Chapter 14: The Football Wizard
Dennis never expected that after finally pulling some strings to get himself out, he would be sent back in again because of some damn travel blogger.
Moreover, after being sent in this time, he wouldn't even think about coming out for several years.
Of course, Ken also didn't expect that even though he had been gone for nearly two months, he would once again be pushed onto the trending topics list.
Sports media outlets such as Titan Sports Weekly and Soccer News reported on Ken's hat-trick in his Brazilian Serie A debut.
On the internet, the video posted by Robert was reposted by major websites, and the total number of views had already surpassed one hundred million.
In an era before the world's number one app was launched, the place where fans gathered to communicate was mostly the "Football Bar." At this time, the Football Bar was incredibly lively.
[Hiss... I really can't figure it out. How could a talented player like this stay in the country for two years and not even get to play in the domestic top league? Has our football become so terrifyingly formidable?]
[Forget it! Everyone knows what a mess the domestic league is. Around here, if you want to play, connections matter more than talent.]
[The person above, you're looking down on people too much. Didn't you hear the recording leaked last time? Ken even paid a large fee and still couldn't get on!]
[Hahaha... This is truly hilarious. We actually handed over such a genius to others!]
[To be honest, it might not be a bad thing. If Ken had really stayed here, his talent might have been completely buried. It's better that he went abroad.]
[Exactly! I support him! It's best if he doesn't come back—just join the Brazil national team and maybe even win a World Cup.]
[Tsk...! You idiots, he was originally Brazilian to begin with, okay? Just because he stayed here for two years, you thought he was one of us?]
[Brother, how much did that club note pay you? Introduce me too; I have plenty of time to post online.]
The internet buzzed with arguments; some people stirred controversy, while others sincerely wished Ken well. In the vast ocean of the internet, every kind of character could be found.
During these few days, Ken's younger cousin practically transformed into an internet warrior. Every day after school, he stayed online for hours. Whenever someone said something bad about his older brother, he would immediately mobilize classmates to argue back, never tiring of it.
But regardless of what happened, Ken, far away in São Paulo, remained completely unaware. Even if he knew, he probably wouldn't pay much attention—he was busy training.
---
Thud…
At the São Paulo training base, Ken's free kick flew several meters over the crossbar.
"Woo… Ken, you can't do it like that," the old captain Rogério Ceni instructed from the side.
Yes, it was the veteran captain of São Paulo, now forty years old—the legendary goalkeeper Rogério Ceni.
A goalkeeper teaching Ken how to take free kicks?
Anyone unfamiliar with Brazilian football might not understand the significance of Ceni's name. He remains the highest-scoring goalkeeper in football history, with over 130 career goals, including dozens from direct free kicks—numbers that many forwards never reach in their entire careers.
That was precisely why the club arranged for Ceni to personally coach Ken on set pieces.
"When taking a free kick," Ceni explained patiently, "stand slightly to the side and behind the ball, forming about a fifteen- to twenty-degree angle. Start your run-up three to four steps away. Your last steps should accelerate, and your supporting foot should be planted beside the ball—this helps generate maximum power."
Ceni demonstrated each movement carefully.
"If you want a curved shot, strike the ball with the inside of your foot. If you want the knuckle effect, use the top of your foot—but don't overuse it, as it can strain your knees."
"Come on, Ken, let's try again."
On the training ground, Ken struck the ball repeatedly while Ceni tirelessly corrected his technique. As the sun gradually set, the long shadows of the two stretched across the grass.
---
Entering June, São Paulo's schedule eased slightly after their elimination from the Copa Libertadores.
On June 3rd, the entire São Paulo squad traveled to Belo Horizonte, about six hundred kilometers away, for the third round of the Brazilian Serie A, where they would face Atlético Mineiro away from home.
Ken felt that São Paulo and Atlético Mineiro seemed destined to meet repeatedly that season. Including earlier encounters in the Copa Libertadores, this was already their fifth clash.
He looked forward to the match especially because his idol, Ronaldinho, played for the opponent. However, Head Coach Ramalho did not rush him into the starting lineup and instead placed Ken on the substitute bench.
Atlético Mineiro, despite having played a continental match only three days earlier, still fielded their strongest lineup. Forwards Tardelli and Jô started, while the legendary football wizard Ronaldinho appeared in midfield.
At 18:30 local time, the match kicked off at the Mineirão Stadium.
From the opening minutes, Atlético Mineiro used their home advantage to launch wave after wave of attacks. To counter this pressure, Ramalho deployed three defensive midfielders, aiming to gain numerical control in midfield.
Seated on the bench, Ken watched quietly. His eyes remained fixed on the slightly heavier figure wearing the number ten shirt, reluctant to look away even for a moment.
In Ken's heart, a wizard was still a wizard. Even if he no longer possessed all the brilliance of his prime, as long as he stood on the pitch, he would forever remain the football wizard who played with pure joy.