<h4>Chapter 253: Late bloomer</h4>
After the end of the game, the Colombian defender appeared somewhat despondent, standing with his hands on his hips and staring nkly ahead, seemingly still immersed in the regret of his mistakes.
Zti approached him and said, "Ivan, stop dwelling on the past. Let''s focus on the future. Come on, let''s go back to the locker room and rest."
Cordoba,ing back to his senses, nodded and began walking towards the sideline. However, he felt a twitch in his right leg, which had prevented him from keeping up with the opponent''s forward during the game.
Zti quickly noticed this and asked for details. After learning about his feeling, he said, "I had a simr feeling duringst year''s Champions League final, and then I got injured. You should let the team doctor take a look at you."
The two returned to the locker room and immediately called for the team doctor. After a check-up, the doctor said, "This is a muscle injury caused by overexertion. You need to be hospitalized for treatment." Cordoba frowned, not expecting to be injured at this time. "How long do I need to be absent?" he asked.
"It will probably take at least a month. I will report to the coach and the management. Once we''re back in Mn, I''ll take you to the hospital," replied the doctor before hurrying out.
"Damn it!" Cordoba pounded the chair in the locker room. "Maybe you should have reported your physical condition to me earlier so I could arrange rotations better." Mancini walked in and said, "After returning to Pina, everyone will undergo a detailed physical examination!"
Cordoba lowered his head in shame. He had indeed been too stubborn, which was partly due to his personality and experiences, resilient and unwilling to admit defeat.
Cordoba debuted in 1995, just a year before Colombia, led by "Golden Lion" Valderrama and "ck Hurricane" Aspri, was favored by everyone in the World Cup in the United States.
But primary defender Escobar''s own goal against the United States led to the team''s elimination in the group stage, a huge upset. Even more terrifying was that Escobar was shot dead by gang members after returning home.
For a time, Colombian football fell to its lowest point, and domestic defenders were all on edge, fearing a simr fate. At the time, Cordoba was only 19 years old. He bravely chose Escobar''s No. 2 jersey and debuted as a defender.
After establishing himself at Medellin''s Atletico Nacional, Cordoba was called up to the national team. At the time, the atmosphere within the team was bad, with no one willing to take the lead except for him, a neer. He took on the responsibility at the 1997 Copa America against strong opponents.
Although Colombia did not achieve good results in the end, his performance was recognized by everyone. He was noticed by San Lorenzo in the Argentine league, brought to Argentina, and bought by Moratti for ?16 million two yearster.
At the time, it was seen as a huge sum,pounded by his short stature of 1.73 meters, which caused dissatisfaction and questioning among many Inter Mn fans. However, Cordoba quickly won them over with his outstanding performance.
With first-ss physical fitness and a fearless spirit, he was a rare talent among all Serie A defenders, excelling in positioning, dueling, speed, and jumping ability. Even Ronaldo once said that the defender he least wanted to encounter was Cordoba.
So he could openly disdain Cannavaro, the captain of the Italian national team. Clearly, their abilities were simr, so why did he earn so much more money than me?
Many domestic fans watched Inter Mn''s games and saw Cordoba''s fierce expression and merciless defense and tackles. Thus, they gave him a domineering nickname - "Living Yanwang" (King of Hell).
However, this "Living Yanwang" looked fierce but was actually very kind-hearted. Not only did he establish a foundation to help children in his hometown of Rio Negro, but he also regrly participated in charity fundraising and charity matches.
After returning to Mn, Cordoba was taken to the hospital, while Wang Feng and others silently prayed for his speedy recovery. Inter Mn needed him!
On September 26th, in the fifth round of Serie A, Inter Mn encountered Fiorentina at home. Since buying their leading star Toni from Palermo, the "Purple Lily" had been performing astonishingly this season, jumping straight to fifth ce in the league fromst season''s relegation zone.
All this was attributed to Toni''s breakthrough. So far, Wang Feng had scored six goals, leading the top scorers list, with Toni trailing behind with four goals.
This 28-year-old Italian yer had finally reached the peak of his career. His experience was deeply explored by major media outlets. He had been lingering in lower leagues for years until he rose to Serie A with Palermo at the age of 26, demonstrating his talent. He scored 50 goals over two seasons, truly ate bloomer.
Many media outlets predicted that Toni would be a strongpetitor for the Serie A Golden Boot. This honor had been dominated by Wang Feng for four years, and even the European Golden Boot had been continuously held by Wang Feng for four years.
After the game started, Fiorentina, led by Toni, took the initiative andunched a fierce attack against the Nerazzurri. Samuel, who reced Cordoba this season after transferring from Real Madrid, had not yet fully adapted.
In the 17th minute, Toni continuously dribbled in front of the penalty area, sessfully deceiving the Inter Mn defense and seizing the opportunity to shoot from long range, piercing the home team''s goal first! Truly a top striker in his prime! Wang Feng, who hadn''t had time to defend, couldn''t help but sigh. With his keen sense of the game and delicate technique, seizing fleeting opportunities was his specialty, wasn''t it?
A sense ofpetitiveness rose in his heart, and in the 33rd minute, he responded. It was an Inter Mn counter-attack, Wang Feng dribbled the ball into the frontcourt, facing two defenders.
He first raised his right foot as if to shoot, causing one defender, Uifalusi, to extend his foot to block. But when the raised footnded, the force was small, changing the shot to a feint, shifting the ball to his left foot, and then using the toe to flick the ball to the left, evading Uifalusi''s defense.
Facing another defender, Viali, he used the same method. Feinting with the left foot and actually flicking the ball with the right foot, the ball then came to the right foot. With no obstacles in front of him, Wang Feng shot with his right foot, equalizing the score, 1-1!
Everything happened in the blink of an eye. The fans in the stands only saw Fiorentina defenders Uifalusi and Viali rashly trying to block, but they failed to intercept the ball. Instead, they allowed Wang Feng to seize the opportunity and score.
Only the three of them in the situation understood the danger and the technical content involved. Wang Feng''s body posture and shot preparation were all real. If the Fiorentina defenders hadn''t moved to block, it would have been a real shot.
Uifalusi and Viali didn''t dare to gamble on not intercepting, so they made the most appropriate defense. But what followed was what set Wang Feng apart from other forwards. He was able to instantly dissipate the force, turning a powerful shot into a gentle flick. This level of control was jaw-dropping.
At halftime, the score remained tied, but the overall strength of Inter Mn gradually took the upper hand in the second half. In the 67th minute, Inter Mn attacked in the frontcourt, and Ribery sent the ball to Wang Feng''s feet inside the penalty area.
With his back to the goal, Wang Feng stopped the ball. At this time, Viali, who was defending him, was pressing against him and secretly pulling his shirt, preventing him from turning around.
So he had to take the ball outside the penalty area. The approaching Dainelli tried to intercept, and both yers kicked the ball with force, causing it to rise into the air. Seeing this, Wang Feng jumped up, lifted his right leg, and hit the ball with the back of his right foot before the Fiorentina yer could head it.
Bicycle kick! The ball went straight to the lower right corner of the goal, and goalkeeper Lupatelli watched helplessly as it rolled into the.
2-1! Inter Mn eventually reversed Fiorentina, securing the final victory. Wang Feng continued to lead the top scorers'' list with 8 goals, ahead of Toni''s 5 goals.