Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 71: Play Football Like Maradona! Make the Ball Soft!

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Play Football Like Maradona! Make the Ball Soft!

"There’s no good way, kid. Van Dijk is way bigger than you. If you two collide head-on, you’ll definitely suffer. If I were you, at that moment, I’d pass the ball a second earlier and avoid this defender who’s as strong as a bull."

Chiwo said this to Tang Long in response to his inquiry.

"But my purpose in holding the ball is to deliberately attract him to come for the tackle, and then use the space left behind to pass the ball, giving Shaqiri a chance."

"Ah, I knew you would say that," Chiwo shrugged helplessly. "You’re right, but you will get hurt. Sometimes, it’s the fate we professional players can’t escape, like your idol Ronaldo. If he didn’t make those sharp turns and stops, his cruciate ligament might not have torn twice—but then, he wouldn’t be the ’alien’ Ronaldo."

"Mr. Chiwo, if you were to do it again, is there another way to attract Van Dijk as much as possible without getting injured through body contact?"

"Yes, either you become faster and more agile, like Messi or Hazard, or you get as strong as Van Dijk so you don’t suffer in a clash!"

Tang Long fell into contemplation.

The two solutions proposed by Chiwo were straightforward and honest.

But achieving them in the short term is impossible.

Is there a third way?

The one who tied the bell on the tiger must take it off.

If you got hurt playing like Pirlo, then go ask Pirlo.

In the 15th round of Serie A, during the national derby.

Although Inter lost the game, Tang Long’s highlights in the match still earned Pirlo’s admiration.

Not only did he voluntarily exchange jerseys with Tang Long, but he also joked that if there was anything he didn’t understand, he could call him.

It was uncertain to Tang Long whether Pirlo was joking out of nicety or genuinely wanted to support a young player in Serie A.

After much consideration, Tang Long added Pirlo on his communication app using his phone number.

He briefly explained the situation and attached the video clip of his clash with Van Dijk.

An hour later, just as Tang Long thought there would be no response, Pirlo called directly!

"Haha! I didn’t expect you to really contact me. Good, you’re brave. In this aspect, you are stronger than some of our local young players!"

Hearing Pirlo’s enthusiastic voice on the phone, Tang Long relaxed and asked his question.

"Tang, I’m sorry about your injury. This is an experience every young player must go through for growth. Thankfully, your injury isn’t severe."

There was a pause on Pirlo’s end.

"I watched the video you sent me, and, well... how should I say this, I see that you’re imitating my playstyle. You’re doing well; you indeed fooled that tall defender from Celtic, but you only captured about fifty percent of my skill."

At this, Tang Long perked up and immediately pressed the record button on his phone.

"You need to become softer, like cotton soft. Note, I’m not saying your body needs to be soft, but the way you control the ball needs to be softer."

"Uh, soft?"

For a moment, Tang Long didn’t understand what it meant.

Making the ball as soft as cotton?

"Alright, I’m not sure if you can understand this. Often, midfield players like us are limited by our natural physical conditions, so it’s hard for us to become faster or stronger. But we can make the ball softer, so it sticks to our feet like cotton."

"Are you saying to improve my dribbling skills?" Tang Long asked.

"You could say that," Pirlo laughed on the other end, "but it’s not just about dribbling. It’s a sense of the ball, a feeling of becoming one with the ball."

"Have you watched Maradona play? I know your generation loves watching Messi, but our generation grew up watching Maradona. When I was young, I loved to imitate him, and benefited from it my entire career, whether I was early on as a forward and attacking midfielder or later transitioning to a defensive midfielder."

"Don’t imitate Maradona’s long runs, you and I don’t have his explosiveness and stride frequency. Look at his stationary ball control, I’ve practiced for so many years and consider myself to have reached only thirty percent of his ball control. If you can learn over twenty percent of Old Ma’s feel for the ball, make the ball soft, you don’t need to be fast, yet you can lure Van Dijk out and pass the ball before he can harm you..."

After hanging up the call.

Tang Long repeatedly listened to the recording over a dozen times.

He even turned the recording into text on his computer and read it carefully.

But what Pirlo mentioned, that Maradona-like soft control, always seemed a bit ’mystical’ to him.

Tang Long couldn’t grasp it.

Should he ask Maradona?

The thought crossed Tang Long’s mind, but he didn’t have Maradona’s number.

His only connection with Maradona was when they won at Napoli’s away game, and Maradona came to the locker room, gifting him a football from the 1989 championship match.

This football, signed by Old Ma, was treasured by Tang Long in a compartment at the top of his wardrobe.

Tang Long took down the football and placed it by his bedside.

Nearly 26 years had passed. Despite its vintage design, the championship ball still looked new.

It must have been carefully preserved right after the game.

On the flight back to Milan, Berni even offered 30,000 euros for the ball, but Tang Long refused coldly.

He had always thought the ball looked a bit strange.

It seemed like...

A big eye was staring at him.

Tang Long got up and, wearing socks, began to juggle the ball in the room.

One, two, three, four...

When he reached the 100th touch, with a "bang," the ball suddenly disappeared!

"What the heck!"

Tang Long was dumbfounded.

Right before his very eyes, the ball vanished!

In a flash, things blurred, and when everything became clear, he was already at the AI Cloud Training Ground.

The ball under his foot was precisely the one Maradona gifted him!

"Congratulations, host, for activating the hidden side quest—Appreciation from Maradona!"

"Training ball updated to: 1989 UEFA Cup Final Match Ball!"

"Reward: Enhance the trainer’s ball control to ultimately reach Maradona’s peak level in 1989!"

"Current host’s ball control compared to peak Maradona: 12%."

Bang bang bang—

Bang bang bang—

In the distance, at the edge of the opposite penalty area, a figure wearing the Napoli No. 10 jersey was dribbling towards Tang Long!

Short and stocky, with curly hair, it was Maradona!

Tang Long smiled knowingly and gently pushed the ball forward, dribbling towards Maradona...