Chapter 260: Chapter 260
Chiwo was the first mentor to Tang Long as he embarked on his career.
Not only did this former Inter Milan treble winner greatly enhance his physical fitness, but at the AI Cloud Training Ground, he raised his data threshold from 70 to 80!
Then the second mentor, Ronaldo, appeared.
After receiving a contract from Ronaldo, Tang Long’s data threshold improved by 12%, soaring from 80 directly to 90, marking a qualitative leap in his potential!
When he might unlock 90 and move further up, Tang Long still doesn’t know.
But at this stage, only the short pass has reached the peak value of 90, while other areas like shooting accuracy, shooting power, dribbling, speed, and defense still have significant room for improvement.
Position: Attacking midfielder, shadow striker, defensive midfielder.
Shooting Accuracy: 81
Short Pass: 90 (Threshold)
Field Rating: Serie A starter level!
(Note: The author hasn’t played FIFA. In FIFA, 90 is superstar level. The author used to play PES years ago, and the ratings are roughly based on PES standards.)
Moreover, Tang Long has mastered some special skills that are unique. These skills don’t reflect in data but can manifest on the field.
The main ones are three.
De Bruyne’s curved ball ground strike straight pass.
Pirlo’s enticing pass.
Maradona’s soft ball feeling (54% match)
Having many skills never burdens. With the support of these unique skills, Tang Long has more options in facing complex situations on the field. He plays with poise, elegance, and has a master style on the Serie A stage.
Besides that, Tang Long harbors a hidden expectation, which is about Eto’o.
"I think you are more suited than Icardi to wear the number 9, because you are the true initiator in attack."
"I think if possible, you could try moving forward to play a 9 and a half position, directly facing the goal. Your threat would be greater, and you could score more goals."
This was said by Eto’o, after Inter revenged Samp in Serie A’s 26th round, when exchanging jerseys with Tang Long.
In fact, exchanging jerseys with Eto’o after the match was something Tang Long had long wanted to achieve!
In Tang Long’s Green Engine AI system, there is a side reward.
That is, as long as he wins the favor of a former Inter Milan treble-winning player, he can develop a special hidden reward.
But so far, a season has passed, and the hidden reward brought by the "African Cheetah" is still unseen.
What the reward is, what ability enhancement it might bring, when it will arrive?
These questions Tang Long doesn’t know, perhaps the timing is just not right.
In the bustling and noisy city of Milan, adjacent to the historic Meazza stadium, every inch of land shines with golden light.
Just 500 meters away from the stadium stands a luxurious apartment.
The top-floor terrace is like a paradise away from the world, covered with meticulously crafted greenery, with occasional colorful birds flitting through, joyfully flapping their wings, adding some vitality to the spacious area.
However, on this terrace that should be relaxing to the soul, Icardi seemed particularly absent-minded.
The status of this apartment is evident, solely from the 5,000 euros monthly maintenance fee.
But at this moment, the birdsong and fragrance around him seemed to be irrelevant background noise.
He suddenly got up from the recliner, grabbed the LV bag he carefully chose for his wife Wanda, angrily tore down the strap, turning it into a weapon to vent his frustration.
As he jumped back and forth on the terrace, he fervently swung the strap at the innocent birds atop the trees, shouting:
"Quiet down and get away from me! Besides chirping, what else can you do!"
The frightened birds hurriedly flapped their wings and flew away.
And at the moment Icardi turned, a shapeless white bird droppings fell squarely on his head.
He touched his head in astonishment, then sniffed his fingers stained with mess.
A sudden indescribable smell hit his senses, as if nature was mocking him.
This time, Icardi didn’t fly into a rage as usual.
Instead, he stood there dejectedly as if all the energy had been drained from him, muttering to himself, "Why am I so unlucky..."
Icardi was indeed unlucky!
Due to recklessly falling out with Inter.
Not only did he lose hope of contending for the European Golden Boot.
He was also absent from the Italian Cup and UEFA Europa League finals.
Seeing her husband’s sorry state, Wanda was somewhat puzzled.
"Darling, what’s wrong with you, you were fine just now, who upset you again?"
"No one upset me, I’m just angry at myself. We won the Italian Cup, we also won the UEFA Europa League, but not only did I not get to play, I didn’t even get the chance to celebrate with the team. I’m such a failure..."
Icardi slumped onto the lounge chair, sprawled out and exhausted.
Listening to her husband’s words, Wanda was even more puzzled.
"Is that all? According to the competition rules, even if you didn’t play, these two titles Inter won this season can still count on your record. Besides, without your 40 league goals, could Inter have made it to the top three? It’s because of you that Inter came this far. You’re the best, dear Mauro," Wanda laughed.
Wanda wasn’t wrong either.
But since she doesn’t play football, she can’t understand that, for many players, football is not just a job to make money, it’s also a stage where dreams and passion clash.
For 22-year-old Icardi, not being able to personally lift those two championship trophies significantly diminished their meaning to him.
"How are the negotiations with Juventus going, can it work out, give me a definite answer!" Icardi said.
Wanda, taking a selfie with the sunset in the background, took a moment to respond, "Juventus says they can’t afford the 7 million euro post-tax salary I asked for. How about we go to Paris?"
He barely watched Ligue 1 and wasn’t familiar with French Football at all. Hearing his wife mention going to Paris gave him a start.
"What are we going to Paris for, to shop?" Icardi asked urgently.
"Paris Saint-Germain, they’re very interested in you, 7 million is no problem, and they can also offer me a 10 million commission."
"What about the transfer fee, Inter won’t sell me cheap, they definitely want to make a big profit."
"Don’t worry Mauro, they’re all oil tycoons, they can bring over a truckload of checks anytime. As long as we nod, Inter won’t make things difficult for you. When they banned you from the team, they were already set on selling you this summer."
Icardi jumped off the lounge chair and paced back and forth on the broad terrace.
The setting sun shone on the bird droppings residue on his head, turning it a pretty golden color.
"I’m only 22, I definitely can’t go to Ligue 1!"
"Going to Ligue 1 at my age would be a step back in my career, even if Juventus doesn’t work out, I won’t go to Ligue 1!"
Faced with Icardi’s sudden firmness, Wanda was taken aback, unable to speak for a moment.
This kid, hasn’t he always listened to me? How come he’s grown a spine now?
"Then just stay at Inter and sit on the bench," Wanda’s face darkened, "if you don’t go to Ligue 1, who else can meet my 7 million euro wage demand, unless you want me to continue living a strained life with you?"
"What about La Liga? Barça and Real Madrid offer high salaries, and the platform is big. Messi is at Barça, Di Maria is in La Liga, I have quite a few compatriots there."
Hearing these two clubs, Wanda sneered.
"Mauro, you’re really like a toad lusting after swan meat. Messi, Suarez, Neymar, C Luo, Benzema, Bell, who could you possibly replace? These two teams haven’t contacted me, they don’t want you."
Since becoming her husband’s agent, Wanda had done her homework.
Across all five major leagues, she had researched the lineup of clubs that could offer high salaries.
In her view, Paris Saint-Germain was the best choice for her husband right now, making it easy to collect more gold coins.
Wanda doesn’t play football; what does Icardi’s career matter to her?
In this woman’s eyes, football is just a job to make money, much like her previous modeling work.
"Then, then let’s go to the Premier League!"
"If you force me to go to Ligue 1, I’ll, I’ll..."
Wanda looked up to see Icardi’s face flushed, steaming with anger.
"I’ll divorce you!" Icardi said through gritted teeth.
Hearing Icardi threaten divorce, Wanda’s heart jolted.
This kid has always been obedient to me, how come he’s suddenly got a backbone today?
Wanda thought: "This fool’s only been playing for a few years and hasn’t made much money. I’m with him because I see him as a potential asset. If he kicks me to the curb now, even if I get half his assets, it’s less than two million euros; that’s not enough for me for the rest of my life. No, I should coax him."
"Oh, darling, I’m just talking casually, don’t rush. The Premier League it is, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, they’re all fighting over you, take your pick."
Wanda unbuttoned two buttons on her red shirt collar.
She swayed her hips, walked up to Icardi, cheerfully tied her flowing blonde hair with a hairband, then unfastened Icardi’s belt and crouched down.
Wanda was eloquent, and her silver tongue could surely convince Icardi...