Back in the locker room, Mark, who had scored his debut goal in the Bundesliga, received congratulations and teasing from his teammates.
"Well done!"
"You're too much of a troublemaker!"
"Haha, even my grandma could score that goal!"
"The first goal is just the beginning, don't get arrogant..."
The team's midfield general, Gustavo, half-naked, put his arm around Mark's shoulder and laughed:
"Buddy, congratulations on your debut! I'll take you out to celebrate tonight! I know a bar with lots of beautiful women..."
Hearing the words "beautiful women," Mark's eyes lit up instantly.
"It's a deal then!"
Although this away trip did not end in victory.
However, getting a point at Schalke's intimidating home ground was already a good result.
Hecking, who had attended the post-match press conference, also highly praised the team's performance and spirit in the second half when he returned to the locker room.
Afterwards, he announced a day off for tomorrow.
For Wolfsburg, who had no European competition commitments, the team usually had a day off after a match day, allowing players to rest at home and enjoy time with their families.
After showering, the Wolfsburg players took the team bus back to Wolfsburg.
Soon after returning home, Mark received a call from Gustavo:
"We're at the XX bar on XX Street, hurry over!"
Hearing the noise and music from the other end of the phone, Mark immediately perked up:
"Okay, I'll be right there!"
Changing into a casual outfit of a hoodie and jeans, Mark drove off in his black Beetle.
When he arrived at the bar, he found that in addition to Gustavo, De Bruyne, and teammates like Miranda, Arnold, Perisic, and Caligiuri were all there!
After Captain Benaglio explained, he learned that this bar was a frequent haunt for Wolfsburg players.
In Germany, a country with a beer culture, not many Bundesliga players don't drink beer.
Having a drink after a game is also a common occurrence.
De Bruyne, who had been on loan at Werder Bremen last season, was obviously very familiar with this Bundesliga culture.
Seeing Mark looking around with a curious expression, De Bruyne handed him a dark beer:
"Mark, this dark beer has a low alcohol content, it's suitable for you."
"Thanks, buddy."
Taking the beer and looking at the rich foam on top, Mark raised his glass and clinked it with De Bruyne, Gustavo, and Miranda.
"Cheers!"
He took a big gulp, and the faint malt aroma instantly filled his mouth, invigorating him.
"Refreshing!!!"
While drinking and chatting, Mark didn't forget to observe the bar's patrons.
Perhaps because it was a gathering place for Wolfsburg players, many young and beautiful girls had specifically 'ambushed' themselves there, hoping to encounter these football stars.
Seeing Mark's gaze, one blonde, blue-eyed girl in a low-cut spaghetti strap dress immediately threw him a seductive glance.
His gaze swept over that expanse of pale white, and Mark couldn't help but feel a ripple in his heart.
This body of his was still a virgin... However, considering his identity as a Wolfsburg player, Mark still gave up the idea of striking up a conversation.
Besides, now was not a good time to pick up girls... Compared to the bustling Munich, the bars in Wolfsburg obviously couldn't satisfy the Brazilian's appetite.
Taking a sip of beer, Gustavo immediately began to boast to Mark:
"Buddy, if you get a chance to go to Munich, I'll take you to even more fun bars!"
"The girls there are hotter, and the beer there is more authentic!"
"It's a deal!"
However, before Mark could even finish one dark beer, Captain Benaglio called everyone to leave.
"One drink is one drink. If you want to have a couple more, wait until the holiday!"
Facing the captain's admonition, the Wolfsburg players also left the bar together.
And so, Mark's first bar trip ended.
Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps the goal, but even without female companionship, Mark slept soundly alone that night.
In his dream, he saw himself standing on the podium, holding that glittering golden ball.
And below the stage, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zidane, and other historical superstars were all applauding him... The next day.
Bild, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Sport Bild, and other media outlets all reported on this Bundesliga matchday 19 focus battle.
Among them, "Wolf Cub" Mark, who scored his debut Bundesliga goal at just eighteen years old, naturally became the focus of media reports.
No other reason, this world always loves to hear stories of young prodigies!
"One hundred percent successful dribbling!"
"Following the new Özil (Arnold), Wolfsburg has cultivated another new talent?!"
"Mark Lane, an eighteen-year-old green field dancer!"
Football circles in various countries have always spared no effort in praising their homegrown youth players.
German media was no exception.
From Deisler, to Kroos, Götze, Draxler, Meyer... And now, Wolfsburg's young player Mark Lane, who had scored in two consecutive substitute appearances, became the media's next object of praise!
Some media believed that Mark was even better than Schalke's two talents, Draxler and Meyer!
Some professional football journalists believed that Mark's footwork was simply un-German, possessing the elegance and flair of the Samba dance!
However, compared to the British media where "English football stars are everywhere," German media was relatively more rigorous and down-to-earth.
"This is only Mark's second substitute appearance in the Bundesliga, and his total Bundesliga playing time is less than forty-five minutes."
"Even though his potential is visible to the naked eye, whether he can realize it depends on whether the team can give him more playing time to develop and his own growth..."
Bild even gave Mark a development template: Littbarski, the historic winger who once helped Germany top the World Cup!
Littbarski was an extremely rare dribbling master in German football history; although he was under 1.7 meters tall, his dribbling skills were exceptional.
Of course, for young fans of the new era, ancient legends like Littbarski, who were from the same era as Matthäus, didn't hold much appeal.
Therefore, the local Wolfsburg newspaper, Wolfsburg Allgemeine Zeitung, bestowed upon Mark the nickname "New Reus."
However, the only similarities between the two, apart from both playing as wingers, being good at dribbling, and being handsome, were not many.
Even so, after this highly anticipated match against Schalke, Mark gained a lot of attention.
At least many fans knew that Wolfsburg had a handsome young man who was very stylish at dribbling... For Mark, the life of a professional footballer was very fulfilling.
In Mark's view, he had finally been reborn.
Moreover, with the system cheat, he naturally wanted to make a name for himself in world football!
Of course, he also wanted to compete with top giants and challenge superstars.
Furthermore, this was his first time truly becoming a professional footballer, which was also his former dream.
Therefore, Mark greatly enjoyed his daily routine of training at the club.
Of course, he was also very aware that his football career had only just begun.
Even though his footwork was comparable to Ronaldinho's, possessing one-on-one ability that was among the best in the entire Bundesliga.
However, he also had many shortcomings.
Whether it was physical fitness, or basic skills like trapping, passing, and shooting, he had a lot of room for improvement.
Therefore, he set a short-term goal for himself:
First, work hard to become a regular starter for Wolfsburg!