Bab 2: I’m Quaresma
Chapter 2: Okay, I'm Quaresma
"The fact is that you were swept away by Barcelona."
The process of crossing made Dawei a little dazed, even unbelievable, as if he could not believe everything that was happening. But upon hearing this sentence, he felt incredulous.
"Me, Ronaldo, swept out by Barcelona?"
When did Ronaldo go to Barcelona?
He rubbed his eyes, adapting to the transition from a claustrophobic space to a bright environment, and Dawei could only see a Western middle-aged man sitting on the sofa opposite.
Mendes.
Dawei recognized at a glance that the middle-aged man in front of him was Ronaldo's agent, the Portuguese predator who dominated European football.
But that's not the point. The key question was, why was Ronaldo swept away by Barcelona?
Thinking about what the mysterious voice had just said, Dawei had a very bad feeling.
In Mendes' slightly surprised eyes, Dawei suddenly jumped from the sofa and ran into the bathroom in a panic.
In front of the mirror above the hand-washing station, Dawei looked at himself in astonishment, and then his entire demeanor changed.
He wanted to grab the mysterious man by the collar and interrogate him fiercely.
"You're telling me this is Cristiano Ronaldo?"
"This is clearly Quaresma, okay!"
Sure enough, things were really not as they seemed.
He felt as uncomfortable as if he had been tricked. Now, Dawei didn't know whether to cry or laugh.
The mysterious man said they would discuss the aftermath, but the question remained: since he had crossed into Quaresma, could he cross into Ronaldo again later?
What was he supposed to do as Quaresma?
He had to make do with what he had and face the challenges.
He didn't become Ronaldo, but becoming Quaresma didn't seem entirely unacceptable.
After all, Quaresma was also a star; don't take him lightly!
Well, whatever happens, happens. For now, he was Quaresma.
Dawei, having just accepted his new identity, took a deep breath, hesitantly returned to the sofa from the bathroom, and looked at Mendes sitting across from him. For a moment, Dawei didn't know what to say.
"I know you're uncomfortable, but professional football is like that. Once you've chosen this path, you have to understand this truth."
Perhaps Quaresma was feeling lost due to the news that couldn't be any worse. Mendes organized his words to comfort him.
Dawei, or Quaresma as he should now be called, probably understood the situation he was in.
It turned out that he had crossed over to a time when Quaresma was being pushed out by Barcelona.
That should make him even more upset now.
Recalling memories from his previous life, last summer, under the supernova's aura, Quaresma moved from the Portuguese super team Lisbon Atletico to La Liga giants Barcelona for 6 million Euros.
Elegant, dazzling, and lightning-fast were the descriptions of Quaresma by the Spanish media. His ability to advance and orchestrate attacks on the right flank always drew comparisons to Figo.
However, due to various factors such as his playing style and injuries, Quaresma never quite fit into Barcelona's technical and tactical system. Consequently, by the second half of the season, Rijkaard simply abandoned him, reducing him to a mere peripheral figure.
Quaresma had become a burden that Barcelona desperately wanted to offload.
Originally hoping for a bargain, now he found himself being treated like an unwanted stepchild!
Whose fault was it?
Was Quaresma not supposed to feel upset?
In a rational analysis, there must have been a reason for this!
But more importantly, Rijkaard didn't nurture young players!
This wasn't just Quaresma's opinion; it was a commonly held belief among many.
As a superstar from Portugal, why was Ronaldinho able to thrive under Ferguson?
At this time, Ronaldinho was no less flashy than Quaresma!
Therefore, the only explanation was that he hadn't found the right fit, because before joining Barcelona, he hadn't confirmed Rijkaard's vision...
Thinking about this, Quaresma couldn't help but bitterly laugh. The time he had crossed over to was rather embarrassing.
He didn't know how his predecessor endured this humiliation, but now he could understand.
Damn it!
Barcelona wanted to discard him, but he wasn't ready to leave Barcelona yet!
There was no lord here; he had his own destiny;
No one stays everywhere, and he went to Porto!
In his previous life, Quaresma was considered an add-on to Deco's return to the Portuguese Super League, joining Porto just after they had won the Champions League. Mendes, well-connected as ever, was pulling the strings. Presumably, this life would be no different.
"So I have to go to Porto?" Suppressing his simmering anger, Quaresma's tone remained stoic.
Mendes hadn't expected Quaresma to calm down so quickly; he was taken aback. After all, Quaresma wasn't known for his patience.
"Yes, at least for now, there's no better option than this!" Mendes, being the professional agent he was, continued, "Barcelona wants Deco and isn't keen on paying a hefty sum, so using you as a bargaining chip is the obvious choice. Plus, Mr. Costa, the chairman of Porto, holds you in high regard and hopes you'll join the club."
"Of course, this deal only goes through if you agree!" Mendes remembered to add.
Quaresma sighed. During transfers, players were undoubtedly in a weak position. Did his opinion really matter?
If he insisted on not going to Porto, Barcelona could easily force him into their B team to play in the second division.
"Well then, I'll go to Porto."
Quaresma's voice was resolute and unwavering. This was something Mendes had never seen in him before.
"It seems that frustration really can make people grow." Mendes stroked his chin, lost in thought.
Perhaps Quaresma's return to the Portuguese Super League would surprise even himself!
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone