"Leicester City's medical staff are coming onto the pitch. Shinji Okazaki doesn't look in good shape."
Before the broadcast, Matic subconsciously took a few deep breaths. His wife beside him sensed his tension.
"What's wrong, honey?"
Matic shook his head. "Nothing. Just brought back some bad memories."
Shinji Okazaki clutched his chest as the medical staff checked him for signs of a concussion.
"Leo Lin is exactly that kind of player," Jon Champion said. "On the pitch, you shouldn't expect him to take losses quietly."
"Football is that kind of sport. This might not sound entirely right, but even playing on the edge suits football better than being soft."
"Of course, under normal circumstances, simply playing tough already gives you the basic qualities of a good footballer."
"They say football is like life, and this is what they mean. If you're not tough enough, if you don't have that edge, you'll never make it as a professional."
"Professional footballers are exposed to extremely high-level competition from a very young age. They understand exactly what needs to be done on the pitch."
"The moment you look weak, you become a target. You won't be allowed to show even a fraction of your ability."
"Football is a brutal sport, and footballers are a ruthless group."
"On the pitch, they have to fight for themselves. At the same time, they must combine self-interest with team play and push both to the extreme."
"Only then do you have a chance of becoming a top professional footballer."
"So when you step onto the pitch, never think that taking a beating will somehow help you focus on the game."
"The moment you think that way, anyone will try to get the better of you. And once that happens, turning things around becomes very difficult."
"You have to respond—but don't commit reckless fouls. Respond intelligently and rationally, like Leo Lin did. Avoid cards. That's what you should be doing out there."
Jon Champion's appreciation for Leo Lin only grew, and Liverpool fans—along with viewers around the world—were thoroughly enjoying it.
After the medical checks, play finally resumed.
A goal down, Leicester City sticking rigidly to defensive counterattacks no longer made any sense.
Their entire shape began to push forward, and as a result, more and more space started to appear behind them—space for Liverpool to exploit.
79th minute!
"Leicester City push up in numbers! Ndidi carries the ball forward!"
"Leo Lin tries to win it, but Ndidi is just as strong!"
"Out to the right—Mahrez drives forward, very nimble on the ball!"
"A curling delivery toward the far post! Vardy's chance!"
"Lovren gets there in time—excellent defending!"
"Arnold controls it calmly at the back post, keeps it in play."
"A long ball switched to the left! Mané is free—Liverpool break, four players charging forward!"
Leo Lin surged ahead behind the front three. Mané took the ball and used his pace to blow past Morgan.
He slammed on the brakes, then flicked a backheel pass to the supporting Leo Lin!
Leo Lin met the ball in stride, Pirlo's signature skill glowing to life.
No touch to settle it—just a quick snap of the ankle.
A gorgeous, sweeping arc, like an airplane slicing through the clouds, floated toward the far post!
It found the onrushing Salah!
The Egyptian Pharaoh hit it first time!
He shoots—and scores!
Jon Champion exploded.
"It's in! It's in! It's in! It's in! It's in! It's in!"
"What a pass from Leo Lin!"
"A rainbow pass!"
"Beautiful delivery! Fantastic finish!"
"Liverpool have this wrapped up—they're heading for six straight league wins!"
Salah dropped to one knee once again, performing his signature shoe-shining celebration for Leo Lin. Whenever Leo Lin provided the assist, Salah loved to do this.
Leicester City were completely undone. The final whistle blew, and Liverpool sealed a 2–0 victory.
Leo Lin delivered yet another crucial assist, and fans grew even more fond of the outstanding young player.
Soon after, the new season's Transfermarkt valuation rankings were updated for the first time—meaning Leo Lin finally received his own official market value.
All eyes were on how high his valuation would climb. On September 16, European broadcasts went live to discuss the newly released figures with fans, analyzing which players were overpriced and which were undervalued. Controversial topics like these naturally drew huge attention.
Alongside Gerrard, the show invited former Premier League captain Robin van Persie as a special guest.
"Van Persie, in your view, how much will Lin's valuation increase?"
Van Persie paused to think.
"Because of the Neymar transfer, player valuations across football are generally quite high right now. When Transfermarkt updates its figures, it also considers age and performances in the top five leagues."
"But Lin has only played six league matches and one Champions League group game, so I don't think his valuation will rise to something shockingly high."
"That said, his age gives him an extra boost, so Lin's valuation is genuinely hard to predict. I think it could surprise everyone."
It was the most balanced take of the discussion.
Gerrard nodded. He had a strong feeling that Leo Lin's valuation would end up higher than most people expected.
In the livestream chat, fans argued nonstop. Some predicted low figures—clearly Leo Lin's detractors. Others were more measured. And those hoping for an enormous valuation were undoubtedly diehard Liverpool supporters.
While fans debated online, far away in Europe, Barnett and Leo Lin sat nervously in front of the screen.
Barnett, in particular, looked far more anxious than Leo Lin.
"Barnett, why are you shaking?" Leo Lin laughed. "They're announcing my valuation, not yours."
Barnett clasped his hands together repeatedly in prayer.
"Don't talk. I'm praying for you!"
"The Golden Boy race is at its most intense right now. The higher your valuation, the better it is for you."
"And the higher your valuation, the more sponsors will come knocking. Your future contract wages will be higher too. A strong valuation is a key factor in earning more money and attracting more attention!"
Barnett understood the importance of market value better than anyone—after all, he was a football agent.
Hearing that his income could rise as well, Leo Lin immediately joined Barnett in prayer. The two of them kept at it until the valuation list was officially released.
It didn't take long for Barnett to spot Leo Lin's number. Just as he let out a cheer, Liverpool fans across the internet erupted as well.
"€45 million! I told you—we've got the best young player in football!"
"Not even 20 yet and already pushing €50 million—this is real quality!"
"Youth really is an advantage. It boosts your valuation massively!"
No one had expected that on the latest rankings, Leo Lin would be given a brand-new market value of a full 45 million euros.
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser