---
Chapter 008 — First Simulation Abroad
Date: August 2003
Place: Tianjin, China
Su Long sat quietly in his room, staring at the system panel before him.
〖The 10th U17 World Cup is over〗
〖Ding! Congratulations to the host for breaking China's U17 World Cup single-game goal record with 4 goals!〗
〖Reward: 10 Achievement Points〗
〖Ding! Congratulations to the host for becoming the first player in China U17 history to score a brace, a hat-trick, and a senior year in a single World Cup match!〗
〖Reward: 10 Achievement Points〗
〖Existing Achievement Points: 21〗
〖Do you want to use the Football Career Simulator? One use consumes 10 Achievement Points〗
Su Long took a deep breath.
Finally, achievement points had arrived!
"21 points… enough for two simulations. But will just two be enough?" he muttered, frowning.
He clenched his fists. "No matter what—simulate first!"
"Use!"
〖Simulation begins!〗
—
In 2003, at the age of 17, you played in Finland for the U-17 World Cup. After waiting for two matches, you finally came on in the second half of the third game.
Although the opponent targeted you with strong defense, you still exploded with godlike form, scoring 4 goals in 44 minutes to complete your first ever "senior year" in the U17 World Cup.
With those 4 goals, you shattered all of China's U17 records—becoming the first player with a brace, a hat-trick, and a senior year in the competition. You instantly became the new hope of Chinese football.
During the week after returning home, multiple scouts and agents contacted you by phone or in person.
You eventually chose to terminate your youth contract with Jinmen Datai and officially became a player under international agent Xu Gao.
Soon after, you joined CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria.
In 2004, at the age of 18, you transferred to Manchester United for a record fee of £3 million.
At Old Trafford, you were considered a "Chinese Ronaldo," arriving with great attention. However, due to language barriers and the intense competition for places, you struggled to adapt.
In your first season, you barely featured in the first team and were loaned out to a Championship side in England.
Your performance there was mediocre—while you showed flashes of talent, inconsistency and lack of tactical awareness held you back.
By the time you returned to Manchester United, your opportunities had shrunk even further. Younger players were rising, and you fell further down the pecking order.
In 2007, at just 21 years old, you transferred to a mid-table Portuguese club for €1 million.
After a few average seasons, injuries began to plague you.
By 2012, at the age of 26, you were released and returned to China, signing with a Chinese Super League team.
Though you became a domestic star for a while, your overseas dream had already ended.
In 2016, at the age of 30, you retired due to chronic injuries.
〖Simulation ends〗
—
Su Long sat frozen.
"So… I really did go to Manchester United, but… I failed?"
His eyes were complicated, caught between excitement and frustration.
"Still, this proves the simulator can open the door for me to Europe. What I need… is to find the right path."
He clenched his fists again. "I still have one more simulation left!"
---