Rijkaard looked furious. He protested against the penalty kick, thinking that Ronaldo had dived.
The Dutchman's loud protest attracted the referee's attention. Referee Haug ran over and verbally warned the Barcelona manager.
On the other side, Li Ang and his colleagues were hugging and celebrating.
A penalty kick was awarded at the end of the first half. This was an excellent opportunity for Inter Milan to expand their lead!
If they could score a penalty kick and enter the halftime interval with a two-nil lead, it would have a profound impact on the direction of the game.
With Inter Milan's defensive ability, it was almost impossible for the opponent to make a comeback with a two-goal lead. Even Barcelona could not. Not to mention, Inter Milan's offensive ability was even more extraordinary. Who dared to say that Inter Milan would not score in the second half of the game?!
The key question now was this penalty kick … Could it be scored in the end?
After the celebration, Li Ang also began to calm down. He looked at the field nervously, hoping that the penalty kick would be scored!
At this time, when he saw referee Haug verbally warning Rijkaard on the sidelines, Li Ang thought with regret and malice. Why did he not send this guy off?!
*****
The Barcelona players' protest was invalid. This penalty kick was indisputable. Van Bronckhorst had indeed fouled. This was a penalty kick opportunity that belonged to Inter Milan!
However, referee Haug only awarded the penalty kick and did not show a yellow card to Van Bronckhorst, who had fouled. This also made Li Ang somewhat dissatisfied. If the opponent's full back received another yellow card, it would be even more perfect.
The penalty kick could not be changed. Inter Milan was ready to take the penalty kick!
Now the focus of everyone's attention was on who Inter Milan would take the penalty kick.
The Inter Milan Team's first player was Ronaldo, followed by Adriano.
The third player was Mata, followed by Modric.
If the veteran Figo was on the field, he would also be one of the choices of the player.
Now, Ronaldo was on the field. As Inter Milan's first player, he should be the first choice.
Sure enough, everyone saw Ronaldo pick up the football and slowly walk to the penalty spot!
*****
"Ronaldo! Ronaldo will take the penalty kick! "The commentator shouted excitedly.
"This is Ronaldo's first Champions League final. He will have the chance to score his first goal in the Champions League final!" The commentator, Ferrari, also shouted excitedly.
Speaking of which, it was somewhat inconceivable. As the most outstanding striker in football in the last twenty years, Ronaldo had never represented the team in the Champions League final. So far, his list of honors still lacked that big-eared cup!
In fact, Ronaldo was extremely close to the Champions League final!
That was in the Champions League semi-finals of the 20032004 season. Real Madrid's opponent was Monaco from La Liga. At that time, everyone thought that Real Madrid, with superstars such as Ronaldo, had drawn a good draw!
In the first round at Bernabéu, Real Madrid defeated Monaco 4-2. It looked like Real Madrid would have no problem entering the final.
But …
On April 6, 2004, the second round of the game began at the Stade Luis II. In the 36th minute of the first half, the Bernabéu prince, Raúl, scored for Real Madrid. Real Madrid led the opponent 5-2. Ronaldo's strong breakthrough created an opportunity for Real Madrid. He passed the ball to Guti. Guti could have shot, but he still passed the ball to Raúl, who was in a better position. Raúl scored in one move. There were still 60 minutes left before the end of the game. The Real Madrid people were probably already preparing for the next game.
At this time, Monaco had no way to retreat. They could only attack and attack again. They completely let go of their hands and feet. The French star player, Giuly, led the team to launch a counterattack. In the injury stoppage time of the first half, Morientes, who was loaned to Monaco by Real Madrid, received Evra's pass and headed the ball to Giuly. And Helguera, who was defending Giuly, slipped for no reason before Morientes' pass, allowing the Monaco captain to score with a diagonal shot from the far corner to equalize the score.
At the end of the first half, the total score was 3-5. There were still 45 minutes left. Any result was possible. Deschamps' team seemed to see a glimmer of hope.
*****
The draw in the first half did not give Real Madrid enough reminders. It was not until Morientes broke out again that the Real Madrid players finally realized that they had paid the price for their lack of concentration. Three minutes into the second half, Monaco attacked from the left. Evra passed the ball to Real Madrid's penalty area. The tall center forward, Pourso, headed the ball to Morientes. Morientes headed the ball into the goal guarded by Casillas with a powerful and heavy header. Perhaps the Real Madrid officials would regret their decision to loan Morientes to Monaco after the game. The total score was currently 4-5. If they wanted to advance, they had to score another goal. They had to rely on the advantage of scoring more goals in their away game to advance.
Monaco's wave after wave of attacks reached a climax. What was more fatal was that the situation on the field was completely out of control. Some players wanted to defend, and some players wanted to attack. Real Madrid was like a plate of loose sand. In the 66th minute, Ibarra, who came forward to assist, crossed diagonally from the right to the middle of the penalty area. Giuly relied on Helguera to score with a juggling heel shot six yards in front of the goal. The score of 3: 1 sent the entire stadium into a frenzy. Monaco advanced to the semifinals.
It was a fantastic Champions League. Many powerhouse teams were eliminated. In addition to Queiroz and his Real Madrid, the fantastic Arsenal was eliminated by Chelsea. What was even more surprising was that AC Milan was reversed by Deportivo de La Coruna. In the first leg at the San Siro, they defeated their opponent 4-1. But in the second leg at the Riazo Stadium, Milan was defeated by their opponent 4-0. They were eliminated by Laco with a total score of 4-5.
For Ronaldo, who had not won the Champions League, the failure was a heavy blow. When he and his teammates returned to Madrid, all kinds of criticism followed. The fans were even angrier at the act of driving away Morientes. Although Ronaldo's previous performance had made them forget the former Real Madrid center forward, Morientes had dealt a fatal blow to Real Madrid in both legs of the game. They chanted Morientes' name outside Real Madrid's training ground. Ronaldo was once again the scapegoat. People began to blame Ronaldo again, not only because he had squeezed Morientes out, but also because of his weight.
Most people's impression of Ronaldo was his extreme speed when he was at Barça and his dominance in the 1998 World Cup. But he was only 21 years old at the time. Over time, his muscle tissue had fully matured, which was inevitable. Now he was a big, muscular striker. He was no longer the same as he was six years ago. That was a fact, but most people only remembered the Ronaldo at that time.
Another noteworthy fact was that when you watched the game live at the Bernabéu on television or at the stadium, you basically could not see the Brazilian flag in the stands at the Bernabéu. This was a huge contrast to Eindhoven and Barcelona. In the Netherlands and Barça, you would see many Brazilian flags waving in the stands during every game. They cheered for Ronaldo. Perhaps because of the aristocratic temperament of the Real Madrid people, they rarely brought the national flag to watch the game, whether it was the flag of Brazil or other countries.
*****
It could be said that when Ronaldo was eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals in the 20032004 season, there was a rift between Ronaldo and Real Madrid. This also foreshadowed his choice to accept Li Ang's invitation and Inter Milan's call last summer.
In Real Madrid, he did not feel the love, tolerance, and encouragement that Moratti had.
After coming to Inter Milan, Li Ang's trust in him, and Li Ang brought him the health that he had always dreamed of. The "alien" was resurrected!
And now, in the Stade de France, on the stage of the UEFA Champions League final, Ronaldo stood at the penalty spot!
This was a reincarnation!
This was a new starting point!
This was a redemption!
This was a new life!
"Standing at the penalty spot at this time will put a lot of pressure on him!"
"Ronaldo stood bravely at the penalty spot! Everyone is looking at him! "
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Ronaldo, watching him wear the Inter Milan number nine shirt, watching him place the football on the penalty spot, watching him retreat, retreat, retreat, retreat to a distance that he thought was acceptable.
Watching his deep and determined eyes, watching Barcelona's goalkeeper, Valdés.
The main referee, Haug, tightened the whistle in his mouth.
*****
Beep!
The whistle sounded!
Under the gaze of one or two billion fans around the world, the Brazilian named Ronaldo began his run-up!
One step!
Two steps!
Three steps!
A shot!
The football flew!
Valdés pounced to his left!
The football flew in the opposite direction!
“Goooooaaaaal！”
"The ball went in! Ronaldo! Ronaldo! Ronaldo! He scored his eighth goal in this season's UEFA Champions League! This is also his first goal in the UEFA Champions League final! "
"Two to zero! Two to zero! Inter Milan is now leading Barcelona by two to zero! They have a two-goal lead! "
"Ronaldo scored the penalty kick! Barcelona is now behind by two to zero! "
"Ronaldo scored the penalty kick that he created himself! This is the best reward for him! This is a historic moment! "
The huge Stade de France stadium erupted in loud cheers.
The Inter Milan fans in the stands and the Inter Milan fans in front of the television jumped up, cheering wildly, shouting, and hugging!
*****
After scoring the penalty kick, Ronaldo was stunned for a moment. Then, the Brazilian began to run. He ran, he ran!
He ran!
He dodged the encirclement of his teammates!
He rushed to the sidelines!
He rushed to the technical area!
Li Ang opened his arms to welcome Ronaldo!
Then, the two men hugged each other tightly!
"Thank you! Thank you! " Ronaldo hugged Li Ang and shouted into the manager's ear. His eyes were red and his voice was hoarse!
"Ronaldo!" Li Ang let out a 'shenyin' sound. He was also emotional and had mixed feelings. He was the manager of Inter Milan, but he was also Ronaldo's fan. In the original track of history, until Ronaldo's retirement in 2014, the greatest Brazilian star after Pelé had not been able to win the UEFA Champions League title. He had not even participated in the UEFA Champions League final stage. This was Ronaldo's lifelong regret!
At this moment, he saw Ronaldo play under him and score a goal on the stage of the UEFA Champions League final at the Stade de France!
Li Ang felt an inexplicable sense of excitement and satisfaction!
*****
"Ronaldo!"
On the sidelines, countless reporters were holding their cameras and cameras, recording this scene and freezing this moment.
In the stands, countless Inter Milan fans and Ronaldo fans had red eyes!
Ronaldo!
This was his UEFA Champions League final!
This was the stage he had dreamed of!
Because of this stage, because of this game, because of this goal, because of this man named Ronaldo's goal, there would be no more regrets!
Ronaldo and Li Ang separated. Li Ang patted Ronaldo on the shoulder. The Inter Milan manager had a smile on his face. It was a smile of satisfaction and pride.
"Go! For the championship! Go! "
Ronaldo returned to the field. As he walked back, he clapped. He raised his arms high and clapped to thank the fans!
"From that summer in Eindhoven, to the red and blue Barcelona uniform, to the blue and black Inter Milan, and then to the white fluttering Real Madrid, Ronaldo, this Brazilian, has been with us for many years and made us understand the charm of football. However, on the stage of the UEFA Champions League final, we have always been searching, waiting, waiting, waiting for his figure! This wait was torturous. When he took off his white uniform and put on the blue and black armor again, none of us thought that the omnipotent Brazilian teenager would come back. He came back! He came to France, to the Stade de France. At this moment, the lights in the stadium were so beautiful, and the night sky was so beautiful! The most beautiful thing was the goal, Ronaldo's Champions League final goal. Thank you Manager Li Ang, thank you Mr. Moratti, thank you Inter Milan. He made countless Ronaldo fans realize a dream … Ronaldo, this goal, we have been waiting, waiting … Ronaldo … Keep running, keep playing, keep playing … "The Italian commentator, Ferrari, was so emotional that he could not control himself. At this moment, he turned into a bard. This commentary was later regarded as the most touching and moving commentary in the history of the UEFA Champions League …
The camera kept following Ronaldo. The Brazilian received the hugs and congratulations from his teammates.
In the stands, a voice rang out. Then, this voice began to spread throughout the stadium like a tsunami.
"Ronaldo!"
"Ronaldo!"
"Ronaldo!"
The Inter Milan fans all stood up and shouted this name!
At this moment, the Barcelona fans were silent. They did not make any boos. Some people seemed to recall that unforgettable time and scene. The young Brazilian, wearing the red and blue uniform, running on the field. He scored goals like flies. He demonstrated the beauty and art of football …
Ronaldo …
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