January 1, 2017.
While Manchester City was battling Southampton in the Premier League.
A tall black goalkeeper walked briskly into the club's office, head held high, and signed his na earnestly on the contract docunts—Andre Onana.
This goalkeeper, originating from the Netherlands and Ajax, formally joined Manchester City on the first day of the New Year, also the comncing day of the winter transfer window, for a fee of 25 million euros.
Caras pointed at him, the spotlights made his dark face appear pale, and the reporters' questions ca at him like machine-gun fire.
"Onana! You co from La Masia; is this why Guardiola chose you?"
"It's said that you are extrely skilled with the ball at your feet. Do you have confidence in replacing Bravo as the main goalkeeper?"
"This season, you have already appeared in the UEFA Europa League for Ajax. Do you regret only being able to play in the league for Manchester City?"
"Which Manchester City player is your favorite? Can you tell us?"
Having played in the Netherlands for a few years, Onana speaks excellent English, and with his naturally outgoing nature, he shows ease during the interview, speaking at length without any sign of nervousness, displaying a deanor worthy of a great player.
"However, as you said, I co from La Masia, I am skilled at passing and control, and from a young age, my coach taught to be a modern goalkeeper. My idol is Valdes, and I hope to achieve similar success at Manchester City."
Valdes won the treble at Barça, and clearly, Onana is filled with confidence about his future, which made the journalists present view him with a new respect.
"Of course, the essence of a goalkeeper is to guard the net. I have a long arm span; it's not easy for Premier League strikers to score against ." Onana smiled faintly.
"Favorite player? Of course, it's Tang, he's a phenonal player. I haven't had the chance to engage with him yet."
Onana paused, reflecting as he said, "During my ti at Ajax, I often connected accurately with the forward line through long passes from the backfield. I have confidence in replicating this chemistry with Tang as well."
A reporter said quietly to his colleague, "This guy seems stronger than Bravo, much bigger build."
Another reporter said, "Indeed, look at his calm deanor, nothing like a 21-year-old young player's aura."
Soone else remarked, "He talks a big ga, already planning to link up with Tang before even playing a match. Can he keep up with Tang's way of thinking?"
...
...
[Official Announcent: Icardi Returns to Inter Milan!]
"23-year-old Argentine player Mauro Icardi joins Inter Milan from Manchester United on loan."
"He spent two unforgettable years with the Blue-Black Corps and beca the youngest Golden Boot winner in Serie A's century-long history during the 2014-2015 season, leading the team to win the UEFA Europa League and Coppa Italia championships."
"During the six-month loan, Mauro will strive with our team toward higher goals."
"Welco ho, Mauro!"
After struggling for quite a while, Icardi heeded Chiwo's advice and chose to return to Inter Milan on loan.
He didn't go to Ro—Manchester United wanted him to go to Ro because Ro volunteered to cover 20% of his wages. For Inter, he ca entirely free for half a year at no cost, delighting Sporting Director Ossilio, who bragged at an internal managent eting.
"Mauro is playing for Inter Milan while getting paid by Manchester United. What's it called when you get sothing for nothing? This is the perfect example!"
Current Inter coach Pioli bead with delighted praise, "Ossilio, you truly are the best sporting director in all of Italy. Give you one million euros, and you'd even be able to bring ssi on loan."
Ossilio straightened his tie and confidently declared, "Old Pi, just watch, the good show is yet to co. When Mauro's loan expires, I'll latch onto him and won't let him leave. Hey, I won't let him leave; I'll let Mauro himself tell Manchester United he's not going. By then, we'll buy back Mauro for 20 million euros, how about that?"
"Great, that would be excellent!" Pioli almost jumped with joy.
His last job was coaching at Lazio and he suffered quite a bit at the hands of Icardi; you could say he has a love-hate relationship with him.
What he hates is how Icardi always manages to score against Lazio, but he loves him for being the type of player who can score by lurking in the penalty box.
"Ossilio, if you can bring Tang back to Inter next season, I'll pay out of pocket to erect a statue for you in front of azza!"
Pioli's words brought laughter to everyone at the table.
Ossilio laughed so hard his tie went askew as he slumped back in his chair.
"Alright, if you can turn this season around and win a Serie A championship, I'll agree to bring Tang over next season."
Whoosh—
Bang!
The flight carrying Icardi slowly touched down at Milan Malpensa Airport.
As the cabin door slowly opened, a gust of diterranean air flooded in, the dazzling sunlight poured into the cabin unrestrained, so brilliant it was nearly blinding.
Icardi strapped a backpack on his back, descending step by step down the airstair.
This sunshine bathed him warmly, such a stark contrast to England's perpetually gray, sullen skies eternally shrouded under a leaden cloud.
However, Icardi's mood was nothing akin to the pleasantry of the sunshine.
He lowered his head, trudging heavily along the walkway connecting to the airport terminal.
A flight attendant with a professionally sweet smile gently said, "Sir, wish you a pleasant journey, welco to Milan."
But imrsed in his worries, Icardi rely nodded chanically, unmoved by the flight attendant's warm farewell. His mind felt like a tangled ss, thoughts rushing in, stirring him into a fretful turmoil.
This return, he bore imnse pressure.
He couldn't help but wonder to himself: Would the fans still hold a grudge against for that inexplicable strike two years ago?
All those familiar teammates have now scattered far and wide; who's the voice of authority in the locker room now?
Will the teammates accept , a player returning on loan?
I'm truly not willing, still yearning to return to the Premier League;
But if I fail to perform well at Inter in these six months, where will I drift to next season?
Above all these concerns, what vexed Icardi the most was the issue of finding a partner on the field.
He sighed helplessly in his heart, "With Tang gone, who in Inter's midfield will be able to deliver threatening passes to ?"
Just then, a deafening cheer surged like a tidal wave, snapping Icardi back from his tangled and troubled thoughts.
"Mauro!"
"Mauro!"
"Welco ho, Mauro!"
Voices rose and fell, wave upon wave, from over a thousand Inter fans welcoming him.
Inter's performance at the start of the season was disastrous, only showing signs of recovery after Pioli took charge midway, managing their first two consecutive season wins, yet still standing 7th on the leaderboard, six points shy of a Champions League spot.
While fans hadn't forgotten the bewildering strike by Icardi two years ago, what loom larger in their minds are the unforgettable mories of his heroic performances that season.
He scored an astonishing 40 league goals, not only breaking the Serie A single-season scoring record set by Higuain but also becoming the youngest Golden Boot winner in Serie A's history!
In the eyes of the fans, Icardi is a player who can redefine the ga's outco just by standing on the pitch.
As long as he's there, there's a constant stream of goals;
As long as there are goals, there's hope for Inter to be saved!
This fervent cheer allowed Icardi to breathe a sigh of relief, thinking to himself, "The fans still love , ah, I was so young back then. Wanda, that bitch, marred my career. I must divorce her and find my form again!"
For fan requests for photos and autographs, Icardi obliged fully;
The exit was clogged with over a thousand fans, prompting the security guards maintaining order to urge Icardi to hurry up.
"Mauro, for you!"
Amid the chaos, a poster was shoved into Icardi's hand.
Looking at the poster, Icardi's eyes turned red, as haunting mories rushed back like a tidal wave.
He recognized at a glance that it was taken in the 2014-2015 season, Inter's away ga against Juventus, the scene where Tang Long assisted him in scoring the decisive goal, and they embraced joyfully.
Icardi tightly clasped the small poster in his hand as if holding onto his most glorious ti.
Quickly walking out of the airport.
Gazing at the glaring, blazing sun above, his chest noticeably heaved, and then, with all his might, he leapt up, punching the air robustly, shouting:
"Milan, I, Mauro Icardi, am back!"
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