Under the night sky in Liverpool, at Anfield in the heart of the city.
Fans watching the livestream had been admiring the night view of Anfield—until a reporter, hips swaying as he ran, rushed up to Leo Lin.
Leo Lin took the microphone. There were things he had to say right now to every fan who supported him.
"Everyone, if you're watching this match right now, if you're tuned into this broadcast, there are a few things I want to share with you."
"First of all, thank you so much to all the fans here at the stadium and everyone watching from in front of their screens!"
"Reaching the Champions League final has always been my dream. Lifting the big-eared trophy has always been my dream. I believe it's the lifelong dream of every footballer."
"Against Bayern, in the first leg we were down to nine men and two goals behind. Everyone said we were already dead."
"I even saw some extreme fans making banners for a Bayern vs Real Madrid final—those banners were prepared before the second leg had even started."
"But look at us now!"
Leo Lin held the microphone in his left hand while striking the club crest on his chest with his right.
The cameraman beside the reporter kept searching for the best angle for a close-up. With tens of thousands of fans roaring around him at Anfield, Leo Lin almost looked like a god.
"Look at us now!"
"We weren't killed!"
"We overcame every obstacle, and what allowed me to do all this was my hunger for my dream!"
Leo Lin unconsciously began nodding slightly, staring directly into the camera with firm eyes and the confidence of a winner on his face.
"Everyone, I don't know what your dream is. And I don't care how far you've walked to pursue it or what price you've paid."
"But as long as that dream exists in your heart, I can tell you with absolute certainty—it is possible to achieve it!"
"Many of you already know that realizing your dream is incredibly difficult. Sometimes hope feels almost nonexistent. It's not easy."
"It might even take your entire lifetime. That's simply the truth."
"In the process of chasing your dream, you will experience every kind of pain in this world."
"You'll often feel like you've fallen into an abyss—surrounded by darkness, bound by difficulties, trapped by despair, crushed by suffering!"
"Countless times you'll think you're about to achieve your dream, only to face failure again and again. And then you'll begin to doubt yourself—do I really have any value at all?"
By this point Leo Lin was clearly emotional. Every viewer in the livestream watched him closely, listening to his speech.
His voice grew more and more impassioned.
"I want to tell you that you are never the only one experiencing these things."
"I can say with certainty that everyone who truly pursues the dream in their heart will go through the same struggles!"
"But your dream will always remain in your heart. And if you keep going, it will only grow stronger with time!"
"No matter what happens, you must firmly believe in yourself—you will succeed!"
"Tell everyone who mocks you and looks down on you to get lost!"
"Tell everyone who thinks your dream is unrealistic, nothing but fantasy, to get lost!"
"Always, always, always remember—follow your dream!"
"Don't change your belief because of anyone or anything!"
"Achieving your dream happens in a single moment—but your life is never just a moment."
"The instant you realize your dream, your entire long life suddenly gains meaning because of that one moment."
"Whenever you think back to the moment you achieved your dream—no matter where you are or what you're doing—you'll be able to breathe out deeply, nod with pride and confidence, because you'll have no regrets left!"
Beside him, Carragher's eyes had turned red as he struggled to keep his composure.
In the commentary booth, Gerrard covered his face and cried. Perhaps Leo Lin's speech had reminded him of the painful memory of coming just one step short of the Premier League title.
Leo Lin finally nodded toward everyone watching the broadcast.
"So it was because I always believed I would succeed, and because I followed my dream, that I was able to defeat Bayern and reach the final."
"I hope all of you can do the same."
"Break out in adversity! Grow through hardship! And firmly—always, forever—believe that you will be the winner!"
...
Leo Lin's Speech Tops the Trending Charts!
This Is What a True Leader Looks Like — Leo Lin!
Salute to Leo Lin — He Deserves Every Bit of Praise!
Across social media platforms, the official clip of Leo Lin's post-match speech shot straight to the top of the trending charts.
Views exploded.
Likes and comments surged.
Countless football legends reposted the video with praise. Social media platforms across the global football world were flooded with the clip of the speech.
Gerrard:
"Maybe I should have gone to MLS later. I want to announce something—I've decided to move into coaching. I'll fight to return to Liverpool and challenge for the Premier League title as a manager!"
Fan comment:
"Captain Gerrard, becoming a coach is fine—but coaching Liverpool? We might need to discuss that one first."
Pelé:
"A spirited young man. He reminds me of countless Brazilian kids who dream of escaping hardship through football!"
Ronaldo:
"I've decided to lose weight. I want to get my body back into normal shape."
Fan comment:
"It's okay—you don't need to lose weight. Take care of your health. We know the weight gain is mostly from medication side effects. As long as you're healthy, that's what matters."
Cristiano Ronaldo:
"Liverpool's true leader today. Anyone who lives with discipline deserves respect."
Top fan comment:
"If Leo Lin visits your house, you wouldn't serve him nothing but chicken breast, would you?"
Messi:
"The one young player in today's football who truly stands on a completely different level."
Top fan comment:
"I think you're absolutely right."
Makélélé:
"What else is there to say? I want to meet this guy—I've already started admiring him."
Top fan comment:
"I want to meet him too. Don't think being Makélélé lets you cut the line."
Robben:
"He's right. What helped me overcome my one-on-one curse and score the winning goal in the Champions League final was my dream!"
Fan reply:
"Right is right, but do we really have to bring that up? I'm a fan of the other team!"
Xavi:
"What a great young player!"
Zidane:
"A role model for every footballer!"
Gullit:
"If Cruyff were still with us, he would absolutely love this young man!"
Buffon:
"Looks like I'll have to postpone my retirement again. I want to learn from Lin's spirit and fight for the Champions League title until the very last moment!"
Fan comment:
"The goalkeeper I've watched from elementary school all the way to college—Buffon, I'll always support you!"
...
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