"Borussia Dortmund sent their Head of Scouting to Bangkok. He's been in Asia for three weeks and watched every match. He sat in my hotel lounge for an hour and forty minutes and told me, with what I'll describe as unsettling conviction, that if we don't agree to at least begin preliminary talks, we'll regret it. Not financially—though the numbers he discussed were extraordinary—but because in his view, the window for a specific kind of development environment closes." Lee set the tablet down. "He referenced the FIFA Elite Talent Exemption Program, which as of next month will formally include provisions for Asian players."
Jun-hwan spoke first. "Dortmund."
"Yes."
A beat. "They develop players."
"Their track record is what it is." Lee agreed. "They took raw material from places nobody was looking and built first-team starters. Some of the most recognizable names in the game spent their formative years at Signal Iduna Park specifically because the club was willing to invest in them."
He looked at Jae-il, who had still not spoken. "You have something to say."
Jae-il set his water bottle on the table. "I want to finish the World Cup first."
If they won it. On the off-chance, that infinitesimal probability they defeated Brazil, Jae-il and Jun-hwan's value would go up as well.
After all, the Brazilian players were already affirmed, while the Korean duo's prestige was just starting to spread its joga bonito across the globe.
Lee nodded. "That's the correct priority. Nothing I'm telling you requires a decision before then, and I wouldn't ask for one. What I'm asking is that you're aware this conversation is happening, that it's serious, and that when we return from Japan, we'll need to sit down properly—with your families, with legal representation—and work through what comes next."
"Both of us?" Jun-hwan asked.
"Dortmund made clear they want the package. Their reasoning—" Lee chose his words carefully, wiggling his fingers in an air quote. "—is that the chemistry between you isn't replicable with a different midfielder. They don't want to spend three years trying to rebuild what you've already built. And honestly, I agree with him. The national team has bright and talented players, but you two are in a different league, and together have something... exceptional."
There were plenty of football pundits from the far reaches of the football sphere to the smallest sports forums who had been in awe of the genius on display, saying how those two "Were so closely-knitted together to the point they were often able to predict and predict accurately what the other would do..."
And the most amazing part?
They haven't hit their prime yet. This is nothing. The only question on this side of the world, and especially South Korea, was when would they start creating national legends instead of following one?
Lee couldn't help but look at those two youngsters with longing, wondering how far they'd elevate their country's standing in the world and whichever club they ended up joining.
Jun-hwan turned this over for a moment. "The FIFA exemption covers full relocation?"
"Housing, education, everything. They proposed bringing family along for the first transition year if preferred." Lee said neutrally. "They've done it before. They always do it; they've got the funds for it."
"They also have a fairly brutal first-team fighting distance if you're asking about development trajectory." Jae-il said knowingly. "The gap between the second team and starting eleven isn't as straightforward as their reputation suggests."
That was unfortunately true as well. Though Lee was certain the BVB representative would do anything in his power to see those two in the first team, even if they had to play the last few minutes of a game.
Lee looked at him, surprised. "You've done your homework."
Jae-il merely shrugged.
"Then you'll know their last two major youth signings from outside Western Europe both made first-team appearances within fourteen months."
Jae-il didn't concede the point immediately, but he nodded to show that he'd heard him.
"Look." Lee said, leaning forward slightly. "This isn't about Dortmund specifically. This could be Madrid, or Barcelona, or Liverpool. It's about the fact that a top-tier European club is willing to make a significant, multi-player investment in your development based on potential, not finished product. That's rare. That's the conversation."
He paused, ensuring he had their full attention.
"Weber's concern." Lee continued. "And I think it's a legitimate one even if it's also self-serving, is that the World Cup performance will change the market dramatically. Once the global audience watches you for three weeks in Japan, every agent with a contact book and every club with a checkbook will descend. He wants to preempt that. He wants to have a deal in principle before the transfer window becomes a circus."
Jun-hwan processed this. "And you agree with the circus?"
"I agree that the circus is coming regardless." Lee said frankly. "My preference is that we deal with professionals like Weber, who have an actual plan that benefits both you and them. The alternative is dealing with opportunists who'll offer more money but a less clear path to playing time. You're sixteen. You don't need more money. You need minutes."
He looked between them.
"......"
"I'm not here to pressure you." Lee said finally. "Ahn would have my head if I walked out of here having disrupted your preparation. I'm here because you deserve to know the full picture, and because when the time comes to make a decision, I don't want it to feel like it came from nowhere. Whether you choose BVB or some other club, you'll have my full support. But a decision will need to be made." He stood, retrieving his tablet. "Go get some rest. The real work starts tomorrow."
As they rose to leave, he caught Jae-il's eye one more time.
'Supernatural kid.' Lee heard someone called Jae-il that years ago, when he was going around making eleven kids in the opposing team—including the coach—cry. It stuck around.
"How are you feeling about Japan?" Lee asked.
Jae-il picked up his water bottle. "Ready."
Lee had been in this industry long enough to know when someone was performing confidence and when they genuinely had it. This was the second kind. He nodded.
"Good. Then go focus on that."
Jae-il and Jun-hwan quietly left.
Lee was left alone
He watched them walk down the corridor through the window of the room door. They didn't talk. They just walked. Two slender figures in identical training kits, shoulders back, eyes set ahead.
'Yes, they'll accomplish great things...'
He just hoped that South Korea wouldn't hold them back.
xXx
Jae-il's POV:
The training camp proceeded smoothly, just like the one for the AFC cup. Of course, this time the squad would be going up against much more physically advanced and skillful opponents. A lot more. Practice itself was more intense, with long hours and harsh physical effort.
We spent long evenings studying our opposing teams' style, movements, tricks and peculiarities. There were tactics lessons, too, of course. We discussed various plays, different formations, counter strategies and so on.
Training wasn't all tough, though. Even though our day-to-day schedules were getting busier by the day, we did have some free time to hang out or simply sleep our ass off, but Coach Anh wouldn't let anyone do something silly such as sleeping late. We'd wake up early and head to the dining room to eat, then he'd set us a running drill as a warm up, then came the usual muscle and fitness strengthening session, some exercise balls to get our blood pumping, and then would come the agility and reflex training.
No expense was spared. We had personal training sessions set up with specialists—massage and physiotherapy, as well.
The final roster for the World Cup was announced shortly after, which was basically the same as the one for the AFC. Since we worked so well together as a unit, the guys couldn't argue with that. No complaints were raised, only determination and pride for our country.
As days went by, I felt the excitement grow inside us.
Everyone was restless, as the day of departure was just around the corner.
I could hardly believe time really flew by so fast. Soon, I'd be leaving again. I've had lengthy video calls with both my sisters and mom, and the occasional call with my father. While the latter was super excited about my upcoming trip to Japan, both Su Ah and Mia didn't appear happy, or excited in any shape or form.
Eun Ha was the same as well, constantly reminding me to be careful of Japanese women, and to not let a girl—any girl—get my guard down.
There was an odd dark edge hanging over them, with the false reassurance that they would be okay.
I didn't want to let those concerns cloud my judgment and thoughts during the WC, so I made sure to remind those two not to do anything stupid until I was back.
Dae Hee also called me, a couple of days ago. School was taking up a lot of her time. She was doing okay. She missed me. She wished she could go and watch my games. She said she was praying for my success, too.
She also said not to be seduced by Japanese women.
‘What are their problems with Japanese girls?’
I genuinely couldn’t understand.
Nevertheless, the day South Korea would leave its impression on the world at large finally came.