Saitama and Yokohama, both part of the Capital Metropolitan Area, were only a few dozen kilometers apart.

Dean was driving. After a little over ten minutes, they arrived at a coffee shop in downtown Saitama.

Seeing the crowd surging at the entrance of the coffee shop and the police patrolling the perimeter, Chen Yu knew that Baggio and the others’ whereabouts had been exposed.

In Asia, Baggio was actually extremely popular and had a massive fanbase.

In the crowd, a cheerful Baggio was happily accommodating fans’ requests for autographs and photos. Besides him, Chen Yu also saw Vieri, Nesta, and Maldini.

All familiar faces.

Chen Yu didn’t rush forward. Instead, it was Maldini in the crowd who spotted Chen Yu first. He tugged on Baggio’s arm, and they parted the crowd to come over to him.

"There are too many people," Baggio said, hugging Chen Yu amidst the flashing cameras of the reporters.

Chen Yu then hugged Vieri and the other two one by one before saying, "Can’t be helped. Who told you to be a superstar?"

Baggio shrugged and returned the compliment, "Actually, in the hearts of us players, you’re the real superstar."

Maldini smiled and nodded. In the minds of superstars like them, Chen Yu, who could work miracles and help them return to their peak after an injury, was the one and only undisputed superstar.

The group entered the coffee shop and chose a quiet table by the window.

Chen Yu didn’t see Trapattoni, which was good. It meant Baggio and his friends hadn’t come, like Scolari, hoping he would help treat their injuries before a match.

It was just a simple get-together.

However, after sitting down, Chen Yu quietly used the Eye of All-Seeing to check on their conditions.

No major issues, just normal problems like muscle contusions.

For professional athletes, this was considered healthy.

During their casual chat, Chen Yu asked Baggio if he wanted to go to the United States in the summer. He had opened a sports lab that was about to launch, and it could help him maintain his athletic condition during the off-season through training.

After all, he was already at the advanced age of 35.

For a football player, 30 is a major hurdle. After turning 30, physical functions start to go downhill. There were very few who could still maintain their form after 35.

Also, if Chen Yu remembered correctly, Baggio’s contract with Brescia was set to expire this summer.

It was still uncertain whether he would renew with Brescia.

If he did renew, or if he went to another team, he would need to maintain his competitive form.

Baggio rubbed his fingers against the handle of his coffee cup, then smiled and shook his head. "No need. Actually, I should have told you sooner. I plan to officially announce my retirement after this World Cup."

"What?!"

Chen Yu was startled.

The news was too sudden.

Chen Yu looked at Baggio, then at Vieri and the other two.

The three of them looked calm. It was obvious they already knew.

"How could you suddenly have this idea? Look at Paul," Chen Yu said, pointing at Maldini. "He’s only a year younger than you, and he’s still playing just fine."

The man was still a starter and the captain for AC Milan.

Reminded of his own age, Maldini looked a little glum but joined in persuading him. "Yeah, Roberto, you should really think it over. Listen to Chen’s opinion. He’s a medical expert. He can tell you if you can still keep playing on the pitch."

Vieri, sitting beside them, nodded eagerly, looking at Baggio with a complicated expression.

Although he was only six years younger than Baggio, in the hearts of his generation of players, Baggio’s status was by no means low. After all, throughout the entire nineties, Baggio was the face of Italian football, its undisputed number one star.

Baggio waved his hand, speaking before Chen Yu could. "This is a decision I’ve made after serious consideration. Chen, I know you can help me stay healthy, and maybe I could play for another two years. But for me, I think it’s enough."

"I suffered a severe injury at seventeen. Back then, everyone told me I couldn’t play anymore, but I persevered. And that perseverance has lasted for a full eighteen years."

Everyone fell silent.

But Baggio didn’t elaborate on the torment and pain he had endured to persevere through his 18-year career. He just smiled and said, "Actually, back in 2000, I had already thought about retiring. But at that time, I still had regrets. I wanted to play in one more World Cup, to get closer to that trophy, at least."

That was why Baggio went to Brescia.

Plagued by injuries, he could no longer be a starter at Inter. In order to maintain his competitive form and get playing time, he chose a smaller club.

"So I really have to thank you." Baggio looked at Chen Yu. "Before this World Cup, Trapattoni was adamant about not taking me. It’s truly because of you that I was able to catch the last train for this World Cup and fulfill my dream."

"This year, we’ve made it to the final. We have a great chance. So I think it’s time to say goodbye. I feel it’s enough. It’s time to bring my eighteen years of perseverance to a close."

In Baggio’s eyes, Chen Yu saw a sense of relief.

It was the same look Chen Yu had seen in the eyes of Ewing and Olajuwon after they won their championships.

With a long sigh, Chen Yu asked, "Does Giovanni know?"

’There was absolutely no news about this beforehand.’

Chen Yu felt that Baggio deserved a glorious and perfect send-off, and that fans all over the world deserved a chance to give him their final blessings.

Baggio nodded. "He knows. That’s why in the final, I will be in the starting lineup. I’ve been preparing for this match for a very, very long time."

He turned and patted Vieri’s shoulder.

After the last match of the group stage, Trapattoni had sought out Baggio to talk. He wanted to give Baggio more playing time in the upcoming knockout rounds, even suggesting he start directly.

But Baggio had told him that he’d rather maintain his condition and come on in the final moments, to have his last hurrah with the National Team.

And for all these days, he had been working toward that goal, conserving his strength.

Chen Yu shook his head slightly. He completely understood now. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Well, I imagine Josep will be pretty upset."

Guardiola went to Brescia specifically to play alongside Baggio.

And now, after just a few matches, Baggio was going to retire.

"Actually..." Chen Yu bit his lip, still wanting to try and persuade Baggio.

Having heard him out, Chen Yu could understand Baggio’s thinking.

He was older, after all, and his entire career had been plagued by injuries. He had also achieved fame early on, winning league titles, the Golden Ball Award, and World Player of the Year. He had won every honor he could, with the sole exception of the FIFA World Cup.

So this year, with a chance to lift the FIFA World Cup, he was like Ewing, willing to burn himself out for one last shot.

If they won, his career would be complete, with no more regrets.

’But what if they lose?’

This year’s Italy Team had stumbled along, but they had gotten better and better, and on paper, they looked stronger than Brazil.

But Brazil had Ronaldo.

A healthy Ronaldo truly had the ability to change everything.

Besides, with football, you could never be sure.

But even if Italy lost unexpectedly, what could he do? Wait another four years?

Four years from now, Baggio would be 39!

Trapattoni didn’t even want to bring the 35-year-old him this time, let alone a 39-year-old him four years later.

And who knew if Italy would even be able to win the title in ’06?

Was he supposed to play for another four years for such a faint, uncertain hope?

Rubbing his brow, Chen Yu said, "Roberto, please reconsider. Maybe this World Cup can be your swan song for the National Team, but what about the league? You deserve a grander retirement, and you should give the fans who have supported you all these years a proper farewell."

"So you could consider playing for one more year, whether at Brescia or, say, the place where your dream began?"

’Florence, or Juventus?’

In Chen Yu’s view, even if he were to retire, he should do it in the league.

And given Baggio’s status in Italian football, it shouldn’t be so abrupt. He should give the fans a proper announcement and time to prepare.

"Yeah, Roberto, Chen’s right. You really need to give the fans who support you a proper farewell," Maldini said immediately.

Vieri and Nesta, beside them, nodded continuously.

"Why not come back to AC Milan?" Maldini added. In ’96, the two were teammates and won the league title together.

Their words seemed to move Baggio.

But after thinking for a moment, Baggio still shook his head. "No, there’s no need. At my age, why waste a spot on a team’s roster just for a retirement tour? Maybe I’ll just hold a press conference and retire quietly. That’s actually pretty good too. And if we’re really talking about where the dream began, it would have to be Vicenza."

That was his hometown, the place where his dream truly began.

Chen Yu could hear the resolve in Baggio’s voice. He sighed inwardly and waved to a waiter in the distance, asking if they served alcohol.

’Drinking coffee in a situation like this? What’s that about?’

Chen Yu also really wanted to ask Baggio what he would do if Italy lost this World Cup, but after thinking about it, he decided not to ask.

Because there was a match that evening, they only had one small drink each before heading to the stadium together by car.

"Good luck. Argentina won’t be easy to deal with," Baggio said encouragingly as they parted ways in the stadium parking lot.

Chen Yu smiled. "What, you guys want to play Brazil?"

’Does he think Brazil is the weaker team?’

Baggio laughed heartily. "I never said that."

With that, he waved and walked away coolly with Maldini and the others. They had to go meet up with Trapattoni.

Watching them leave, Chen Yu sighed and turned to find the Brazil Team.

The team had already arrived in the locker room.

Chen Yu arrived late, but no one said anything.

After all, Chen Yu was a foreign specialist. The agreement was that he was only responsible for Ronaldo’s physical condition, so he was free to come and go as he pleased. No one could tell him what to do.

Chen Yu found Ronaldo and started applying athletic tape for him.

"Chen, did you go drinking?" Ronaldo asked, looking at Chen Yu with a hint of grievance. He had a sharp nose and could smell the faint scent of alcohol on him.

The key point was that he himself hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol these past few days.

Chen Yu nodded. "Baggio and the others came over. I had a couple of drinks with them."

Ronaldo let out an "oh." It was a match that would decide Italy’s opponent, so it was perfectly normal for Baggio to come watch it live.

After asking about Baggio’s situation, Ronaldo muttered, "I don’t know what the Italy Team is thinking. Roberto is in such great form, why do they keep him on the bench?"

As he spoke, a hint of anticipation appeared in his eyes.

A few years ago, Baggio was in a league of his own among the world’s forwards. If not for that missed penalty in ’94, the Baggio who lifted the FIFA World Cup that year would absolutely have been qualified to be crowned the king of football.

That was why Ronaldo was quite looking forward to facing Baggio on the stage of the World Cup final.

It would be a tribute, but also a chance to surpass him.

"Don’t worry, once you make it to the final, you’ll have your chance," Chen Yu said with a smile.