The 90-minute match concluded.
Cottbus lost 1–2 to Borussia Dortmund, with the Black and Yellows successfully turning the game around with two goals after Jin Hayes came on. Jin Hayes, who only played for 30 minutes as a substitute, rightfully earned his second MVP award of the season, receiving a perfect 1.0 rating for the match.
Let's not even talk about the second goal; it was a straightforward team effort. Jin Hayes drew a triple team in the middle, then passed to a teammate inside the box. Marco Reus, who came on as a substitute in the 80th minute, arrived just in time and easily tapped the ball in, securing the winning goal.
The most important was the first goal—Jin Hayes's volley that equalised the score. With four players in the front line not known for their finishing, the responsibility of scoring fell to Jin Hayes. He completed his task in spectacular fashion.
İlkay Gündoğan initially thought his free kick had been cleared by the opponent. Who would have thought that Jin Hayes would intercept the ball in mid-air with his back to goal on the byline, and then, in the instant he landed and turned, complete a stunning left-footed volley that shocked everyone?
All of Cottbus was stunned.
No?
Nobody mentioned before the match that the 16-year-old could shoot with his left foot. Isn't he right-footed? And doesn't he supposedly have terrible shooting technique? Yet here he was: a zero-degree angle, back to goal, landing, a 360-degree turn, and a volley that hit the theoretically impossible corner. This wasn't the work of a player with poor finishing—this was world-class.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Adriano, Batistuta, van Basten, van Nistelrooy… Even the world's top strikers would find it difficult to replicate Jin Hayes's goal. This strike would undoubtedly be selected among the top ten goals of the week.
Soon after the match, the goal replay video on YouTube had already surpassed a million views. From the aerial interception to the final strike, the difficulty, power, and accuracy were perfect in every dimension. Fans couldn't stop replaying it; it was truly a feast for the eyes.
…
The next morning, in Madrid.
Sergio Agüero arrived at the training ground; the team was preparing for the second leg of the Champions League qualifiers. Agüero sat down with his tray, eating while watching TV. Madrid TV was broadcasting sports news.
"Next up is a Bundesliga match report. In the recently concluded Bundesliga Matchday 2, Cottbus lost 1–2 to Borussia Dortmund. The visiting Black and Yellows conceded first until Jin Hayes was substituted in during the second half. In the 76th minute, after Jin Hayes chested the ball down in the air, he turned and volleyed it into the net from a tight angle. His spectacular world-class goal equalised the score, signalling the start of Dortmund's comeback—"
Hearing Jin Hayes's name, Agüero subconsciously looked up. The goal replay on TV left him dumbfounded; he didn't even notice the food falling from his mouth. Agüero didn't feel embarrassed, because the other Atlético Madrid players around him had the same expression.
How did he do that?
In isolation, the difficulty of the manoeuvre wasn't impossibly high—many professional players could replicate it in training. But on a rapidly changing pitch, under immense match pressure, to complete the same goal with such grace and effortlessness… Agüero didn't believe he could do it. Even if he scored, he couldn't match Jin Hayes's elegance.
Terrifying.
Agüero couldn't imagine what heights Jin Hayes would reach in two years when he fully matured. He pulled out his phone and typed a message: "Leo, only you can stop him now."
Lionel Messi, who received the text message, raised an eyebrow. Why was his good friend so focused on that player? At most, he was a bit more skilled than average, but still raw compared to Messi's own technique. It was just one goal, wasn't it? Maybe it was a fluke. What was there to worry about?
Messi replied: "Work hard to turn the tide in the second leg. If you can't, then leave it to us."
It didn't matter if Barcelona didn't meet Borussia Dortmund in the qualifiers—as long as they eventually faced each other, Messi was confident enough to defeat them and send them home.
"Really?"
"Believe me. This year, Barça will make the world tremble."
The 2008–2009 Champions League group stage draw had not yet begun. According to statistics from various European media outlets, the defending champion Manchester United was ranked first in the odds at 1:3; second place was Premier League powerhouse Chelsea at 1:8.
Barcelona had only finished third in La Liga the previous season and was still playing in the qualifiers, so their odds were a distant 1:36.
Young coach Pep Guardiola and his Barcelona had not yet attracted serious attention. Everyone's focus was on the Premier League clubs. Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United clearly had the potential for a league three-peat and a Champions League two-peat, building a dynasty.
Only Messi himself knew how strong his team truly was.
Jin Hayes? Just a talented youngster, but not worth overthinking. Borussia Dortmund would have to get past Agüero's Atlético Madrid first.
…
With two consecutive wins, Dortmund was temporarily in the top tier, ranking third in the Bundesliga on goal difference with maximum points.
Seeing the standings, Uncle Hans was the happiest. He chuckled while holding the newspaper at breakfast, too delighted to eat his favourite German sausage—just looking at the table made him happy.
"Hahahaha, Bayern and Schalke are almost in the relegation zone! I never thought the Black and Yellows would one day be able to trample these two teams underfoot!"
"Come on, it's only two rounds. Bayern will definitely climb back into the top few spots soon enough," Maria poured cold water on his enthusiasm from the side. Every Bundesliga season was like this; Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 had never stayed down for long.
But Hans shook his head. "No, I have a feeling this year is different. The team's form reminds me of the 1995 championship season. Right, Jin?"
"I think Hans is right. Our goal this season is to secure a top-three finish and contend for the championship!"
"Do we really have a chance to win the league?"
"Yes, we do."
Jin Hayes was brimming with confidence. The entire Bundesliga worried about Bayern Munich's dominance, but Jin Hayes didn't even put Bayern at the top of his concerns. Their biggest opponents, strangely, might be Wolfsburg under Magath and perhaps the newly promoted side Hoffenheim.
In the 2008–2009 season, "Golden Bomber" Jürgen Klinsmann took over as Bayern's coach. This was arguably the weakest year of the Southern Kings' dominance in the Bundesliga. Jin Hayes was confident he could lead his team to the top of the standings. Schalke 04, Stuttgart, Werder Bremen—none of them were worth mentioning. The only teams worth watching out for were Wolfsburg, and the promoted team that shocked the world in the first half of the season—Hoffenheim.
If Jin Hayes's prophetic instincts were correct, Hoffenheim might even contend for the winter championship as a newly promoted side. But Jin Hayes wasn't about to give them that chance.
"By the way, Jin. We're leaving for Madrid tomorrow afternoon, right?"
"That's right." Jin Hayes was a bit puzzled. Frank was the team doctor accompanying the squad, and the management would surely arrange the itinerary in advance. The entire Borussia Dortmund team would take the same flight to Madrid. Frank shouldn't need to ask him.
"I suddenly remembered the medical team has a meeting. Anna is going for a photoshoot this afternoon. Could I trouble you to take her?"
"Huh?"
"What?"
Jin Hayes and Anna, who were eating breakfast, both froze and looked at Frank simultaneously.
"That's right, we have to take Grandpa for a check-up, so we can't drive her. Let Jin take you—he's got his driver's license anyway." Seeing that Uncle Hans was about to say something else, Maria kept giving him meaningful glances.
"Yes, yes, yes, that's right. Please, Jin. You can take the Golf." Uncle Hans quickly changed his tune. Even old Fritz, who never participated in conversations and was slightly senile, chimed in: "That's right! Jin, my precious Anna is in your hands."
No, old man?
Jin Hayes felt that Fritz wasn't confused at all; his eyes were sharp, and his words seemed to carry deeper meaning.
"No need! I'll go by myself." Anna waved her hands repeatedly.
But Frank stopped her: "No. Your shoot location is downtown—it's too far and not safe. I'll feel better if Jin goes with you. Besides, Jin has the afternoon off anyway."
Since the whole family insisted, Jin Hayes had no choice but to agree. "I'll take Anna."
"You—" Anna pressed her knees together, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of her pyjamas, her heart pounding. Recent interactions had increasingly suggested that Jin Hayes had no interest in her. In his eyes, she must be a clown, right? Frank insisting on throwing them together—wasn't that just asking for awkwardness?
Hmph! Frank, you big idiot!
But since things had come to this, Anna had no reason to refuse and had to agree.
…
The Volkswagen Golf rolled onto the Dortmund highway. This was the Heinrich family's spare car, quite old, slowly cruising along. German highways have no speed limit, and cars sped past like Formula 1 machines. Reckless motorcyclists weaved through traffic at over 250 kilometres per hour. Jin Hayes driving at 80 miles per hour looked distinctly out of place.
The silence inside the car made the journey feel even longer. Anna, not having the typical outgoing personality of a Western girl, waited for Jin Hayes to start a conversation. But Jin Hayes's entire focus was on the road. Having just gotten his license, his driving experience was limited, and the crazy traffic around him made him dare not be careless.
From Anna's perspective, she thought Jin Hayes simply didn't want to talk to her.
"Um… if you don't want to wait for me later, you don't have to. I'll go back by myself."
"It's fine." Jin Hayes stared intently at the road, his tone seemingly cold.
"Really, the photoshoot will take at least four hours. That's too long."
"It's okay. I'll wait for you."
"Alright." Anna's tone was flat.
But in reality, Jin Hayes didn't notice the faint smile that played on her lips as she looked out the window. Is he really concerned about me?
If it were the old Jin Hayes—the one who had first arrived in Germany, quick with a compliment and a joke—he would have glanced at Anna's state and probably known exactly what to say. Maybe he would have teased her with a line like: "I don't feel comfortable letting you go alone," or "I like watching you take photos—you're very charming when you're working seriously," or "It's never boring accompanying you in anything."
Just a few similar lines, and sixteen-year-old Anna, with zero dating experience, wouldn't have been able to resist.
Jin Hayes understood the logic, but what came out was: "Frank asked me to take you, and I promised him."
Anna's small face fell again. So… it was just because of Frank.
Silence fell in the car once more.
…
Dortmund city centre, ELITE modelling agency.
This global agency, based in Paris, had discovered and nurtured countless world supermodels, including Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bündchen, and famous models from around the world. The Dortmund branch was where Anna—stage name "Aether Hirsch"—was here today to shoot a set of print ads for Vogue magazine.
As they parked downstairs and got out of the car, they heard an enthusiastic voice before they saw the speaker.
"Oh my god! Anna, have you finally started dating?"
"What?"
While Anna and Jin Hayes were both confused, a blonde, wavy-haired girl in a white Prada bodycon dress, chewing gum, approached with an exaggerated tone. Jin Hayes had never seen this tall, flamboyant supermodel—about Anna's age. She must be Anna's friend, he assumed.
He expected Anna to explain that he wasn't her boyfriend. Unexpectedly, Anna intimately leaned over and linked her arm through his.
"That's right. Let me introduce you: this is my boyfriend, Borussia Dortmund professional player, Jin Hayes."
"Wait?" Jin Hayes was stunned.
Aside from Anna linking her arm through his, and the Chanel scent that directly assailed his nostrils when her slender, soft body pressed close—making his brain tremble—wasn't this kind of scene a bit too cliché? Anna had watched too many melodramatic German TV dramas. She actually had a day where she had to pretend to have a boyfriend!