The 106th and final match
Remember in one second
Wu Lei's transfer to Everton was officially announced on Marítimo's official website at noon.
This news shocked the entire Portuguese football world. The original final round of the winter break, which was supposed to be a showdown between Porto and Benfica for first place, was instantly overshadowed by this news.
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In Funchal, Marítimo fans were outraged by the news and on Monday, a training day, they spontaneously gathered outside the club's training base to demand an explanation from Martins and Wu Lei as to why Wu Lei was being transferred to another team just when his performance had improved.
Just when fans have fallen in love with him again, he has to leave, which is undoubtedly the most heartbreaking.
Martins had anticipated the excitement of Marítimo's fans, so he asked the staff of the official website to publish a notice at the same time as the announcement of Wu Lei's transfer, that Marítimo Club would hold a press conference in the afternoon to explain the reasons for selling Wu Lei to Everton.
By 4 pm, Maridimo's press conference was packed with journalists from all over Portugal and even some media outlets from the UK, who had rushed to Portugal after receiving the news that morning.
Some die-hard Marítimo fans also obtained tickets to the press conference through connections, wanting to question Martins and Wu about why they made such a decision.
The media briefing room, which can accommodate nearly a hundred people, was already packed at this time, and some of them had no place to sit and stood in the back. Among them were twenty or thirty reporters from various media outlets, while the dozens of others were all Maridimo fans who mixed into the press conference through connections.
When Martins appeared at the door of the media press conference room, he was startled by so many people inside. He clearly saw that most were not reporters, but still did not let them leave, and sat down with a smile.
When Martins appeared, everyone looked back at him, hoping to see Wu Yun's figure, but Martins did not let him attend this press conference in order to protect Wu Yun.
"Mr. Martins, can you tell us why you allowed Wu Lei to transfer to Everton? Is there some kind of conflict between the two of you?" a reporter asked as soon as Martins sat down.
Martins had already anticipated that the journalist would ask these sensitive questions, so he didn't feel surprised, and just cleared his throat lightly, saying calmly:
"There is no conflict between me and Wu Lei, we get along well. Letting Wu Lei join Everton was a decision made by the club's top to bottom. In the summer, Wu Lei almost joined Tottenham, and this time we just finished what we did in the summer."
"Doesn't Maridimo need a player like Wu Yu anymore?" Another reporter asked as soon as Martins finished speaking.
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"There's no doubt that Wu Yu is an excellent player, the team needs him, but he also needs a bigger platform to show his full strength. I think this transfer is a good choice for both Wu Yu and the club." Martens said slowly.
"Was it Wu Yu's own request to transfer?" a Maridimo fan in the back couldn't help but ask.
Martins glanced at the fan, but did not refuse to answer the question: "This is the result of discussions between the club and Wu Yu. Maybe he still wants to stay in the team for half a year, but we think it's time for him to leave. After all, summer has delayed his time."
"So, Wu Yong staying in Maritimo doesn't help the team either?" The reporter still lingered on this question.
"Wu Yu is an excellent player, last season he led the team to win the league cup championship, our team will always have a place for him. It's just that we think his contribution to the team has been enough, now there is an opportunity for him to make a bigger impact, and we should help him move to a higher level." Martens said firmly, looking at the reporter.
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More than 30 minutes later, the press conference was about to end. After Martens answered the last question, he saw that Maridimo's fans were still standing on the spot, seemingly unwilling to leave, and took a deep breath before saying in a calm tone:
"I know everyone is reluctant to see Wu Lei go, and you may still have resentment in your hearts. But I hope everyone can understand that this transfer was not initiated by Wu Lei himself, however the transfer to Everton will be very beneficial for Wu Lei's career. This Saturday will be Wu Lei's last match at the club, I hope everyone can give our hero a round of applause as he departs, despite him only being with the team for a year and a half."
After Martin finished speaking, he turned around and left.
But his words still echoed in the hearts of Maridimo fans. They didn't mind Wu Yu's transfer, because after what happened last summer, they knew he would leave eventually, it was just that they couldn't bear to part with him.
Since Wu Lei's transfer has become a reality, giving him the best farewell in the last match has also become the only choice for these Maldives fans.
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Saturday, December 13, 2014, Marítimo hosted Braga at the Estádio dos Barreiros.
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"Sister, hurry up, the match is about to start!" A car had just parked in the parking lot when a loud voice came from inside.
Before the words had fallen, a burly man opened the car door and hastily walked to the back of the car, opening the trunk. A tall and beautiful girl, on the other hand, slowly got out of the car, looking listless.
These two are Monica and her brother Big Whiskers. Today's match is Wu Yus last battle in Maridimo, and Big Whiskers would not miss it for the world. However, Monica, who has always been very enthusiastic about Wu Yu, seems to be unmoved by his departure, or rather, she looks lost.
Da Hu Zi discovered that for the past month, his sister hadn't contacted Wu Yu at all, and after work she just stayed home, which made him very puzzled. Today was the only day he managed to drag Monica along to watch this match.
The big beard didn't care about that much, took out a thick roll of cloth from the trunk and pulled Monika into the stadium.
A large number of Marítimo fans had already gathered outside the Estádio dos Barreiros. Because it was Wu Lei's farewell match in Marítimo, all tickets were sold out two days ago. Some fans who didn't get tickets wandered around the stadium, hoping to meet someone who would transfer their ticket, even if they were scalpers.
In the home team's locker room, Wu Yun sat in his own position, slowly putting on his socks and shoes. The sound of teammates adjusting their equipment came from all around, mixed with the voice of head coach Martins' routine pre-match tactical deployment.
The position next to him, which originally belonged to Gao Wei, had been empty for half a year. And after this game, the seat he was sitting on would also be vacant, it might be his last time changing clothes in this locker room.
"Wu Yu, come on, do better today!" a voice came from in front of Wu Yu.
He lifted his head to find Captain Brigel smiling at him, Wu Yun immediately returned the smile and gave him a hearty high-five. After the captain, other team members also came over to say a few words of encouragement to Wu Yun.
"Wu Yu, today's match belongs to you, perform well." Dick said with some hesitation as he walked over.
"Thanks, the team will be counting on you from now on." He gave him a light hug. Although Dicko seemed to have distanced himself from everyone in recent months, he was after all his first friend when he arrived in Portugal.
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"Alright, let's get serious, this match is crucial, we must win it!" Martens clapped his hands and shouted loudly, bringing everyone's attention back to the game after they bid farewell to Wu Yu.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the live broadcast of the Portuguese Super League brought to you by SportTV. Today's match is Marítimo playing at home against Braga. I'm Cristiano, and joining me in commenting on this match is Rui Costa."
In a bar in Funchal, Marítimo fans gathered together to watch the two middle-aged men appear on TV.
"Today's match between the two teams, who were previously ranked 3rd and 5th in the league, are both strong contenders for a Champions League spot next season. However, the focus of this match is not on that, because this is Wu Lei's last match in the Portuguese Super League before he officially joins Everton in the Premier League on January 1st next year. Rui, what do you think about Wu Lei's prospects in the Premier League?" Cristiano said while looking at the close-up shot of Wu Lei on the screen.
"Wu Lei's signing with Everton on Monday was a surprise to me, I didn't expect him to have another offer so soon after not being able to transfer to Tottenham in the summer. It's clear that this is because his ability is indeed outstanding." Rui Costa first praised Wu Lei.
"As for his prospects in the Premier League, I'm still quite optimistic. After all, he has delicate skills and most importantly, his willpower is very strong. The Premier League is a league with extremely intense confrontations, many players who transfer from other leagues can't adapt, it's because they're intimidated by the defenders in the Premier League. I believe Wu Lei won't be like that, he'll achieve success in the Premier League."
"Alright, thanks Rui, I have high hopes for him." Kristin smiled and said: "Okay, the players from both sides are out!"
In Cristian's slightly excited voice, players from both teams appeared on TV screens, lining up to enter the Estadio Dos Barreiros.
This stadium, which can hold over 10,000 people, was packed with spectators in the stands. When the players took to the field, a thunderous applause erupted from all sides of the stands, its intensity rivaling that of a stadium holding 40,000 or 50,000 people.
Wu Yu walked at the back of the team, slightly lowering his head, feeling the cheers of the fans around him, but in his heart was a mixture of emotions.
The last game!
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