The next day, while the media praised Bruno Fernandes, Gao Nuo had already left for the airport to return to his country for the Asian Cup.
He was originally supposed to report to the National Football Team two weeks in advance for pre-tournament training, but at Manchester United Football Club's request, Gao Nuo still played the first match of the new year and only joined the National Football Team two days later.
Sun Hai, in a statement previously issued on behalf of the Chinese Football Association, said that Gao Nuo would not be called up for international matches during the Premier League season, fully supporting his career abroad.
This matter generated different opinions among fans.
Basically, all the fans were waiting for Gao Nuo to regain his Chinese nationality; they had never considered Gao Nuo an outsider. For them, whenever Gao Nuo played for his country, it meant he had returned to the embrace of his homeland.
Gao Nuo had his own concerns. From his heart, playing for his country was something he had always looked forward to, but with system missions, the punishment for failure also made him very uncomfortable.
Half a month ago, his Chinese nationality had already been restored. He didn't ask anyone's opinion, nor did he consult the system. He took a few deep breaths and then made a decision: to follow his heart and play for his country. The Asian Cup only happens once every four years, and his professional career doesn't have many four-year cycles; missing it would be too regrettable.
Anyway, Haaland would still be absent for nearly a month. Stepping back, playing a few more League matches might not necessarily result in many goals. Stepping back further, the worst outcome is simply mission failure. The system already said that training has its limits. Losing the virtual training ground just means he'll grow a bit slower.
Having made up his mind, Gao Nuo directly contacted Sun Hai, clearly expressing his determination and telling him not to worry about his career abroad, leaving the decision of whether to call him up to the National Football Team head coach.
Naturally, there was no surprise; Jankovic gladly agreed to Gao Nuo's inclusion.
Thus, the National Football Team's official media and Gao Nuo's social media simultaneously announced the news that Gao Nuo would join the team for the Asian Cup.
Domestic fans began to anticipate what kind of performance the National Football Team would deliver.
Unlike the harmony at home, the France National Team issued a statement: Head coach Deschamps planned to call up Gao Nuo for the upcoming international friendly matches, and if Gao Nuo renounced his nationality now, he would never have the opportunity to be selected for the France National Team again.
Domestic fans immediately exploded, cursing loudly while worrying about Gao Nuo's choice.
National Football Team Big Hater: "Gao Nuo wouldn't have been bought off by the France team, would he?"
National Football Team Hater for Life: "I don't know, isn't he French nationality?"
Manchester United Fan 121: "Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. I support Gao Nuo staying."
Mbappé Director Dominant: "Don't come to the France team, we don't need another striker."
National Football Team Big Hater: "The 213 upstairs, get out of China, you foreign-worshipping dog."
National Football Team Hater for Life: "That France team dog, stay away from us. If your brain isn't good, go see a doctor, don't bark here!"
Mbappé: "Don't you dare bring trouble to Mbappé!"
Da Ai Gao Nuo: "Don't worry, I believe in Gao Nuo."
Mbappé Director Dominant: "Heh heh, we'll see. I just don't believe he'd be willing to refuse."
National Football Team Big Hater: "You f***ing stinking b***h, ... ... ... ...!!!"
National Football Team Hater for Life: "I f*** you, you f***ing idiot!!!"
Da Ai Gao Nuo: "Everyone calm down, we can definitely trust Gao Nuo. The National Football Team has already issued a statement, Gao Nuo must have already renounced his French nationality."
People were waiting for Gao Nuo to make an official statement.
In fact, Gao Nuo had already confirmed last winter, when his contract with Manchester United was upgraded, that if he returned to Chinese nationality, his work permit would not be affected for three years, and as long as he accumulated enough points, the application after three years would also not be a problem.
So, by the end of May last year, after Li Qiang finished his agent qualification certificate matters, he had already submitted Gao Nuo's application to renounce French nationality. Otherwise, why would Sun Hai value Gao Nuo so much, and why would the Chinese Football Association support Gao Nuo multiple times?
The arrogant France National Team still thought this was a tactic by the Chinese Football Association to recruit Gao Nuo. Only when Gao Nuo's renunciation application appeared did they start various obstructions. It wasn't until the end of December, when the France National Team could no longer delay, that they issued the above statement, hoping to give Gao Nuo one last "chance."
At that time, Gao Nuo was focused on preparing for the match. Two days later, he posted a photo of himself holding a Chinese passport, simply and directly ending the controversy.
Gao Nuo was in a very pleasant mood on the plane. Having returned to his country at the age of three, he had never considered himself French. Although the France team was very strong, he still wanted to contribute his strength to the land where he grew up. Now, he was finally going to fulfill this wish.
Gao Nuo arrived at the National Football Team's report with great anticipation and met his National Football Team teammates for the first time.
Wu Lei, who also had experience playing abroad, and Wang Dalei from Luneng, as the veteran leaders of the National Football Team, were very close to Gao Nuo and provided a lot of help to Gao Nuo, who was participating in international matches for the first time.
The National Football Team's training held no challenge for Gao Nuo. Both in intensity and quality, there was a certain gap compared to Manchester United. Head coach Jankovic had seen Gao Nuo's training videos and had high expectations for this young man at the time. After personally training Gao Nuo, Jankovic's evaluation of him reached a new level: serious attitude, full of passion, extremely demanding of himself, good at creating a positive atmosphere, and able to boost the morale of his teammates.
This group of national players also had a very good impression of Gao Nuo: he respected his seniors, spoke humbly, and occasionally made funny gestures during training breaks, showing no arrogance despite being a prodigy.
Ten days was enough time for Gao Nuo to familiarize himself with the coach's tactics. His main goal now was to integrate with his teammates as much as possible before the Asian Cup began.
On January 13, 2024, in the Asian Cup Group A match, China faced Tajikistan.
Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium was packed with spectators. Chinese fans who came to cheer for the National Football Team painted their faces, unfurled banners, brought war drums, and with full enthusiasm, embarked on the Asian Cup journey with the China Men's Football Team.
He Wei, the commentator in the live broadcast room, was introducing China's starting lineup.
China Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Yan Junling,
Defenders: Liu Yang, Zheng Zheng, Zhang Linpeng, Deng Hanwen,
Midfielders: Dai Weijun, Wu Xi, Xu Xin, Gao Zhunyi,
Forwards: Wu Lei, Gao Nuo.
Looking at Gao Nuo, wearing the number 77 jersey, He Wei was somewhat emotional, "The warm-up is over, and the match is about to begin. This is my first time commentating on a Gao Nuo match. I look forward to Gao Nuo, and I look forward to the National Football Team bringing us an exciting match."