After the game, the Hurricanes beat Sao Paulo 1-0 in an away game, which was a slight upset. But compared with the popularity of Willard's goal, it was nothing.
Because the news coverage of the 1-0 Sao Paulo match between Atletico Hurricanes was only reported by Argentina and Brazil, and at most, media reports from several South American countries were included. But Willard's long-distance goal was intercepted and turned into a short video, which was broadcast on the Internet and TV in various countries around the world.
"The knockout round of the Copa Libertadores was a surprise with an 80-meter run that surpassed four people!" 》
"What is a leader?" Even if he is a defensive midfielder, he still has to make an 80-meter run and score four goals in a row to become a leader! 》
"The defense of Brazilian giant Sao Paulo was penetrated by Argentine midfielder Alan Velarde! 》
"This week's best goal in the world is released, an 80-meter run that surpassed four people, a sneak peek! 》
"The most skilled defensive midfielder, he passed four people in a row for 80 meters and then scored with heavy artillery!" 》
Even the FIFA official website of International Football Association forwarded this goal, which aroused heated discussion among fans.
"Holy shit, this ball is awesome!"
"He ran a long distance from his own penalty area to the opponent's penalty area and scored a goal, passing four people in the middle. This speed and physical fitness are so awesome!"
"I'm so obsessed with him. I checked the information. This guy named Alan Willard is not only as offensive as a forward, but his defense is as strong as an iron wall. At most, after this season, he should land in Europe. "
"If this goal is not a candidate for the annual Puskas Award, I will eat the computer!"
"I don't like computers, but if this goal can't be among the top three candidates for the Puskas Award, then I will go to FIFA headquarters and throw bricks."
"Does Willard have a social account? I'll follow it."
With the spread of the goal video, the number of fans on Velarde's social account has experienced a surge and has exceeded 2 million.
You know, Argentina’s total population is only over 40 million. As a defensive midfielder who has just been promoted to the A-League, is still playing in Argentina, and has not yet landed in Europe, he can definitely be called a superstar if he can gain 2 million fans.
The club also saw Willard's rapidly rising strength, status, and influence, and felt bad about the $10 million liquidated damages.
Although South American players have not been tested in European competitions, and there are very few whose worth directly exceeds 10 million US dollars, it is not impossible. For example, Neymar moved to Barcelona in 2013 for 57 million euros.
Facts have proved that as long as you are strong enough, you can play well even in South America.
And now Willard has this tendency.
Before, he gave everyone the impression that he was just a defensive midfielder. Most of his goals were scored using his height, physique, and jumping to head the ball in.
Defensive players have always been less valuable than offensive players, which is inevitable.
But now the situation has changed. After Villard scored a long-distance goal over 80 meters over four people against the Brazilian giant Sao Paulo, Velarde's ability to dribble and break through long-distance attacks has become eye-catching. .
A midfielder who is good at both offense and defense is obviously more valuable than a pure defensive midfielder. If Velarde continues to play in this state and progress until the end of this season and liquidated damages take effect on January 1 next year, 99% of Velarde's worth will be more than 10 million US dollars.
As a result, the club began to panic and wanted to renew Willard's contract with a salary increase as a condition, hoping to increase the liquidated damages. Otherwise, they will be forced to let Villard go for $10 million.
Willard will naturally not agree. Even if the contract is to be renewed, it is not at this time.
Now his performance is only in the league and the Copa Libertadores, and the more important America's Cup is still missing! At least we have to wait until after the America's Cup!
Therefore, Willard responded to the club through his agent Douglas Johnson. Now he just wants to concentrate on playing football and does not want to talk about contract renewal. After all, the contract was just renewed at the end of last year, so how could it be renewed so soon?
Willard was in no hurry.
The club had no choice but to be anxious, but it did not dare to offend Velarde and did not want to stalemate the relationship. Velarde completely blocked the way to renew the contract. By then, the club would only have a maximum income of 10 million US dollars.
We can only coax Willard, maintain a harmonious relationship, and wait until Willard agrees to renew the contract.
Four days later, on May 9, in the 12th round of the A-League, Hurricanes faced Olimpio at home.
Olympio ranked second from the bottom of the A-League last season and is currently ranked third from the bottom this season. It is quite weak and stable.
Although Atlético Huracán made some rotations in preparation for its next Copa Libertadores match at home against Sao Paulo, no one thought Olimpio could pose a threat to Atlético Huracán.
After all, Hurricanes are now the title contending team at the top of the standings, while Olimpio are the relegated team in the bottom three.
What's more, the Hurricanes can even defeat the Brazilian giant Sao Paulo on the road, but can they still lose to Olimpio at home?
Who knows the result? Maybe it is because they are ranked third from the bottom and are worried about being relegated. Olimpio played very hard in this game. In only 14 minutes of the opening, full-back Sears was forced to challenge Fabia who broke through with the ball. Nesi received a yellow card for a foul.
A yellow card is just a relatively serious foul. In order to grab the ball or stop the Hurricanes' attack, Olympio made a lot of small moves and fouls in this game. Not against anyone, but against everyone.
This caused the Hurricanes Athletic Team, which had just defeated Sao Paulo in an away game and was somewhat underestimated by the bottom-ranked Olimpio, to encounter greater difficulties.
Olympio is the last relegated team. The so-called barefoot people are not afraid of wearing shoes. It really restricted the Hurricanes Athletics team who were afraid of getting injured and affecting their chances of winning the championship. The Hurricanes Athletics team was unable to play well in the entire first half. Opportunity.
As for Olympio, he received three yellow cards in the first half.
However, if you commit too many fouls, you will eventually run into trouble.
The third yellow card was due to center back Frios uprooting and dribbling the ball into the penalty area to create a threat to Toranso. He received Olympio's third yellow card and was awarded a penalty kick by the referee.
Toranso, who created the penalty kick, personally took the penalty kick and kicked the ball into the lower left corner of the goal.
Hurricane Athletics led 1-0 and finally changed the score.
But Olympio was really tenacious and still went all out to fight in the second half. They received three yellow cards in the second half and in the 80th minute, their midfielder Honoratan Blanco took a long shot from outside the penalty area. The ball hit Santiago Echeberria and flew into the goal to get a goal back.
Fortunately, before the end of the game, in the 88th minute, Alejandro Romero, who came on the bench, made a pass and assisted Avila to score the Hurricanes' second goal.
In the end, the Hurricanes narrowly defeated Olympio 2-1 and almost overturned at home. Among them, there is also a penalty kick.
This fully illustrates the uncertainty of football. Even if you can beat the world's giants, you may not be able to win against the bottom ranked fish belly.
Fortunately, the defense of the Hurricanes Athletic Team with Alan Willard was stable enough and only conceded one goal. Otherwise, there is no chance of losing.
But no matter what, they still won after all. The Hurricane Athletic Team continues to top the standings, and the championship status is becoming more and more obvious.
