The God of Football Starts With Passive Skills

’Damn it!’

’How did this backfire on me?’

"I’ve been paying attention. Our coach said that after studying the match between Barça and Real Madrid, they found a way to stop you from scoring."

"Impossible!" Ronaldo replied.

"What is it?" Messi pressed.

Wang Shuo sent a smiley face emoji. "You have to make the ball move faster than Ronaldo, so he can’t catch it!"

Messi and Ronaldo both replied with laughing emojis.

’Success! Fire extinguished.’

Wang Shuo wanted to give himself a big thumbs-up.

"Wang, maybe we can try that method you mentioned," Messi said.

"Wait, Leo, you mean we’ll meet in the finals?" Ronaldo sent a deceptively innocent smiley face.

"That’s right, that’s right." Messi nodded agreeably.

’Bullshit!’

Wang Shuo cursed inwardly.

’Just as I thought. None of these La Liga guys are any good. They’re all in it together!’

’One minute they’re at each other’s throats, and the next they’re thick as thieves.’

’Shameless bastards!’

"Cristiano, don’t you worry. I’ll definitely be scoring some goals against Real Madrid this season!"

After saying that, Wang Shuo deliberately typed out a number: 50!

’The meaning was obvious. It was a total slap in the face.’

’I’ve already scored 50 goals. And you two?’

’Where are you guys at?’

’The gap is too big, fellas. I can’t even see you back there!’

"I don’t care about league goals right now. I’m more focused on the Champions League. I’m saving my goals for that."

"Me too," Messi chimed in.

"By the way, Wang, what’s the weather like in Germany for the second leg? Any good places you can recommend for a celebration after the match?"

Messi was silent, probably holding back a laugh.

"The weather in Germany hasn’t been great lately. It’s been overcast and rainy. Westfalen Stadium is pretty slick, easy to slip on. You guys should be careful. Especially you, Cristiano. I see you got a new haircut today."

"Yeah, that haircut is really ugly," Messi decisively twisted the knife.

"Is it that ugly? You should see what it looks like after I score a header, Leo."

Right. Ronaldo’s goal in extra time during the King’s Cup final was a header.

"Don’t you two go saying you don’t care about league goals. Remember our agreement: whoever loses has to do one thing the others ask."

"Of course. I always keep my word. What do you want me to do?"

"Same here."

Wang Shuo sent a smiley face. "How about you lose the Champions League semifinals?"

Ronaldo didn’t answer directly. Instead, he shot back, "Are you scared?"

"Let me ask you guys a question," Messi suddenly interjected. "Before a big match, do you ever get nervous or scared?"

"No way," Ronaldo blurted out, denying it instantly.

Wang Shuo, however, nodded. "Definitely. I always feel a little anxious and nervous, but a few deep breaths usually clears it up. It helps me keep a cool head. It’s a method I always use."

"Does it work?" Ronaldo asked, suddenly concerned.

"Works great for me," Wang Shuo replied.

"For real? I’ll have to try that sometime."

’I really wanted to say, ’It works because I have a cheat.’’

’The bonus effect from my [Breathing] Passive Skill is that taking deep breaths keeps my mind calm and clear.’

’So for me, it’s incredibly effective.’

’But you guys wouldn’t know that.’

"Wang, is Shahin’s injury really that bad?" Ronaldo asked.

"He’s out for the rest of the season. He’ll probably need the whole summer to recover. Does Real Madrid really want to buy him?"

This wasn’t a secret; Dortmund had announced it publicly a while ago.

"I honestly don’t know. Real Madrid’s transfers have nothing to do with the coaching staff, and the management doesn’t disclose that kind of information."

"Injuries are terrifying! I hope none of us get hurt, and we can all play beautiful matches," Messi prayed.

"Leo, are you taking a shot at me?" Ronaldo asked.

"Not at all. You just have a guilty conscience, so you’re paranoid."

"Whatever. I don’t care about playing ’beautifully,’ I just want to win! First, we’ll crush Dortmund, then we’ll make it to the finals and take down Barça!"

"The 2011 FIFA Golden Ball Award is as good as mine!"

Ronaldo’s message was as cocky as ever.

Messi, on the other hand, delivered a sharp jab. "Is the King’s Cup title really that prestigious these days?"

"I guess so. Sweet dreams are always a little far-fetched," Wang Shuo added, playing along.

’So ridiculous!’

’Do they really think I’m a nobody?!’

"Heh, say whatever you want. The one lifting the championship trophy at Wembley Stadium in the end will be me!" Ronaldo said.

Wang Shuo shot back, "How nice! Being lost in your own narcissistic fantasies must be its own kind of bliss!"

"Agreed!"

"I’m done talking to you guys. I was holding back during that final, still have energy to burn. I’m going to go do some extra training!" Ronaldo added, along with a ’work hard’ emoji.

"Extra training +1!" Wang Shuo typed, ready to end the conversation.

Messi, however, just replied, "I’m going to bed."

...

After exiting the ’Big Three’s Private Tea Party,’ Wang Shuo looked at his iPhone screen and shook his head, amused.

Probably no one knew what Messi and Ronaldo were really like in private.

At the end of the day, they were all just young men in their twenties.

They weren’t nearly as mature as people thought.

Sometimes, Wang Shuo even felt that he might be the most mature one of the three.

But despite their lively chat, in reality, none of them were willing to back down. They were all secretly competing with each other.

Especially with what was coming up next.

Dortmund was set to face Real Madrid.

Wang Shuo had a strong suspicion that when Ronaldo said he was going back for extra training, he wasn’t just bluffing; he was serious.

That guy really leaned into his African heritage. He was an absolute training maniac, taking the grind to a ridiculous level!