I Just Wanted to Play Soccer, But I Became a Hollywood Heartthrob

Carter had already turned to yell at his players when he heard Gu Ran's calm but firm voice—

"Coach, you're wrong."

His brows knitted together as he whirled back around, glaring at Gu Ran with an intense gaze. "What did you just say?! No one has ever dared to say that to me on this field!"

Gu Ran didn't flinch. He met Carter's eyes with an unwavering look. "Coach, I admit that I'm a left-footed weakling. But who said a left-footed weakling can't play as a left-back? Let me tell you a little story—"

Carter crossed his arms, unimpressed, but he didn't interrupt.

Gu Ran took a deep breath and began, "Back in China, we had a famous football commentator. During the 2006 Germany World Cup, his passionate commentary went viral across the country."

Then, Gu Ran raised his fist and shouted in an exaggerated, dramatic voice—

"Penalty! PENALTY! Grosso has done it! GROSSO HAS DONE IT! Don't give the Australians ANY chance! The GREAT Italian left-back! He carries on Italy's proud tradition! Facchetti, Cabrini, Maldini—at this moment, their spirits LIVE ON!"

Carter: …

He stared at Gu Ran like he had lost his damn mind.

After a long pause, Carter hesitated, then slowly reached into his pocket, pulled out two bills, and held them out. "I'm not a petty man… Go get your brain checked at the hospital."

Gu Ran returned to his normal, steady self, pretending the outburst never happened. He continued in a composed tone, "Back in 2006, I was just a kid. When I first heard that commentary, I found it funny—even over-the-top. But later, I realized that only true football experts understood the depth behind those words."

Carter frowned slightly.

Gu Ran went on, "Why did the commentator mention those three players specifically? Why Facchetti, Cabrini, and Maldini?"

"Because they were all left-backs who played with their weaker foot. Just like Grosso."

"Left-footed weaklings have long been the backbone of Italy's legendary defenses."

"Yes, a right-footed left-back has natural disadvantages in defense. But they also have unique strengths—a broader passing range, the ability to cut inside, and playmaking potential from deep positions. Even Pep Guardiola has used this tactic extensively in modern football."

Gu Ran took another breath, straightened his back, and declared boldly—

"Coach, I am NOT Olin. I am NOT your conventional left-back.

I am Gu Ran, a Chinese player.

I may not charge down the wing like Olin, but if you give me a chance, I will be BETTER than Olin.

Because I can cut inside."

Carter's pupils shrunk slightly.

He was stunned.

This… This was coming from a Chinese player?

A Chinese kid—from a country where football was practically nonexistent—had just spoken like a seasoned tactician.

And the thing was…

He was right.

For a moment, Carter was lost in thought.

Damn it… A right-footed left-back had once been a widely used tactic.

He had studied this strategy before.

It wasn't just historically valid—it had potential.

Finally, Carter sighed, rubbing his chin. "Kid… I've coached for years. I've seen a lot of arrogant brats. But you? You're the most arrogant one I've ever met."

For five long seconds, he stared at Gu Ran.

Gu Ran's heart pounded.

Would Carter reject him again?

But on the surface, his face remained calm.

Then, Carter suddenly grinned. "I like your arrogance. You remind me of myself when I was younger."

Gu Ran: …

Holy sht, that scared me.*

For a second, he thought Carter was about to go on a rage-fueled rant.

Also—Coach, have some self-awareness.

Did you really look this handsome when you were young?

Gu Ran exhaled in relief but kept his expression composed. "Thank you, Coach. So… does this mean I can join the team?"

Carter shook his head. "Not that easy. Do you think I'm the kind of coach who lets someone in just because of a passionate speech? No. You passed the physical test, but if you want to join the team, you need to pass two more tests—Accuracy and Speed."

Gu Ran smirked.

Accuracy and Speed?

Speed had always been his specialty in his past life.

And with Beckham's skills in his arsenal, accuracy was no issue at all.

"Alright, Coach. I accept the challenge."

Carter nodded. Then he turned to his players and barked, "STOP slacking! Paint the accuracy target! NOW!"

"YES, COACH!" The team scrambled to set up.

Rust, who was still frog-jumping, gasped, "C-Coach… should I help too?"

Carter scowled. "HELP? Do you think I'm BLIND? Get back to your damn frog jumps! You're an embarrassment!"

Rust: "…Yes, Coach." This is a nightmare…

Meanwhile, Gu Ran stood at the side of the field, hands in pockets, relaxed, watching as his future teammates crouched down to paint target circles on the turf.

The Accuracy Test

For this test, they would paint three concentric circles with radii of 0.5m, 1m, and 1.5m.

The shooter would attempt three kicks—from 10m, 20m, and 30m.

Scoring was as follows:

0.5m circle → Excellent 1m circle → Average 1.5m circle → Passable Outside the circles → Fail

If you failed, you weren't making the team.

At that moment, several of the players huddled together.

"Damn it, that Chinese kid is getting too cocky…"

A tall, stylish-looking player with a noticeable scar on his buzz-cut head smirked. "We can't let this kid waltz onto our turf. We gotta teach him a lesson."

"What's your plan, Watergate?"

Watergate grinned wickedly.

"We make the target smaller—move the circles inward by 20 centimeters. He won't notice until he misses."

"Ha! Classic Watergate—dirty as hell!"

Another player, hesitant, whispered, "Won't the coach notice?"

Watergate glared. "Not if you keep your mouth shut, Nancy."

The group secretly altered the circles, making the accuracy test significantly harder.

Then, just for good measure, they moved the shooting line back from 20m to 25m—forcing Gu Ran to shoot 5 meters farther than required.

Finally, Watergate turned to Carter, raising a hand. "Coach, we're done!"

Carter narrowed his eyes.

Of course, he noticed.

These punks had rigged the test.

But Carter didn't say a word.

Instead, he just smirked.

This was Gu Ran's test.

If he really had what it took to join the team, then he had to prove it himself.

After all, if he was too weak to pass a rigged test, then he wasn't strong enough for the real thing anyway.

Carter crossed his arms. "Alright, let's begin."

(To be continued.)