Gordon became more and more excited as he spoke, his speech speeding up and his voice growing louder. He had already gotten into character.

"But he's already sixteen..." Lyle seemed uninterested in this skinny Chinese teenager.

"He's only just turned sixteen and three months... He has a strong ability to learn, and as long as he has excellent athletic talent as a foundation, I believe that even if he starts learning to play football at this age, he can quickly become an outstanding professional player! The most important thing is his athletic talent—it's absolutely top-notch!" Strictly speaking, Logan Grant was sixteen years, four months, and ten days old, but to make Logan Grant's age sound a bit more acceptable, Gordon lied.

Lyle glanced at the other middle-aged man beside him, who had remained silent the whole time. This man was neither thin nor fat, but had a solid athlete's build. Although he was middle-aged, he kept himself in good shape, and he was dressed in a tracksuit and sneakers, completely different from the suit-and-tie Lyle beside him.

Lyle was the football director of São Paulo club, spending his days in the office, so of course he could wear a suit and leather shoes.

But the man next to him was the head of youth training at São Paulo, the person in charge of the entire youth academy, Maurice Dale Shelby.

Seeing that Lyle was seeking his opinion, Maurice smiled and said, "Actually, I'm also very curious about the speed that Mr. Gordon keeps mentioning."

That meant they wanted to see Logan Grant run, right?

Gordon was very excited. He clenched his fists and gave a small pump, causing the flesh on his body to jiggle.

He believed that as long as everyone present saw Logan Grant's speed, as long as they had normal intelligence and weren't blind, they would definitely be willing to sign him—at the very least, they couldn't let him become a player for a rival team!

Hearing the youth training director Maurice say this, Lyle couldn't insist any further: "Alright, alright, I hope he's really as good as you say, Mr. Gordon."

...

When Logan Grant came out of the locker room and returned to the side of the training field, he was still wearing the same earth-yellow baggy shorts and red vest he had worn when he arrived. The only difference was that he was holding his flip-flops in his hand, and on his feet was a pair of ordinary black sneakers with three white stripes.

Seeing Logan Grant arrive, Maurice walked onto the training field and signaled for the youth team, who were training, to pause: "We're adding someone temporarily." He said this to the youth team coach, Warren Oliver.

At the same time, Gordon was encouraging Logan Grant: "Grant, do you remember our trial experiences?"

Logan Grant nodded and pursed his lips.

During those club trials, many teams rejected his trial request just because he was Chinese, without even asking what his strengths were.

"Chinese? Chinese people can play football?"

That condescending tone and look—Logan Grant remembered it well. What's wrong with being Chinese? Did Chinese people offend you? Sure, I really can't play football... but I can learn!

Some people were also uneasy about his age.

"Sixteen and only just starting football—ah..." The tone was full of distrust.

What's wrong with being sixteen?

Does being sixteen mean you can't learn football? Teachers always say you should keep learning your whole life! How do you know I can't learn if you don't let me try?!

"They'll regret letting you go sooner or later, Grant. Now show them what you can do. São Paulo is no less of a powerhouse than Corinthians, Santos, or Palmeiras! In fact, their youth academy is even stronger!"

"Really, Gordon?" Logan Grant's question wasn't one of disbelief, but pure curiosity, because he really didn't know much about Brazilian football. He also had little concept of São Paulo being a powerhouse.

"Of course! In the past two years, their most successful product has been developing Kaká! Do you know who Kaká is, Grant?"

"I don't know, Gordon." Logan Grant shook his head.

"That's okay, you'll know soon enough, as long as you get into São Paulo... That's not important right now. What's important is..." At this point, Gordon paused, then changed his eager tone, staring at Logan Grant and asking, "Grant, do you know why I flew all the way to China to bring you to Brazil?"

Without waiting for Logan Grant to answer, he continued, "Because I'm convinced you're a genius, Grant! No matter what, never doubt yourself, because you are a genius!"

His expression was very serious, his tone sincere, and he looked straight at Logan Grant without a hint of hesitation.

Then he said, "Let them see your speed!"

Logan Grant nodded confidently. "Just watch, Gordon! Running is what I'm best at!"

...

Once everything was ready, Logan Grant walked onto the field wearing the red vest and earth-yellow baggy shorts he had brought from home in China. Other than the sneakers on his feet, there was nothing on him that had anything to do with football. If you ignored the lack of professional football boots, he looked no different from an ordinary kid in a Chinese village.

Those otherwise ordinary black Adidas sneakers became the most eye-catching gear on Logan Grant's feet...

Warren Oliver had already learned from Maurice why the training had been paused.