Echoes of Greatness: The Rise of a Global Football Sensation

"First place in this year's comprehensive evaluation is... Yang Yang!"

Vanpoer's voice trailed off, and the scene seemed to fall into a dead silence.

No one could believe their ears, seriously doubting that they had misheard or that Vanpoer had made a mistake.

How could it be him?

As everyone turned to look at Yang Yang, who had just started to leave, Yang Yang also turned in shock and looked at Dick Vanpoer in disbelief.

Did he hear correctly? How could it be me? Yang Yang asked himself. He couldn't believe it; it seemed impossible.

"This can't be right. How is it him?"

"Is there something wrong with the evaluation?"

"Mr. Vanpoer, did you announce it incorrectly?"

"How is this possible?"

"Yes, he's awarded first place. Shouldn't it have gone to someone more deserving?"

There was an uproar at the scene, and everyone struggled to accept such a result. It was incredibly shocking and met with skepticism.

Does this mean the coaching staff decided to favor Yang Yang?

That's absurd!

I could understand giving him third place, maybe even second, but why first?

Even Henk Dimer, Nick, and the others couldn't believe it as they looked at the coaching staff, seriously doubting the legitimacy of this assessment. They found it hard to fathom that Yang Yang could have secured first place.

Despite his significant progress in recent times, it seemed implausible for him to outshine everyone else to this extent.

Both Johnny Rep and Dick Vanpoer wore wry smiles, evidently anticipating the players' reactions.

Not only the players, but even the coaches were taken aback by the result. Some suggested adjusting the results slightly to avoid misunderstandings among the players, proposing that Yang Yang should be placed second or third. However, Johnny Rep ultimately made the decision himself.

"There's no need to alter what's rightfully earned," he asserted.

Observing the players' reactions, Johnny Rep stepped forward and raised his hands to signal for calm, indicating he had something to address.

As the team's head coach and a former international football star, Johnny Rep commanded great respect from the team. Upon his prompting, everyone naturally quietened down.

Yang Yang, who had already turned away in disbelief, also approached the gathering, eager to understand the situation.

"As you're all aware, this comprehensive evaluation primarily considers three aspects: regular training, performance in competitive matches, and the final assessment. However, this time, we've added new sections to the final evaluation—evaluations of past development and future potential. This addition was suggested by Louis van Gaal, as many youth teams have already incorporated these criteria."

Nods of acknowledgment rippled through the group, recalling that these changes had been discussed well before the results were announced, and no objections were voiced.

"Once all players' evaluations are posted at the entrance to the locker room, you'll have the opportunity to review them thoroughly. For now, I'll briefly present Yang Yang's score."

"After all, it's the first, the most contested, and the most controversial. The coaching staff really needs to provide an explanation for this."

"If you look at Yang Yang's evaluation, you'll notice significant improvement in his regular training, especially over the past month. While it may not be the best, his performance in the last four games positions him as the standout player in the team."

Everyone noted that Johnny Rep didn't refer to Yang Yang as one of the best, but the best. For both the coaching staff and himself, Yang Yang has unequivocally been the top performer in the team over the last four games, particularly in the match against Flevoland, where he revitalized the team's attack and emerged as the hero who saved us from a crushing defeat.

Even Henk Dimer and others had to concede to Johnny Rep's assessment, as from a match performance perspective, Yang Yang has undeniably been the team's standout hero, a factor that carried the greatest weight in these three evaluations.

Nick's performance has been average since his recovery from injury as he continues to regain his peak form. It's clear that Henk Dimer hasn't found his stride since his disappointing display against Flevoland.

However, despite Yang Yang's impressive game performances, the negative impression he left over the past year still lingers. Many find it difficult to change their perception in such a short time, so while everyone acknowledges Yang Yang's progress, they hadn't expected him to perform at this level.

"Upon reviewing the final evaluation results, Yang Yang excelled in several areas such as off-the-ball running, one-on-one offense and defense, 10-meter and 30-meter sprints, but struggled in others like first touch, shooting, and passing, particularly his first touch which was notably problematic."

His issue with first touch isn't solely due to an inability to control the ball afterward, but rather the quality of his initial touch.

An excellent first touch allows a player to quickly get into position, set up a pass, dribble, or shoot accurately and swiftly. However, Yang Yang often struggles with his first touch—it's either too forceful, causing the ball to bounce away and making it hard to maintain possession, or he fails to make clean contact, leading to turnovers or a scramble to regain control. As a result, it's more effective to pass to him on the flanks where there's more space, allowing him time to regain control. Moreover, he's adept at running into open spaces to intercept passes, minimizing his exposure during the game.

Simply put, avoiding mistakes in ball control is more memorable than controlling it within a meter or ten. Furthermore, with Yang Yang's speed, he can quickly catch up to the ball even if it's several meters away.

"Our final assessment score is comprehensive, comprising 20 components plus a new segment. Yang Yang ranks second overall, combining regular training, competition performance, and the new evaluation criteria into the final score everyone sees."

As Johnny Rep explained, a member of the coaching staff pinned evaluation sheets for all players on the wall behind him. Convinced by Johnny Rep's explanation, the players hurried forward.

Indeed, according to the scoreboard ranking, Yang Yang held a narrow lead—just one and a half points more than Henk Dimer in second place. Yang Yang significantly outperformed Henk Dimer, Nick, and others in game performance and overall progress.

Reviewing the scores, Yang Yang's evaluation remained mixed; he still struggled with his first touch, but excelled in game performance and other criteria. When combined with his academic achievements, his overall score placed him first.

Seeing the score sheet, everyone found it unbelievable, yet they accepted it nonetheless.

At the very least, it's implausible for the coaching staff to intentionally manipulate the standings to deceive them, as many of the scores reflect their genuine assessments. For instance, Yang Yang's struggle with his first touch is widely acknowledged.

Henk Dimer felt defeated. His earlier complacency stemmed from believing Yang Yang wouldn't threaten his position in the team, yet now he realized he had underestimated the Chinese youngster. It wasn't just him—all the players, even the coaching staff, had underestimated Yang Yang.

While everyone recognized Yang Yang's diligent efforts to improve, no one comprehended the extent of his progress until they saw it laid out before them, which seemed almost unbelievable.

"Congratulations, Yang Yang," Henk Dimer muttered inwardly. He turned and approached Yang Yang, extending his hand in congratulations.

"Thank you," Yang Yang replied, unaware of the results or the commotion.

"You've earned this," Henk Dimer said with a touch of bitterness, but a smile tugged at his lips. "You've won this round, but I'll double down in the next amateur competition. I hope you won't disappoint us."

Yang Yang smiled confidently. "Don't worry, I'll be even better."

Suddenly, Henk Dimer recalled a conversation over a month ago in Helen Parkhurst School's classroom. Yang Yang had boldly declared his intention to compete for a top-three spot, a statement Henk Dimer had mocked at the time. Now, more than a month later, not only had Yang Yang cracked the top three, but he had claimed first place, leaving them all feeling humbled.

As Henk Dimer stepped forward to congratulate Yang Yang, other teammates gathered around to offer their congratulations as well. After reviewing the score sheet, many understood why Yang Yang had secured first place. While somewhat controversial, his achievement was undeniably deserving of recognition.

However, throughout the entire ordeal, no one approached Yang Yang to ask for an autograph for the Ajax Genius Day selection event, highlighting that acceptance among his teammates still eluded him. A month wasn't enough time for Yang Yang to build strong relationships with everyone on the team.

Gradually, the teammates began to disperse—some surprised, others disappointed, especially those in the bottom three places.

As his teammates moved away from the scoreboard, Yang Yang examined his scores more closely. He wasn't fixated on his ranking but rather on improving his overall skills.

He acknowledged he still had a long way to go to match Henk Dimer and others, particularly in fundamental skills. Yang Yang resolved to continue working diligently, confident that steady progress would come with time.

However, Yang Yang was keenly aware that time was ticking. With just two months until the Ajax Genius Day selection event in August, he needed to perform well in the Summer Youth Amateur Competition. His goal was to stand out and impress his idol, Van Basten, during Talent Day and in matches against Ajax stars. With summer break just beginning, he planned to dedicate himself to intensive training to prepare.

Soon after, Yang Yang, Henk Dimer, and Nick were summoned to head coach Johnny Rep's office. The main topic of discussion was the imminent disbandment of the team and the possibility of signing professional contracts with the three of them at the beginning of the new season.

"By the way, Yang Yang, you don't have an agent yet, so you'd better find one," Johnny Rep advised.

An agent can assist players with various aspects, such as negotiating contracts with the club, reducing potential conflicts, and being knowledgeable about contract formats and terms.

"Okay, I understand," Yang Yang agreed.

Upon hearing that all three had decided to compete in the summer youth amateur competition, Johnny Rep expressed his delight and encouraged them to play as many games as possible to enhance their skills quickly. They would officially join the first team for training and competition at the beginning of the new season.

"I look forward to seeing you wearing the first team jersey and playing on the field," Johnny Rep said with an encouraging smile.

The trio eagerly anticipated the opportunity. Yang Yang, in particular, was filled with excitement.

After the assessment results were announced, the youth team officially began their summer break and disbanded immediately.

Yang Yang jogged southward with the ball at his feet, feeling invigorated. Each step was precise, each touch exact. He recognized there were some psychological factors at play, but overall, he felt genuinely relaxed.

As he passed the skate park, he took a detour, partly to visit the graffiti wall that had been a familiar sight over the past month, and partly in hopes of encountering Louis Van Gaal again. Yang Yang eagerly anticipated a meaningful conversation with the renowned manager.

It was amusing—despite their acquaintance, Yang Yang didn't even know Van Gaal's name. Whenever they met, they exchanged a few words before Van Gaal focused on observing Yang Yang's training, concluding with handing him a bottle of water.

Unfortunately, after spending some time at the skate park, Yang Yang didn't see Van Gaal. He sighed with disappointment, suspecting Van Gaal might have already left Almere.

Leaving the park behind, he continued southward, passing through the villa area until he reached his uncle's restaurant. Standing at the back door, Yang Yang hesitated briefly before deciding to surprise his uncle. He composed himself, ensuring he didn't betray any hints of his emotions, before entering.

Before the dinner rush, Uncle Shen Ming was busy with the kitchen staff, preparing dishes in advance for the evening. Some required extensive cooking times, necessitating early preparation to avoid delays.

Noticing Yang Yang's arrival through the back door, expressionless, Shen Ming, sweating profusely from his kitchen duties, nearly dropped what he was doing in surprise. He quickly excused himself from the kitchen to greet Yang Yang.

"How are you? Did you manage to pass?" Uncle asked carefully, wiping his hands. His demeanor resembled that of a parent concerned about their child's final exam results.

Yang Yang frowned slightly, showing a hint of embarrassment. He hesitated for a moment before letting out a long sigh.

"Cough," Uncle sighed in response. "It's okay. Try harder next time. Even if you can't stay in Almere, your current performance would attract interest from other teams."

Uncle believed Yang Yang's assessment results were disappointing and that he might not have secured his spot on the team.

Meanwhile, Yang Yang's aunt and cousin heard the conversation, entered the kitchen, and noticed the expressions on Shen Ming and Yang Yang's faces. They understood the situation without needing words and felt sorry and saddened for Yang Yang.

Throughout the past month, they had witnessed Yang Yang's dedication and had high hopes for his performance. The outcome of failure was unexpected.

"It's alright, Yang Yang. Give it your best next time," Aunt reassured him.

"Yes, there's always another chance. Even if it doesn't work out, I've spoken to your mother about you staying in the Netherlands to continue your studies. You're excelling academically, so focus on getting into a good university here and securing a good future back home," Uncle added encouragingly.

Moved by the genuine concern and support from his aunt and cousin, Yang Yang felt overwhelmed. He decided to lighten the mood by revealing the truth, which made him burst into laughter.

All three of them had been solemnly concerned for Yang Yang, but suddenly he burst into such joyful laughter that they exchanged puzzled glances. Had his results been so dire that he was laughing at himself?

"Uncle, aunt, cousin, I passed the test," Yang Yang announced proudly.

"What?"

"You passed?"

"Hey, you trickster..."

The Shen Ming family hadn't reacted yet, still taken aback by Yang Yang's prank. He had deliberately teased them.

Uncle raised his hand as if to swat him, but Yang Yang continued to laugh openly, confident his uncle wouldn't actually hit him.

Sure enough, Uncle's hand landed gently on Yang Yang's shoulder.

"You little trickster, making fun of your uncle like that," Uncle Shen Ming chuckled.

"Yeah, we were all so sad seeing your face, and here you are playing tricks. Are you sure you don't want to pursue acting?" his aunt teased.

"Yang Yang, you could win an Oscar for that performance," his cousin chimed in.

Uncle held Yang Yang's shoulders and grinned. "Alright, enough suspense. How did you really do?"

"Surprisingly, I came in first," Yang Yang replied.

"What?!" All three exclaimed simultaneously.

All three of them suddenly froze, then burst into laughter. Yang Yang's cousin exaggeratedly pointed at him, saying, "Yang Yang, forget football—go to Hollywood or back to Beijing for stand-up comedy. You'd have me in stitches!"

They all thought incredulously, Who would believe he could come in first?

"You know, truth is stranger than fiction," Yang Yang said with a playful pout.

Not only had he passed the test, he'd taken first place, qualifying for the Ajax Genius Day selection event. Yang Yang, usually more reserved, was now relaxed and playful among his loved ones, cracking jokes rarely heard from him.

After Uncle Shen Ming and the others finished laughing, they noticed Yang Yang's serious expression and quieted down.

"Did you really come in first?" Uncle asked cautiously.

"Yes, it's true," Yang Yang confirmed.

"How did you manage to come in first?" Uncle pressed further.

"I'm not even sure how I managed it," Yang Yang admitted with a smile.

Uncle Shen Ming nearly jumped up, ready to give that mischievous kid a playful kick. He had indeed come in first, but it was clear it hadn't been easy.

He had witnessed everything Yang Yang had endured over the past year, feeling his struggles as deeply as if they were his own child's. Yang Yang had always been cheerful, but upon starting his training with the Almere youth players, he had grown quiet, keeping to himself. Fortunately, in the last month, Yang Yang had regained his confidence, and they could all feel his renewed sense of self-assurance and joy, especially evident in the bright smile that lit up his face.

Both Aunt and Cousin believed in Yang Yang's sincerity. They knew he wouldn't fabricate such achievements, and his happiness was genuine and heartfelt.

After a round of congratulations, Uncle quickly sobered, fixing Yang Yang with a serious look. "If you managed to secure first place this time, you know how challenging it must have been."

Yang Yang nodded solemnly. He understood that his achievement was the outcome of relentless hard work day and night over the past month. However, he refrained from pride because he recognized he still lagged behind players like Henk Dimer in certain fundamental skills.

"Securing first place acknowledges your efforts, but it should also motivate you to push even harder," Uncle continued earnestly. "You're bright, Yang Yang. Remember, humility is an advantage. Almere may be a small team in a small Dutch town, and joining the first team isn't everything. There are always others out there who are better. Stay humble and diligent, do you understand?"

Yang Yang nodded deeply. With his parents absent, Uncle Shen Ming had treated him like his own son since childhood. His words resonated deeply with Yang Yang, reinforcing his resolve.

"I understand, Uncle," Yang Yang replied sincerely.

"Winning first place means you get to participate in the Ajax Genius Day selection event, right?" Uncle chuckled, imagining how jealous his neighbors would be.

"Cousin, cousin, come here!" His cousin rushed over excitedly. "You're going to Ajax's Genius Day, right?"

"Yes."

"Could you get me Van der Vaart's autograph? Maybe even a group photo if possible?"

Van der Vaart was currently Ajax's rising star and considered one of the leaders of the new generation of Dutch footballers. He held a prominent status not just in the Netherlands but across Europe, admired for his skill and charm. His popularity, especially among female fans, was undeniable.

Yang Yang understood the request but hesitated. "I'll do my best," he promised.

He wasn't sure if he would meet Van der Vaart, and the idea of approaching a 20-year-old star for an autograph while being 16 made him feel a bit awkward due to the age difference not being that large.

"Okay, quickly call your parents and share the good news," Uncle urged, gently patting Yang Yang's shoulder. "When we get back, we'll all have a drink and celebrate."

"Uncle, I can't drink," Yang Yang reminded him.

"Then drink water, that's enough," Cousin Shen Yuzhu laughed.

......

......

Yang Yang's parents, based in China, were initially skeptical but ultimately delighted to learn about their son's remarkable progress and achievement in Almere. Despite their reservations about him pursuing football, they decided to support Yang Yang wholeheartedly since he was already excelling in the sport.

However, they repeatedly emphasized to Yang Yang the importance of humility, patience, and maintaining good academic performance. They insisted that he must prioritize his studies and aim to attend university in the future. Aware of the uncertainties and challenges of a professional football career, they expressed concerns about the financial stability and long-term prospects in lower leagues, reinforcing their desire for Yang Yang to have a solid educational foundation.

Yang Yang, understanding his parents' concerns and aspirations, assured them that he would heed their advice and fulfill their expectations. With his exceptional memory and determination, he felt confident that he could excel both academically and athletically. His commitment to proving himself both on the field and in academics reflected his deep respect for his parents' wishes and his own ambition to secure a stable future.

After receiving congratulations and celebrating with family and restaurant staff at his uncle's place, Yang Yang continued his rigorous routine over the next few days. With a break from school and team training, he focused intensely on his development. Each night, he engaged in specialized training using the Dream Training System to hone his football skills. During the day, he split his time between training at the skate park and assisting at his uncle's restaurant during peak hours, keeping himself occupied from dawn till dusk.

On the third day after his victory, Yang Yang was surprised to find Henk Dimer and other talents knocking on his door. Their unexpected visit signaled that they wanted to discuss football and training strategies, especially in preparation for the upcoming summer youth amateur competition.

Henk Dimer, known for his experience and skills, likely intended to share insights and tips with Yang Yang. This meeting could prove crucial as Yang Yang prepared to compete among young players, aiming to further refine his abilities and solidify his position within the team.