Ender's Football

Sieghard and Ender walked on a training field in the Leipzig Youth Training Center. This training field is the one where Ender played yesterday. There are plastic roofs and barbed wire fences on the side of the field.The two boys stepped on the turf casually in a very relaxed manner. Ender was holding a small football just bought from the Leipzig Red Bull's souvenir shop, imitating the movement of his feet with his hands casually, playing with it lightly.

Seeing him like this, Sieghard couldn't help laughing: "You seem to be doing well-I mean, I am very happy to meet you today, and congratulations to you, Mr. Albeck just praised you a few times sentence."

When Sieghard pushed the door and came in, Ender and his expressions were wonderful.

He didn't expect that he would meet his good friend who was supposed to be in Uwensburg in the prestigious Ahlbeck's office just by coming here.

Ander didn't expect that, after all, Sieghard is the goalkeeper of Bayern Munich and can play in the top club in Germany. No one would have thought that Sieghard would want to transfer and leave, and the club he chose was not Those U-sized strong teams in the Bundesliga—such as Stuttgart, Schalke 04, and Dortmund—are still in the Bundesliga Bundesliga. The youth training center has been completed for less than a year, and the youth team has not yet been established nationwide. The well-known Leipzig Red Bull!

A German and a Chinese belong to two completely different clubs and play different levels of competition, but they can meet twice in a year. It has to be said that it is a special kind of fate.

Two months ago, it was purely accidental that Ander met Sigerhard in Munich, and now he met him unexpectedly in Leipzig, and felt the wonder of the world.

They looked at each other, but Mr. Albeck saw something, and asked Sieghard and Ender with a smile: "Do you know each other?"

The two boys looked at each other and nodded.

Ahlbeck was even happier: "That's really great, gentlemen, I don't need to introduce you to each other. Welcome to Leipzig, I know, whether it is Bayern Munich or Uwensburg, their youth training center Both have longer time and more experience than ours, but I guarantee that there is no place where Leipzig's youth army is more eager to rise. Both Ralf and I really hope to build a strong youth team, not only To be able to win the championship in the Northern League, the most important thing is to be able to pump blood into our first team."

This was the second time Ender heard the name "Ralph" from Albeck. He didn't know who it was, but it was obvious that Sieghard must know that "Ralph".

"Of course I believe that Mr. Ralf attaches great importance to the youth training center," Sigerhard said to Ahlbeck. "The whole Germany has heard his dark horse story, and every youth team player will want to play for him."

Albeck nodded cheerfully, and accepted Sieghard's words without any humility at all.

They chatted for a while, and then the job of reception fell to another Leipzig staff member. Albeck began to talk to Loel about Sieghard's transfer, let the two boys and Stein Zell and the staff member went out together.

Ander volunteered to show Sieghard around here, but he was not very familiar with it, so he took Sieghard to the training ground where they played yesterday.

At this moment, when he heard Sieghard talk about Albeck's praise for him, Ender lowered his head and smiled a little embarrassedly, and replied politely: "Thank you, I didn't expect to see you here," he said, He raised his head and blinked at Sieghard, "Shocked, but also very happy."

He said, throwing the small football to Sighard, pointing to Stanzel who was chatting on the other side and a coach in the youth training center here: "That is also one of the coaches who watched our training match yesterday, He seems to have a good temper and encouraged a few boys yesterday."

"Did you have a training match yesterday?" Sieghard asked curiously, "How was it? How did you feel?"

"If you have to ask, I'd say the first half was okay, but the second half was terrible," Ender said.

When he said this, Sieghard became even more curious.

"Did something happen?" After he asked this, he felt that his tone was a bit too expectant, and he was afraid of some kind of injury—no one could understand what a terrible thing it was than Sieghard, So I added another sentence, "Is it because you lost? The training matches with you are all strangers, it's normal."

Ender showed a speechless expression.

"No, it's not mainly because of the loss... How should I say it? In the first half, everyone was a little cooperative, but before the second half, another young coach from Leipzig said to us, 'If someone does not perform well , then even if his team wins, it is impossible to pass the trial training', "All he wants to see is the live performance", "Ender imitated Jonathan Shuierman's tone vividly, "so... you know Yes, everyone started fighting on their own in the second half, and then..."

He didn't go on, but Sieghard had clearly figured it out.

"Oh," he replied, but there was no special reaction. His facial expression was very calm, as if he had experienced it. "I can imagine that it might be a disaster for the goalkeeper."

In such a situation, the goalkeeper has a lot of space to perform, but the most troublesome thing is that they may not be able to command the defense line, and they will be angered by their teammates before they can make a save.

"Yeah..." Ender thought about the scene after yesterday's end, "Our goalkeeper was really uncomfortable. He even dropped his glove after the game...but he didn't leave."

Of course the goalkeeper didn't make it, because Ender and Schuylman got into a fight at that time.

However, Ander didn't mention the little friction he had with the coach after the game. He could guess that Sieghard's purpose of coming here was probably a transfer, so he wouldn't bring it up now to cause some negative impact on Red Bull.

The two boys chatted for a while, until Sieghard kicked the turf on the training ground with his toe and asked casually: "So, Ender, are you sure you want to come to Leipzig from Uwensburg?" ?"

"Ah..." Ender hesitated when asked this question.

If this was three days ago, his answer to this question would have been a firm "Nein (no)", but now he has walked to the Red Bull training ground, looking around, looking at the expensive natural turf here And the constant temperature system, the well-equipped training center, the ambitious coaches... and the future opportunities and challenges that Ahlbeck said about the training he can get and everything that can make him improve...

Ender's "no" was completely out of his mouth now.

Before coming to Leipzig, he never thought of leaving Uwensburg. In this small city, coach Tierner's care and family warmth surrounded him, so that he never met him even in a foreign country. Too many unsolvable problems.He didn't want to leave, but coach Tierner - the most important coach in his football career so far - encouraged him to try.

This chubby German old man was so broad-minded that Ender was surprised. Even the Uwensburg club didn't have any special reaction when they found out about it. From top to bottom, everyone easily accepted that Ender was going to another club. Trial training, and all wish him excellent performance and success in trial training.

Of course, there are no objections at all, but that kind of objection is only aimed at the Leipzig Red Bull club itself. After all, the Red Bull Group, as a local tyrant who suddenly entered, has a lot of money, and bypassed the 50+1 rule, is currently the public enemy of fans in the second division of Germany. .

His hesitation says a lot.

Sieghard thought it was difficult for him to speak out, so he thoughtfully prepared to change the subject: "Then..."

Unexpectedly, Ender just hesitated for a while, and then when he opened his mouth to change the subject, he made a voice at the same time: "Yes."

The voices of the two collided in the air.

Eyes met, Ander nodded calmly, and said again: "Yes, I think, I am ready to come to Leipzig in 2016."

"Ah." Sieghard responded blankly.

Ender continued: "...It can be regarded as a challenge. Mr. Ahlbeck talked to me yesterday and today. He convinced me very strongly that if I continue to stay in Uwensburg, I may be able to continue one step further. Going up one step at a time, joining one youth team after another...but the landscape that Red Bull is planning is a little bit more challenging and a little bit more exciting."

As he talked, Ender thought of the boys he saw in yesterday's training match: "I met a lot of talented peers that day, and there is a talented player who is said to be specially invited by Red Bull's scouts from England—— He is really strong, and there are players from Serbia or other big German clubs... It feels like, if you are at Red Bull, you can meet more exciting opponents..."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Sighard, and seeing that Sighard had been silent, he remembered where the other party came from, and he understood for a while.

"You may think that I'm a little... er, ignorant," Ender smiled sheepishly, "You are from Munich, and you have played in Bayern's youth training since you were a child. There must be good players from all over the world there... ..."

"No, please don't say that," Sieghard interrupted him, holding up his hands a little helplessly, "Don't think so, friend, I was just thinking about my own business, definitely not thinking you are what' no 'people who know'."

He explained: "I heard you talking about the future of Leipzig. Red Bull Group is really ambitious. When Matt Schitz bought the club, everyone believed that they would be promoted to the Bundesliga very soon. I have been thinking about it recently. thinking about my future..."

Speaking of this, Sieghard smiled wryly and spread his hands: "Look, Ender, in a way, you chose this place on your own initiative, and I have to choose."

At the Oktoberfest two months ago, he had already exposed his fragility in front of Ender, and now he didn't care about exposing a little more.

"You mentioned that Munich is able to attract good players from all over the world. Maybe it is true. The talented goalkeeper from France has firmly established himself in the past year. Even Guardiola wants to put him. to Doha."

His tone was steady when he spoke, but the sadness in his eyes could not be deceived.

Ender was at a loss and didn't know how to comfort him.

Sieghard didn't continue this topic, he shook his head, and it seemed that the bad mood went away with him: "It's nothing, don't look at me like that," he recovered his smile, and turned around with Ender. He stood up, "Okay, show me the dormitory. If I really decide to live in Leipzig in the future, the dormitory will be our 'base' in this city."

***

Walking around the youth training center with Sieghard, Ander also made up his mind to join Leipzig.

On the way back to the hotel, he chatted with Stanzel, who was very supportive of his decision.

"I'm also attracted by the prospect that Mr. Ahlbeck said," Stanzel showed an embarrassed smile, "Although I am also worried that you will live alone in the city of Leipzig in the future... But Mr. Ahlbeck assured that They will provide you with very good services. There are staff to provide you with guarantees for daily life, and special personnel to manage the dormitory to ensure everyone’s safety. The restaurant will serve you 24 hours a day, and there will be tutors who will teach you homework *… They said that schools don’t need to worry about it at all, Red Bull’s club partner schools will ensure that every child can receive a very good education, and training will not be delayed...”

From the parent's point of view, Stanzel was worried about the children's trivial matters. He asked the club about these things that Ender would not notice, and he remembered them clearly.

Ender felt his intentions, and a warm current surged in his heart.

But he didn't show it on the surface, he just remembered it silently in his heart.

The two returned to the hotel and entered the lobby. Ender unexpectedly saw the boy he had met on the training ground before, the boy from Serbia.

"Vanya?" He stopped him.

Vanya was carrying his suitcase in his hand, followed by a tall woman.Hearing someone calling his name, Vanya and the lady turned around to find the source of the sound.The face of the tall lady appeared clearly in front of Ender.

She was dressed simply, and her appearance was about three points similar to Vanya's. She was a typical East Slavic beauty, very beautiful.Seeing Ander's gaze, she looked at Vania with some doubts, and after the two of them said something, she showed a look of sudden realization, smiled at Ender friendly, and waved her hand.

Ender smiled at the lady too.

Vanya also came over at this moment. He didn't look very happy. When he greeted Ender, he just explained briefly: "We are leaving, and we have to go back to Serbia today."

Ender was a little surprised. In fact, Vania's performance in the training match that day could not be said to be bad. At least Ender played half a game with him. He felt that this boy from Serbia was pretty good in all aspects, especially his tactical awareness. in place.It's just that Jeremy was too popular that day, making everyone less eye-catching under his aura.

"Uh..." He didn't know what to say to comfort Vania, after all he stayed and Vania was not favored by Red Bull.

Instead, Vanya looked at him hesitating, and smiled slightly: "It's nothing, I thought of this result before I came here. I won't give up on myself just because I lost the election... In my hometown Serbia, there are also some football clubs. Although Our league is not as strong as in Germany, but we have Red Star Belgrade, and Partizan, they have both been in the Champions League, Partizan has reached the final of the Champions League, Red Star has also won the Champions League*!"

Ander had heard of the Red Star Belgrade team, but after entering the new century, the Red Star was not a strong European team. He never thought that this team would have such a glorious history, and was shocked.

"It's the first time I know these things," he said. "Thank you for telling me the history and wish you all the best in Serbia, bro."

"Thank you, it's nice to meet you too," Vanya said, looking back at the lady with him, "That's my mother, she just heard me say you are Chinese, please let me say Say 'hello'."

This "Hello" has a very foreign accent, and Ender and Vanya laughed together after finishing speaking.

But when I hear such a long-lost Chinese sentence in a foreign country, I can still feel goodwill.

"Thank your mother for me," Ender said, and he gave Vania's mother another friendly nod of thanks in return for a friendly look.

Then, the boys said goodbye to each other, and Ender watched Vanya and his mother leave, feeling a little emotional again.

"I thought...with Vania's strength, he would also be selected by Red Bull," he told Stanzel.

Stanzel didn't notice what Ender said, and he had been thinking about it since just now: "Just now your friend just said a simple Chinese, and you were very happy... Do I have to learn some Chinese, next time?" Tell your mother about it on Valentine's Day, she will be very happy..."