Chapter 182 Basti-Style Goal

The instant Chen Yingxiong lifted his foot to shoot, he was only a little more than a meter away from the baseline. Even Bayern Munich’s players had given up pressing him. They planned to defend the inner areas and the backline, not letting Chen Yingxiong stop the ball and then break through.

Who would have thought that Chen Yingxiong would actually just swing his foot and volley right there, without even stopping the ball? He chose the most difficult way to shoot.

But the football he kicked out wasn't that kind of thunderous, powerful shot, relying on speed to defeat Bremer. Harris, who stood in front of him.

The football drew an arc in the air, like a rainbow hanging in the sky, and finally fell into the goal.

"This is... a Van Basten-style goal!"

"Beautiful beyond compare! With just one touch, he defeated Bayern Munich!"

"Hero! Hero! Hero—!!! Hero!!!!"

"A brilliant goal! An unimaginable way! Hero has proven his ability with such a goal!"

"Who can imagine that this is a ball kicked by an old fellow who is about to turn forty-one? God! Is he still human? A forty-year-old man can still offer us such a classic goal! And in this state, can he really retire just like that? If you ask me, even if he plays for a few more years, his state won't decline too much!"

When Chen Yingxiong very gracefully swung his leg to hit the ball while running, and then the football drew an arc, bypassing Bayern Munich goalkeeper Harris, Liverpool commentator Harry. Levy’s vision had long since blurred.

His voice choked with emotion: "Can you believe that the person who scored this goal is already forty years old? Can you believe that such a great player is going to retire at the end of this season? I really want to say to you: 'Please stay, Hero.' But I can't, because you have repeatedly postponed your retirement date for us. You have dedicated your best years to Liverpool. I really don't have the right to force you to stay on this field any longer..."

When commentating on Chen Yingxiong's games before, Harry. Levy never mentioned Chen Yingxiong's retirement, as if it had never happened. It wasn't that he was forgetful and had forgotten about it, but because he thought the same as other Liverpool fans—not mentioning it was as if Chen Yingxiong wouldn't retire.

But now that wouldn't work. The end of the season was getting closer and closer. Harry. Levy's suppressed emotions finally erupted.

He could no longer ignore this problem, otherwise he would miss the best opportunity to say goodbye to him.

Did he really have to close his eyes and pretend he couldn't see it, as if it didn't exist, and then open his eyes and find that the person had already left, leaving him alone to regret not being able to see him off on his final journey?

Harry. Levy’s words spoke to the hearts of many Liverpool fans.

Why is it that as the days of Chen Yingxiong's retirement drew closer, you rarely heard Liverpool fans shouting "Hero, don't go," and you didn't see any relevant slogans at Stanley Park Stadium?

Some media had previously criticized Liverpool fans for being too unfeeling, or ridiculed that Chen Yingxiong's status among Liverpool fans didn't seem as high as he thought.

In fact, it’s not that Liverpool fans are unfeeling, nor is it that Chen Yingxiong is not loved and respected by them.

It’s just that they really don’t have the right to ask Chen Yingxiong to stay.

Of course, they hope Chen Yingxiong can stay, but this cannot be something they demand; it must be Chen Yingxiong's own willingness.

Chen Yingxiong has postponed his retirement date several times in order to enable Liverpool to surpass Manchester United in the number of Premier League titles won. Everyone watched him go from thirty-four to thirty-six, from thirty-six to thirty-seven, and after thirty-seven he was still persisting. Then came thirty-eight, thirty-nine, forty, and now he is about to turn forty-one…

Chen Yingxiong was not a "loyal subject" cultivated by Liverpool, but he was more loyal than those of their own.

He has done so much for Liverpool, and given up so much. What is he after?

He has earned enough money. He has also won so many championships that he’s tired of them.

He also said in an interview that football is no longer attractive to him. What keeps him going is completely because he wants to complete the ultimate goal of leading Liverpool to surpass Manchester United.

Just for this promise, he works hard at Melwood day after day, insists on playing games, and gives up the choice of spending leisurely time with his family.

He has done so much for Liverpool. What qualifications, what face do we Liverpool fans have to ask him to stay for a few more years?

Wouldn’t we be too selfish?

Hero’s love for Liverpool is definitely not a tool we can use to satisfy our selfish desires.

It is precisely because of this idea that few Liverpool fans publicly express their hope that Chen Yingxiong will stay.

This approach may seem very ruthless to outsiders who don’t understand—the person is about to retire, and has worked like a dog for your Liverpool for so many years, but you are not even willing to say a word of retention?

But in fact, people who understand will not have such thoughts. For example, Chen Yingxiong has never complained that Liverpool fans are too unfeeling to him. Because he understands the Liverpool fans. They have been together for eighteen years. Even people who are not familiar with each other will know each other very well through these eighteen years.

Even husband and wife may not be able to spend eighteen years together day and night...

Chen Yingxiong and Liverpool fans have a tacit understanding that goes beyond that of a couple.

It is precisely because everyone's thoughts are the same as Harry. Levy that they especially resonate with Harry. Levy’s words. When they heard Harry. Levy’s words, they were all in tears.

Yes, they have enjoyed everything that Hero has dedicated for a full eighteen seasons, so how can they use his love for Liverpool and for them to ask him to stay again?

Depriving a person of their freedom is the most serious sin.

They can't do it.

So they can only try to hide their inner reluctance and nostalgia, and wave goodbye to Chen Yingxiong.

Looking at Chen Yingxiong spreading his arms after scoring a goal, cheering and celebrating as always, as if he didn't know he was about to retire, every Liverpool fan felt even worse.

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Perhaps Chen Yingxiong's teammates have the same thoughts as the Liverpool fans.

After Chen Yingxiong scored the goal, the other Liverpool players rushed up to celebrate with him in a hug.

Everyone held Chen Yingxiong tightly, as if they were afraid that he would disappear if they weren't careful.

At the Allianz Arena, they celebrated as if they were at home.

The feeling of watching one less game spread among Liverpool fans, and the feeling of playing one less game also permeated Liverpool players.

※※※

After Chen Yingxiong scored this goal, Bayern Munich coach Juergen Klopp stood in front of the coaching bench, expressionless and without any reaction.

Even though he knew that his arrangements had failed.

But at this time, he suddenly didn't want to be as furious as before, or complain endlessly.

In front of such a beautiful goal, saying or doing anything is useless.

His Bayern Munich may eventually lose to Liverpool, but at this moment, he had to admire Chen Yingxiong's wonderful performance in his heart.

An old player, forty years old and still working so hard for his team's cause. Just imagine how many people can do this?

No matter how many people he has offended and how many people hate him to the bone.

At least at this time, there should be no such resentment.

Looking at Chen Yingxiong, who was surrounded by Liverpool players in the center, Klopp was very envious. If only our Bayern Munich had such a person... He dedicated his best career to the team, he can unite the whole team, he makes the fans worship him, and most importantly, he can bring endless championships to the team!

Those Bayern Munich fans also had the same idea as him.

Chen Yingxiong’s goal was so wonderful, and his age was so great that the difficulty of him scoring this goal seemed even higher.

People are always willing to send blessings to those who are about to retire. Unless they are really mortal enemies who will never die, like Manchester City and Manchester United fans.

Bayern Munich and Liverpool are not considered mortal enemies, just opponents in the general sense. They are enemies on the court, and they have nothing to do with each other after the game is over.

So when they saw Chen Yingxiong score such a beautiful goal, even the Bayern Munich fans couldn't help but jump up.

They were dumbfounded and couldn't believe their eyes.

Is this a goal that a forty-year-old can score?

The running position, awareness, and movements have all reached their peak!

Such a goal made the fans who love football couldn't help but applaud Chen Yingxiong after reacting.

Of course, this does not mean that Bayern Munich fans will like Chen Yingxiong. It is just a necessary respect for a great player.

For a time, what rang out in the Allianz Arena was not the boos of the home team fans, but thunderous applause!

Harry. Levy looked around and became even more excited.

"Listen, listen! This is applause! It's not from the three thousand or so Liverpool fans who came to the away game with the team! This is applause from tens of thousands of Bayern Munich fans! They have also been conquered by Hero! This is Hero’s unique personal charm! What is more honorable than winning the support and applause of the opposing fans in their home stadium? Hero has done it! He has conquered the Allianz Arena!"

Amidst the applause of the home team fans, Chen Yingxiong and his teammates cheered and celebrated.

The Bayern Munich players felt very ashamed.

Their fans turned against them on the spot. Even if it was just to pay their respects to Chen Yingxiong, it still felt like a slap in the face.

Because they felt like they had become supporting characters. In the center of the huge stage, only Chen Yingxiong was the protagonist.

But according to their original plan, the protagonist should have been Bayern Munich!