Sports Medicine Master System-Chapter 92 - 77: Guardiola, I Just Want to Leave (3)

Chapter 92: Chapter 77: Guardiola, I Just Want to Leave (3)

’The next logical step would be to have Guardiola, the team captain, help persuade Ronaldo.’

But just as he was about to speak, Chen Yu suddenly remembered something: the psychological treatment effect he’d gotten from J Kidd.

’Chen Yu figured that using it might make his words more persuasive.’

’Since I’m trying to persuade Guardiola now, I might as well give it a try.’

’It’s only a Bronze Level effect. It wouldn’t be a big deal even if it goes to waste.’

He silently activated the effect.

It was usable.

But nothing seemed to change. No sudden flood of knowledge into his brain, no burning sensation on his lips urging him to speak.

’The treatment effect was probably wasted,’ Chen Yu thought.

Returning to the matter at hand, Chen Yu thought for a moment and said, "To be honest, we’re doctors. Providing a diagnosis is one thing, but we also hope our patients can make the choice that’s best for them. Or, to put it another way, the right choice."

For some reason, Guardiola froze. He mumbled the words, "the best choice for myself," a distant look on his face as if lost in thought.

"Chen, do you doctors have some kind of confidentiality agreement? You know, one that says you won’t disclose patient information," Guardiola suddenly asked.

Chen Yu nodded, studying Guardiola with a puzzled expression. ’Why does he look so familiar?’

’He looks just like J Kidd did, weighed down by something and desperate to talk about it.’

Guardiola flicked the soccer ball up with the tip of his boot and caught it. He gently brushed the sand off its surface, then gave a wry smile. "To be honest, I was just looking for someone to talk to. Chen, do you have a minute?"

Chen Yu nodded, a thrill of excitement running through him.

’The treatment effect.’

’This has to be the treatment effect at work,’ Chen Yu thought, certain. ’Otherwise, why would he open up so easily after we’ve only met once? Why would he want to confide in a stranger?’

"Is there something on your mind? Something to do with the team?" Chen Yu asked.

’If Guardiola wants to talk, then we’ll talk. I’ll get experience points, and if we build a good rapport, it’ll be the perfect opportunity to ask for his help with Ronaldo.’

Guardiola himself didn’t know what was happening. Perhaps the things on his mind had been weighing on him for too long, and he suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to talk to someone.

He glanced up at the moon and began, "I came to Barcelona when I was thirteen. From the youth squad to the B team, and then the first team... I’ve lived here for many years. I can still remember the first time I stepped onto the pitch at Camp Nou. That intense, burning desire inside me... It was like something I’d been waiting years for had finally erupted like a volcano."

"Then we defeated the seemingly invincible Real Madrid. The next year, we even defended our title and won the club’s first-ever European Cup. The moment I held that trophy, I knew with absolute certainty that football was the love of my life."

A powerful emotion washed over Guardiola’s face, and in the darkness of the night, his eyes seemed to glow.

But just as quickly, the light in them faded.

"I became captain. I’m the oldest player on this pitch now. I’ve gotten to know so many people here, I can even recognize many of the fans by face. When they chant my name, it makes me feel like this is my home. That I should stay here forever."

Chen Yu nodded. "But?"

Guardiola’s expression grew vacant. "But starting last Summer, I suddenly felt lost. A lot happened with the team. I used to feel like the team needed me, but now... now I feel like they don’t need me as much anymore."

’Who was the reason?’

Guardiola frowned instinctively. ’Gaspart?’

’That was probably part of it, but Guardiola felt it wasn’t the whole story.’

"As of this year, I’ve been here for seventeen full years." Guardiola turned to Chen Yu. "Chen, have you ever stayed in one place for so long that you suddenly start to feel restless?"

"I have," Chen Yu nodded. "I grew up in Chicago. I knew every street there. But when I became an adult and had the chance to leave, I took it without a second thought and moved to San Francisco on the West Coast."

"As for why... maybe it was because I had too many memories in that city, both good and bad. I also felt like I was entering a new stage in life, and I just suddenly wanted a change of scenery, a fresh start."

"Exactly!"

Chen Yu’s words seemed to strike a chord with Guardiola. "That’s exactly the feeling!" he said, his voice full of excitement. "I’m thirty years old now, and last month, I had my first daughter. Can you believe it? I’m a father!"

As he spoke, Guardiola excitedly pulled a photo from his wallet to show Chen Yu.

A chubby little girl.

"Congratulations," Chen Yu said. He couldn’t help but think of himself. ’Lexi is so beautiful, and I’m pretty handsome myself, right? If we have a kid someday, they should turn out pretty cute.’

"So you feel like you’ve reached a new stage in life, and you want to move somewhere more relaxed where you can spend more time with your family?" Chen Yu asked.

Guardiola nodded. "A lot has happened with the team. Figo left, and I was in a terrible state of mind back then. So I wanted to leave too. To go somewhere else and try a different way of life. Like Italy, for example."

"I even had a club picked out: Brescia. Baggio is there, and I had this powerful urge to play alongside him. But I’ve been at Barça for so long... I’m afraid my teammates and the fans will demand to know why I’m leaving. That would make me feel incredibly selfish. But I really do want to go. It’s not because I don’t love it here."

Chen Yu listened quietly, his mind racing to recall anything he knew about the names Figo and Baggio.

"Selfish? Why would you think that?" Chen Yu shook his head. "You should do what you want to do, as long as you won’t regret it. You can listen to other people’s opinions, but ultimately, you have to follow your heart. It’s just like with Ronnie. As you said, his agent can give him advice, but the final decision should be his."

Chen Yu felt the conversation was getting sidetracked, so he deliberately steered it back toward Ronaldo.

’After all, that’s why I’m here.’

’Besides, this kind of impromptu therapy session is mentally exhausting. I have to choose every word with such care. On top of that, I can feel the alcohol starting to hit me again. I’d better get to the point.’