52 – First
052
The end of the transfer process is the medical test.
No matter how diligently scouts observe a player’s talent, style, and attitude, they can’t uncover the hidden bombs deep within the body.
Even a player with genius-level talent is helpless if their body crumbles.
From the famous Ronaldo to Gareth Bale, Ledley King, Robin van Persie, Jonathan Woodgate, and legendary pocket monster Abu Diabina, to the glass-bodied phenomenon Owen Hargreaves – how many players have collapsed due to injuries?
That’s why David Fabre, who passed through Manchester United and served as the medical team leader for Blackburn Rovers, compared the medical test to ‘buying a used car.’
However, despite its importance, surprisingly, there were no standardized criteria or methods for medical tests. Each team conducted tests based on their own standards, depending on the situation.
Especially on the transfer market deadline day, cases where medical tests are rushed, ignoring the coach’s opinion, age, position, injury history, and other variables, occasionally occurred. There were even cases where a player failed the medical test, but the coach or the board ignored it and pushed through.
Nevertheless, the importance of the medical test cannot be denied in any case.
Especially in modern football, where financial scales continue to grow, the role of the team’s chief medical officer or medical staff becomes increasingly crucial. From the club’s perspective, a player is an expensive commodity!
Naturally, although there are no standardized criteria or methods, the basic examination process tends to converge in a similar direction.
The first step begins with meeting the team doctor, the club’s chief physician.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Dr. Hans Volpart Mayer, the medical doctor who will conduct today’s subjective examination. As the team’s chief physician, you’ll be seeing me frequently from now on. Feel free to call me Dr. Hans.”
The initial process involves reviewing medical and genetic history.
“Have you ever had a life-threatening illness or undergone surgery? What about family medical history? Has anyone in your family experienced significant illnesses or surgeries?”
Of course, it’s not just about asking questions.
A review is also conducted through past medical records, which goes beyond merely disclosing the player’s medical history.
Through the records, information such as how often the player has suffered injuries in training and matches, the frequency of recurring injuries like hamstring strains, and more can be obtained.
After that, a check of all muscles and joints follows.
Each joint’s range of motion is assessed, and muscle strength is gauged using isokinetic exercise devices.
Specifically, examinations cover aspects from renal function, weight, body fat, lung capacity, heart rate, blood pressure to detailed checks on the musculoskeletal system, including posture, leg alignment, flat feet, alignment of legs and body, spinal condition, elasticity of muscles or ligaments, and even vision and hearing, down to dental health.
“In fact, we are not unusually strict. In the case of Liverpool, they even invite ophthalmologists from Liverpool University for eye examinations.”
Hans was friendly.
Throughout the test, he made an effort to create a comfortable atmosphere by explaining the purpose and reasons behind the examinations, sharing interesting anecdotes.
The problem is,
“The purpose of conducting sports medicine examinations is to detect hidden injuries or illnesses. Not only that, measuring the function of muscles and the skeletal system, checking nutritional status, and protecting the player’s health through psychological management or maximizing the player’s abilities are also important. As you know, football can be rough, and injuries are not uncommon. Even minor injuries, when accumulated, can lead to a decline in performance and overall health. Especially for young players in their growth phase, one must be more careful. Since their bodies are not fully developed, injuries during this period can be potentially fatal to a player’s life—”
Despite the abundance of words, it was too much.
The interpreter couldn’t withstand the constant flow of Bavarian-accented German.
After that, the process proceeded in a rather quiet atmosphere.
For assessing cardiac function, there were electrocardiogram tests, ultrasound examinations, blood and condition tests, protein and blood ketone tests.
For understanding the musculoskeletal system, there were examinations for lumbar and pelvic areas, hamstrings and adductors, and flexibility and elasticity of muscles.
To assess isokinetic muscle strength, tests were conducted on the quadriceps and hamstrings.
Finally, MRI and ultrasound imaging, and basic fitness tests through flexibility, muscle strength, muscle endurance, cardiovascular endurance, balance, agility, and reaction tests, including zigzag running, shuttle running, and hopping tests.
“Congratulations. Our medical team welcomes both players.”
After three days of all the tests being completed, Dr. Hans finally exclaimed with admiration.
“Truly fantastic bodies. Both players have very, incredibly impressive bodies.”
As if waiting, the final step, the moment of the ultimate signature, took place with their families.
* * *
From Noble mtl dot com
The signing was complete.
Posing with uniforms for official photos was done.
“Player Ju Ji-tae, Player Jo Jae-shin. Congratulations on your first professional contract and entering Europe.”
After all negotiations were concluded, Attorney Jeong Seon-woo breathed a sigh of relief.
“Agent-nim, you’ve worked hard. Please take care of us in the future as well.”
“What does that mean…?”
Even though he was a key player in winning the Asian Cup and the World Cup, it was merely a youth tournament with age restrictions. Moreover, most promising talents from Europe or South America were absent from the competition.
Certainly, this achievement alone was impressive enough, but the efforts of the agency were crucial in making European elite clubs stir with interest. With decent negotiating skills, they managed to secure a contract under better conditions than anticipated by Ju Ji-tae.
“We negotiated the four-year contract with conditional buyout as we wanted, so there should naturally be incentives. We may not go all the way together, but… please take care of us in the future.”
“Haha. This is… quite challenging, but it gives a sense of accomplishment. I also look forward to working with both players.”
After extending the contract with the agency, Ju Ji-tae carefully examined the contract again.
It wasn’t the first time, but for some reason, his heart raced.
“The first pro contract… it’s strange. I always thought I would become a pro someday, but in Germany of all places.”
Beside him, Jo Jae-sin, who was also flipping through the contract, seemed to have a sudden realization and quickly pulled out his smartphone.
“Hey, have you seen this? An article on the top 10 most valuable prospects in the world.”
On the phone screen that appeared before Ju Ji-tae, there was a chart listing players under 21 years old released by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) under FIFA.
1. Fernando Alvarez (19, Real Madrid) — €220 million
The top-ranked rising star from Uruguay was already showing his potential to become a future Ballon d’Or winner.
2nd, 3rd, 4th… they were all well-known players.
As Ju Ji-tae casually scanned the rankings, his eyes widened when he reached 8th place.
8. Jo Jae-sin (17, South Korea) — €65 million
A familiar name at 8th place.
Strange. This name shouldn’t be here…? A more familiar name should come first…?
In the midst of anxiety, Ju Ji-tae’s gaze soon found what he was looking for just below.
9. Ju Ji-tae (17, South Korea) — €60 million
His own name.
“See? Is my market value higher than yours? Ha… CIES acknowledges the ranking. FIFA officially states that my market value is higher than yours.”
“…”
In astonishment, Ju Ji-tae, who was still processing the shock, regained his senses and retaliated.
“Is he crazy? Of course, I’m a forward. Do you know my salary is higher than yours? The signing bonus is higher, too. Is it normal for a forward to have a lower salary than a defender?”
“Yeah, next time, I’ll go for €60 million.”
“If I aggressively climb a little, the tables will turn in no time. Plus, you’re older than me, aren’t you?”
“Yes~ Next in line, number 9.”
“…”
Suppressing quiet anger amid that boasting, Ju Ji-tae said,
“Hey, Juji! Come over for a moment!”
Promptly responding to the summon of Ju Yeo-shin, he moved quickly.
“Hey! Where are you going with your talk! Hey, number 9!”
If he kept listening, it felt like he would hit the jackpot on his friend’s face.
Boiling frustration surged to the tip of his head. A white, slender finger reached the sleeve of Ju Ji-tae, who was fervently sharpening his knife.
“What are you doing?”
Not catching bugs, just delicately grabbing the sleeve with his fingers like handling trash, Ju Yeo-shin arrived at the place following Ju Ji-tae. It was a garden with sunlight pouring in through the window.
“Juji, just one photo for me.”
“A photo? Why suddenly a photo?”
Ju Yeo-shin, who had been wandering around, handed him his smartphone abruptly.
“Ah, fine, quickly.”
“So why?”
Fidgeting around, Ju Yeo-shin reluctantly explained at the sight of his surroundings.
“People don’t believe that we’re close friends. So~ quickly~ okay?”
With that innocent response, Ju Ji-tae’s boiling frustration and anger were both resolved.
“Our goddess… she’s so pure, it’s nice.”
“Heh~ I’m a bit pure, you know.”
“Yeah, really pure.”
“…? You’re not complimenting me!”
Look at him acting all grown-up just because he’s a bit taller.
Ju Ji-tae chuckled.
“It’s a compliment.”
“Ugh…! I’m not a kid, you know?”
“Hmm. Are you sure?”
Leaning next to him, Ju Ji-tae looked down at Ju Yeo-shin as if assessing him.
“Our goddess is cute. So, how tall are you now?”
The perplexed Goddess Jo Ye-shin swayed her foot while clearly looking down at Ju Ji-tae.
“I’m already 164! Grew by 3cm!!”
“I’m 186. Don’t call me crow feet.”
“Ugh…!! My mom said I’d be up to 170!!”
What shut Jo Ye-shin’s mouth, ablaze with complaints, was the cellphone camera.
“Taking a picture?”
“Oh, wait! Just a moment! Let me fix my hair!!”
After Ju Ji-tae finished adjusting his bangs, which seemed incomprehensible to him.
“Oh, bend down a bit!”
“Bend your knees more! Get closer!”
“Ugh, it’s frustrating! The angle is off!!”
“Face, bring your face here. Yeah.”
Jo Ye-shin’s ridicule continued.
When the disheveled Ju Ji-tae finally managed to get an okay sign, it had been enough time for him to take hundreds of pictures and check them if he were alone.
“Taking a picture?”
“Oh, wait. Not yet. Hold on. Let’s set it on continuous shooting and then take it! Yeah, like that!”
“…Please, are you taking a picture?”
“Yeah, yeah!”
From the tightly pressed Jo Ye-shin, a familiar but slightly changed scent emanated.
‘It used to have more of a baby smell.’
That was when it happened.
As Ju Ji-tae’s finger pressed the capture button.
“Hey, Joo-ji. Look here.”
“Yeah?”
A fragrance that came close with a reflexive turn of the face.
Then, something lightly touched his lips and fell away.
“…?”
Jo Ye-shin, who had been running away in a hurry, suddenly stopped and rushed back, grabbing the smartphone she was holding dumbfoundedly, exclaiming.
“My, my first, first, first kiss!”
So, what’s there to do about it.
Absorbed in those thoughts, I watch the figure distancing itself, only to see Jo Yeoshin stopping once again.
She turns around and shouts, almost slyly, “Oh, is today our first day!? Hah, if you get distracted, you’ll really die!!”
Strangely familiar, those words. Longed for.
