The God of Soccer, Retired
By Jihoon Roh
The God of Soccer, Retired
Author: Jihoon Roh
The biting Miami wind whipped around Jihoon as he stood on the immaculate training pitch, the setting sun casting long shadows that danced with the apprehension churning in his stomach. He could feel the familiar ache in his left knee, a phantom reminder of what he'd almost lost.
"Jihoon! Bienvenida!" A voice boomed, breaking his concentration. It was Lionel Messi, jogging toward him with an easy grace that belied his age. Messi clapped a hand on Jihoon's shoulder, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ready for one last dance?"
Jihoon managed a weak smile. "As ready as I'll ever be." He knew this game wasn't just about celebrating a legend; it was about finding himself again. He looked down, and ran his fingers over the 21 stitched onto his jersey. With a determined sigh, Jihoon straightened, meeting Messi's gaze. "Let's do this."
Jihoon took a deep breath and steadied himself, the familiar scent of freshly cut grass filling his lungs. He bounced lightly on the balls of his feet, trying to ignore the nagging ache in his knee. "Ready when you are, Leo," he said, forcing a confident grin. He took another step forward, eager to feel the ball at his feet, to lose himself in the rhythm of the game.
But before he could take another step, an unexpected figure emerged from the shadows that clung to the edge of the pitch. It was Park Sang-ho, his old rival. Sang-ho stood tall and lean, clad in a sleek black tracksuit, his dark eyes glinting with an intensity that Jihoon knew all too well. A scar bisected his left eyebrow, a permanent reminder of their last, brutal encounter on the field years ago. Sang-ho's presence could change everything, stirring up old wounds and rivalries that Jihoon thought he'd buried.
Story Content
The biting Miami wind whipped around Jihoon as he stood on the immaculate training pitch, the setting sun casting long shadows that danced with the apprehension churning in his stomach. He could feel the familiar ache in his left knee, a phantom reminder of what he'd almost lost.
"Jihoon! Bienvenida!" A voice boomed, breaking his concentration. It was Lionel Messi, jogging toward him with an easy grace that belied his age. Messi clapped a hand on Jihoon's shoulder, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ready for one last dance?"
Jihoon managed a weak smile. "As ready as I'll ever be." He knew this game wasn't just about celebrating a legend; it was about finding himself again. He looked down, and ran his fingers over the 21 stitched onto his jersey. With a determined sigh, Jihoon straightened, meeting Messi's gaze. "Let's do this."
Jihoon took a deep breath and steadied himself, the familiar scent of freshly cut grass filling his lungs. He bounced lightly on the balls of his feet, trying to ignore the nagging ache in his knee. "Ready when you are, Leo," he said, forcing a confident grin. He took another step forward, eager to feel the ball at his feet, to lose himself in the rhythm of the game.
But before he could take another step, an unexpected figure emerged from the shadows that clung to the edge of the pitch. It was Park Sang-ho, his old rival. Sang-ho stood tall and lean, clad in a sleek black tracksuit, his dark eyes glinting with an intensity that Jihoon knew all too well. A scar bisected his left eyebrow, a permanent reminder of their last, brutal encounter on the field years ago. Sang-ho's presence could change everything, stirring up old wounds and rivalries that Jihoon thought he'd buried.
Synopsis
Jihoon, a retired soccer prodigy, faces his greatest challenge on Miami's pitch, guided by the legendary Lionel Messi. Haunted by past injuries and self-doubt, he seeks redemption and identity in a final game that transcends sport, promising an emotional journey of resilience, friendship, and rediscovery.
