The Godfather of Football

Many fans who care about Brazilian football have raised such doubts, why are there so many Brazilian players who are doing well in Europe, but are not liked by fans in Brazil?

Just like Rivaldo, when he was at the peak of his career in Europe, Brazilian fans did not like him at all.

There are also players like Kaka, whose style is also unpopular in Brazil.

On the contrary, Denilson, this cycling prodigy, performed very poorly in Europe, but was very popular in Brazil, and he was given countless praises. Some people even regarded him as a representative of the Samba football renaissance.

Perhaps, the practical and simple style advocated in the European league will be called clumsy in Brazil, because they advocate the use of their own delicate skills to control the ball like magic under their feet, shuttle through the court, pass the opponent's multiple players in a row, dribble past the goalkeeper, and knock the ball in with their heels.

This is called art!

Every country and every region has its own style and hobbies, which is understandable.

However, there will definitely be a group of people who will be hit hard by this.

For example, Juninho complained to reporters about this at the Club World Championship in early 2000, half a year ago.

Or this 18-year-old boy standing next to the Heriberto Stadium in the small mountain town of Criciuma in southern Brazil, silently watching the staff cleaning the stadium.

Heriberto Stadium is the only football stadium in Criciuma, because there is only one football club here, also called Criciuma, which was relegated from the Brazilian League B to the League C at the end of last year.

This is a professional club that can only be regarded as insignificant in Brazilian football, but it is registered with the Football Association.

A fierce game has just ended, and there are still many debris left by the fans after the enthusiastic carnival. The bad grass on the field is gradually restored to flatness under the staff's tidying and trampling.

It just looks flat!

Maicon thought of this and smiled bitterly, because it was precisely this piece of grass that was not flat at all that became his most realistic desire. He hoped that he could show his strength here and let everyone see him.

In his heart, there was always a wish, he wanted to become a professional player!

His father was a football coach and now worked in Criciuma. When he was 13 years old, he sent him to the Gremio youth team to play football, but a few months later, the other party rejected Maicon, who was playing in the midfield at the time, on the grounds that his movements were too clumsy and his physical fitness was not good.

In the eyes of all Brazilians, people with clumsy movements are difficult to become stars. They like the type of Ronaldinho. For players with more practical skills, they give them clumsy evaluations, at least in terms of ball control.

In the end, he had to return to his hometown of Criciuma in disgrace and stayed in this club until now.

In the past few years, he worked hard to exercise his body, and his position changed from the original midfielder to the current defender, but he always lacked an opportunity to play for the first team.

He longed for such an opportunity!

"Maicon!" Father Manuel stood behind him and looked at his son, sighed, and interrupted his son's thoughts.

"It's time to go home!"

Maicon nodded silently, followed his father, and walked to the exit of the stadium. He did not forget to look back and glance at the green grass. That was the green field, his dream, and the place where he longed to prove himself, but it was so far away from him that he doubted whether he had such an opportunity.

"The first team is ambitious this season and wants to return to the Brazilian League B. You know, if you play in the second division, more people will pay attention, so you have to perform well. I believe you will be able to find an opportunity in the first team. If not, go outside and try it!" Manuel walked in front and said lightly.

He was also a player and now the head coach of the youth team, so he knows the current situation of Brazilian football.

Defenders have never been the type that is not valued, even if there are geniuses like Carlos and Cafu.

Therefore, in Manuel's view, if his son can gain a foothold in the Brazilian league and support himself with football, that is enough, and he does not have too many demands.

"I know, father!" Maicon nodded and agreed behind him.

The two walked out of the stadium and walked on the street.

Criciuma is actually not big, and the neighborhood is also small, and you can walk home.

Passing by the newsstand, Manuel took out coins and bought a copy of [Reims Sports], which is the most influential sports-related newspaper in Brazil, and most of the content is related to football.

While walking and reading the newspaper, Manuel saw a piece of news and smiled.

"Maicon, take a look!" His father pointed.

Maicon took two steps forward and leaned over to see a piece of news reported in one of the small sections.

Lucio, the main central defender of Internacional in Porto Alegre, not far from Criciuma, transferred to the traditional Dutch powerhouse Ajax for 2.5 million US dollars. The transfer amount was not large, but it still attracted reports from the Brazilian domestic media, especially the Reims Sports newspaper which focuses on football.

"Lucio also rose to prominence last year. This year, he was selected for the National Olympic Team and will participate in the Sydney Olympics. Now he has joined Ajax and left Brazil. His future is bright!" Manuel said with a sigh.

Almost all Brazilian players want to leave Brazil because here, the salary is low, there are many games, and the environment is still very complicated, but Europe is different. There are not many games all year round, but the salary is high, the benefits are good, and the social security is quite good. Moreover, playing there makes it easier to be recognized by fans all over the world.

Maicon listened and cast a trace of envy in his eyes, but it soon turned into bitterness.

What is the point of going abroad for a guy who can't even play in the first team of the third division?

"So, Maicon, as long as you have enough strength, you will definitely be able to stand out!" Manuel did not forget to educate his son. He hoped that Maicon could take Lucio as an example, work hard in training and competition, and strengthen his own strength.

"I know, father!" Maicon nodded.

The father and son walked home along the block without saying a word.

Because his father is a football coach, their home is pretty good, a two-story old house.

"Why did you come back just now?" As soon as he arrived at the door, he heard his mother coming out of the house and complaining.

"What's the matter?" Manuel asked.

"The club just called and said they want to find you and Maicon. I heard that they want to sell Maicon."

"What?" Manuel and Maicon were shocked.

"What's going on? Did you offend someone? Where are they going to sell Maicon? Can you still play football?" The mother started to cry as she spoke.

Manuel was shocked, but he was a man after all. He quickly calmed down and calmed down. After thinking carefully, he realized that he had always been cautious in doing things and had not offended anyone. Why would he suddenly sell Maicon for no reason?

Thinking of this, he immediately walked over, grabbed the phone, dialed the number, and called.

Maicon also stood behind his father with a look of anxiety, waiting for the latest news.

"This is Manuel, Julio. I heard that you are going to sell my son. Is that true?"

A man's voice came from the receiver of the phone. It was loud enough for everyone around to hear. "Yes, Manuel, I want to congratulate you. Your son has been spotted by an amazing team."

"Awesome team?" Manuel was stunned. "Don't be ridiculous. Why do you want to sell my son? He has performed very well since he changed to a defender. Why do you want to sell him?" At the end, Manuel's veins burst out, showing that he was full of anger, anger of being betrayed.

Seeing that his father, who was always cautious and kind to others, was now yelling at the club manager, Maicon was indescribably moved, because he knew that everything his father did was for him.

"Manuel, don't worry, listen to me!" Julio on the phone was not angry at all, but smiled. "I tell you, do you know which club is interested in your son?"

"I don't know, and I don't want to know. I won't let my son transfer!" Manuel said firmly.

Julio on the other end of the phone laughed, "Don't be silly, Manuel, if you knew the name of this club, you would definitely agree, you would be crazy happy, believe me, friend!"

Manuel and Julio seemed to have a good relationship, but when he heard him say that, he was suspicious.

"Then tell me, which club is it?" Manuel suppressed his anger.

"Higher level than Crisiuma, guess!" Julio was not in a hurry, and laughed and played dumb.

"Brazilian League?"

"No, no, no, higher than them all!"

Manuel's eyes widened when he heard it, and he turned around to look at his son, his heart filled with ecstasy, "Could it be a team in the Brazilian League? My God, how could they look down on my son?"

Maicon was also filled with ecstasy when he heard it. Brazilian League, a league he dared not even dream of!

"No, no, no, Manuel, you still underestimated!" Julio laughed.

"Still underestimate?" Manuel was stunned, but soon, he got angry again, "I say, Julio, I'm not in a good mood now, especially I don't like people making fun of my son, you'd better not mess with me!"

"I'm serious with you, Manuel, you must treat me to a meal, because I answered the call, let me tell you this, a European team has taken a fancy to your son!"

"Europe?" Manuel felt like he was stunned, his head was buzzing, and he was confused.

Europe, that is a good place that all Brazilian players dream of, even if they go to the second or third-rate leagues in Europe, it is much better than playing in the third-tier league in Brazil.

"Are you dizzy with joy?" Julio laughed, "Let me tell you again, this club is more powerful than the sky. Their head coach came directly to Brazil just to bring your son to Europe."

After a pause, Julio laughed, "If your son plays well in this club, he will be a top-notch player in Europe. You will laugh in your dreams!"

"Hehe..." Manuel was a little happy this time, "Julio, I'll treat you to a meal. Tell me, which club? Which country?"

"Ajax, Netherlands!" The name was spoken on the other end of the phone.

"Ajax?" Manuel's hands trembled and he almost dropped the phone.

Not only him, Maicon standing next to him almost tilted his body, he was scared.

Ajax, a well-known and powerful team in the world, is interested in him?

"Yes, Ajax!"

"The Ajax that brought in Lucio?" Manuel wanted to confirm.

Julio laughed, "Yes, it's that club. Their head coach now lives in Porto Alegre. They have already negotiated Lucio's transfer with the Internacional team and plan to come to our club tomorrow to meet you."

"You...didn't lie to me?" Manuel couldn't believe his ears.

"Why would I lie to you?" Julio knew that Manuel must be crazy with joy.

"Then... did the club agree?"

"Yes, $500,000, your son belongs to Ajax!"

After hearing this, Manuel's tears fell uncontrollably. He never dreamed, no, he dared not dream, that his son would be able to play football abroad one day, and even go to play football for Ajax, a European giant. That was simply...

In the end, Manuel didn't know what Julio said, and he also forgot how he hung up the phone. The only thing he remembered was that his son would join Ajax and go to Amsterdam, the Netherlands to play football!

"Is this true?" Maicon waited until his father hung up the phone and looked at his father in disbelief.

Manuel kept nodding and hugged Maicon directly, "Yes, my child, you are going to the Netherlands, to play football for the best team in Europe!"

In the end, the family was completely in a carnival and celebrated.

…………

…………

Seeing Maicon, Ye Qiu really didn't expect that the future world's number one right back would not be able to play football in the Brazilian Serie A League now.

Life is so unpredictable!

Who knows now that Maicon will become the world's number one right back in a few years?

What is more convenient than the transfer of Gilberto Silva and Lucio is that Maicon has no agent and the ownership is in his own hands, so everything is easy to handle and directly handed over to Lucas, who promised to do everything for Ye Qiu and Ajax.

Meeting with Maicon and his family, Ye Qiu felt the surprise and joy in their hearts, but Maicon's father Manuel kept admonishing Maicon to train hard, play hard, and strive to make his debut in the Ajax first team.

Ye Qiu also attached great importance to Maicon, and especially focused on understanding Maicon's situation in Crisiuma, and then talked with Maicon's father for a while. After the two parties signed the agreement, Maicon officially belonged to Ajax's players.

When Ye Qiu contacted Bobby Hams in Amsterdam and talked to him about the latest progress, Bobby Hams also reported to Ye Qiu about Ajax's transfer progress.

Konope eventually transferred to Heerenveen at a high price of $7.5 million, which was also a major transfer for Heerenveen this summer.

Scoring 15 goals in 33 league games, Konope's performance last season was indeed very eye-catching, attracting the attention of many clubs, which is why he was able to sell at this price, but only Ye Qiu himself knows that Konope's performance has his own specialness.

The player wanted to leave, Ye Qiu did not plan to stay, and there was a club willing to pay a high price, so Ye Qiu of course let him go directly.

In this way, the transfer has been going on until now, Ajax has sold 3 players and received a transfer income of $12 million, which surprised Ye Qiu and everyone in Ajax, and it must also be considered that the club's most valuable Grünshall is still in hand, this is the real sponsor.

At this point, Ye Qiu really had to admire Eliza's operational ability. This girl's transfer strategy was the reason why the team sold at high prices one after another, especially in the transfer of Konope. She took advantage of the competitive psychology of many clubs and raised the price to 7.5 million US dollars, without discounts, and paid it all at once, which was really good.

However, it was only because Heerenveen could participate in the Champions League next season that they were willing to introduce Huizinger and Konope one after another.

In the next period of time, Ajax will focus on transferring out several veterans and players who are not liked by Ye Qiu.

"Bobby, Van der Meyde has returned to the team from Twente. Find a chance to meet him. I will give him more opportunities in the new season!" Ye Qiu was very impressed with Van der Meyde.

This Ajax youth player is now 20 years old. He was loaned to Twente by Ajax last year and performed very well. Twente intends to keep Van der Meyde, but Ye Qiu hopes that the player can stay with the team because he knows very well that Van der Meyde's strength and potential are very outstanding. Later, he joined Inter Milan.

"I know, I will find a chance to talk to him!" Bobby Hams agreed with a smile.

Ye Qiu is very relieved that Bobby Hams is in charge in Amsterdam.

After introducing Maicon, Lucio and Gilberto Silva, plus Kivu, Heitinga, Abidal, De Jong, Maduro and others, Ajax's midfield and backcourt are basically the same.

Ye Qiu is going to focus on introducing midfielders and a center forward, and at the same time increase the depth of the bench in each position.

After all, the league schedule is so long and there are so many games, and a single lineup is not enough to cope with the entire season, so Ye Qiu also attaches great importance to the depth of the bench. In his opinion, the depth of the bench is the key factor that determines whether a team can reach the end, so he also attaches great importance to it.

Selling players earned $12 million, and now Ye Qiu still has nearly $20 million in his hands, so he is not worried about the transfer fee at all, but worried about being preempted by others.

Therefore, after finalizing Maicon's transfer, Ye Qiu left Brazil without stopping and returned to Europe.