"Dude, you're famous!"
This was the first thing Perisic said after tagging him in the team group chat the next day, after the major media outlets reported on him.
Mark: "??? (Black man's question mark)"
Then, Gustavo, who loved social media the most on the team, posted Mark's goal video in the group chat.
"Your goal video has over a million views!"
"The newspapers are all talking about you!"
Mark: "Ah?! Is that true?!"
Only then did Mark, who was relaxing at home on his day off, realize that he seemed to have become famous thanks to his performance in the German Cup yesterday!
Opening his new laptop, Mark immediately went to YouTube.
He effortlessly found his video on the sports channel's trending list. The video's title was:
I'd call this the best goal in the German Cup!
After clicking on the video and repeatedly admiring his goal five times, he exited the video:
"It's really cool!"
After muttering softly, he turned his attention to the comment section:
"This goal is worthy of a Puskas Award!"
"He's 100% a genius!"
"Where are the Bundesliga scouts? There's a genius here, come quickly!"
"Messi scores goals like this every day!"
He spent a full ten minutes reading the comments. Apart from a few sour negative reviews and some condescending ones, most were praise and compliments.
And these positive comments made Mark feel incredibly happy.
At this moment, he inadvertently clicked on the video author's avatar, and was surprised to find that the person who uploaded this video was the administrator of the Wolfsburg fan club he had met outside the parking lot!
"This guy really knows how to make things happen..."
Then, on a whim, he grabbed his car keys and left the house.
He went to the nearest newsstand and bought all the newspapers, including Bild, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and Sport Bild, and brought them home. Mark quickly flipped to the sports section.
Seeing that most of the German Cup reports were news praising him, Mark's mood was like drinking a cold cola on a hot summer day—just one word:
"Awesome!!!"
He clicked on the team group chat again and realized that his teammates were already talking about him treating them.
"Mark scored such a beautiful goal, he has to treat us!"
"I propose Mark treats all of us to a drink tonight!"
"Agreed!"
"I agree with both hands and feet!"
"Seconded!"
"+1!"
Mark didn't hesitate and immediately agreed:
"I'll pay for the beer tonight!"
That night, the Wolfsburg players, dressed in casual clothes, gathered again at the bar.
A glass of beer didn't cost much, so Mark simply treated everyone in the bar to a round.
"The entire tab is on Young Master Mark!"
With the bar owner's shout, the whole place cheered.
Clearly, team activities like "having a drink together after the game" can make the team atmosphere more harmonious.
At least after treating them to drinks, Mark felt that the distance between him and his teammates had narrowed considerably.
He also learned many "secrets" about his teammates...
For example, the most heavy drinker on the team was Germany international midfielder Trasch;
For example, Perisic's wife had just given birth to a daughter;
And for example, Arnold had recently started dating a new girlfriend... It's worth mentioning that this Wolfsburg first team has a very young age structure.
There were only two players over the age of thirty: center-back Naldo and forward Olić.
Many young players born in the 90s, such as De Bruyne, R. Rodriguez, Arnold, Knoche, R. Rodriguez, Mark, and Miranda, made up half of the starting lineup.
Perhaps it was their similar age, or perhaps it was because Mark had previously treated him to Chinese food, but Miranda quickly became chummy with Mark, the M brothers, and even started recommending Chinese food to other teammates:
"Do you know, Mark speaks Chinese, and that Chinese restaurant he took us to the other day was absolutely delicious!"
"Is it really that good?"
Facing R. Rodriguez's skepticism, Miranda immediately raised his right hand:
"I swear to God, if I'm lying, may God punish me so I can never eat Chinese food again!"
Looking at Miranda, Mark couldn't help but laugh:
"Chinese food culture is vast and profound, with different cuisines, just like we have different types of sausages. Next time, I'll treat everyone to a taste!"
This promise also prompted several teammates to raise their glasses and cheer:
"Long live Mark!"
...The next day, Mark, driving back to the team's training base, saw many fans on both sides of the base gate.
Their commonality was that they all held his number 45 jersey!
Besides the sudden increase in fans, there were also many reporters holding cameras!
Seeing the black Beetle, the fans and reporters immediately swarmed, surrounding the entire car.
Reporters continuously pressed their shutters, while fans held their jerseys, calling out his name repeatedly as if shouting to a distant lover.
"Mark!"
"Mark! I love you!"
"Mark, will you marry me?!"
Finally, with the help of the base's security personnel, Mark managed to escape the enthusiastic fans and reporters and drove into the base.
What does it feel like to be famous?
Mark didn't know.
However, from the current situation, he had gained many fans and admirers... Entering the team base, as soon as he arrived at the locker room, Mark heard:
"Our big star is here!"
Following the sound, he saw Gustavo winking at him.
Seeing this, Mark also smiled, "Luis (Gustavo), you are the big star! Being able to secure a spot in the star-studded Brazil national team is not something an ordinary player can do!"
Hearing this, Gustavo immediately showed a proud expression and a brilliant smile:
"That's true."
At this moment, assistant coach Fielge suddenly entered the locker room and then said:
"Mark, the coach wants you to come to his office."
"Oh, okay."
At this point, Gustavo, who was nearby, joked again:
"You're in trouble now! The coach must have found out you treated everyone to drinks last night and is going to call you to his office to lecture you!"
"Haha, no way..."
With doubt and confusion, Mark went to the coach's office on the second floor.
"Coach, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, sit down first."
Feeling Hecking's attitude, Mark also felt a little relieved.
"This attitude, it shouldn't be about me treating everyone to drinks last night..."
"Could it be that I'm going to start?!"
Just as Mark's thoughts were racing, Hecking was also troubled by whether or not he should start.
After four consecutive substitute appearances, all with excellent performances, both the coaching staff and his Wolfsburg teammates felt that Mark deserved a starting opportunity.
However, for Hecking, whose coaching style was very pragmatic, he didn't think now was the best time to start Mark.
Although Mark had performed well, he had only just been promoted to the first team less than a month ago.
Neither his physical fitness nor his familiarity with the team's tactics were comparable to other wingers.
Moreover, the second half of the season had just begun, and there were still more than a dozen League rounds left.
What's more, the media spotlight had already noticed this talented young man.
If Mark were to be rashly put into the starting lineup and performed poorly, he would definitely be affected by the media and public opinion, leading to a loss of composure.
It would be better to let him come on as a substitute in each game, so he wouldn't bear such great pressure.
Then, after slowly familiarizing himself with the team's tactical play, when the right time came, he could start!
Thinking of this, Hecking suddenly thought of something and immediately asked:
"Mark, do you think you're ready to start?"