Jin Hayes remembered that the Premier League had a tradition of forming a guard of honour for the champions before a match. This season, Manchester United won the league one round early. On the day of the final league match, their opponent Hull City lined up on both sides of the player tunnel, forming a guard of honour for the Premier League champions. The Bundesliga didn't seem to have this custom—the German football culture leaned more toward competitive respect than ceremonial displays.
In the 33rd round, Borussia Mönchengladbach played Borussia Dortmund. Both teams' starting players walked out of the tunnel normally, with no other ceremonies. It was just that the Borussia Mönchengladbach players were quite friendly, greeting the Borussia Dortmund players with genuine handshakes and pats on the back.
Bayern Munich had dominated the Bundesliga for many years, so when someone finally toppled them, the other Bundesliga teams were naturally pleased. What's more, Borussia Dortmund had performed brilliantly in European competitions this season, with several thrilling victories over European giants—especially that impossible comeback against Barcelona at Camp Nou. This had gained them many fans across Germany. Borussia Dortmund's reputation instantly soared.
Of course, Jin Hayes only heard this from his starting teammates; he himself did not appear in the player tunnel. Having already secured the league title, Klopp simply used the last two Bundesliga rounds for training, giving the main players a rest.
A week later, these players would still have to play a German Cup final in Berlin. The starting lineup, exhausted from a season of play, also needed to catch their breath—especially Jin Hayes, who had played almost every minute this season, making him arguably the most tired person on the team.
He temporarily sat in the stands, watching how the lineup, with Gündoğan as the central midfielder and Götze as the attacking midfielder, would handle Borussia Mönchengladbach. The result was a hard‑fought draw. Without Kehl's protective shield in front of the back four, Gündoğan found himself exposed against Gladbach's aggressive pressing. He was forced to drop deep to collect the ball, leaving a noticeable gap between midfield and attack that Götze couldn't quite bridge alone.
In the attacking third, only Götze could consistently dribble and create threats; without Reus and Jakub Błaszczykowski stretching the flanks, the offense simply couldn't penetrate Borussia Mönchengladbach's compact defensive block.
In the first half, Borussia Mönchengladbach even scored first. They were ranked 15th in the league, only one point above the relegation zone. With only two rounds left, Borussia Mönchengladbach, fighting for survival, unleashed powerful combat effectiveness—every tackle was committed, every clearance desperate, every counter‑attack sharp.
"What a pity. That kid Gündoğan is even greener than me; it would definitely be different if I were on the field."
Şahin, standing nearby, was still complaining, but Jin Hayes retorted.
"Yes, you might have lost even worse if you were on the field. At least Gündoğan can track back properly when the play breaks down."
"You rascal!"
Şahin was furiously frustrated, but he knew Jin Hayes was only half‑joking. In fact, Gündoğan had played very well; at 19, he hadn't yet fully evolved, but he was already showing great promise. His performance was actually not much different from Nuri Şahin's at the same age.
Şahin was more specialised, excelling in technique and passing, often delivering high‑quality through balls. Gündoğan, on the other hand, was more versatile—he could defend, control the rhythm in midfield, and also push forward to assist or shoot. If Borussia Dortmund wanted to reach a higher stage, Gündoğan was indeed a reliable long‑term asset. This was also why Klopp agreed to let Şahin leave despite his obvious talent.
Sure enough, Gündoğan continued to exert pressure in the second half, delivering a deadly through ball from a counter‑attack. Götze received the ball at a tight angle and shot it into the net.
1‑1! Borussia Dortmund equalised the score!
But that was as far as it went; in the end, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund drew 1‑1, with both sides creating many chances but failing to convert the winner.
Klopp's expression showed no regret; instead, he smiled and praised the players on the field. It was clear that Klopp, having just won the championship, was very happy. He was now a legitimate champion coach, and the pressure that had weighed on him for most of the season had finally lifted.
"Guys, there are only three more matches left this season! Although we won the league, don't lose this momentum. Let's all play well from now on and strive to put a perfect end to this season!"
May 23rd, the final matchday of the Bundesliga. Borussia Dortmund vs. Arminia Bielefeld. Borussia Dortmund's home stadium, Westfalen, was packed to the rafters. Before this, a buffer zone was always kept empty on both sides of the away stands to prevent violent clashes between opposing fans.
Today, the occasion was special; the Borussia Dortmund club officially lifted the restrictions. All 81,264 seats were filled to capacity, and the dark, packed stands were truly spectacular—a writhing sea of yellow and black that stretched up to the sky.
The Arminia Bielefeld players were seeing such a terrifying home atmosphere for the first time, gaping and looking around like wide‑eyed tourists stepping into a legendary cathedral of football for the first time. Some of their younger squad members visibly hesitated during the warm‑up, unnerved by the sheer volume of noise.
Many Borussia Dortmund fans who couldn't get tickets also came to the stadium, gathering in front of the large screen in the outer plaza, celebrating with the audience inside. Various hot dog stands, ice cream stands, snack stalls, and beer stalls were set up all around; the entire event was even more joyous than a festival. A regular Bundesliga season finale had completely transformed into a football carnival.
As for the reason, besides Borussia Dortmund fans celebrating the Bundesliga championship at home, today was also the farewell match for several players. Central midfielder Nuri Şahin had already announced his departure at the end of the season to join Real Madrid—a transfer that had been the subject of intense media speculation for months.
At the same time, main striker Alexander Frei, who had played for three seasons, was about to bid farewell to the Bundesliga to retire at his hometown club Basel, where his professional journey had first begun. Adding to that, Brazilian full‑back Dede was leaving to join Eskişehirspor in the Turkish Süper Lig, after seven loyal years in Dortmund. A total of three players would be leaving Westfalen this summer, each with their own legacy and story.
The club specially held a farewell ceremony for the three, along with a championship celebration, on the final matchday. Frei appeared in the starting lineup, wearing the captain's armband for the last time in the Bundesliga.
Şahin's muscle strain was initially diagnosed as very severe. However, after intensive treatment and daily physiotherapy, his condition improved. Although he couldn't play the full match, he could still make an appearance in a low‑intensity farewell cameo. Klopp had initially insisted on excluding Şahin from the squad to prevent his injury from worsening. Şahin, however, pleaded and insisted on playing.
"Coach, this is my farewell match. No matter what, I want to end this season as a player on the field—even if it's just a few minutes as a substitute."
Klopp reluctantly consulted the medical team, and then he decided to include Şahin in the squad. If he received a pain‑killing injection, avoided intense challenges, and reduced his running, playing for up to 30 minutes would likely be fine. He would come on as a substitute with Jin Hayes in the second half, allowing the fans to give both their local hero and their emerging superstar a proper ovation.
Without Jin Hayes on the field from the start, the fans present would inevitably feel some regret. People paid for tickets to come in, wasn't it to see the team's most dazzling star perform on the field? But Klopp had explained the plan in the pre‑match programme, and the supporters understood—the German Cup final was the priority, and a rested Jin Hayes was their best hope for silverware beyond the league.
In the front row of the South Stand, the entire Heinrich family was present. Even old Fritz, who had just recovered from an illness, came to the stadium. Doctors had repeatedly advised him not to go to live matches—the noise and excitement could be dangerous for his frail health—but for today's game, he stubbornly insisted on being there. Hans and Maria had no choice but to bring the old man in with them, surrounding him with blankets and a thermos of tea.
"Where's Jin? Why don't I see Jin?" Fritz kept looking for Jin Hayes, the old man eagerly wanting to see the boy.
"Jin is playing in the German Cup final the day after tomorrow; he'll only come on as a substitute in the second half," Hans explained patiently.
"Oh, alright then." The old man pouted, looking a little disappointed.
Hans shook his head helplessly; the older people get, the more they resemble children. Maria squeezed her father‑in‑law's hand and whispered that the best was yet to come.
"Anna, any inside scoop? How long will Jin be on the field in the second half?" Hans asked. If he only showed up for five minutes, it would be quite dull for the family.
"At least 20 minutes, I think. He hasn't played in over a week, so he needs some match practice to warm up for the final," Anna replied confidently.
"Good, 20 minutes is enough."
Anna felt like she was the happiest person in the world. On the weekend, her family was with her to watch the match, and the biggest star on the field was her boyfriend. During the post-match celebration, players could even invite their family members onto the field to pose for photos with the Bundesliga championship salad bowl. When Jin Hayes leaked this detail yesterday, Anna was so excited that she couldn't sleep all night. The most important thing wasn't touching the Bundesliga championship trophy, but holding the championship trophy with Jin Hayes, sharing the joy of realizing their dream with him.
Away team Arminia Bielefeld had already been confirmed as the last team to be relegated, having finished bottom of the table with only 28 points. Therefore, they had long lost the desire to fight. The two teams were practically playing an exhibition match on the field, with an incredibly relaxed atmosphere. There was no defense, it was entirely an attacking display.
Unfortunately, the Arminia Bielefeld players' technique was too poor; even with Borussia Dortmund almost just doing eye-level defense, their shots still lacked threat. Goalkeeper Weidenfeller couldn't just let the ball roll in—professional pride demanded he at least make an effort, though he was clearly enjoying the relaxed nature of the contest.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund striker Alexander Frei perhaps wanted to score a goal in his farewell performance, to put a perfect end to his professional career at Borussia Dortmund. He played very actively, but unfortunately, he was a bit too impulsive and also missed several good scoring opportunities.
Each miss drew sighs of regret from the fans, who immediately responded with encouraging applause—they knew this was the Swiss striker's final dance in yellow and black, and they wanted him to leave with fond memories.
The attacking display from both sides only broke the deadlock after 30 minutes. Youngster Götze dribbled down the left wing into the penalty area and scored with a low shot from a tight angle.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Arminia Bielefeld.
Not only were Borussia Dortmund fans celebrating excitedly in the stands, but the away team Arminia Bielefeld also joined in the fun. After all, the team was destined for relegation. Since it had come to this, it was time to just enjoy themselves. Some of the away players even exchanged smiles and handshakes with their Dortmund counterparts as they walked back to their positions.
"Mario Götze! Borussia Dortmund scores first."
The TV station had specially invited "Borussia Dortmund fan" Scholl to commentate, partnered with his regular colleague Kahn.
"Borussia Dortmund this season not only discovered Jin, but also discovered this young man Götze."
"I dare say, he is absolutely the future of German football! He is a key figure for the national team!"
"Exactly."
Kahn also agreed with this point. German football had been dedicated to reform for 20 years, strengthening the youth training systems of various clubs and using various methods to focus on nurturing young players. Now, the German U17 national team already had a batch of promising new stars.
One month later, in the European U17 Championship, the German team, led by Götze, would defeat strong teams like the Netherlands, Italy, and Switzerland, and lift the European U17 championship trophy. Players like Mario Götze, Marc-André ter Stegen, Shkodran Mustafi, and Marvin Plattenhardt would become future potential stars for the German team.
The first half ended 1-0, and the score remained unchanged into the second half. The audience in the stands was already singing "The Song of Jin Hayes" in unison, hoping for the team's star player, the King of Westfalen, to come onto the field and perform. At this point, it was only the 62nd minute of the match, still some time before the agreed 70th minute.
Klopp looked at Jin Hayes helplessly.
"Jin, are you warmed up?"
"Of course, ready at any time."
"Alright, then you and Nuri go on together. Try not to get injured, don't push too hard, just kick the ball around."
For other players, the last reminder would be purely redundant. They would never exert themselves in an inconsequential match; if they could stroll on the field, they would. Jin Hayes was different; he even pushed himself in internal training matches, let alone a formal game. Klopp was genuinely afraid that his excessive seriousness would lead to an accident.
"Don't worry, coach, I know my limits."
Jin Hayes also found it both amusing and frustrating—what kind of coach tells players not to push too hard when they go on the field?
When Jin Hayes stood on the sidelines and the fourth official raised the electronic board indicating a substitution, the entire stadium erupted in thunderous applause. It was even more enthusiastic than the goal that secured a draw against Barcelona at home previously. Through the television screen, fans could feel the deafening spectacle at the stadium.
Commentator Scholl secretly clicked his tongue.
"Oliver, have you ever seen a foreign player so popular?"
"No, this is my first time too."
Kahn was also stunned. Generally, German stars tend to be more popular in the Bundesliga. Unless it's a powerful star like Robben of Bayern Munich—whose popularity is even higher than Ribéry, Klose, or Bastian Schweinsteiger. What's more, Jin Hayes is a young Asian player, and for him to have such a reputation among fans, he had to earn it through one tough battle after another. His dribbling, his passing, his relentless work ethic—every quality had been displayed on the biggest stages, and the Westfalen faithful had embraced him as one of their own.
With Jin Hayes and Şahin on the field, Borussia Dortmund's offense immediately became sharper. Arminia Bielefeld's entire team instantly tensed up, feeling the intensity of a Champions League semi-final!
"No way, buddy? It's just an exhibition match, do you have to be this serious?"
Sorry, Jin Hayes only promised not to overexert himself, not to take it easy. His passing combinations with Şahin were practically unstoppable.
"Şahin, Jin, Şahin—Jin!!!"
"Beautiful one-two passing, breaking through the middle is simply delightful!!"
Şahin and Jin Hayes were truly relaxed and started to have fun. They played continuous one-touch passes, not even letting the ball touch the ground! The Arminia Bielefeld midfielders chased shadows, unable to get anywhere near the ball as it zipped back and forth between the two former teammates.
Jin Hayes finally used a backheel flick to get past the defensive midfielder, saw Alexander Frei's position in the front, and without hesitation, sent an aerial chip pass! Green route! Perfect pass! The ball traced an elegant arc, bypassed the defender's head, and dropped precisely in front of Alexander Frei.
He just needed a gentle tap with his foot, and the ball easily found the back of the net.
"It's over."
At the moment of the goal, Alexander Frei's journey over the past three years flashed through his mind like a kaleidoscope. From the difficult relegation battle in the 2006-07 season, when he had scored crucial goals to keep Dortmund up, to the unexpected Champions League qualification in his second season, and finally the peak of his Champions League journey this season. The first leg against Barcelona had made Frei realize that his level was no longer sufficient for such high-quality matchups. This led to his decision to retire and return to his hometown club Basel.
"Thank you, Jin, thank you for letting me see the view from the top of Europe."
"The rest of the path is up to you all."
At the moment of the goal, the Swiss tough guy Alexander Frei couldn't help but shed a few tears. He strained his neck, looking up at the sky to prevent the tears from falling. His teammates rushed over to embrace him—Hummels, Reus, Gündoğan, all of them recognizing what this moment meant.
"Frei has made significant contributions to Borussia Dortmund, helping them avoid relegation in his first season."
"In his second season, as the team's top scorer, he helped Borussia Dortmund secure a Champions League spot against all odds."
"That's why we get to witness Borussia Dortmund's youth storm sweeping across Europe this season."
"Although he hasn't performed as well this season and has lost his scoring touch, looking at the enthusiastic applause from the fans, everyone is still very grateful for the Swiss man's contributions."
Scholl's words echoed the sentiment of the entire stadium. The fans chanted Frei's name, a tribute to a player who had given everything for the yellow and black jersey.
Do a good deed all the way, send the Buddha to the West. Şahin is leaving this season, and Jin Hayes also plans to give his brother a gift.
"Nuri."
"What?"
"Remember to push forward later, don't just hang back and watch."
"Who the hell is hanging back? I'll push forward."
Nuri Şahin knew what Jin Hayes wanted to do and was deeply moved, but couldn't resist bantering with him a bit. After this week, there would be no more opportunities. Their partnership—the twin engines of Dortmund's midfield—would be history. Şahin would go to Madrid, and Jin Hayes would remain in Westfalen to lead the next generation.
In the 82nd minute of the match, Borussia Dortmund's attack pushed into the final third, and the ball came to Jin Hayes's feet. He exchanged a glance with Götze on the left, then directly stopped the ball with his foot and ran to the wing alone. Arminia Bielefeld's players were stunned. Buddy, don't you want the ball anymore?
By the time the full‑back reacted and rushed forward to steal the ball, Götze had already arrived first, passing it back to Jin Hayes with a backheel. Jin Hayes, unmarked, dribbled into the penalty area. Commentator Scholl was torn between laughter and tears: "Look at their relaxed demeanour—they've started to show off."
Jin Hayes dribbled into the penalty area not with a normal dribble, but with a continuous display of keepy‑uppies with both feet, not letting the ball touch the ground. When Arminia Bielefeld defenders closed in, Jin Hayes surprisingly used continuous flicks with both feet to evade them, finally flicking the ball up with his right foot, lightly touching it over his head, letting it slide down his back to his heel, and then flicking it up again with his heel. The defender was so dizzy he couldn't even see where the ball was. By the time he turned to defend, Jin Hayes had already completed his fancy football display, sending a backheel pass from just outside the six‑yard box.
His series of acrobatic performances drew whistles and continuous applause from the stands. Worth the price of admission! Coming to the stadium was just for Jin Hayes's individual performance!
Şahin couldn't help but roll his eyes: "Damn, he's really showing off."
Despite the cursing, Şahin didn't hesitate when facing Jin Hayes's pass, unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the box that ripped into the net.
3‑0!
A perfect score, a perfect farewell match, a season with minor flaws but overall brilliant—a dreamlike season concluded. After scoring, Şahin, like Alexander Frei, felt a sense of loss. This was his last goal scored as a home player at Borussia Dortmund's Westfalen stadium.
In the German Cup final two days later, at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, Şahin was unable to play due to his muscle strain. In the Champions League final four days later, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Şahin's injury had not fully recovered, and he was also unable to participate. This was also his last goal for Borussia Dortmund. The next time he came to Westfalen, he would be an opponent—wearing the white of Real Madrid.
After Şahin's goal, both Borussia Dortmund and Arminia Bielefeld lost their desire to attack. Jin Hayes simply let loose on the field, putting on a fancy football show. He dribbled alone towards Arminia Bielefeld's penalty area, performing a 'flip‑flap', a 'step‑over', and a 'Marseille turn', then decided to take a casual shot from outside the box. Unexpectedly, the casual shot triggered his shooting enhancement skill, unleashing a world‑class strike that flew into the top corner.
Jin Hayes: Hmm.
Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper & defenders: Emmm...
Commentator Scholl: Well... "Jin, a world‑class goal from long range—a perfect end to his Bundesliga season. It's rare to see him score with a long‑range shot in a match. The fans who came here today really didn't come for nothing!"
4‑0
Jin Hayes even felt a little sorry for Arminia Bielefeld. They had already been relegated, and yet they were being humiliated by Borussia Dortmund in such a way. Fortunately, Arminia Bielefeld's players were all very composed; the defender marking Jin Hayes even extended his hand to embrace him in congratulations. The stadium was filled with a friendly and harmonious atmosphere.
Towards the end of the match, the referee was so nonchalant that he even approached Jin Hayes during a brief stoppage to shake his hand and congratulate him.
"Congratulations, Jin, a perfect performance this season."
"Thank you."
Jin Hayes is humble and professional, so he is naturally welcomed throughout Germany. While charismatic stars with strong personalities attract both praise and criticism, boosting their traffic and reputation, Jin Hayes has no interest in stirring up public opinion. His sole focus is football.
Perhaps someday, when Chinese football truly develops and produces more talents capable of competing at the highest level, there will be others who follow his path. Perhaps in a different timeline, another Chinese football genius might emerge—one who carves his way from the domestic league to Europe with a completely different personality: fiery, controversial, always in the headlines for off‑pitch dramas, clashing with coaches and rivals, yet still winning trophies through sheer brilliance.
But that is a story for another day. Jin Hayes is currently living out his own narrative. He hasn't won the Champions League yet, nor the Ballon d'Or. He still has a long way to go. The Bundesliga title is merely a small milestone—there are many more championships awaiting him!
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Beep!
"The match is over! Borussia Dortmund's final game ends perfectly! Wow, what an unexpected season."
"Indeed, with Bayern Munich's relative dip this season—they finished second after a slow start—who would have thought Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg would be vying for the title until the final weeks?"
"But then again."
Commentator Scholl was smiling broadly: "This summer, Bayern Munich will also have significant new signings, and under interim coach Heynckes they've already shown strong form late in the season, with a seven‑game winning streak pushing them to a solid second‑place finish. That momentum could carry into next year."
"Exactly," Kahn agreed. "Next season, it will probably be very difficult for Borussia Dortmund to defend the Bundesliga title, because the true king of the Bundesliga—Bayern Munich—is back!"
"Hahaha, Oliver, you seem very excited. Ladies and gentlemen, next season, I'm sure everyone will have a great show to watch."
On the field, it had completely transformed into a sea of yellow. Players from the bench rushed onto the pitch to celebrate the perfect end to the Bundesliga season. Club management also brought out the prepared Bundesliga salad bowl and displayed it to the fans with the players. Each player also invited their families, and everyone celebrated and took photos together on the pitch.
"Jin!! Over here!"
The Heinrich family found Jin Hayes, looking at the sweating young man. Maria, despite his wet clothes, embraced him tightly.
"Oh, you worked hard, little guy."
"Cough, cough, cough—Auntie, gently."
Uncle Hans's hug almost dislocated Jin Hayes's ribs again. It wasn't until Jin Hayes stood before Anna that the girl felt a bit shy in front of so many people. Jin Hayes didn't care about any of that; he stepped forward and gently embraced the girl. And boldly, in front of her parents, and in front of over 80,000 people in the stadium, he tightly held the girl's soft body.
Anna trembled slightly, pulled between nervousness and excitement, and wrapped her arms around Jin Hayes.
"You did it."
"Yes, I did it, but this is just the first step. Come on."
Jin Hayes took Anna's hand, took the Bundesliga championship salad bowl from Reus, and together they raised the highest honour of the Bundesliga, smiling brightly at the club photographer.
"Emmm..."—It just felt a bit off. The photographer didn't press the shutter immediately. It wasn't until Jin Hayes and Anna unconsciously looked at each other—their eyes meeting in a moment of pure, unspoken connection—that the photographer finally seized the moment.
Click!
"Truly perfect!"