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Chapter 011 – The Brightest Moment, The Cruelest Fall
Date: 2003–2010 (Simulation Timeline)
Place: Belgium, Germany, China
〖In 2004, at the age of 18, you were sent to the Bundesliga team of O'E, and at the end of the season, you were in the starting position in the last month with 5 goals and 1 assist.〗
〖In the same year, you were finally selected into the training list of the national youth team, participated in the training of the national youth team, and participated in the Asian Youth Championship with the team. For some reason that cannot be said, you played less than 45 minutes in the semifinals, and the final was not played due to "injury," and finally only scored one goal in the Asian Youth Competition.〗
〖In 2005, when you were 19 years old, at the end of the season, you became the team's top scorer with 19 goals and 2 assists in the Bundesliga.〗
〖In the same year, you were selected into the training list of the national youth team, participated in the training of the national youth team, and participated in the Dutch World Youth Championship with the team.〗
〖First match: 2-1 win over European Youth Championship runner-up Turkey.〗
〖Second round: 4-2 victory over European Youth third-place Ukraine.〗
〖Third round: 5-1 victory over Panama.〗
You scored 4 goals in the group stage, becoming the most dazzling star of the World Youth Championship.
〖In the knockout round, you did not score, but created 1 penalty and 1 assist, helping China to finally catch up with Germany. In the final penalty shootout, however, China lost.〗
Even though you missed breaking China's best record (7th place at the 1985 World Youth Championships), you were still selected for the tournament's Best XI and named one of the world's Top Ten Future Stars—alongside Messi.
〖In 2006, when you were 20 years old, you were recalled to the Bundesliga League. In your first game, you scored twice, attracting attention at home and abroad.〗
But fate was cruel. In the second game, you encountered a brutal tackle and were carried off the field on a stretcher.
〖After the match, the team doctor—ironically a former veterinarian—claimed your injury was not serious.〗
But after a month's rest, you were injured again upon return. This time you required ankle surgery and were ruled out for the season.
That year, you also failed to make the Olympic team due to injury.
〖In 2007, at 21, after half a year of recovery, you returned, but the home team had no place for you.〗
You were sent again to the Bundesliga 2 to regain form, where you became the top scorer with 17 goals.
You played the Toulon Cup with China's Olympic team, losing 5-7 to France in penalties. You scored 4 goals, becoming the team's top scorer.
〖In 2008, at the age of 22, you collapsed less than a minute into the opening Bundesliga match.〗
A recurrence of your ankle injury haunted you the whole season.
Alongside King Dong, who also suffered a season-ending injury, the media dubbed it "The Double Star Fall."
Still, for the glory of the nation, you played injured in the 2008 Olympics. Against New Zealand, you created several chances, but failed to score—one of your lifelong regrets.
〖In 2009, at 23, because you risked your body in the Olympics, O'E refused to renew your contract.〗
〖In 2010, at 24, you joined Antwerp in Belgium's second division.〗
But you were injured in your debut, and your career spiraled downwards.
By 2015, age 29, exhausted, you returned home to play for a League One side. A year later, your body gave out and you retired.
You taught kids, tried opening a football school, only to be crushed by debt and China's economic crisis. By 33, you were driving Didi, your football dream truly over.
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Su Long's chest tightened.
Another simulation, another tragedy.
〖Simulation complete.〗
〖Current Attributes: Physical 15, Technical 30, Mental 30〗
〖Choose one of the four options below:〗
1. Physical attributes of a 20-year-old (Score: 20)
2. Technical attributes of 20-year-old (Score: 32)
3. Mental attributes of a 20-year-old (Score: 32)
4. 33-year-old life experience
Su Long studied them. The attributes barely changed.
Only a +5 to physical. Was it worth it?
No. He chose life experience.
Instantly, flashes of memories rushed into his head—his failed football school, his Olympic tears, his brightest day in 2005 standing alongside Messi.
His heart trembled.
The brightest star, extinguished at 20.
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