Chapter 44: Chapter 44: How Can You Be Brazilian?
"What else can I say? Some people play football with their feet, some with their brains, but this is the first time I've seen someone play with their fingers. This Brazilian is truly too cunning... poor naive Germans."
Whether the Germans were genuinely naive or not is debatable, but they were certainly angry and frustrated now.
Everyone had assumed Adriano would be the star, with Kaka at most playing a supporting role. Little did they know this guy was such a scene-stealer.
The scene-stealer deserved to be punished.
In the final moments of the first half, the German team launched an attack, but once again, their efforts were thwarted by Baptista before the Brazilians countered. Fortunately for them, Kaka overplayed his hand during this long-range foray, dribbling all the way to the byline before being decisively halted by a German defender.
As the first half ended, the players returned to the dressing room, where Costonio stood at the entrance, patting each player's shoulder as they entered – his way of encouraging them. However, when Kaka walked in last, Costonio couldn't resist giving him an extra pat on the back of his head after the shoulder pat.
Kaka was perplexed. "What... I mean, any instructions, boss?"
"Nothing," Costonio shook his head and smiled. "I just couldn't resist giving you that pat."
Costonio wasn't aware that he had unintentionally mirrored Adriano's earlier gesture towards Kaka. He truly couldn't resist that pat, reminiscent of an elder feeling a mix of pride and exasperation upon witnessing a younger person's achievement in an amusing manner.
Well done, lad, but you're a bit cheeky – that was the feeling.
In ancient times, when someone passed the imperial examination, they would refer to the presiding examiner as their mentor, establishing a true teacher-student bond, often leading to long-lasting connections in academia, officialdom, and even personal life – essentially aligning themselves with that mentor. In modern football, a head coach calling up a player to the national team carries a similar, if subtler, dynamic.
This was particularly pronounced in certain countries, but not entirely absent elsewhere.
So, the better Kaka performed, the more it reflected positively on Costonio as his discoverer and mentor.
After all, Kaka was the captain he had appointed, a decision that wasn't unanimously accepted initially, with various reports questioning his choice.
Costonio acknowledged the players' first-half performance but warned against complacency in the second half. He also prepared Robert, who might be substituted, and covered other expected matters.
The second half began with the Germans, unsurprisingly, increasing their attacking intensity, though they were now wary of taking any liberties against Kaka.
The pain was still fresh.
In contrast to the first half's drama, the second half was more subdued. The Germans wanted a goal but lacked the cutting edge, while Brazil sought to extend their lead, but Kaka and Adriano were tightly marked. Despite creating chances, the Brazilians, perhaps due to the cold weather affecting their usually hot feet, failed to hit the target on several occasions.
Many assumed the match would end 2-0 in Brazil's favor, a reasonable result, but Kaka had other ideas, rubbing salt in Germany's wounds.
In the 80th minute, Maicon successfully dribbled past several players on the left flank. As he cut inside, a German defender cynically brought him down, prompting the referee to award Brazil a free-kick in an advanced position.
Adriano stood over the set-piece.
Eyeing his muscular thighs and recalling his powerful shots, the German wall braced themselves.
Damn it, just when we thought it was over, they pull this stunt. Is that ethical?
Adriano's free-kick had shades of a Carlos cannonball, with a wicked dip and pace that left the goalkeeper helpless, but it was struck too high, crashing against the crossbar and rebounding.
Kaka was initially side-on to the goal, leaving him little time to adjust as the ball came towards him, so he instinctively executed an overhead kick.
A 1.82m tall player performing an overhead kick – one word: classy!
The ball flew into the net, much to the Germans' despair.
3-0.
The scouts and reporters in the stands couldn't help but applaud Kaka, who was subsequently substituted.
The final moments were frantic but fruitless, as Brazil sought to extend their lead and Germany looked to restore some pride, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert.
The scouts and reporters had already begun scribbling in their notebooks.
They did have a lot to write about this unconventional Brazilian team – a tank-like striker, a beast of a midfielder, a rugged yet cerebral captain – all deviating from the traditional Brazilian mold.
Perhaps only Maicon, with his energetic forays down the flank, upheld the country's tradition for marauding full-backs.
The victorious young Brazilians couldn't help but feel smug, but Kaka was reminded of that 7-1 defeat... Debts must be repaid, and vengeance will be served eventually. How much of the past still lingers?
Unsurprisingly, the two-goal, one-assist Kaka was named the player of the match, with even the most critical fans and reporters unable to deny his brilliance.
Many Argentinians believed this was the day their complex love-hate relationship with Kaka began. Handsome, skillful, and able to showboat – he seemed perfect, but why did he have to be Brazilian? How could he be Brazilian? It would have been better if he were from any other country.
Ah, how frustrating.
If Kaka remembered correctly, he only had 25 minutes of playing time at the next World Cup, against Costa Rica. Regrettable, really. This time, he was determined to make a bigger impact on the world's biggest stage.
Who could have foreseen that someday, someone would claim Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't dribble?
Digressing. The World Cup and such matters were still in the future. For now, the focus was on the Youth Championship.
The first round of group matches had concluded. While some results were considered upsets, others were largely as expected, with Brazil's 3-0 win over Germany and France's 5-0 thrashing of Iran marking them as the favorites alongside Argentina.
Kaka, who scored three goals, emerged as the standout performer of the round.
On this day, the Brazilian captain's name echoed across the land.
(End of Chapter)
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone