<h4>Chapter 225: Passionate and Joyful</h4>


    At just 17 years old, Ronaldinho found out on the morning of the final that he had made the team roster. Although it was just the substitute list, he was thrilled because this was his first appearance in the first-team lineup. Even sitting on the bench excited him beyond belief.


    Though he was a key yer for the youth team, he had little presence in the first team.


    Sitting upright on the bench, young Ronaldinho resembled a soldier on standby,pletely focused. His gaze flicked between the match and Aldrich, waiting eagerly.


    "Boss, when will it be my turn?"


    He waited and waited, watching keenly.


    Van Nistelrooy scored, putting the team in the lead. Wise received a red card and left the pitch, and the remarkable veteran Larsson scored again...


    Ronaldinho''s anticipation began to fade into a sense of disappointment as time passed.


    Just then, Aldrich approached him, instructing him to warm up. Ronaldinho felt as though he had heard the most beautiful sound in the world. Instantly revitalized, he leaped off the bench and began his warm-up exercises on the sidelines.


    At the same time, Aldrich ordered Lampard and Gattuso to warm up as well.


    Larsson was walking back around the field, apanied by the team doctor. Aldrich stepped forward and said to Larsson, "You need a break today; you''ve already pushed your limits."


    With yers older than himself, Aldrich always spoke in a friendly tone. Only when addressing younger yers did he adopt a slightly more authoritative stance.


    Larsson had a thigh strain, but it wasn''t serious. With a breaking up and no national team duties, the injury wouldn''t impact next season much.


    "Boss, thanks for not leaving me on the bench."


    After smiling and saying this, Larsson returned to his seat, where a team doctor began massaging his thigh. Given Millwall''s current lead, there was no doubt they would win the match. Larsson figured he wouldn''t leave just yet, as a trophy presentation awaited themter.


    Aldrich said nothing further; both he and Larsson understood each other without words.


    This season was crucial for Larsson, who was pushing for a goal-scoring record. His teammates were supporting him, and if he missed out on this opportunity, it would likely be a lifelong regret.


    As the three yers finished warming up, Aldrich stood by the sidelines preparing to make a substitution. Benitez and Jensen were assigning in-game roles to Gattuso and Lampard, while Aldrich called Ronaldinho over.


    "Nervous?" Aldrich asked with a smile.


    Ronaldinho looked around the field, observing the yers. Shaking his head, he replied, "Not really. I''ve always wanted to y alongside them."


    Aldrich nced at the yers on the field. Millwall featured talents like Nedved, Makelele, and Southgate, giving younger yers a psychological boost. This was his usual method for nurturing neers after stabilizing the team''s structure—strong guiding the weak. Although Nedved and the others weren''t exactly old, their strength was undeniable.


    "Do you recall your defensive duties?"


    "Sure!"


    "And when we''re on the attack, where do you need to show up?"


    "I understand!"


    Aldrich smiled as he gently squeezed Ronaldinho''s shoulder. "Just enjoy the atmosphere today, don''t overthink it."


    Ronaldinho nodded and, at Aldrich''s cue, headed toward the fourth official. But halfway there, he turned back.


    Aldrich raised an eyebrow, wondering if he was having second thoughts.


    Instead, Ronaldinho approached him with a serious demeanor. "Boss, if I score, will you celebrate with me?"


    Aldrich chuckled, thinking the kid was overthinking it. "Sure, I''ll celebrate, but you can''t just focus on scoring."


    "I know, I know, but scoring is part of my job in this position. If I score, I''lle find you to celebrate."


    Aldridge was a little helpless. He put his hands on Ronaldinho''s shoulders, turned him around and pushed him toward the fourth official. "Stop wasting time ande on."


    He, along with Lampard and Gattuso, were substituted in.


    Ronaldinho reced Larsson on the left wing, while Lampard and Gattuso took over for Back and Makelele.


    Once on the pitch, Chelsea''s counterattacks surged forward. Gattuso and Lampard swept across the defensive front, while Ronaldinho participated defensively alongside Zambrotta on the left nk.


    With even numbers, Millwall''s defense was nearly wless, forcing the attacking team tomit more yers forward. In one-on-one situations, they rarely had an advantage.


    This kind of counterattack was risky, relying on momentum and a period of intensive pressure to create chances. If they couldn''t quickly score, attacking yers would lose heart, opening up more defensive gaps.


    As the clock ticked down, Chelsea struggled to attack. Being a man down, they had to work harder, and in thest three minutes, they were running on empty.


    Di Matteo took a desperate long shot next to Lampard, but it was right at Butt, who confidently gathered the ball.


    Despair filled the hearts of Chelsea yers and fans alike, and at that moment, Butt surged forward, throwing the ball to the left side near the center circle.


    Chelsea defenders paid little attention to Ronaldinho, the neer. As they shifted from offense to defense, their focus was on stars like Nedved and Gronkjaer, with Van Nistelrooy tightly marked by Leboeuf.


    Ronaldinho received the ball near the center circle on the left nk, with only one defender, rk, in front of him.


    rk seemed intent on pressuring Ronaldinho to win the ball back andunch a quick counterattack.


    With his back to the defender, Ronaldinho controlled the ball and began to twist his body to the right. In response, rk reached out his foot to attempt a steal.


    But Ronaldinho swiftly changed direction halfway through, switching to the left and slipping past rk, then surged forward at full speed!


    The path ahead was clear as Ronaldinhounched into a long, determined run.


    In a sprintingpetition, he might not win first ce among Millwall yers, but he''d definitely be in the top five. However, under ball control, he was the fastest in the squad, thanks to his exceptional touch and technical skills.


    Leboeuf stuck closely to Van Nistelrooy''s movement, while Nedved began to sprint forward. Sinir, not wanting to take any chances, also chased after Nedved.


    Meanwhile, Ronaldinho was crossing the halfway line on his own, charging forward without anyone to stop him.


    With only two center-backs remaining, they likely deemed Van Nistelrooy and Nedved as more significant threats. The unassuming young Ronaldinho was assumed to be there just to support the "big brothers."


    As Ronaldinho approached the penalty area at high speed, remarkably, no one stepped up to challenge him!


    Aldrich stood up from his seat and walked to the sidelines, lookingpletely astonished.


    "Damn, no way?! What''s going on here?"


    Once Ronaldinho entered the box, Sinir finally abandoned Nedved and rushed to close him down, realizing Ronaldinho was not looking to pass!


    Sinir movedterally, but Ronaldinho skillfully executed a feint and slid the ball past him. The fluidity of his motion was impressive; by the time Sinir shifted his body, he lost his footing and slipped right in front of Ronaldinho.


    After making theteral pass, Ronaldinho found a clear shooting angle and took the shot without hesitation.


    With a clean strike, he sent the ball into the near corner of the, leaving the goalkeeper helpless!


    "Goal! He''s scored! Who is that? Who is this kid? Starting from midfield, he dribbled past rk, then fooled Sinir in the box and finished it! Who is this yer? Millwall has another genius rising? It''s Ronaldinho! Let''s remember this name, because this is his debut in the first team and he just scored in the FA Cup final! Aldrich-Hall is going crazy, but that''s exactly what football is about! What a beautiful goal to behold! It''s Ronaldinho''s moment, and we should celebrate!"


    The stands erupted in cheers. Even though Millwall''s football philosophy emphasized teamwork, fans could never resist the thrill of an individual disy. The passion was palpable.


    Millwall fans shouted and whistled, celebrating the goal.


    Some diehard supporters gleefully shouted to theirpanions, "That''s Ronaldinho! I''ve known about him for ages. He''s the brightest talent from the Leo Academy! Joe Cole can''t hold a candle to him! I always knew this day woulde. He''ll be one of our top stars!"


    The entire Millwall coaching staff and yers flocked to the sidelines, both to celebrate post-match and to process Ronaldinho''s incredible goal.


    After witnessing the goal, Aldrich could hardly contain his happiness. "Did you see that? Did you see that?" he asked his coaching staff excitedly.


    Although the goal showcased Ronaldinho''s individual brilliance, it was partly due to Van Nistelrooy and Nedved creating space for him while the opposing defenders underestimated him.


    Regardless, Ronaldinho had scored on his debut in an FA Cup final. Even as a mere embellishment, it was more than enough to excite him.


    He dashed to the sidelines, bursting with joy. "Boss, I scored! Let''s celebrate together!"


    Aldrich pped, beaming. "Well done!"


    Ronaldinho shook his head vigorously. "No, no, no! Come dance with me! I promised myself I''d have you dancing on the sidelines with me!"


    Aldrich was taken aback, but Ronaldinho called out again, "You''re not going back on your word, are you?"


    The surrounding coaches and yers watched with anticipation, urging Aldrich on.


    With a resigned nod, Aldrich acquiesced, stepping back as Ronaldinho approached him, and together they began to dance the samba, both smiling widely.


    After performing a yful 360-degree spin and trailing their right hands through the air, the two embraced.


    The crowd in Wembley Stadium erupted in apuse, with the Lions'' fans standing and cheering. Millwall''s gs waved on the stands like rippling waves.


    Fans witnessed Aldrich and Ronaldinho dancing the samba, bringing sheer joy to their faces, as the happiness radiated from the spectacle.


    Under Aldrich''s leadership, Millwall was never short on passion, and now it was enriched with joy.


    Chelsea yers and fans, however, could only watch in disbelief as their rivals celebrated without restraint, envy flickering in their eyes.


    Thementator, moved by the scene, excitedly praised Millwall''s football and team spirit.


    As Aldrich released Ronaldinho, he made the sign of the cross over his chest and pointed toward the sky.


    Teammates rushed over to congratte him on his goal and exchanged hugs.


    Four minutes of stoppage time remained, but the game didn''t restart immediately.


    Sinir had injured himself while defending Ronaldinho, slipping and straining his thigh in the process.


    Chelsea really tried their best in this game, but in the end they not only lost the game, but also had yers injured.


    After Chelsea conceded the third goal, Bates angrily left his box, while Arthur joyfully danced inside, his jovial nature shining through.


    Chelsea couldn''t turn the game around, letting Millwall control the ball and waste time with passes in the final four minutes.


    As the referee blew the final whistle, Southgate kicked the ball skyward, roaring in exhration as all Millwall yers pumped their fists and shouted triumphantly.


    "Treble winners!"