Before boarding the plane to the Netherlands, Alessandro Dybala sent a quick message to his sister-figure, Su Huishan.
> "Sis, I made the squad for the Europa League!"
The team list wasn't a secret — Manchester United's official website would publish it soon anyway. So, letting Su Huishan know early didn't count as leaking sensitive info.
Su Huishan was a journalist, and in journalism, first-hand news was gold. It meant influence, recognition, and serious career weight.
When she read Alessandro's message, her eyes lit up with excitement.
Without wasting a second, she posted a breaking update on her Weibo:
> "Breaking: According to reliable sources, Alessandro Dybala, the young talent from Asia, has been named in Manchester United's squad for the UEFA Europa League quarter-final away match against Ajax!"
It was like tossing a lit match into a dry forest.
Fans across social platforms and football forums lost it.
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> "No way, seriously?"
"She's just trying to go viral again!"
"Alessandro's only been there for a few days! How can he be on the Europa League squad already?"
"Impossible. Clickbait."
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Skepticism was expected.
After all, Alessandro had just joined Manchester United.
Add to that the fact that his home country's football reputation was... let's say modest, and it made the idea even more unbelievable.
A teenager from a football backwater? In United's Europa League squad? At 17?
Most fans just laughed it off as fantasy.
But then, an hour later…
Su Huishan posted again. This time, with a screenshot of Manchester United's official squad list.
No words. Just proof.
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> "Holy sh*t, it's TRUE?!"
"Insane! This is actually happening!"
"He really made the squad! This is unreal!"
"It feels like a dream…"
"Incredible!"
"Do you think he'll start?"
"Start? Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Just being in the squad is massive!"
"Exactly. He's only just begun. Let the kid grow."
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Fans back home were overjoyed.
From their perspective, Alessandro making Manchester United's 18-man squad was a milestone — a point of pride.
This wasn't just any club.
This was Manchester United — a footballing titan.
A club with a legacy, prestige, and global reach.
For a 17-year-old midfielder to be named among the traveling squad?
It meant something.
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Meanwhile, back home, the Olympic football team was prepping for a press conference ahead of their next friendly in Beijing.
During the session, a bold reporter raised a question:
> "Coach Blazevic, how do you feel about Alessandro Dybala being named in Manchester United's squad?"
The veteran coach looked puzzled for a moment. Clearly, he hadn't heard the news.
His translator whispered the update in his ear.
Blazevic let out a weary smile — equal parts helpless and bitter.
He raised his hands and said calmly:
> "I don't answer questions unrelated to this match."
But the press wasn't letting go.
> "Do you believe your 0-4 home defeat to Australia would've been different if Alessandro had been on the team?"
Just days ago, the Olympic team had been crushed at home — four goals down, no response.
Public backlash was fierce.
Blazevic was under pressure — from the media, the fans, and the higher-ups.
And he'd had enough.
> "What do you want me to say?" he snapped. "Of course I wanted to bring the best players into the squad. But my hands are tied."
That statement sent shockwaves across the room.
It was the first crack in the wall.
He'd admitted it — the squad wasn't based solely on ability.
> "I had planned to use Alessandro as a holding midfielder to stabilize our defense," Blazevic continued. "But as you can see… some things aren't decided by football."
With that, the coach stood up and walked out, leaving the press in stunned silence.
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If Alessandro's selection had sparked conversation...
Blazevic's press conference ignited a firestorm.
Online headlines exploded:
> "Blazevic: I'm not allowed to pick the best players!"
"Olympic Coach: I wanted him, but politics got in the way!"
"National Team Chaos: Coach Admits Non-Football Interference!"
Suddenly, the entire country was watching.
People who had never cared about football before were now tuning in.
It didn't matter if they knew what the Europa League was.
They knew Manchester United.
Everyone had heard of the club Beckham once played for.
Now the facts were in plain sight:
A 17-year-old from their own country had made United's squad.
That same player had been denied a place in their Olympic team.
The coach had openly admitted the selection process was rigged.
The reaction?
Fury,Disbelief.
And a tidal wave of public pressure.
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