Mangahelpers Translationshttps://mangahelpers.com/translators/rss2008-12-19T17:02:58+00:00/favicon.icoMangaHelpers Adminsadmin@mangahelpers.comhttps://mangahelpers.com/t/xophien/releases/7937[English] [Translation] FC Barcelona Monogatari Oneshot : 1 by Xophien2008-12-19T17:02:58+00:00Xophienadmin@mangahelpers.comThis translation is reserved to DragonPiece Scanlations. Though, well, technically I guess it isn't, but they were the ones coming to me with the raw, and they should be waiting for this translation in order to scanlate this one-shot, so I wouldn't bother if I were you.
Anyway, nice one-shot we have here, by the mangaka of Meister. It's about the FC Barcelona, my favorite Spanish club (Real who? >.>), and it shows Kaji-sensei's skills at drawing football scenes. And that Meister's Kai has stolen Puyol's wig xD
Oh, due credits to Kaylee, who proofread this translation~ And I'm not a sports manga translator! T_T
FC Barcelona Monogatari
Page 01
Top : This is how the best players in the world are born!! Special one-shot of 43 pages!!
FC Barcelona Monogatari -més que un club- (more than a club)
Middle : This is the football that everyone in the world dreams of!!
Bottom : Kaji Kimiya
Page 02
Right : What is the secret of that strength!?
Narration : FC Barcelona (Barça for short) Map : Barcelona Map : Spain Narration : A football club created in 1899, in the Catalonia province at Barcelona. *The data is as of July the 15th, 2008
Narration : Inside that history that lasted for more than 100 years, Narration : There are players like Cruyff, Maradona, Romario, Ronaldinho, who have carved their names into the history of football. Johann Cruyff 1973-1978 Maradona 1982-1984 Romario 1993-1995 Ronaldinho 2003- Narration : 2-time winners of the UEFA Champions League, 28-time winners of the Liga Española (Spanish League), 24-time winners of the Copa Del Rey (The King's Cup), a team that won countless titles.
Page 03
Narration : The Barça is a club that any football fan will acknowledge as a regular in the Champions League, as one of the best clubs in the world.
Narration : And if you wonder what the Barça has more than the other clubs, it's obviously the “Cantera”, an infrastructure that aims at raising players. Narration : It's renowned and called the “factory that produces stars”.
Page 04
Narration : Although most big clubs are usually gathering famous players from elsewhere, Messi – Bojan Xavi – Iniesta Puyol – Piqué – Oleguer Víctor Valdés Narration : Almost half of the starting members of the Barça are coming out of the Cantera.
Narration : For example, a central pillar of that team who is a player coming from the cantera...
Announcer : Oooh, he saved the team from a great pinch!!
Puyol : Come on, the line didn't fall back!! Puyol : Don't be so passive!!
Narration : With overflowing spirit and great force of will, the pivot of the Barça as well as of the Spanish national team, Narration : The “brave leader”, Puyol. Puyol : Fire up!!
Page 05
Narration : It seems like Puyol's leadership abilities have been like that ever since his time in “La Masia”, the cantera's dorms.
Guy : What did you say, bastard!! Guy : What! Guy : Aah!?
Puyol : Stop!!
Puyol : We'll all gather in the dining hall!! Puyol : Why you're fighting or what the problem is, we'll talk about it there! Narration : It seems like he settled the problems that occurred without relying on the adults thanks to his outstanding leadership skills.
Narration : By the way, this happened when we went to collect data on the top team for Shounen Jump... Guy : Gudjohnsen! Arrow : Manga editors Y & K, currently living a dream.
Arrow : The nice Gudjohnsen who did some fan service after hearing the voices.
Page 06
Gudjohnsen : Ouch!
Puyol : Focus on training!! Editors : Puyol is scary!!! Narration : They thought Puyol was really a strict and hot-blooded leader.
Narration : And then, in front of Puyol, the team's midfield. Narration : The midfielder positions are where the Barça really shows its true colors.
Narration : It's said that the Barça's midfield overflows with creativity on a world-class level. Narration : As if their motto was “it's better to lose 4-5 while attacking than winning 1-0 while defending” Narration : They consider it more important to take down the opponent by controlling the match.
Page 07
Narration : At the core of this midfield tradition, there are two players. Narration : Xavi Narration : And Iniesta Narration : Those two also come from the cantera.
Narration : Ever since they joined the cantera more than ten years ago, those two have been soaked in the football of the Barça.
Narration : Xavi is setting the rhythm of the offense with his ever-changing passes,
Narration : And Iniesta adds up to the offense with his sharp dribbles.
Narration : The symphony played by those two in the midfield is truly art. Narration : Thanks to that, the percentage of ball possession of the Barça in each match is astounding.
Page 08
Narration : And finally Narration : The offensive squad that gets the balls from that midfield.
Narration : The player from the cantera that shines the most in the Barça right now is here. Narration : Because of his youth, he is called “the future of Barcelona”. Narration : He is the treasure of Argentina Narration : Lionel Messi.
Page 09
Narration : While short, he can break through defenses thanks to his speed and exceptional sharp dribbles. Narration : After debuting at only 17 years old, he became a fascinating being not only for the Barça fans, but for the football fans in the whole world. Arrow : His running style, with his feet barely raising above the ground, is one of his trademarks.
Narration : But the path Messi had to follow before joining the Barça wasn't an easy one.
Narration : Messi was born on June 24th, 1987 in Rosario, the third most important city of Argentina.
Narration : Year 1998
Guy : Stop that shrimp! Guy : Yeah! Leave it to m...
Page 10
Guy : Huh, what!?
Guy : Nice shoot, Messi! Guy : As expected!
Guy : Shit... Guy : What can we do...
Page 11
Guy : When that shrimp starts dribbling, we just can't touch the ball anymore... Narration : Just after he began walking, Messi was chasing his two elder brothers and playing by kicking in the ball. He joined the local football club when he was 5 years old. Narration : Immediately showing his talent, by the time he was 11 years old, his technique was famous among those in the know. Messi, 11 years old.
Narration : But...
Narration : For some reason, Messi was really short compared to the other kids around him.
Guy : You're doing quite well, even though your body is so small. Guy : Isn't that a problem when all your opponents are so big?
Guy : I never thought that this small body was a disadvantage, you know? Guy : Ha?
Page 12
Messi : Even if the opponent is big, as long as I can use my speed to follow a path his legs can't reach, it's alright.
Messi : I'll score one more!! Guy : His body is small, but he's a big guy inside. Narration : Messi's dribbles, which make it seem like the ball is sticking to his feet, is a skill he mastered since his childhood in order to defeat bigger opponents.
Narration : His short height was just because his growth was a bit late, that's all. Narration : That's what he used to think, full of optimism. Narration : ... But...
Narration : At that time, no one knew it was something that'd cast a dark shadow on Messi's future...
Page 13
Messi : Eh!? Messi : River Plate?
Coach : That's right, it seems like they want to get you and an offer is coming.
Messi : Yeees!! Guy : Oooh! Isn't this awesome, Messi!!
Narration : River Plate is together with Boca Juniors the most famous club of Argentina. Narration : This meant the scouts for there acknowledged his worth as a football player. Coach : It seems they'd like you to come for the formalities and medical check immediately. Messi : Yes!
Narration : But the situation changed suddenly. Someone : Eh?
Page 14
Dad : You're calling it off!? Arrow : Messi's father.
Guy : Yes. Guy : We won't make Messi-kun sign a contract with us. Dad : It can't be... Dad : Why!?
Guy : Here are the results of the medical check Messi-kun took before... *: Examination a player definitely has to take before joining a club.
Guy : We've confirmed that Messi-kun has a growth hormone deficiency that will prevent him from growing up any further.
Page 15
Guy : It wasn't that Messi-kun's growth was late. Guy : He has a disease that prevents him from growing up.
Guy : There is no way that we'd sign a contract with such a player. Dad : It can't be... Dad : Isn't there a treatment for that!?
Guy : There is a treatment. Guy : A daily injection of growth hormone in the leg would be enough... Dad : Then...
Guy : But that treatment is expensive. Guy : We can't afford that kind of expense for a player that we're not sure if he'll be of use to us in the future.
Page 16
Guy : Did you hear? Messi's story... Guy : Yeah. Guy : It seems his father came to our club to ask if they could play for the treatment, but they won't even meet him?
Guy : Our club is just stingy, huh... Guy : It must be painful.
Guy : Even though he has so much talent...
Messi : I'm home.
Dad : Shit!
Page 17
Dad : A treatment that costs 900 dollars a month... Dad : There's no way we can afford that with the little money I make at the iron factory... *At the time, about 110,000yens
Dad : What can I do... Messi : Dad...
Messi : Blaming God is easy, but... Messi : You have to think a way will appear if you do your best until the end, without giving up...
Narration : From then on, Messi's father went on to try and find a club that'd buy Messi the treatment, but to no avail.
Narration : And then, two years went by...
Narration : Year 2000 Messi : Moving to Spain!?
Page 18
Dad : Yes, in order to pay for Lionel's treatment, we'll move to Spain, which has better working conditions and wages. Dad : The whole family is moving over there. Messi : Wa... Wait a second! Messi : Going that far just for my sake... On top of that, dragging everyone in this... *Spanish is the language of Argentina, so the language isn't a problem in this case.
Dad : Don't worry! Dad : Leave everything to me.
Dad : You have a talent. I'll definitely get a cure for your problem. Messi : Dad...
Dad : Who can it be? At such an hour...
Dad : Hello, who is it? Arrow : Big brother Bro : Don't worry about us.
Dad : Eh!?
Dad : The FC Barcelona!?
Page 19
Dad : Li... Lionel!! Narration : That was sudden good news.
Narration : After hearing of Messi's talent and his family's desire to move to Spain, Narration : the FC Barcelona offered to see Messi once and test him.
Narration : Messy left for Spain immediately. Narration : 2000 September Spain – Barcelona
Rexach : Wha...
Rexach : What's with that small kid!?
Page 20
Messi : Uuh... I'm tense...
Guy : It's the rumored one, who came all the way from Argentina to take the test, Lionel Messi. Guy : Because of a growth hormone deficiency, he's only 143cm tall at 13 years old. Rexach : 143!?
Rexach : What was the scout thinking? FC Barcelona Caretaker manager (at the time) Carles Rexach
Rexach : Football isn't a nice sport that you can play with a body like that!
Page 21
Messi : I calmed down. Messi : Whether it's in Spain or Argentina, football is the same.
Guy : It seems like a lot of teams have scouted him in the past, but had to give up because of the expensive treatment. Guy : Well, given the risks of investing on just potential...
Rexach : Something to write on... Guy : Ha?
Page 22
Rexach : Even a paper napkin will be fine! I have to make him a contract!
Messi : Eh!? Messi : I passed!?
Rexach : I want to make you sign a contract with our FC Barcelona. Rexach : The club will also completely cover the treatment for your illness!
Messi : Re... Really? Rexach : Yes.
Page 23
Messi : I did it!!
Rexach : Well then, Are you alright with the other conditions? Messi : Co... Conditions!? Messi (small text) : I should have guessed it was going too well...
Rexach : All your family will be moving to Spain. Rexach : We'll handle finding you a place to live. Rexach : We'll also take care of finding your father a new job.
Messi : Th... Messi : These are all... Messi : conditions for my sake?
Messi : Why... Why are you going so far!? Messi : Since my body is so small, until now, no matter what kind of club...
Rexach : I've been in that world for a while. Rexach : I can know if a player is good or not just by seeing the first trap.
Page 24
Rexach : My instinct told me, as soon as you touched the ball. Rexach : This kid won't fail the FC Barcelona in the future. Rexach : That's all.
Rexach : And the FC Barcelona has a big purse for those who love football Rexach : with a burning passion.
Narration : And then, Messi, with whom Carles Rexach, who would go on to coach the top team the following year, fell in love at first sight, became a player of the Barça.
Narration : the proof that Rexach's judgment at that time was right Narration : didn't even take 5 years.
Page 25
Announcer : He scored! Messi, goaaaaaaaal!! Narration : By the time he was 17 years old, thanks to the treatment, he grew up to be 169cm tall. Narration : And debuted at the top level exceptionally early.
Narration : With his dribbles and fierce activity, Messi immediately became the idol of the Barça.
Narration : On top of that, since his dominant leg was his left, among the fans, he soon started to be called, Narration : in reference to the Argentine hero who scored a legendary goal after passing 5 players in the semifinals of the World Cup in Mexico, Narration : “The heir of Maradona”
Page 26
Narration : But ever since Maradona retired, a lot of decently good dribblers have been called “the Second Maradona” before disappearing Guy : Again? Guy : How many guys does that make with that one? Narration : There were a lot of doubters as well. Guy (small text) : Like OrtXga, or AiXar, or SavXola. (T/N : the names are kinda censored, but they're really for Ortega, Aimar and Saviola)
Narration : But...
Narration : During the semifinal of the Copa del Rey against Getafe in April 2007... Xavi : Messi!
Narration : “It” happened! Announcer : Messi got the ball a bit behind the halfway line!!
Guy : Damn!
Someone : There's already 2 guys pressing him!!
Page 27
Announcer : He... He easily passed the two players as if they weren't there!!
Messi : I can see the goal!!
Guy : He's free but still close to the halfway line... Guy : It's better if he passes the ball to Eto'o at the front.
Messi : Pass...
Messi : No...
Page 28
Messi : It's a showdown!!
Guy : Dribbling!? Guy (small text) : It's reckless!
Messi : I'm at the Barça because I didn't give up.
Guy : Like I'd let you...
Guy : Go!!
Messi : If I keep challenging without giving up...
Page 29
Messi : The future will definitely head in a good direction!!
Guy : He...
Guy : He went through!! Guy : Four players!!
Announcer : It's a one-on-one against the goalkeeper!!
Announcer : He... He passed the goalkeeper too!!
Page 30
Announcer : Go...
Page 31
Announcer : Goaaaaal! Announcer : Messi slashed down the other team by himself!!
Guy : Right now... How many guys did he pass? Guy : Five guys? Guy : Didn't it just look like that one? Guy : Yeah...
Guy : Ma... Maradona.
Guy : It's Maradona's Guy : Legendary goal!!
Page 32-33
Narration : That's right. Public : Maradona! Public : Maradona! Public : Maradona! Public : Maradona! Narration : The people in this stadium this day would never forget that day.
Narration : In the semi-finals of the '86 World Cup in Mexico, the legendary goal scored by Maradona after he passed 5 players!
Narration : Messi started from about the same distance, followed the same path Narration : Maradona
Narration : Messi Narration : He even touched the ball the same number of times!!
Narration : On top of that, after the goal Narration : Maradona
Narration : Messi Narration : Even the way the ran to the right corner is the same...
Narration : Messi proved to the world with this play he was “the real deal”!
Page 34
Narration : “Nothing is impossible”
Narration : That young boy, whose future was closed because of a growth hormone deficiency, Narration : is now at the hottest club in the world, the FC Barcelona, Narration : and shining like the Sun.
Narration : And then, there is no rest for the Barça's “factory of stars”
Narration : Last season, there was a player that made his debut as a Forward at 17 years and 18 days old, even earlier than Messi. Announcer : Well then, with 14 minutes left to play against the Recreativo, Gudjohnsen is replaced by...
Page 35
Announcer : The young 17 years old and new rising star, Bojan Krkić!! Narration : A young and energetic player that scored over 960 goals during his 7 years at the Cantera, for an average of 3.5goals a match.
Henry : Come on, let's go!! Bojan : Dwaah!
Bojan : W-w-w-wait!? What are you doing, Henry-san! Bojan (small text) : You surprised me! Henry : What's wrong, are you tense? Messi : Hahahaha!
Page 36
Bojan : O... Of course I am.
Bojan : The FC Barcelona has the biggest stadium in all of Europe, the “Camp Nou”. Bojan : And everyone there is looking at me, cheering so loudly my ears are about to burst... *Stadium capacity is around 98,700 persons
Bojan : Ever since I was a kid, I've been dreaming about playing in this Camp Nou. Bojan : To think that barely 2 months ago I was still cheering from afar, somewhere in these stands... Bojan : Even now, I can't believe I'm standing on this field...
Messi : You broke my record of the youngest player ever to score for the club, and you're still saying that kind of weak stuff? Messi's arrow : Messi, scored his first goal at 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old. Bojan's arrow : Bojan, scored his first goal at 17 years, 51 days old (but still hasn't scored in the Camp Nou). Bojan : Ah, no, well, I mean...
Messi : Scoring in the Camp Nou is also one of your “dreams”, right?
Page 37
Messi : When you fulfill that dream, it's going to be an awesome feeling, you know? Messi : Aren't you excited?
Messi : Just enjoy it!
Bojan : Messi-san...
Announcer : Henry got the centered ball to the left, inside the penalty area!!
Page 38
Henry : Bojan!
Announcer : Henry transfers the ball to the center Announcer : towards Bojan, who isn't marked!!
Guy : Like I'll let you shoot!!
Page 39
Henry : He closed the path of the shot!!?
Page 40
Guy : He didn't trap with the left leg but the right one!!?
Announcer : Bojan shoots!! He scored!!
Announcer : In the Camp Nou, it's Bojan's first goaaaaaal!! Henry : And you said you were tense, you rascal!
Page 41
Guy : Well done, Bojan! Guy : Bojan!
Public : Bojan! Public : Bojan! Public : Bojan! Public : Bojan!
Bojan : The fans are screaming my name... Public : Bojan!
Narration : The club is a rarity in the world -- it doesn't belong to any particular sponsor, but to its fans, the socios, through their membership fees. Narration : You can say that since the club was created from the passion of its supporters, that's why they're so enthusiastic! *The Barça has more than 150,000 socios (the Real Madrid has about 80,000)
Bojan : that's right... If my dream is the dream of the supporters Bojan : The dreams of the supporters are also my dreams!
Page 42
Messi : See? Messi : An awesome feeling, right?
Bojan : Yes! Bojan : I want to fulfill many more dreams!
Bojan : Together with the best supporters in this world! Narration : Bojan went on to score 10 goals in the season, breaking the record previously held by Raúl for the biggest number of goals scored in a debut season (9 goals).
Narration : Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Bojan... Narration : The FC Barcelona keeps up producing new talents like them one after another.
Page 43
Narration : Even from now on, Middle : Raising stars...!! That is the FC Barcelona!! Narration : The FC Barcelona will keep carving a new shining legend in the history of football!