During this time, the fans basically didn't speak, watching the opposing French fans turn into a festive mood as if celebrating New Year.
The result came too suddenly, leaving everyone somewhat disappointed.
Cao Baiming helplessly sat back down, returning to his original spot, where he had been staying since being substituted!
Emotions surged within him, and his fists clenched unconsciously.
To outsiders, this match was lost due to a last-minute injury-time winner in a chaotic scramble, perhaps with a touch of luck. However, discerning eyes knew that the gap in strength was an insurmountable chasm!
Among these dozen or so players from the Tang Nation team, how many truly loved football and had come this far solely on merit, was perhaps something many knew in their hearts.
He had initially thought that his own abilities alone could carry Tang Nation to glory, and after winning this World Cup, everything would naturally improve. But now, it seemed like wishful thinking.
Playing the full 120 minutes with a beer belly was indeed tough on them. The commentator's passionate speech earlier had not moved Cao Baiming; instead, it had angered him.
It was now clear that if this group wasn't disciplined, winning the World Cup would be too difficult!
Let alone the World Cup, even in other competitions and various sparring matches, they would be a disgrace. These fellows simply could not represent the true level of the Tang Nation team.
Cao Baiming secretly made a decision; he would personally take over the Tang Nation football team!
He would decide who stayed and who left among the people inside. As for the current higher-ups, they should get lost sooner rather than later.
The plan would be executed immediately; within a week, he would have the Tang Nation national team in his hands!
At this moment, outside, the celebrations were still ongoing. Everyone from the Tang Nation team gathered together, while Cao Baiming found a dark, inconspicuous corner to sit alone.
There were about ten more minutes until the final awards ceremony.
The organizers were now clearing the field to prepare for the ceremony.
If they had won the championship this time, he imagined hearing such words would inevitably spark curiosity and anticipation. What kind of unforgettable atmosphere were they aiming to create with such meticulous preparations!
But now, he was in no mood for it.
Cao Baiming said nothing, following everyone back to the locker room.
They were all exhausted, so tired that they didn't even have the strength to cry. They had indeed worked hard.
Head coach Li Gang tried his best to comfort the players, while the assistant coaches and other team executives comforted Li Gang. As for themselves, they could only adjust on their own.
Not a single person felt good. Even those whose hearts weren't fully in the football team, who were only here to make money, could not simply brush aside the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup trophy.
Sitting in his usual corner, Cao Baiming suddenly seemed to hear something.
It was the system's voice.
"Ding..."
He hadn't heard this sound in a long time. It felt so warm and exciting.
As soon as the ding sounded, a wave of inexplicable joy washed over him.
He supposed the World Cup had concluded, and the system would now settle things. Reflecting on the entire tournament, it had felt quite fulfilling!
"The World Cup knockout stage has successfully concluded, and data statistics are being compiled for the host."
"The statistics will take some time, please wait patiently. Upon completion, a mysterious gift package will be awarded based on the results."
...
...
Before he could receive a response from the system, he was reminded by a teammate.
"Time to go, the ceremony is about to begin."
"The ceremony?"
For some reason, these ten minutes felt like they passed by incredibly quickly.
He didn't know how long the system calculation would take, so he couldn't worry about it for now. The runner-up of the World Cup was about to attend the award ceremony!
After the Samba squad departed, Ronaldo, the only remaining contender for the Golden Boot with Cao Baiming, had also left. Now, the suspense was completely gone. With 34 goals, Cao Baiming would undoubtedly win the Golden Boot award of this World Cup.
As for the Golden Ball, it would likely go to Zidane, whose performance was beyond doubt.
He walked out of the room and towards the field. Music was already playing outside.
The more than 100,000 fans in attendance had almost all stayed, everyone choosing to witness the ceremony, this historic moment.
Zidane, the captain of the French team, wore a smile so happy, so enviable.
Soon, the host team began to take the stage.
It was the Tang Nation team's turn to receive their runner-up awards...
Then came the awards for the Golden Ball, Golden Boot, and Golden Glove...
Group photos, applause, envy...
Before he knew it, they had reached the final stage. The winning side was about to ascend to receive the weighty World Cup trophy!
Cao Baiming stared blankly ahead, his emotions now calm.
The system still hadn't responded. Was it still calculating? Had its processing power declined?
Just then, suddenly, a white flash!
Cao Baiming's eyes lit up. This feeling was familiar!
He had experienced it twice before!
But at that moment, everything outside disappeared! He was now standing in the middle of a... street.
There was a cloud in the sky, and he could faintly see a huge rainbow around it. The air still carried a damp scent.
A small shop nearby was dripping with rainwater, its sign reading "XX Cigarettes and Alcohol." It seemed to be in Tang Nation.
"How did I get here?"
Cao Baiming felt bewildered. He took two steps forward and then realized that the people around him seemed completely unable to recognize him. The passersby were so indifferent.
A tabloid magazine cover seemed to feature football-related news... Messi successfully summoned a god and returned to his peak...
"What?"
Suddenly, an old man next to him let out a curse, startling him. Following his gaze, the old man seemed...
At that moment, white began to gradually cover his vision. As expected, a few seconds later, Cao Baiming was once again back on the final's field.
Then, as he opened his eyes again, the award ceremony was already complete!
Cao Baiming muttered a curse under his breath in resignation.
It's happened again!
Zidane held the golden World Cup trophy high, leaping joyfully on the podium with his teammates.
So many people in Tang Nation were crying at this moment, imagining what it would be like if the Tang Nation team stood there, with Cao Baiming lifting the World Cup instead of Zidane!
Soon, the ceremony concluded.
"Let us shout out loud! The French team, are the champions!"
"The Tang Nation team, they are even more deserving of respect, because we conquered ourselves and became the runners-up!!"
The entire stadium erupted in celebration. Although they couldn't quickly emerge from their sadness, the fans were still happy to have personally experienced and witnessed this moment.