"I'd like to receive a pass from Evra at least once."
What sounded like a joke may become reality. Park Ji-sung (45) has moved to put on his football boots again. The stage is Suwon World Cup Stadium, the opponent is the Suwon Samsung Bluewings legend team. And Park Ji-sung flew to Barcelona, Spain, to receive knee treatment for that match.
The showdown between OGFC and the Suwon Samsung legend team will be held at Suwon World Cup Stadium at 7 p.m. on the 19th. Park Ji-sung is preparing to play for OGFC. Until now, Park Ji-sung was reported to be more likely to serve in a coaching role rather than play because of chronic knee problems. In fact, he underwent rehabilitation training to play in last year's "icon match," but his physical condition prevented him from spending long periods on the pitch.
This time was different. When OGFC was formed, Park Ji-sung's resolve wavered. Park Ji-sung, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra. Teammates who shared Manchester United's heyday reunited as one team. OGFC, created with football content producer Shoot For Love, set a goal to again surpass the 73% win rate that symbolized their playing days. They even attached a somewhat radical condition that they would disband the team if they failed.
Park Ji-sung ultimately began the treatment he had postponed. A Shoot For Love YouTube video released on the 8th showed Park Ji-sung visiting a hospital in Barcelona to check his knee condition and undergo a procedure. This hospital is known to have been visited in the past by Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol.
The decisive trigger was Evra. Evra told Park Ji-sung, "Before I die, I want to make a pass to you at least once. It's not that I miss football, I miss seeing you playing on the pitch." Meeting the OGFC members again also changed Park Ji-sung's mind. He confessed, "The thought of wanting to play together grew stronger."
Fans are excited, too. When the video was released, reactions poured in such as, "If I could run even a little bit again, I think I'd cry," "I spent my 20s with Park Ji-sung; I might be able to see that figure again," and "I really want to see Park Ji-sung running after receiving Evra's pass."
Park Ji-sung did not rule out the possibility. Immediately after the procedure, he told Evra in a currency that "I'll do whatever I can to get on the pitch. I think I'll be able to run more from the next match." He is currently focusing on rehabilitation while monitoring his recovery progress.
The match between OGFC and the Suwon Samsung legend team is not just a simple event match. Everyone is watching whether Park Ji-sung can stand on the pitch again, whether the Manchester United legends can play together, and whether OGFC's "73% win rate project" can take its first step.
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