Wang Shuo smiled and thanked them.
The first of the two questions was standard, but the second was actually a little awkward.
"Excuse me, everyone. This reporter is from my home country, China. May I answer this question in Chinese?"
The reporters in the room all nodded.
After thanking them again, Wang Shuo looked toward the Capital Television camera.
"First, I am incredibly grateful to the fans in China for their support! Your support gives me endless motivation; itâs the source of energy that keeps me running on the pitch."
"I want to say to all the fans back home that Iâve always felt Iâm not just playing for myselfâIâm playing for you. I want to show the entire world that we Chinese can play great football!"
Wang Shuo kept his answer brief before changing the subject.
"As for the UEFA Europa League final, of course Iâm confident. Confidence is essential for victory!"
"Just the day before yesterday, on the 30th, my personal assistantâwho is also Chineseâtold me that a support group of several hundred fans from China, as well as overseas students, hope to travel to Hamburg to watch the match and cheer me on."
"This isnât the first time this has happened, and Iâm deeply moved."
"I will do everything in my power to play a fantastic match in Hamburg and repay all the fans who like and support me!"
More questions followed.
For example, a reporter from the British Sun asked who Wang Shuoâs favorite player on the Liverpool squad was.
Wang Shuo answered without hesitation: Gerrard.
But he immediately added, "Although, I think I could add Torres to that list!"
Wang Shuo frankly admitted that Liverpool was a truly formidable team.
Even though they had lost Harvey Alonso, Liverpoolâs midfield was still incredibly strong.
Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas Leiva, and Aquilani were all renowned midfield titans on the current European Football Scene.
In comparison, Dortmundâs midfield was certainly not on the same level.
âCould Shahin, Sven Bender, and Götze really go head-to-head with Liverpoolâs midfield?â
And letâs not forget, Dortmund also played a 4-2-3-1 formation, which was Benitezâs specialty.
Benitez had been immersed in this tactical system for over a decade, achieving immense success with it at both Valencia and Liverpool.
Under these circumstances, Dortmund couldnât afford to be the least bit careless.
But did Dortmund have no advantages of their own?
Wang Shuo didnât think so.
"Our advantages are our speed, our passion, and our fearless courage!"
"But I believe our most important, and most powerful, weapon is our unity!"
"My teammates and I are all willing to sacrifice for one another. We work together as one and never complain."
"Thatâs the key to how Dortmund made it to the final!"
"This past season, weâve been constantly facing powerful opponents. Weâve played against Ajax, Juventus, Benfica, Atletico Madrid, and more. Every single match has been incredibly challenging."
"But in the end, weâre the ones still standing!"
Wang Shuo believed the UEFA Europa League final would be the ultimate contest of skill, tactics, and willpower.
"We will beat our opponents using our greatest strengths!"
"In Hamburg, my teammates and I will fight to the very last second to win the championship and glory that is ours!"
Wang Shuoâs declaration earned him another round of unprecedented, thunderous applause.
At the end of the press conference, reporters from the United Kingdom and Spain asked Wang Shuo for his thoughts on the rumors that several major clubs from the Premier League and La Liga were interested in signing him.
Wang Shuoâs response was consistent.
"Iâm very grateful for their interest. Itâs the highest form of validation for me, and I have the utmost respect for all those clubs."
"But right now, Iâm committed to staying at Dortmund. I wonât consider any other options, and I certainly wonât pay any mind to these rumors."
"The only thing on my mind is how to perform better and help Dortmund win!"
"Iâm incredibly grateful to Dortmund, and I love the unified atmosphere here. I have a group of like-minded teammates, and Iâm very content!"
This was, in effect, a rejection of any offers from other teams.
Since Wang Shuo had chosen to sign with Dortmund, he certainly wouldnât be leaving anytime soon.
At least, not in the summer of 2010.
For him, the most important thing right now was to continue improving his own abilities.
There was no team more suitable for him than the current Dortmund, and no stage better than the Bundesliga!
âAs for the future? Who could say?â