t unique to them, but the difference was the national team schedule.

The distance between Europe and Asia was already a challenge, but with A-matches, friendlies, Olympics, Asian Cups, and Asian Games, the two players had been going through a grueling schedule for years.

It was a fact that Joo Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin had been feeling the physical limitations after the World Cup.

However, that was only a small part of the reason for their decline.

The two players were already under Joo Ji-tae’s strict self-management, and while their schedules were exhausting, they weren’t lacking in physical strength.

So, why were they declining at this timing? It was because they had finally achieved their dream of winning the World Cup, and the tension had been released.

Having broken all sorts of records, from league championships to Champions League titles, and now even the World Cup, it was only natural for them to feel satisfied, no matter how high their ambition was.

It wasn’t different because it was Joo Ji-tae.

Rather, it was more severe because it was Joo Ji-tae.

Joo Ji-tae, who was living his second life, had already surpassed 20 years in his professional career.

Not two or ten years, but 20 years.

There’s a limit to human passion.

If you don’t add fuel to your short-term goals, your passion will quickly dwindle. And even the ultimate goal of becoming the greatest defender of all time seemed to be within reach.

He had already achieved everything, so what could fuel his passion?

Although he had a strong sense of professionalism and no gaps in his training, games, or daily life… even that was insufficient at the top level. Joo Ji-tae, too, would stagnate without a passion to improve further.

It was around that time that the controversy over his skills decline and the criticism from experts and non-experts began to gain momentum.

But then, something happened that awakened Joo Ji-tae once again.

“The winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or is… congratulations! It’s Jo Jae-shin of Manchester City!”

It was Jo Jae-shin’s Ballon d’Or win.

It wasn’t an unexpected win. With his EPL and Champions League titles, World Cup win, and scoring titles, it was only natural that he would win the Ballon d’Or.

However, there was a strong rival, making the win uncertain.

In terms of career, they were on the same level. Of course, they were teammates and shared the same nationality. They had won various championships together at Manchester City and the World Cup as part of the Korean national team.

Since their team careers were identical, it was difficult to distinguish between them based on individual achievements.

Both Jo Jae-shin, who had won the scoring title in major tournaments, and Joo Ji-tae, who had won the MVP, had impressive individual achievements. Moreover, as the captain of the national team, Joo Ji-tae had a slight advantage. The captain’s armband may seem insignificant, but it held a certain weight.

However, in the end, the Ballon d’Or went to Jo Jae-shin.

Despite Joo Ji-tae’s outstanding performance, Jo Jae-shin’s record of most goals scored in a single World Cup season was too powerful. In fact, the fact that Jo Jae-shin won by just a 5-point margin, the closest in Ballon d’Or history, showed just how impressive Joo Ji-tae’s performance was.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

The most impactful photo of the year was the scene of Jo Jae-shin, the Ballon d’Or winner, shaking hands with Joo Ji-tae.

The photo of the two smiling and shaking hands exuded a strange intensity, like a rivalry between best friends.

And so, in the second half of the season, the two players’ form began to soar.

It was a fierce competition between the person who wanted to win the Ballon d’Or again and the person who wanted to defend their title.

However, the competition ended with an unexpected result.

Joo Ji-tae was swept up in a scandal involving his wife’s childbirth and infidelity, and Jo Jae-shin was also affected by rumors of his best friend and brother-in-law’s infidelity.

“Congratulations to the winner! It’s Fernando Alvarez of Real Madrid!”

Fernando Alvarez, who had played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s treble in the 39/40 season, had won the Ballon d’Or.

“I’m so grateful to be here again. I’m truly overwhelmed. I’m so happy and grateful that I’m speechless.”

As Fernando Alvarez won the Ballon d’Or, opinions began to emerge that Joo Ji-tae’s era was ending and a new three-way rivalry was beginning.

But it was a misconception.

It was just a brief, baseless rumor.

『The couple who made a big sacrifice for their friend with an unhappy family

『Surprise! Joo Ji-tae becomes the father of twins

『The person involved in the controversy, Chae Yeo-jin, says “I’m just sorry to Joo Ji-tae and his wife”』

『Jo Yeo-shin reveals “Although the child was born due to my husband’s infidelity, I will raise them without discrimination”』

The scandal that had almost ruined Joo Ji-tae’s family ended with a happy ending, thanks to his wife Jo Yeo-shin’s active explanation and the timely revelation of Chae Yeo-jin’s unhappy family environment.

The key points were that Chae Yeo-jin had been the one who had suggested the sperm bank to Joo Ji-tae and then gotten pregnant, that Joo Ji-tae’s couple had kept quiet to protect Chae Yeo-jin, and that the truth was finally revealed, along with Chae Yeo-jin’s unhappy family story.

The public’s anger subsided when they realized it wasn’t an affair, but rather a misunderstanding. And when the truth came out, it became clear that Joo Ji-tae’s couple were victims who had suffered to protect the villain, Chae Yeo-jin. The public devoured the behind-the-scenes story of the villain, and the clear distinction between good and evil was established.

Of course, it’s a lie.

This was a plan orchestrated by Jujitae and Chaeyeorin, and that’s all.

Even the two of them, who had expected the story to unfold like this, were taken aback by how well it was received, to the point where they couldn’t help but wonder, “Is this really working out…? Why?”

In any case, the mental blow was resolved, and Jujitae, who had become a father to two children, came to his senses.

“Two kids and two wives means the burden isn’t doubled, but quadrupled… no, 16-fold.”

It was a strange direction, but…

“Ah, that guy is enviable… no, I’m jealous, so I can’t concede even in football.”

Jo Jaeshin, who had slightly lost his taste, also reignited his passion for football and joined in.

It’s not that he’s envious because he’s still single; it’s for his younger brother’s sake.

It was the “Korean Age” that would leave a lasting mark on football history and never return.

* * *

『Fernando Alvarez Retires』

『Fernando Alvarez, the Eternal Third Man, Holds a Grand Retirement Ceremony at Real Madrid After 12 Years』

『Jo Jaeshin, Who Attended the Retirement Ceremony, Leaves a Meaningful Comment: “I’m Not Far Behind”』

…

…

『Korean Football Legend Jo Jaeshin Retires!』

…

…

『Jujitae, the Only One Left, Announces His Retirement Two Years After Jo Jaeshin’s!』

『The Great Era Comes to an End! Jujitae, the Immortal Legend of Football, Finally Retires』

…

…

…

Countless headlines followed.

There’s no need to mention the content.

From surpassing Messi to win 11 Ballon d’Or awards, to holding records in the European top four leagues, the Champions League, and the most seasons as the best player… it’s truly an astonishing achievement for the retired legend.

“Hey, Joo! It’s time!”

Jujitae closed the internet window with a bored expression.

Standing there was Miguel Gomez, a Paraguayan midfielder who was once called a genius and had transferred from Benfica to Barcelona, but ultimately failed to reach his potential due to injuries.

“Hmm.”

“Hey, bro! The players are waiting. If the new coach is late to the introduction ceremony, it’ll be embarrassing, right?”

Jujitae gazed at Miguel Gomez with a piercing stare.

Although they only played together for a year at Barcelona, Jujitae knew this guy’s genius.

Above all, this guy had become a coach early on, before Jujitae even met him, and was selected as the “best young strategist in Europe.”

“Yo! Jujitae! What’s up! Don’t just stand there, come on! Even I, who was watching TV with my wife and kids, was dragged out here, so show some enthusiasm!”

Jo Jaeshin, who was peeking out from afar, shouted loudly.

‘Jo Jaeshin also became a playing coach later on, especially in the national team, where he took on a half-coach role and led Korea to a surge in success.’

Although he’s a GOAT player, this is his first time as a coach. This is unprecedented, even in his first life. Moreover, his memories of his first life are useless now. Jujitae’s age has surpassed that of his first life.

But it’s okay.

“Alright, friends. Let’s build an immortal achievement not only as players, but also as coaches.”

He no longer relied on memories of the past.

…Of course, if it helps, I’ll use it, but.