"De Gea, you can't even kick off properly. You're so close to me, you brought this upon yourself!"
The fans on the sidelines had already deemed the match to have no more surprises and were waiting for the referee's whistle.
But then, at this very moment!
Suddenly, a loud sound echoed from the pitch!
Cao Baming arrived in front of Bruno ahead of time, used his body to create space, stopped the ball with his chest, and kicked it with all his might!
Bruno's thin physique offered no resistance against Cao Baming and he instinctively dodged, watching as the ball was intercepted by Cao Baming!
Cao Baming's eyes locked onto the goal, an unparalleled confidence flashing within them!
The ball shot like an arrow across the pitch, heading straight for the goal. De Gea's attempted pass was immediately sent back by Cao Baming!
"Sorry, can't afford to pick that up!"
In that fleeting moment, Cao Baming had rapidly activated a supreme-tier secret treasure. The subsequent shot would be an unstoppable goal!
It didn't matter where this shot was taken from; as long as there was an opportunity to shoot, scoring was inevitable.
The cheers of the entire stadium gradually subsided, everyone in shock.
De Gea swore loudly on the spot, his voice seemingly audible across the entire stadium. His eyes were filled with anger and helplessness. Having already moved out of the goal area, he could only turn around in a panic and rush back towards the goal!
"Is Cao Baming shooting or clearing the ball!"
"Why is the shot so powerful!"
"A seventy-meter cannon shot, that's too exaggerated!!"
The football itself seemed to be pleading for a moment's rest!
However, something unexpected happened soon after. The ball grazed De Gea's outstretched hand and flew into the goal!
At this precise moment, the added time reached its very last second!
"Goal!!!!!"
"Holy crap, I can't believe it!"
The stadium erupted in thunderous applause, the commentator's voice hoarse and cracking with excitement.
"A goal only seen in heaven!! Arsenal scores another!! A killer blow!"
"The hero of the goal, it's someone we know well! No, a god! With this last-second winner in added time, Cao Baming has completed his hat-trick. His form this season is even hotter!"
"Oooooh! Oooooh! Oooooh...!"
"A goal scored just ten seconds apart!"
The fans cheered as the referee's whistle blew.
The match ended! Arsenal defeated Manchester United 5-1!
The Manchester United players on the pitch were dejected, walking towards the sidelines with heavy steps.
De Gea sat in front of the goal, bewildered. He looked up at the sky, as if questioning the heavens, asking what he had done to be so targeted!
Cristiano Ronaldo's face was etched with disappointment, not only in himself but also in his teammates.
After all these years, when had he ever been so thoroughly beaten!
He remembered his peak years at Real Madrid; they had never suffered a 1-5 defeat.
Messi was the first to find Cao Baming for a hug. For the first time in this match, no one tried to exchange jerseys with him.
His face was already filled with gratitude, no words were needed. Beyond gratitude, there was immense respect!
He had clearly understood the assist he received. With Messi's footballing intelligence, he could fully comprehend the reasoning behind Cao Baming's every move, unlike the commentators who could only guess.
Every step this man took seemed to have a clear reason, and all decisions were made in an instant. He was too formidable.
This was why Messi regarded Cao Baming as an idol. At this moment, he also felt incredibly ashamed. Perhaps in comparison to the past, he still fell short of Maradona, and in comparison to the future, it was even harder, because there was Cao Baming!
Cao Baming slung an arm around Messi's shoulder, and the two happily walked off the pitch.
Cao Baming cherished Messi's respect. Many things could only be truly understood by Messi. This mutual respect between top-tier athletes was an enjoyable feeling.
Before his transmigration, Cao Baming had been a fan of Messi, though at best an occasional one, not a fanatical worshiper. However, he had always recognized his skill.
If it weren't for the lack of a World Cup title, he might truly have been considered the greatest player of all time.
As he walked off the pitch, Cao Baming still eagerly awaited the system's voice. After such a spectacular match, surely there would be some reward!
At least a hidden quest should have been triggered!
However, the system remained silent, not a single sound was heard.
Alas! Well, it seemed there was nothing!
At least he had scored a hat-trick in this match! Cao Baming thought to himself.
If his memory served him correctly, the first task after the season missions updated was to achieve three consecutive hat-tricks. This task was the first and most memorable one.
Now, he had achieved one, meaning he was one-third of the way there.
If the next two league matches weren't against overly strong teams, it would be fine. Two more hat-tricks, and the reward would be easily obtained!
But who was the opponent in the next match?
Cao Baming scratched his head, unable to recall for a moment. Perhaps it was because he had never paid attention before!
Upon returning to the locker room, the first thing he did was check the opponents for the next and the match after that!
While his teammates celebrated wildly, only Cao Baming silently reviewed the upcoming schedule, even before the coach mentioned it.
"What the heck!"
A loud exclamation suddenly rang out from the locker room.
All eyes quickly and naturally shifted over. Cao Baming's eyes were wide open, about to pop out as he looked at the schedule in his hand.
"Next match against Manchester City???"
Upon hearing this, some were extremely surprised, while others were nonchalant.
"You're only just finding out!"
Cao Baming nodded. He had indeed just found out!
Could it be that the system was targeting him? Just as he got a hat-trick, he was scheduled to face the defending champions, Manchester City!
And this was the Manchester City that had sold Sterling! It was over!
Many teammates hadn't paid attention either, but upon hearing the news, they were only slightly surprised and couldn't understand why Cao Baming looked so distressed.
He shouldn't be intimidated, should he? Was he still the fearless Cao Baming of old?
In the past, regardless of whether it was Manchester City or some other team, even an "underground city," Cao Baming wouldn't have been afraid; they were just new prey.
However, this time, he truly felt the profound malice of this world.
Manchester City had signed Haaland during the summer transfer window. Many people hadn't yet realized his terror, but as a transmigrator, Cao Baming knew it all too well!