Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia.
Just like in Gao Shen's previous life, France eventually defeated Croatia.
This was neither surprising nor unexpected. Long before the match, those who knew Gao Shen had basically predicted this outcome, so it was not an upset.
But as Zidane said, from a footballing perspective, there was nothing for the French team to be happy about.
Winning the World Cup was certainly worth celebrating, but the anger at the lack of ambition mattered more.
It was similar to Gao Shen's dissatisfaction with Belgium, but different.
Belgium's problem was a failure to integrate. That fell under being unable to do it or not doing it well. France, on the other hand, did not even try.
Deschamps' team could clearly have adopted a more attacking approach and played proactively, yet he chose the most conservative tactic. It stabilised things, but also made the title feel lighter.
Look at the current French squad. With such overall strength, to play so conservatively was simply not right.
Of course, viewed with hindsight after the match, France won.
In football, winners write the rules.
But Deschamps' football was far too conservative.
For a long stretch of the first half, Gao Shen was silently hoping Croatia would score more and give Deschamps a lesson.
Unfortunately, Croatia still lost.
"Really? I support you more than anyone right now. Go and take his job as national team coach. Don't be polite to him, just take it!"
That was the first thing Gao Shen said to Zidane after the World Cup final.
The bald Frenchman smiled wryly. He had a good relationship with Deschamps.
But Gao Shen's words showed how disappointed he was with Deschamps.
"Do you think Modric has a chance to win the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year?" Zidane asked suddenly.
Gao Shen nodded without hesitation. "Yes, I'm fully confident in him."
If Ronaldo had stayed at Real Madrid, there might have been some doubt. Once he left, that doubt basically vanished.
France won the World Cup, but looking at their team, who could compete with Modric?
Mbappé was hugely popular, but he was still very young.
Yes, immature.
That was also part of Gao Shen's advice to him earlier. Joining a top club too soon, before he matured, would not necessarily help his all-round development.
There had been players like Mbappé before, such as the 18-year-old Michael Owen at the 1998 World Cup.
Of course, Owen's England did not win, but Mbappé did.
Becoming a global name at a tournament like this can be misleading.
But the World Cup happens only once every four years. How often do national teams actually play?
It is the league that truly develops players and improves their abilities.
Before Gao Shen's transmigration, people had noticed that Mbappé's development did not meet expectations after 2018.
In other words, he fell short of the hopes people had for him after the World Cup.
That was normal, because Paris Saint-Germain lacked the environment to cultivate young players.
So what was best for Mbappé's development?
In Gao Shen's view, the best choice was to stay at Leeds United for one or two more years, refine his technical traits, enhance his strength, and broaden his attacking repertoire.
Or go to Real Madrid.
At present, only Leeds United and Real Madrid would build a team's tactics around Mbappé as the core, fully maximising his level. In addition, the Premier League, La Liga, and the Champions League provide high-intensity matches every week, which is the best training ground.
Go to Ligue 1?
The dressing-room atmosphere at Paris Saint-Germain was not right.
If the atmosphere were good and the coach unified the squad, with the strength of that lineup, they would sweep aside weaker Ligue 1 teams easily.
Gao Shen had said all he needed to say. If Mbappé still decided to go to Paris, Gao Shen had nothing more to add.
A transfer fee of 200 million euros was very tempting.
As for Modric, with his performances for Real Madrid and Croatia, and the honours won with club and country, was there any suspense about him winning the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year?
When Ronaldo decided to leave Real Madrid, he was probably already prepared for this.
…
After the World Cup final, a brief awards ceremony took place.
Modric won the Golden Ball, Hazard took the Silver Ball, and Griezmann the Bronze Ball, the tournament's top individual honours.
The Golden Boot went to Harry Kane with six goals, followed by Griezmann and Lukaku.
Best Goalkeeper was Courtois, and Best Young Player was Mbappé.
These were basically the same as what Gao Shen remembered from his previous life, with little change.
The only difference was a surprise in the Best XI voting.
Goalkeeper Courtois, a back line of Marcelo, Varane, Godin, and Thiago Silva, and a forward line of Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Ronaldo were unchanged from his previous life, except in midfield.
De Bruyne and Modric were both selected, but the third midfielder, originally Brazil's Coutinho, was now Kante.
Thinking about it, that was quite normal.
Coutinho's performances had not matched those of his previous life, largely related to his Barcelona experience.
In Gao Shen's previous life, he moved to Barcelona in January 2018. Now, he had transferred in 2015.
Neymar strongly recommended the deal because Barcelona had just ended a transfer ban and lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid. With Real Madrid winning three in a row and in great form, Barcelona retaliated by signing Coutinho.
In Gao Shen's current life, Kante's development was completely different. He had been immersed in Leeds United's football culture for years and had gained long Premier League experience. His overall level was higher, especially his passing.
While Kante's ability to play killer balls was not elite, his basic passing was rock solid. His World Cup pass completion reached 91 percent. Coupled with his incredible running and ball-winning, he became the French team's midfield barrier on their way to the title.
This was something Gao Shen had not expected.
It was worth noting that Croatia's three midfielders who played the entire World Cup final were Rakitic, Modric, and Brozovic, all of whom had ties to Gao Shen.
This earned him high praise from the media and fans.
…
The World Cup finally ended.
Neither Gao Shen nor Zidane went into the dressing rooms to meet players from either side after the final.
It was not the right time.
After the tournament, Gao Shen flew back to the UK with his wife and child on the same flight as Zidane, and they arrived in London.
Gao Shen invited Zidane to head north and stay in Cheshire for a while, but Zidane declined and returned to Madrid.
Although he no longer worked for Real Madrid, his children were still studying in Madrid and training in the club's academy.
"Keep in touch!"
Gao Shen stayed in London for a while and, after seeing Zidane off, returned to Cheshire with his family.
Not long after, he received a call from Butragueño, presumably before Zidane reached Madrid.
Real Madrid's head coach had been decided.
Rafael Benítez.
"He was chosen by Jose Sanchez. He believes the team needs rebuilding. He fears Lopetegui cannot handle it," Butragueño sighed.
Gao Shen nodded and simply said "hmm," offering no opinion.
At least, he would not comment to outsiders.
Jose Sanchez's idea was correct, but the person chosen might not be.
Of course, Benítez taking over Real Madrid under such circumstances required courage and showed his affection for the club. But could he truly guide Real Madrid through a successful transformation?
To start with, could Benítez make proper use of Real Madrid's midfield?
At Valencia, Liverpool, and Inter, Benítez had always favoured a double pivot.
But where would two holding midfielders come from at Real Madrid now?
Use Casemiro and Illarramendi as a double pivot?
Furthermore, with Benítez's temperament, could he really manage the dressing room?
However, these were not things Gao Shen needed to worry about.
He just felt, how to put it, very complicated.
It felt like a house he had worked hard to build was about to be demolished.
He had received the demolition compensation, but still felt uneasy.
So he simply ignored it, asked nothing, and let it be.
The World Cup had just ended, and the transfer market was heating up.
As the hottest star of the tournament, Mbappé's future drew worldwide attention.
After lifting the World Cup, the French youngster gave an ambiguous answer in an interview about whether he would remain at Leeds United. Clearly, he had not made up his mind.
Two other standouts, Kante and Harry Kane, also attracted interest from top clubs. In addition to Chelsea and Manchester United, Manchester City joined the race for Kane.
In a recent interview, Guardiola praised Kane highly, calling him a very talented striker and saying, "We are very interested."
This was mainly because Suárez was 31, and City needed a top-class center forward. Kane was not only outstanding, but also English, which added value.
About to turn 25, Kane had proved himself in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Besides Kane, Manchester United also wanted winger Sadio Mané. Mourinho believed the pair could greatly enhance United's attacking power and was determined to get them.
Dele Alli also received strong interest from the two Manchester clubs, as well as Liverpool and Chelsea. The Reds had also set their sights on Fabinho, while Chelsea targeted Kante.
This immediately drew intense attention across European football.
According to The Times, the traditional giants had always been best at poaching you if they could not beat you.
(To be continued.)