Chapter 465: Heading to Brazil, the start of the World Cup journey
After the Champions League ended, Li Chuanqi finally understood what "double fame and fortune" meant.
Li Chuanqi became the first football star with an annual income of over 100 million, arousing widespread discussion among fans and media around the world.
It has been a full week since Li Chuanqi finished these tasks, and then he went to report to the Spanish team.
Del Bosque is considerate. After Li Chuanqi and others returned to the team, he did not arrange heavy exercise and gave them sufficient time to recuperate.
Even in several warm-up matches during the period, Del Bosque did not let Li Chuanqi play the entire game.
Because Atletico Madrid won the Champions League, Atletico Madrid has as many as six players selected for the squad this time, only one less than Barcelona, while Real Madrid only has four players selected.
This is the first time in the history of Atletico Madrid that they have surpassed Real Madrid in terms of numbers.
On June 2, Spain went to the United States for training and was warmly received by President *** of the United States at the White House.
***Encourage Li Chuanqi to perform at an unprecedented high level in the World Cup in Brazil and contribute more exciting goals to fans around the world.
Spain is assigned to Group B, which also includes the Netherlands, Chile, and Australia.
Spain and the Netherlands are the favorites to qualify in this group. After all, the two teams were the champions and runners-up in the last World Cup.
After four years, the two teams were placed in the same group. Dutch fans and media were very excited about this and clamored for "revenge."
After a week of training in the United States, the Spanish team headed to Brazil, and the World Cup journey officially kicked off.
On June 10, the Spanish delegation appeared at the Salvador International Airport and were warmly received by fans and media.
Salvador is a coastal city in the northeastern part of the Federal Republic of Brazil, the capital of the state of Bayia, and the third largest city in Brazil.
Facing more than 300 media reporters from all over the world, Spanish coach Del Bosque talked about this World Cup group match: "The four teams in Group B are all strong teams. Our goal is to make steady progress and gradually
Find the feel of the game.”
Del Bosque kept silent about whether the group can qualify. Perhaps in his opinion, there is no problem in qualifying.
He was unwilling to talk, but media reporters did not let him get what he wanted. A Dutch reporter asked: "What do you think of the defending champion's curse?"
France, the 1998 World Cup champion, did not even qualify for the group stage at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan; Brazil, the 2002 World Cup champion, fell in the quarterfinals; Italy, the 2006 World Cup champion, did not qualify for the group stage at the 2010 World Cup.
This is the so-called "defending champion curse."
"We are not the French team, nor are we the Italian team."
Del Bosque said calmly: "We will definitely enter the knockout rounds, that's for sure."
The defending champion's curse has become the main content of media reporters' interviews with Spain.
Xavi said: "The defending champion cannot qualify from the group. The main problem is that the players are aging and the main players are injured. Spain does not have such problems. So the so-called curse has nothing to do with Spain."
Iniesta said: "This is a good thing, reminding us to get into the state as soon as possible!"
Pique smiled and said: "For us, there is no problem in qualifying from the group. Our goal is to compete for the championship!"
Costa shrugged and said: "You can't use France and Italy as examples. We are more like the Brazilian team in 1994 and 1998. Brazil won the championship in 1994 and entered the final in 1998. We are now very much like the Brazilian team back then.
When Brazil won the championship in 1994, Ronaldo did not play. In 1998, as the core of the team, Ronaldo shined and led Brazil all the way to the finals.
Li did not participate in the last World Cup. He participated in this World Cup as the core of the offense, which is very similar to the Brazilian team that year.
So, for us, the so-called curse does not exist."
Li Chuanqi said: "Magic curse? I have never considered this.
Even if there is a curse, just break it!
This is like a record, the purpose of the curse is for us to break it.
This is my first World Cup, and I hope to have a perfect summer without leaving any regrets.
I believe in my teammates, they are the best players in the world."
When talking about the goals of this World Cup, Li Chuanqi said: "Winning the championship is definitely the first goal, and then becoming the top scorer."
He nodded and said, "Well, that's it."
Li Chuanqi is "ambitious" for this World Cup.
To become a star that will go down in history, you must have a very important championship in your hands.
He has completed the top league championship and the Champions League this season, which is considered very successful.
But this is a professional league result.
In the national team, he had no achievements.
When he won the Ballon d'Or at the beginning of this year, many fans and media criticized him, believing that he had not won a significant championship.
Although he didn't care much about those words, they still left a deep impression on him.
This year is the World Cup year. Of course he wants to win the World Cup and clear his name.
Stop those people's mouths with the World Cup.
The Spanish team is of course strong, but many people have not seen the potential crisis in the Spanish team. The core members of the last World Cup, Xavi and others, are already old.
Time is ruthless. Four years ago, Harvey and others were in high spirits. Today, four years later, they are no longer at their peak and have entered the end of their careers.
In this case, the so-called "defending champion curse" actually exists.
But Li Chuanqi is an "ambitious" person, and he will not allow this situation to exist. He wants to lead Spain to break the "curse of defending champions."
When talking about the first game of the group, Li Chuanqi said: "It is normal for the Netherlands to want revenge. We have to understand the mood of Dutch fans. They have reached the World Cup finals twice but failed in the end.
But understanding is understanding, we will not let them succeed.
The Dutch team is a very strong team with many capable and famous players, and it is an opponent worthy of respect."
That night, Li Chuanqi wrote on his social platform: "Forget the past, a new journey has begun! Here I am, Brazil!"
Fans left him messages of encouragement:
"Yes, a new journey has begun. Li, come on, we look forward to you bringing us more surprises!"
"What does 'more surprises' mean? For Li, that's what it should be!"
"Brother downstairs, you are so swollen. We must keep a low profile. We must keep a low profile!"
"I'm here too, Brazil, well, I'm on my way to Brazil..."
"Li, for you, this is just another arena. Defeat all your opponents, stand on the highest podium, and overlook the world!"
"It's true, I think the World Cup is like that. It's just that the opponents are happy and the opponents are a little stronger. But Spain is very strong, really very strong! Come on, Li, this is the World Cup where you ascend to the throne.
Journey!”
"Don't worry, brothers, it's no problem. Spain was able to win the last World Cup without Li, so what's the problem with this World Cup?"
