Chapter 613: The Goal
With the conclusion of the Champions League, the 2017-2018 season has officially ended. Manchester United, who remained unbeaten across all competitions, claiming the Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, English League Cup, FA Cup, Premier League, and Champions League titles, are undoubtedly the biggest winners.
For the players, Bruno is the most dazzling star. His 41 league goals not only secured him the Premier League Golden Boot but also allowed him to surpass Messi and retain the European Golden Shoe. Additionally, with 23 assists in 38 Premier League matches, he outperformed De Bruyne, Thomas Müller, Alberto, Neymar, and Messi to become the top assist provider in Europe's top five leagues.
In the Champions League, Bruno scored 14 goals, and although he didn't surpass Ronaldo for the Golden Boot, he was still outstanding. He also provided 11 assists in 12 Champions League matches, making him the top assist provider in the competition this season.
Throughout the 2017-2018 season, Bruno played 61 matches for Manchester United in all competitions, the most of any player in Europe's top five leagues. His 5368 minutes on the pitch also topped the charts.
In these 61 matches, Bruno scored a total of 67 goals and provided 36 assists, the highest in the top five leagues.
Comparatively, Ronaldo had 44 goals and 8 assists in 43 matches, and Messi had 45 goals and 18 assists in 54 matches, both significantly behind Bruno.
...
Though Bruno's club season ended, he couldn't start his vacation yet, as the FIFA World Cup in Russia was about to begin.
In fact, the Portuguese national team had already gathered and started preparing for the World Cup before the Champions League final.
Two days after the Champions League final, on the evening of May 28, Portugal played their first warm-up match against Tunisia.
Without the three Portuguese players who participated in the Champions League final, the captain's armband was worn by the veteran Pepe.
Portugal played at a high level in the first half, with goals from André Silva and João Mário giving them a two-goal lead.
However, after taking the lead, Portugal became complacent, allowing Tunisia to pull one back in the 39th minute and equalize in the 64th minute.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
...
Five days later, on June 2, Portugal faced Belgium at the Roi Baudouin Stadium for their second World Cup warm-up match.
This was a high-profile clash between the world's third and fourth-ranked teams. Portugal was ranked third in the FIFA rankings, while Belgium, who performed well in the World Cup qualifiers, was fourth.
Belgium is considered one of Europe's most talented teams. In Roberto Martínez's preliminary 28-man squad, the total value reached an astonishing 800 million euros.
Due to the abundance of talent, Martínez even left out Roma's midfield core, Nainggolan.
Belgium's squad featured stars like Chelsea's attacking core Hazard, Manchester City's midfield maestro De Bruyne, Serie A Golden Boot winner Mertens, Chelsea's striker Lukaku, and Manchester City's captain Kompany.
Facing a Portugal team without their two main players, Bruno and Ronaldo, and with several key players rested, Belgium's star-studded attack, including Hazard and Lukaku, couldn't find the net, extending their 29-year winless streak against Portugal to 0-0.
Additionally, Belgium lost their key defender Kompany during the match, raising concerns about their World Cup prospects.
Despite missing their two main players, Portugal showed great potential by drawing with Tunisia and Belgium.
...
On the evening of June 7, Portugal played their final warm-up match before the World Cup.
Bruno and Ronaldo had rejoined the team and both started the match.
With just eight days left before Portugal's first World Cup group stage match against Spain, this game was seen as their final rehearsal.
In this match, Ronaldo played alongside Bernardo Silva and Guedes in the front line. The midfield consisted of Bruno, Moutinho, and William Carvalho.
Algeria, their opponent, also had notable players like Bruno's Manchester United teammate Mahrez, Leicester City's striker Slimani, and Napoli's Ghoulam.
Portugal started aggressively, attacking Algeria's penalty area just 10 seconds after kick-off.
In the 16th minute, Bruno delivered a precise long pass from midfield. Bernardo Silva, near the edge of the penalty area, headed it down for Guedes, who rushed in and shot the ball into the net. Portugal led Algeria 1-0.
In the 36th minute, Ronaldo dribbled down the left flank and crossed. Bruno headed in the ball from the penalty spot. Portugal led 2-0.
This score remained until halftime.
In the second half, Portugal continued their offensive. In the 54th minute, Guerreiro crossed from the left flank, and Guedes headed in to extend the lead to 3-0.
The match ended with a 3-0 victory for Portugal over Algeria.
Ronaldo reached a milestone of 150 international appearances, becoming the first player in Portuguese football history to do so.
...
After three warm-up matches, Portugal flew to Russia to prepare for the World Cup.
Before leaving Lisbon, the team was received and seen off by President de Sousa at the National Coach Museum, a high-level honor that boosted the team's morale ahead of the World Cup.
When Portugal's bus arrived at their hotel in Sochi, as usual, Ronaldo was the last to get off. After getting off, he headed straight into the hotel.
Besides giving a big hug to a reporter from AS, he told them, "Tomorrow we will beat Spain."
After saying this, the Portuguese star winked playfully and walked into the hotel with a smile.
Portugal's first World Cup match would be against Spain, the 2010 World Cup champions, in the highly anticipated Iberian clash on June 15.
Spain was dealing with a coaching change, having just lost their head coach Lopetegui. Former Real Madrid and Spain player Hierro would lead the team in the World Cup.
Portugal and Spain were grouped in Group B, alongside Iran and Morocco.
...
After their first training session in Sochi, coach Santos found Bruno in the dining room and told him they needed to talk that evening in Santos' room.
After dinner and some time with his teammates, Bruno went to Santos' room as requested.
Santos welcomed him in, first asking about Bruno's physical and stamina condition.
Their conversation felt more like an equal exchange rather than a coach-player discussion.
Then Santos got to the point: "What are your thoughts on this World Cup, Bruno?"
"What do you mean, coach?"
"Your expectations."
"Of course, the championship." Bruno had already thought about this question. Not on the way here, but ever since qualifying for the World Cup.
Aside from the championship, he couldn't think of any other goal. Portugal had won the European Championship two years ago, so why not aim for the World Cup? His experience and confidence from Europe's top competitions made him eager for the World Cup.
Though Portugal's overall strength wasn't the best globally, Bruno believed his outstanding performance could lead the team to historic success.
With his competitive nature, anything less than aiming for the championship would be pointless.
...
Santos laughed, his small eyes narrowing, "My goal is the semi-finals, which I thought was ambitious. But you're even more ambitious."
"I think this way, coach. If we reach the round of 16, it's only two more matches to the semi-finals. Why not aim for the semi-finals? Once in the semi-finals, it's just one more match to the final. Why not strive for the final? And if we reach the final, are we here to settle for second place? Only the championship is worth pursuing. So," he spread his hands, "I think the championship is the only suitable goal."
Santos couldn't help but laugh at Bruno's "why not keep going" logic.
It sounded idealistic, but coming from Bruno, it didn't seem impossible.
He had proven this multiple times in European football. Santos felt the same, but could his team have such confidence?
Santos wasn't naive. He knew Portugal's strength was less than Manchester United's. Though some might not consider United a top team in Europe, compared to the Portuguese national team, they were top-tier. At United, Bruno had many excellent teammates, but in Portugal? Besides Ronaldo, most of the time, he'd rely on himself.
However...
...
Santos looked at Bruno. He never minded these minor details. He had always carried great pressure forward.
Since Udinese, he had been seen as the new hope for Portuguese football, the one who could help Portugal break through. Bruno never disappointed, helping Portugal win the European Championship and the Confederations Cup.
Over the past four years, Bruno had performed outstandingly and consistently. He even actively took on more pressure, seeming to enjoy playing under immense pressure.
His mental strength was his key advantage.
Santos said, "If that's how you feel, that's great. But you know, football isn't a solo sport. You might have this mindset and work towards it, but what about your teammates? Can you ensure they think and act the same?"
Bruno shook his head, "I don't know, but I'm willing to try."
Santos nodded, "Alright, you and Cristiano have the same goal. You're the captain, he's the midfield core. If you two are united, work hard towards it. Go rest; you must be exhausted."
Bruno smiled, "I'm fine, coach. Young people have lots of energy; a little travel is nothing."
...
Their conversation ended, but Santos gained insight into his key players' thoughts. Knowing the true intentions of the team's two key players, including previous talks with Ronaldo, was beneficial for his work.
If the core players lacked ambition, his job would be difficult. But if the core players were driven, his work would be much easier.
A team's core is crucial. That's why they're called "core." The difference in Manchester United with and without Bruno was clear.
Bruno also gained from the conversation, understanding Santos' plans. Despite publicly stating no goals for the World Cup, Santos aimed for the semi-finals.
Once in the semi-finals, that goal would shift. As Santos said, if they reached the final, why not aim to win? If they made it to the final, why settle for second place?
So, if the team made it to the semi-finals, Bruno was confident in pursuing the championship.
Leading China to a World Cup win was a fantasy, but leading Portugal wasn't. Portugal, though not a top team, was strong. They had won the European Championship and the Confederations Cup, and besides Ronaldo and Bruno, their other key players were top-tier in Europe's leagues.
So, they had the foundation and could aim high.
If they were just there to participate, Bruno would rather have a good holiday and join United's pre-season training for the next season.
(END CHAPTER)
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