The winning streak was like an unstoppable torrent. After a short rest and adjustment, Hoffenheim immediately set off for their next League match, challenging Werder Bremen away from home. The atmosphere at the Weserstadion was as fervent as ever, but in the eyes of the Hoffenheim players, an even stronger confidence burned. The match was not smooth sailing; Bremen played quite tenaciously with the support of their home fans. Both sides engaged in fierce midfield battles, fighting for every inch.
As the match entered the second half, during a seemingly ordinary positional attack, the ball was quickly passed among Hoffenheim's attacking players, attempting to break through the dense defense. Oliver received a pass on the right flank, and he keenly noticed the momentary hesitation between the opposing left-back and center-back. Seizing this opportunity, he deftly nudged the ball forward, simultaneously bursting into action, squeezing through the gap just as the two defenders were about to close it! This was not merely an overwhelming display of speed, but a precise grasp of space and timing in a flash. After breaking into the box, facing the charging goalkeeper and the covering defender, Oliver remained exceptionally calm, using the inside of his right foot to curl a tricky shot that bypassed the goalkeeper's fingertips and rolled into the net just inside the far post.
1-0!
"Goal! Oliver! It's him again! Breaking the deadlock for Hoffenheim in a stalemate! His 15th, his 15th League goal!!!" The Commentator's voice was filled with exclamation.
This goal stabilized Hoffenheim's morale and laid the foundation for extending their lead later. Ultimately, Hoffenheim won 2-0 away from home, securing three valuable points.
Oliver's name once again shone on the scoresheet. Next was the final round of the Champions League group stage. Although Hoffenheim had already secured first place in their group, Nagelsmann remained fully focused, fielding his strongest lineup, aiming for a perfect six wins. The match proceeded without much drama, with Hoffenheim firmly controlling the tempo. In a swift counter-attack, Oliver, with precise off-the-ball movement, ran onto a precise through ball from a teammate, going one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and once again found the back of the net with a delicate chip shot.
The score changed from 1-0 to 2-0.
After the final whistle, the score was settled at 3-1.
Hoffenheim proudly advanced to the Champions League knockout stage with a perfect record! Oliver also concluded his first Champions League group stage journey with a beautiful goal. When the final whistle blew and the group stage concluded, the true moment of reckoning arrived.All eyes in European football temporarily focused on this young man wearing Hoffenheim's number 17 jersey. Because his statistics were simply magnificent. German Bundesliga: Oliver played 14 matches, scoring 15 goals and providing 9 assists. Champions League Group Stage: Oliver played 5 matches, scoring 12 goals and providing 6 assists. (Excluding Champions League qualifying goals)
Bundesliga Top Scorer: [1st Oliver]
Champions League Top Scorer: [1st Oliver]
Top scorer in both competitions! In less than half a season, a 17-year-old had etched his name at the top of the scoring charts in two of Europe's top competitions. His goals and assists data were so balanced and dazzling that they almost defied people's understanding of the limits for players of this age group. Furthermore, Hoffenheim remained hot on Bayern's heels in the League standings, currently trailing Bayern by 3 points, making the Bundesliga title race very intense. The gap between Bayern and Hoffenheim was small, but from third place onwards, the difference was significant; third-placed Schalke 04 was 14 points behind Hoffenheim and 17 points behind Bayern. In the Bundesliga standings, Bayern and Hoffenheim seemed to be in a world of their own.
Meanwhile, with the conclusion of the Champions League group stage, the authoritative German transfer market website also updated the latest player valuations. When Oliver's latest estimated market value appeared on the screen, it once again caused a stir:
[105 million Euros!]
Oliver's market value soared directly from his previous 75 million Euros to this astonishing figure. This increase was explosive. There was no shortage of private discussions within the football industry, considering Oliver's English passport and such terrifying goal-scoring data, this valuation was actually slightly "conservative." After all, Hoffenheim's platform had limited competitiveness, and their group stage opponents Sevilla, Moscow Spartak, and Maribor were indeed not top-tier in the Champions League; one could even say they were a bit weak.
This, to a certain extent, did affect the ceiling of his valuation. More crucially, the upcoming Champions League knockout stage would be the true test of Oliver's strength. All the doubts and all the expectations in the football world pointed in the same direction: how far could Hoffenheim and Oliver go in the upcoming, more intense and brutal Champions League knockout stage?
Before the Champions League group stage ended, comments like these could always be seen online and in fan forums:
[He's just padding his stats, Hoffenheim's group stage opponents are minnows!]
[Maribor, Moscow Spartak? Anyone can score a few goals against those teams!]
[Sevilla and those other two clubs are pretty bad, this top scorer title isn't worth much!]
However, when the undeniable facts of "12 goals, 6 assists," "six wins out of six in the group stage," and "top scorer in both competitions" were laid bare, these dissenting voices instantly became pale and powerless. Even the most critical football Commentators, faced with such explosive statistics and the team's dominant performance, could only be left speechless. Oliver, with his irrefutable performance, completely debunked all notions of "beating up on weak teams."
His rise was built on consistent, efficient, and comprehensive contributions, rather than a flash in the pan. Media outlets from the top five Leagues also followed up on the story. Front-page headlines, in-depth sports features, rolling news... Oliver's name, his photos, and his goal highlights swept across the entire European football media landscape.
Kicker's headline was direct and powerful: "The 00-Generation 100-Million Euro Man! 17-Year-Old Phenomenal New Star Shakes Europe!"
Bild, meanwhile, featured a photo of Oliver celebrating in the Champions League: "Bundesliga's First 00-Generation 100-Million Euro Superstar is Born! Hoffenheim Struck Gold!"
The UK's The Times, The Guardian, and The Daily Mail all focused on his English passport and future allegiance: "Why did England's treasure end up in the Bundesliga? Will Bayern fight for our genius?"
Spain's Marca and AS turned their attention to potential opponents and possible transfers: "Real Madrid, Barça's Potential New Transfer Target: The 00-Generation Dual League and Champions League Top Scorer!"
Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport marveled at his efficiency and age: "17 Years Old! Dual Top Scorer! The Next European Golden Boy?"
France's L'Équipe also reported on the matter, while still not forgetting to mock Paris Saint-Germain: "Paris Saint-Germain's Outcast Becomes a Bundesliga Supernova, How Many More Super Talents Does Paris Saint-Germain Have Languishing Elsewhere?"
[Paris Saint-Germain: That's enough, isn't it endless? What can I do if he doesn't want to come back?]
The focus of the reports might differ, but the core was consistent: astonishment, praise, and endless imagination for the future. This 17-year-old from Hoffenheim, in half a season, elevated himself from "unknown" to "potential new star," and then further to his current height of "phenomenal supernova." Making him impossible for all top European giants to ignore, impressing them, and even making them eager for action.
"Good heavens, 00-generation, and a dual top scorer?! Valued at 105 million Euros?! Is this a novel protagonist?!"
"God Oliver's number is 17, 10+7=17, I don't need to say more, those who know, know."
"Now it's really over, Oliver has absolutely no chance of coming to the National Football Team, England will definitely not let go of a 17-year-old dual top scorer."
"Has everyone noticed, Oliver has never used the 'Siu' celebration? Could Oliver be a Messi fan?"
"The commenter above, that's enough, why does everything have to be about Ronaldo?"
Indeed, wherever there is football, there are Messi and Ronaldo fans. On major sports forums and social media, discussions about Oliver exploded in popularity. Hoffenheim's number 17 home jersey, "Oliver 17," saw exponential growth in sales across major sports goods stores and online platforms across Asia. Many fan groups who previously knew little or nothing about the Hoffenheim club began to follow Hoffenheim and their progress in the Champions League and Bundesliga because of him.
This craze naturally also affected Oliver's agent; in the past two days, Jules's phone was almost overwhelmed with calls. Invitations for various commercial partnerships poured in from major domestic brands, ranging from sports equipment, electronic products, food and beverages to fashion endorsements, with very attractive prices offered. However, faced with this sudden "financial prospect," Jules displayed the calmness and professionalism of an excellent businessman. He was not carried away by the immediate profits but decisively declined all invitations.
"Thank you for your company's generosity," Jules said politely and humbly in his email and phone replies.
"Currently, Oliver and his team believe that focusing on football itself is the most important thing. He has just started; while half a season of excellent performance is gratifying, the path of professional football is long and full of variables. Getting involved in a large number of commercial activities too early might distract him and affect his training and match performance. We hope he can lay a solid foundation with consistently high-level performances on the field. For endorsement collaborations, when the time is right in the future, we will definitely consider them seriously."
Jules spoke more directly in private conversations with his son:
"Son, you are like a unpolished gemstone right now, priceless, but not yet subjected to the most exquisite carving and testing. Signing these contracts now, it looks like a lot of money, but it's small-minded! When you truly prove yourself in the Champions League knockout stage, in higher-level competitions, when you truly establish yourself in European football and win significant trophies, your market value, your commercial value, will be ten or even dozens of times what it is now! Signing these contracts now is like selling yourself short. Be patient, just play well, and I'll handle the money; there will be plenty later!"
Oliver strongly agreed with his father's decision, telling him on the phone:
"Dad, you're right, I also feel it's not the right time now. The Champions League knockout stage hasn't even started, and the second half of the League will be even more intense. If I really signed endorsements, with all the filming and events, I'd definitely be distracted. If I don't play well, all these things will disappear in an instant."
Jules was very pleased with his son's attitude: "It's best that you think this way, kid. Remember, you are a professional player, and the football field is your foundation. Other things will naturally fall into place once you truly prove yourself on the highest stage and earn the honors you deserve."
While the fame and fortune under the spotlight were tempting, the green pitch beneath his feet was his foundation and battlefield. After ending the call with his father. Oliver lay on his bed in the dormitory, looking out at the peaceful winter night in Hoffenheim. The town's night lights were not dazzling, but they made him feel incredibly grounded. The 105 million Euro valuation, the dazzling title of dual top scorer, the endless praise from the media, the overwhelming enthusiasm from fans, the endorsement contracts flying in from everywhere... All this immense clamor seemed to be shut out by the doors and windows of the Hoffenheim Training Base dormitory.
Ollie was indeed a key player for Hoffenheim. But Ollie was also a 17-year-old boy. At 17, his inner world was actually very simple. He didn't care about the astronomical transfer valuations, nor was he obsessed with flashy, intimidating titles like "00-Generation Dual Top Scorer." Those things were just symbols others attached to him, just focal points for media and fans. For him, football brought him a more real feeling: the muscle soreness after training, the complex running lines on the tactical board, the feedback from the grass beneath his feet with every touch during a match, the trusting eyes of his teammates, and the strict demands of his coach Nagelsmann.
What he truly cared about was whether the tacit agreement of his teammates' movement on the training ground could improve by a few seconds; his position and tasks on his mentor's tactical board; how to cooperate with his teammates to break through the opponent's dense defense in the next match; how far Hoffenheim could go in the Bundesliga, and how far they could go in the Champions League.
Of course, there was also the upcoming stage that truly defined the strong—the Champions League knockout stage. Hoffenheim advanced from the group stage with a perfect record, making club history, but this was just the beginning. A few days later, Hoffenheim would participate in the Champions League knockout stage draw ceremony. That was the most brutal and dazzling arena in European football. Ollie's heart remained on the pitch.
...
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