Chapter 486: Georgian Star


    ?


    Though they had a world-ss yer on their side. In terms of squad depth, they were superior even without most of their core yers.


    Also, they ranked much higher than their opponent.


    So, why would they worry about a side weaker than them? Sure their recent performance had been outstanding. But even so, it wasn''t outstanding enough to make them worried.


    Rather many among the veteran yers didn''t even put much importance to this match. Their eyes were set on the match against Brazil.


    In their words, it was like a warm-up.


    Even for the coaching staff, it was a match to test their newly prepared tactics.


    However, it didn''t mean that they were taking this match less seriously. They were as serious as they would be during the World Cup matches.


    In fact, the pressure on the coaching staff was rather huge. Theycked their core yers. The squad was almost divided. Even worse most were newly appointed coaches.


    So as much as this match was a test for the yers it was also a test for the coaches.


    After a while, both sides entered the field for some warm-ups. At once as the Georgian yers emerged the crowd went wild with excitement.


    At the center of the attention was a man named Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a renowned footballer who had been nominated for the Ballon d''Or multiple times.


    The star yer of the opposing side.


    The aura with which he carried himself was entirely different than the rest. It was akin to the aura of an emperor. Even at a nce, he simply stood out. He was like an authentic jade, shining brighter than everyone else in the opposing squad.


    Hiro''s eyes fell on him as he nced at the opposing half.


    ''Would it be a one-man show?''


    Hiro thought as he watched him. He had been eagerly looking forward to meeting this man.


    The opposing number seven was a great dribbler. A performer sought after by many top clubs in Europe. In many ces, Hiro and he shared many simrities as well. Both relied on their explosive eleration and creativity.


    Yet it didn''t cross his mind once that he could outperform him.


    Though he had the talent how could hepare against someone who had already made his presence known? So, he didn''t think aboutparing himself with him.


    At this moment while he was deeply looking at him, the opposing number seven started walking toward their side. Upon noticing his movement, he couldn''t help but worry that he had been caught staring at him.


    Was I too obvious?


    The closer he got the more his heart raced.


    Why is heing here?


    He couldn''t help but attribute it to him. After all, he was looking straight at him. Nervously, Hiro tried to roll his eye away.


    Then just as he rolled his eyes, he noticed Aya walking to the opposing side.


    Aya yed for Bayern while Kvaratskhelia yed for Paris Saint-German. They had faced each other a couple of times in the Champions League. So it wasn''t that shocking that they knew each other.


    Until a year ago, he had been ying for Napoli. However, only recently he had earned himself a big money move to PSG.


    Kvaratskhelia himself denied that it was for money. And said that he was intrigued by the project put forward by PSG in a recent interview when asked about his sudden move to Paris.


    But everyone knows that it''s for the money.


    After losing Kylian Mbappe, Paris desperately needed someone to rece him. So they went on a signing spree, signing multiple yers from various top clubs.


    Rumor has it that they even offered crazy money for the young sensation of Barcelona. The estimated amount amounted to more than 250 million pounds.


    ''Just how many zeros are there in such a staggering amount?''


    At this moment, while recalling the recent events in the world of football, subconsciously his eyes turned green with greed.


    Even he couldn''t deny the allure of such a huge sum despite his love for the sport. It was even more amazing how Barcelona rejected such arge sum of money when they were going through a financial crisis.


    Well, rumor had it that in 2012 Chelsea had offered a staggering sum for Messi. But even at that time, they rejected the bid.


    Those weren''t the only times they were offered such a lump sum of money for their yers. Ansu Fati, Pedri, Gavi, the list could go on and on. Had they cashed in on their yers they would have easily exceeded the billion-dor revenue.


    ''They only know how to reject. If only they were such wise when it came to signing perhaps the club would have been in a much better situation right now.''


    Thinking about the poor management of Barcelona, Hiro couldn''t help but shake his head dismissively.


    But why was he thinking all that stuff right now? That too in the middle of a match. Without even realizing his thoughts had derailed.


    So, he immediately brought his attention to the present.


    In front of him, Aya and the opposing number seven were exchanging greetings. The way they carried each other when they spoke, it seemed that they were on amicable terms despite the two practically being enemies.


    Alongside Japanese, Aya could fluently speak Italian and German as well. If not for his ability to speak Italian the two might not be able to converse so fluently.


    "I don''t see any Yamada or Endo," Khvicha said as he swept his gaze through the opposing squad. Then his tone got a little t as he furrowed his brows, "Or is it that you lot are underestimating us?"


    "Endo has picked an injury. So did Ito. The injury he had pickedst season is affecting him negatively. As for Yamada, I don''t know about him," Aya rified, trying to reassure him. At this moment, he rolled his eyes, turning to look at Hiro. Then he confidently said, "However, rest assured, we aren''t underestimating. We have a quality squad."


    Upon seeing his confident smirk, the number seven couldn''t help but follow his eye.