Football: Starting from being abandoned by Barcelona

After the game, the coach specifically told everyone to take a good rest and save their energy for the new schedule. After leaving the stadium, the cold winter wind blew in the face. Li Lei wrapped his down jacket tightly and stood at the entrance of the stadium with his teammates waiting for the bus.

This Christmas, they finally achieved a big goal and can relax.

After the bus arrived, Li Lei sat in the last row, looking at the bustling crowd outside the window, and couldn't help but think of the warm atmosphere on the court just now.

The new season is about to begin, and they have to adjust their status to meet more difficult challenges.

Although there will be a FA Cup on January 5, the old players usually don't play in this event in the past, mainly to give young newcomers an opportunity to exercise.

The task of Li Lei and his teammates is still to restore their physical strength, just don't exhaust themselves.

After sleeping until I woke up naturally, I found that De Bruyne had sent a message to him, asking him to meet at the door of the apartment at ten o'clock.

At ten o'clock, Li Lei came to the lobby in advance, wearing a cotton coat and sweatpants, carrying a small backpack.

De Bruyne was also on time. After a few words of greeting, the two took the subway to the city center.

There were not many people on the subway. Li Lei was very excited as he watched the street scene outside the window quickly receding.

This was his first time to really go out and tour London, and he was with De Bruyne, a half-local. Compared to Li Lei, he had been in London since youth training!

After arriving in the city center, the two went to a street food market first. The various authentic traditional British snacks opened Li Lei's eyes.

After a full meal, they went to some famous attractions in London, such as the Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, etc.

Li Lei and De Bruyne walked and stopped along the way, recording this unforgettable tour experience.

Li Lei and De Bruyne walked into a Chinese restaurant and chose a seat by the window.

A day of sightseeing made both of them a little tired, but fortunately they could finally stop to replenish their energy.

When the waiter came to take the order, the two ordered a few dishes that looked the most authentic without hesitation.

"I'm really tired of eating in the canteen at the training base. It's the same fixed nutritious meals every day. It's so boring." De Bruyne said, looking up and drinking tea.

Li Lei looked at the somewhat depressed De Bruyne and said,"How are you, Kevin? Are you feeling more relaxed??"

"It's OK, thank you for taking me out today." De Bruyne smiled and said,"You know, I have been on the bench in the recent league, and I am really upset."

"It doesn't matter, the new year will be better."

Li Lei looked at De Bruyne and continued to counsel:"Besides, the FA Cup is about to start. You know that the main players not only have to face the league, but also have to play in the Champions League. The head coach will not let them play in the FA Cup again."

"Your chance will come then! So, Kevin, you don't have to be discouraged."

"The new year gives us a brand new start, and there will definitely be more opportunities."

"You must play at your best in this FA Cup and let the head coach see your strength!"

"Yes, you are right! I will definitely try my best to perform well and let the coach put me in the starting lineup.!"

"Having been in the Premier League for so many years, how do you find life in London??"

"Life is pretty good. British people are calmer and don't like to bother others too much. I just need to focus on training."

"How does the intensity of the training feel? When I first came here, I couldn't handle the intensity."

"Haha, it was really hard at the beginning, but the secret is to stick with it and slowly get used to it. This is also the characteristic of the Premier League, which attaches great importance to the intensity of confrontation."

Time passed quietly as Li Lei and De Bruyne chatted, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window lattice on the two of them.

Li Lei glanced out the window and found that it was getting late, there were more and more pedestrians on the street, and all kinds of dazzling neon lights were on, and London's nightlife was about to begin.

The two of them sat by the window, their figures submerged in the colorful night, like a streak of light.

Pedestrians came and went in a hurry on the street, their faces filled with festive joy. Street vendors hawked hot drinks and snacks, and roadside shops played cheerful music......This is the daily life in this city.

Li Lei had a good sleep and got up early the next morning full of energy.

He had just changed into training clothes and was about to go to the training base with De Bruyne when his cell phone suddenly rang.

Li Lei took out his phone and saw Mendes' name on the screen.

"You go to the training base first, I'll take a call." Li Lei said to De Bruyne.

De Bruyne nodded and left first.

Li Lei slid the answer button and said to the microphone:"Mr. Mendes, good morning!"

"Good morning, Xiaolei. Sorry to bother you."Mendes' gentle voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Thank you for the award. What can I do for you??"

"I just want to ask how your vacation was, did you have a good rest??"

"Very good, I went to London with a friend from the team yesterday." Li Lei said happily

"That's great. It's very necessary for you to build good relationships with your teammates so that you can better integrate into the team."

Mendes continued:"Do you have time to have dinner with my agent tonight?"

"Of course, if the boss invites you, you must go!"Li Lei agreed immediately.

After the training, Li Lei said to De Bruyne:" Hey! Kevin, I'll be home late today, and my agent asked me to meet with him."

De Bruyne waved his hand and said:" Don't be too late!" Then he left with the other teammates.

Li Lei took a taxi to the restaurant where he had an appointment with his agent. After entering the restaurant, he soon saw his agent in the private room.

" Happy New Year, Li Lei!" Mendes smiled and greeted

""Mr. Mendes, Happy New Year!" Li Lei greeted with a smile.

After a few pleasantries, the two ordered dishes and talked about the recent situation while eating.

"Sir, you didn't come here just to have dinner with me, did you??" Li Lei asked tentatively

" Of course, isn't it possible??" Mendes asked back

"Of course! Cheers!" Li Lei happily raised his glass and clinked it with Mendes.

Mendes took a sip of the wine, then looked at Li Lei and said:" This is just one of them. I have better news for you."

"Did you know that according to the latest reports, your value in the European transfer market has exceeded 20 million euros?!"