Capítulo 96: UEFA Champions League Final End
"Yang, Yang, over here! Remember me?"
In the mixed zone, a young journalist with thick black glasses persistently called out to Yang Yang, his voice rising above the bustling crowd. Yang Yang turned his head, squinting slightly as he tried to place the familiar face in front of him. After a moment, recognition dawned, and a name surfaced in his mind.
"Michelle Vandersma?" he asked.
"Yes, yes! It's me!" The young reporter practically bounced with excitement, clearly thrilled to be remembered by the now-famous footballer. "I can't believe you remembered my name. Your memory is incredible!"
Yang Yang smiled warmly. "How's your website going?"
He still recalled when Vandersma had approached him for an interview after an Ajax second-team match. The young journalist had been eager back then, handing over a business card and hoping to secure an interview, but Yang Yang had never followed up.
Vandersma's expression shifted to one of helpless frustration. "Don't even mention it… I screwed it up."
"What happened?" Yang Yang asked with genuine curiosity.
"It started well enough, but then..." Vandersma shook his head, clearly still upset about it. "I actually have to thank you, though. I went to Almere to cover a lot of your early news, and once you became popular, I managed to land some collaboration with De Telegraaf and got access to a lot of resources. But... I thought entrepreneurship would be easier."
Yang Yang offered a kind smile, noticing the press badge on Vandersma's chest. "So, now you work for De Telegraaf?"
"Yeah, I'm a reporter there now. Could I ask you a few questions?" Vandersma's eagerness was apparent.
Yang Yang, no longer the unknown player from a year ago, had just scored the decisive goal in the Champions League final. His rise to fame was undeniable, and with rumors swirling about Ajax losing key players like Van der Vaart and Ibrahimović, the young winger's development had become a central focus for the club's future.
Looking around the mixed zone, Yang Yang briefly searched for his parents and relatives but couldn't spot them. After a moment's thought, he nodded. "Sure, I've got time for a few questions."
Vandersma immediately called over his colleagues and began the interview, focusing on Yang Yang's performance and his future at Ajax. Yang Yang answered thoughtfully, clearly stating his commitment to staying with the club.
"I'm only seventeen," he said with a calm smile. "I know where I am in my career right now, and the most important thing for me is to keep working hard and improving. Ajax is the perfect place for that."
When asked about the goal that won Ajax the Champions League, Yang Yang laughed modestly, insisting that the credit belonged to Sneijder. "Honestly, it was all down to Sneijder's pass. I practice my first touch every day because I know it's something I need to work on. But Sneijder knows me so well. The moment I started running, he knew exactly where to send the ball."
"I've heard you two are roommates?" Vandersma asked with a grin.
"Yeah, ever since I joined the first team, we've shared a flat."
"And Vermaelen?" Vandersma added.
Yang Yang nodded, "We've lived together since the Ajax second team. Ajax has a rule that youth players have to share the rent, so we all pitch in."
Vandersma's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I noticed after your goal, you blew a kiss to the stands. That's not something we've seen from you before. Was there someone special in the crowd? A girlfriend, perhaps?"
Yang Yang laughed and shook his head. "No, no, definitely not. My parents, family, and friends were in the stands. I was just caught up in the moment and wanted to show them my love. That's all."
"Are you sure? You seem pretty quick to deny it!" Vandersma teased.
Yang Yang laughed again, his face slightly flushed. "Really, there's no one. It was just for my family and friends."
"A year ago, you were playing in Almere, and now you've won the Champions League. How does that feel?"
Yang Yang's expression turned sincere. "I'm incredibly grateful for the trust and support I've received from coach Ronald Koeman and my teammates. This team is full of amazing players, and we've worked so hard to get here. I owe a lot to them."
"And your future plans?" Vandersma asked.
"Just to keep working hard and getting stronger," Yang Yang said with determination. "I want to keep improving and become the best player I can be."
Just as he finished answering, Yang Yang heard the shouts of his teammates from the sidelines. They were gathering around the dugout, preparing for the customary celebration of tossing the coach into the air.
Seizing the moment, Yang Yang excused himself from the interview. "I'd better go join them."
He rushed off toward the dugout, just in time to see Ronald Koeman hoisted into the air by his jubilant players. The young Dutch coach's surprised scream was drowned out by the deafening cheers of the crowd.
...
...
Organized by UEFA staff, the Ajax fans formed two orderly lines on either side of the entrance to the podium, creating a passage for the players. The atmosphere was filled with jubilation on one side and bittersweet resignation on the other.
Mourinho led the Porto players back onto the pitch, their heads held high despite the defeat. They had changed into fresh kits, ready to receive their runners-up medals. This was their moment to acknowledge their efforts, even if it wasn't the outcome they had hoped for. Soon, they would leave the sad memories behind at the Arena AufSchalke.
The mood among the Ajax camp, however, was jubilant. Smiles adorned every face as they shook hands with the passing Porto players, exchanging respectful nods and acknowledgments. Despite the competitive nature of the game, there was mutual respect between the two sides.
As Mourinho approached Yang Yang, the Portuguese coach suddenly paused. He looked at the young winger with an intense expression before stepping forward and embracing him politely. The moment was unexpected, catching Yang Yang slightly off guard.
"You really surprised me," Mourinho whispered near Yang Yang's ear. "Are you interested in joining Chelsea?"
For a split second, Yang Yang was stunned. Then, it all made sense — Mourinho was indeed heading to Chelsea, just as the media had speculated. And now, he was extending an invitation, an opportunity to join him in the Premier League.
Yang Yang smiled faintly, appreciating the offer but knowing in his heart where he stood. "I'm sorry, Mr. Mourinho. Thank you for the offer, but I don't think I'm ready yet," he replied softly, his tone sincere.
Mourinho released Yang Yang from the embrace, his expression unreadable for a moment. But then, a flicker of respect and understanding crossed his face. "You're right. You're not ready yet. Twenty is the best age to move into one of the four major leagues. You have time, and I don't mind waiting for you."
With a final nod, Mourinho smiled and continued down the line, shaking hands with the other Ajax players.
Vermaelen, standing nearby, had overheard part of the exchange. He stepped closer, his curiosity piqued. "What did he say to you?"
"He asked if I wanted to join Chelsea," Yang Yang said with a calm smile.
Vermaelen's eyes widened in disbelief. "Chelsea? The Premier League? Are you serious?"
"Yeah," Yang Yang replied.
"And... what did you say?"
Yang Yang shook his head. "I told him I wasn't ready, and he agreed."
Vermaelen stared at him, bewildered. "But… that's Chelsea! Backed by Abramovich, they're becoming one of the biggest powerhouses in Europe. Don't you even want to consider it?"
Yang Yang smiled lightly. "I know, but why should I rush into something I'm not ready for? I'm still developing, and I wouldn't necessarily have a place in their squad. Just because Mourinho likes me now doesn't mean I'd get playing time. I need to be realistic."
Vermaelen fell silent, realizing what Yang Yang meant. Professional football was unforgiving, especially in the top leagues where results were everything. Clubs like Chelsea weren't known for giving young players time to develop on the pitch. Even if Mourinho admired him now, the demands of the Premier League could easily sideline a young player like Yang Yang in favor of more experienced, established stars.
It reminded Vermaelen of how Carlos Queiroz had faced criticism at Real Madrid. Known for developing young players, Queiroz had rarely given them a chance at the Bernabéu, where immediate results mattered more than nurturing future talent.
Yang Yang had always preferred to shape his own destiny. He believed that if he continued to improve and work hard, his chance to move to one of Europe's top leagues would come when he was ready. But for now, the priority was playing regularly, honing his skills, and becoming a key player at Ajax.
After all, he had just won the Champions League, but deep down, Yang Yang wasn't fully satisfied. He had come off the bench in most competitions, including the final, and had not yet secured a starting role.
His hunger to become stronger had never been greater. One day, he wanted to return to the Champions League final—not as a substitute, but as a player who truly dominated the game, a player who could decide the outcome on his own terms.
...
...
After Porto received their medals, it was Ajax's turn to ascend the podium, led by head coach Ronald Koeman and captain Rafael van der Vaart. The team, basking in the glory of their triumph, made their way toward the stage where legends of Ajax and Dutch football awaited them.
Chairman Michael van Praag, technical director Louis van Gaal, and a host of Ajax icons, including Marco van Basten, were already standing on the podium, ready to congratulate the players. One by one, the players embraced the legends, their smiles wide with pride and accomplishment.
When Yang Yang's turn came, he was greeted warmly by Van Basten, Johnny Rep, and Van Gaal. Each of them offered praise and admiration for his incredible rise this season. Johnny Rep, in particular, was visibly impressed. Over a year ago, no one—including Rep—could have imagined the staggering progress Yang Yang had made in such a short time. He had grown from an unproven talent to a crucial player who had just won the Champions League for Ajax with his decisive goal.
Van Gaal, looking slightly unwell, held Yang Yang in a tight embrace for an extended moment, his voice low and sincere as he whispered, "Thank you."
Yang Yang was momentarily puzzled. He couldn't quite understand why Van Gaal was thanking him, but the technical director offered no further explanation. Instead, Van Gaal smiled gently and said, "In the next few days, let's find some time for dinner at my place. Truus will pick you up."
Of course, Yang Yang readily agreed, nodding and saying he'd be in touch as soon as he had a free moment.
As he continued down the line, Yang Yang met with many UEFA officials, including chairman Lennart Johansson. They too praised his performance and encouraged him to keep working hard, emphasizing how rare it was to see such talent in a player so young.
European football saw its fair share of emerging stars every year, but Yang Yang had made an indelible mark at just 17 years old, scoring the decisive goal in a Champions League final. The last time a player so young had made such an impact for Ajax, it had been Patrick Kluivert.
However, Yang Yang was reminded that Kluivert's career, while glittering in its early years, had not been smooth. His moves from AC Milan to Barcelona had shown flashes of brilliance, but now, at the age of twenty-seven or twenty-eight—what should have been the peak of his career—he was clearly in decline.
It was a cautionary tale, one that Yang Yang would need to heed. The journey to the top was hard, but staying there was even harder.
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GxDesailly
GxDesailly The next chapter will be the end of volume 1 and we will go to volume 2 named From Brilliance to Legacy. What do you think about this name for Volume 2. If you don't like it, you can give me suggestions.
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