*** Long and serious rant incoming that will decide the immediate future of the story. Put yourself in my shoe and honestly think what you would do. I' still a little feverish as I wrote this cz this would decide a lot.
I read some of the responses on a particular scene so I reread the chapter to see if it's weird , and it looks like you guys are not happy with the mc of the story being in the limelight. So this chapter , I'm not gonna add his part at all cz he apparently doesn't qualify as a mc, as it seems Ronaldo and Messi are the main characters to you .
After all the achievements in a single season, and becoming literally the most expensive player, Not to mention he has previous interactions with Messi in Spain and even has same roots from La Masia.
Is it so unbelievable that he can't go and say a few comforting words to him after match? Don't bring up the age thing, there are Atleast ten incidents where he was comforted by younger players after losing.
Yes, if it's real world, 70% of the things won't happen. Even Brazil would be playing without Neymar and Silva. Portugal would be home playing beer pong to drown their sorrows.
So if you want to have half fantasy, wish fulfillment and record breaking feats, yet expect full realism, I Can't help you. Every single thing is connected to another, and builds up the next plot. That's why this hasn't become pure wish fulfillment .
But I can't and won't follow real life events and stats exactly, even players emotions and personality are affected by the changes, they aren't robots after all.otherwise there's no point in writing, you can watch highlights in YouTube, saves both of our time .
Throw out your regular thoughts or what the usual trope is, because it will be( or was supposed to be) almost fully AU after world cup, with only a few major events not being affected.
This is a different world now, which means personality changes, Career changes, club structure and regulation changes, even some global economy changes. I'm not gonna just change one thing and act like it doesn't affect the rest.
So don't read this as if it will happen exactly as you saw in other fics, or what you thought or predicted. It's a different world and there's a thing called butterfly effect. Honestly guys, It's like taking the lowest bricks of the jenga tower, and hoping it would stand still as usual 🤷
Lastly, there has been multiple fake reviews and some idiots intentionally stirring up trouble. I usually delete those without telling you guys, as new readers who have no idea can get wrong impression, and you folks apparently feel I'm whining when I share, but I'm sick of it. I'm not even looking at most comments now for my mental peace.
Imagine my surprise when logged in as I felt a little better, and there were fake reviews in my every book, not to mention usual hate comments piled up. Some are still here and there.
As I said last week, this is on a life support, and I am gonna quit in a few months if things work out well. Might as well piss everyone off and give you guys something to be truly angry at and quit right before final. 🤷 I have seen barely anybody defending the story whenever someone trashes it, there are even people liking them sometimes, and that's just sad. So I won't bother anymore.
I don't know why you guys think it is acceptable for someone who has a proper job and giving their valuable off time for YOUR ENTERTAINMENT, FOR FREE, and then get harrassed and has to take it silently, not to mention cater to your tastes and preferences after that with a smile.
If you disagree, write a good book of your own , and I'll use various accounts to trash your book daily, and test your patience day after day, then you can realize how annoying it is. I'm not even feeling like putting effort any more.
That's not being a writer, that's just being an idiot who seeks attention and validation online at any cost, cz he got none in real life. And I don't lack those things thankfully.
It is hard writing a story that's Original, I would honestly not care if it wasn't my hard work, and took away my valuable time. I'm not getting younger, so I need to prioritize the things that matter.
A friend of mine already told me to just stop writing, and trying make strangers happy cz they won't care if I vanished for a few weeks or stopped writing . It's a cruel world, and my good intentions doesn't matter to most people. I'm really considering her advice.
If you feel I'm being unreasonable to seek actions from you folks , say it so we can be done and you can keep reading the translation and other stuff as I'll delete everything on my profile and uninstall Webnovel. ***
The penalty shootout had ended in heartbreak and jubilation alike, leaving the stadium awash with a mix of tears, cheers, and raw emotion. As the lights faded into the night, the monumental quarterfinal results were clear: Portugal had triumphed 4-3 in the shootout, and the semifinal draw was set—Brazil versus Germany, and Portugal versus Netherlands.
But amid the celebration on the pitch, a storm was brewing off it. In the hours after the match, a press conference was convened to discuss what had become one of the most talked-about incidents in World Cup history.
At the same time authorities also decided to take action to avoid any further concerns. This was a major incident now.
A series of controversial refereeing decisions that many now claimed were not mere errors but part of a larger FIFA conspiracy to manipulate the outcome.
Inside a packed press room at the stadium, the atmosphere was tense and electric. The backdrop was a large screen displaying the match highlights—the controversial yellow card to Adriano, the barrage of bookings in the second half, and the chaotic scenes of protests that had erupted on the field.
Reporters from around the world had gathered, their cameras flashing, microphones at the ready, eager to extract every detail of the night's events.
At the center of it all sat an illustrious panel: Lionel Messi and Argentina's coach Sabella from one side, and Cristiano Ronaldo along with Portugal's coach Santos from the other. The air was thick with anticipation and a sense of gravity as the moderator introduced the session.
Moderator: "Good evening, everyone. We are here to discuss tonight's quarterfinal between Argentina and Portugal—a match that, aside from its breathtaking football, has raised serious questions regarding refereeing decisions.
Let's start with a question about the key incident in the first half, where Adriano was booked for what appeared to be a clear penalty-foul. Coach Santos, can you share your thoughts on this decision?"
Coach Santos (Portugal):
(Voice firm, tinged with disappointment) "That incident was disgraceful. Adriano, in a moment of pure brilliance, was fouled inside the box—by all accounts a penalty should have been awarded. Instead, the referee inexplicably booked him for diving.
It's unacceptable for the game's integrity. We are not here to suffer from errors; we are here to win with our talent. We demand a thorough investigation and for the culprits to be held accountable."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room as reporters scribbled notes furiously.
Journalist : "Coach Sabella, what is your reaction to these accusations? Do you believe the officiating was biased?"
Coach Sabella (Argentina):
(Visibly agitated, yet composed) "This match was marred by what can only be described as a shameless display of manipulation. The decisions on that day were not mere mistakes—they were inexcusable.
When you see multiple yellow cards handed out for minor infractions and a clear penalty denied, it undermines the integrity of the competition. We believe we can fight fairly without these means.
We call for an immediate, independent investigation into the referee's actions. Fair play must be the cornerstone of this sport."
The tension in the room grew as the next question hit the air.
Journalist 2:
"Ronaldo, you have been a vocal critic of the officiating tonight. In your view, was there an orchestrated attempt by FIFA to manipulate the result of the match?"
Ronaldo leaned forward, his eyes intense. After a brief pause, he responded with measured candor.
Ronaldo: "Look, we have seen things tonight that simply cannot be ignored. When a referee issues five yellow cards in 5 minutes of the second half, when clear penalty situations are brushed aside, it's hard not to question the impartiality of those decisions.
I'm not saying there's a huge conspiracy, but I firmly believe that if such patterns continue, there must be a proper investigation. We're here to play football—our talent and hard work should decide the match, not questionable calls.
I want a full inquiry into tonight's events. Football is too beautiful a game to be tarnished by bias. Without the interference, you have seen how could have given a more beautiful game."
A ripple of approval passed among some of the reporters, while others scribbled down his words with a mix of admiration and apprehension.
Journalist 3:
"Messi, as the heart and soul of Argentina, you've often spoken about winning through your own skill. How do you feel about the match being marred by these controversies? Do you think that the decisions affected your team's performance?"
Messi's face tightened with emotion as he took a measured breath before answering.
Messi:
"Every match has its challenges, and yes, mistakes happen. But what happened tonight went beyond mistakes—it felt like manipulation. I want to win with my own skills, with my teammates, not because of questionable help from the officials, specially on the grandest stage where you represent your nation.
I'm deeply saddened that our journey might be cut short by not taking advantage.
However, I am proud of the way my team played. We gave everything we had on the pitch.
In football, you have to rely on your talent and your determination. I believe that ultimately, true talent will always shine through. But I cannot stand by and watch our game be influenced by decisions that are not in our control."
The room fell silent for a moment as the gravity of Messi's words sank in. Cameras zoomed in on the tear glistening in his eye, a poignant reminder of the emotional toll the match had taken.
Journalist 4:
"Ronaldo, you've had an illustrious career filled with highs and lows. Tonight's match, and particularly the officiating, has drawn comparisons to past controversies in World Cups. What do you think needs to be done to ensure that future matches are free from such irregularities?"
Ronaldo leaned back, his eyes reflecting the weight of experience.
Ronaldo:
"We need transparency. We need accountability. Every decision on the field must be above reproach. I've seen too many instances where the game's integrity is compromised by poor officiating.
There should be a robust, independent review of these decisions, and those responsible for the errors must be held accountable.
Football is our passion, and it deserves to be played fairly. We owe that to the fans and to the players who give everything on the field."
The moderator interjected softly, "Thank you, gentlemen. We now have a few more questions regarding your team's key performances and what you believe were the turning points of tonight's match."
Journalist 6:
"Coach Santos, looking back on the match, what do you believe was the critical moment that defined your team's journey tonight?"
Coach Santos took a moment before responding, his voice steady but laced with emotion.
Coach Santos:
"The turning point was not just one incident—it was a combination of factors. Our ability to respond after every setback, to come together even when the match was marred by controversy, is what defined us.
When Adriano took that corner, and Ronaldo executed that breathtaking bicycle kick, it wasn't just a goal—it was a show of belief that we refuse to be defeated.
We know the decisions off the pitch have been questionable, but our focus is on our performance.We're proud of our team's resilience, and we stand by our commitment to playing the beautiful game."
Journalist 7:
"And Coach Sabella, from the Argentine perspective, how do you respond to these allegations of bias and manipulation in tonight's match, and how it affected the results?"
Coach Sabella's face tightened as he responded, "We believe that every match should be decided by the players, not by questionable officiating. What happened tonight was, frankly, unacceptable. We demand a full investigation into the referee's actions.
Our players gave everything on the pitch, and it is disheartening to think that external factors may have influenced the outcome. We call on FIFA to ensure that fairness is upheld in every game."
The room buzzed with activity as the questions began to wind down. Reporters exchanged glances, aware that this press conference would fuel debate for days to come.
The moderator wrapped up the session by thanking the participants for their candor and promising that these issues would be taken seriously by the governing bodies.
Outside the press conference, the impact of the evening's revelations was already being felt. Social media platforms exploded with discussions under hashtags like #FIFACorruption, #JusticeForFootball, and #WorldCupIntegrity.
Fans from all corners of the globe voiced their opinions—some echoing Ronaldo's call for transparency, while others expressed disbelief at the blatant manipulation alleged by the players.
In sports bars and cafés across Lisbon, Buenos Aires, and beyond, heated debates erupted. A group of Portuguese fans in a Lisbon café argued passionately, "We witnessed something tonight that goes beyond football—it's about respect for the game! The decisions were outrageous, and we deserve justice!"
In contrast, a few Argentine supporters, though disappointed, shared a sentiment of solidarity: "We played a great game, but this isn't how championships are decided. It's time for FIFA to clean up its act."
Television pundits on ESPN and Sky Sports replayed key moments from the match—the missed penalties, the controversial yellow cards, and, most memorably, Adriano's defiant rallying cry.
Expert panels dissected every frame of the match. One noted, "When you see a player like Adriano, who is so young yet so courageous, standing up to injustice, it makes you wonder what kind of legacy he will leave behind. His actions tonight are emblematic of a generation that refuses to let corruption define their destiny."
Another argued, "If these incidents are not addressed, they will happen in future tournaments. Football must be free from manipulation, and the voices we've heard tonight must lead to change."
Former football legends joined the conversation as well. In a televised interview, Thierry Henry stated, "The beauty of football lies in its unpredictability and fairness.
Tonight, we witnessed brilliance and controversy side by side. It's a reminder that our sport is evolving, and with that evolution must come accountability."
Meanwhile, Zidane added, "I have always believed that true champions play by the rules. When those rules are bent, it diminishes the spirit of the game."
Even within the corridors of FIFA, whispers of an internal investigation grew louder. Reports emerged that FIFA's top officials had been summoned to discuss the refereeing decisions and the subsequent fallout. The pressure was mounting, and the promise of accountability was now in the hands of the governing body.
In a brief statement released by FIFA later that evening, they assured the public that an independent inquiry would be launched, and all allegations would be thoroughly investigated.
As the press conference came to an end, the atmosphere in the room was heavy with the promise of change.
Messi, Ronaldo, and the two coaches—Santos and Sabella—had all spoken with a unity of purpose: football must be played fairly, and the true spirit of the World Cup is defined by the players on the pitch, not by the mistakes of officials.
Ronaldo's final remark resonated powerfully as he addressed the gathered journalists:
"Tonight, we played our hearts out. We did not let bias silence our spirit. I call on FIFA and all governing bodies to ensure that every game is decided on talent, not on controversial decisions. We are all here for the love of the game, and we must protect that at all costs."
Messi added quietly, "We gave everything we had. I wish things had been different, but the beauty of our sport is that our skills and determination shine through. I only hope that future generations will never have to face such manipulations."
As the room began to empty, the echoes of the passionate debate lingered. Journalists continued to discuss the events long after the microphones were turned off. Outside, fans poured out of the conference room, their faces a mix of indignation, hope, and anticipation for what the future might hold.
Conversations spilled into the streets of Lisbon and Buenos Aires, where the chant of "Fair play!" was heard alongside "We demand justice!"
The legacy of tonight's press conference, much like the match itself, was destined to become part of World Cup lore—a moment when the very soul of football was put on display. It was a call for integrity and a reminder that while controversies may mar the beautiful game, the passion and unity of its players and supporters will always rise above.
As the world awaited the semifinal clashes—Brazil vs. Germany and Portugal vs. Netherlands—the messages from the revelations reverberated.
The debates, the accusations, and the raw emotions shared by the titans of the game had set the stage for a new era, one in which every decision would be scrutinized and every voice would demand accountability.
And so, with the pressure of the quarterfinals behind them and the future of the tournament hanging in the balance, one thing was clear: the spirit of the World Cup was alive, its call for justice echoing through every corner of the globe, ready to shape the destiny of football for generations to come.
But nobody would know at that time, the next match would take a much darker turn. The match that would be a called a shameful day for modern football.