Su Hang smiled. "You clearly don't understand Eastern humility."
"It's simple! I won't compete for a starting forward spot. If there's any positional conflict with my teammates, I'll voluntarily step aside."
"If the club permits, I don't even need to be on the bench."
"As the fourth captain, this is my duty to the team!"
Zidane was stunned.
It was the first time he'd heard a player say something like that.
The other reporters were speechless too.
Su Hang was just too candid!
To make up for becoming the fourth captain in a way that some might see as unearned, he was actually willing to give up his spot and help behind the scenes?
That kind of mentality completely outshines all those players who fight tooth and nail for playing time!
Is this what Eastern virtue looks like?
It was practically a cleansing balm for Europe's morally stained football culture!
Faced with Su Hang's sincere smile, the reporters couldn't bring themselves to say anything negative.
He was truly the "light of humanity" in the world of football!
The interview also immediately dissolved the hostility from Morientes, Portillo, Soldado, and the others who had been competing with Su Hang for a place on the team.
They had assumed he would use his captain status to pressure them and gain an "illegitimate" advantage in the lineup.
And yet...
Was this really Su Hang?
He might as well be 'Jesus'!
...
"The Greatest Fourth Captain in Real Madrid History! Su Hang Willingly Withdraws from the Forward Battle!"
"Su Hang: I'm Still Young—I'd Rather Give Opportunities to Those Who Need Them More!"
"Su Hang: As Fourth Captain, It's My Responsibility to Let Good Players Play!"
"Sacrificing the Self for the Greater Good! Su Hang Shows the World the Brilliance of Humanity!"
"Now This Is a Crown Prince! Su Hang Is as Compassionate as Jesus—Willing to Sacrifice Himself for the Team!"
Seeing these headlines, even Su Hang felt a bit embarrassed.
Truth was, he just wasn't ready. He didn't want to play yet.
Give him two years of training at Real Madrid, and then we'll see what kind of player he becomes.
As for now?
If someone else wants to be Ronaldo's backup, they're welcome to it.
Su Hang's goal? To make Ronaldo his backup in two years.
Ronaldo: Wow, Su… What the hell?!
Over the next few days, Su Hang clearly noticed that Portillo and Morientes had softened toward him.
They probably didn't even realize it, but they had been quite cold to him before.
People's hearts... they really do change.
"Su, are you sure?"
"Seriously, Su? You're really pulling out of the competition?"
"Su, for real? I'm gonna cry!"
Even Zidane, Beckham, Guti, and others would come by now and then to ask him a thing or two.
Even Casillas started doubting himself—if he couldn't do what Su Hang did, then maybe Su Hang really did deserve to be fourth captain.
For a while, the atmosphere in the Real Madrid locker room was incredibly harmonious.
...
On August 22nd, the Spanish Super Cup officially kicked off.
Valencia had always been a solid team.
But over the past few years, they'd lost too many players to clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Lazio.
All those players combined could've practically formed another Valencia, so their ceiling wasn't very high. They were a top-tier team, but not elite.
If Real Madrid hadn't collapsed last season, Valencia never would've won the league.
With the referee's whistle, the match began.
In the 3rd minute, Valencia winger Vicente broke into the box, shook off Woodgate, and fired a low shot, but Casillas—on point—caught it cleanly.
Woodgate's struggle against quick turns was starting to show.
Like many English center backs, he had the physique but lacked finesse.
In the 9th minute, Real Madrid pushed forward.
Roberto Carlos sent in a low cross from the left.
But both Ronaldo and Owen missed, and the ball rolled out past the far post.
Ronaldo might be one of the greatest strikers ever, but he wasn't perfect.
At 1.8 meters tall, he was a little short for a center forward.
His heading was decent, but far from the level of his footwork.
Owen, standing at just 1.73 meters, was even less effective in the air.
Carlos' crosses worked far better when Morientes or Su Hang were in the box.
That play was a microcosm of Real Madrid's struggles that day.
The passers and scorers simply couldn't connect.
In the 26th minute, Valencia took a corner. Center back Pellegrino's header hit the crossbar—nearly giving them the lead.
In the 29th minute, Real Madrid countered.
Zidane threaded a pass to Ronaldo.
Ronaldo tried a one-two with Owen.
But they were completely out of sync.
Owen drifted wide and couldn't return the ball.
A wasted opportunity.
In the 42nd minute, Ronaldo created another threat with a long-range shot that deflected off a defender.
The ball bounced to the side.
Owen charged in and fired low, but the ball hit the keeper, bounced off Owen's chest, and rolled out of bounds. Real Madrid didn't even get a corner.
Even with two Ballon d'Or winners on the pitch, Real Madrid's attack was clearly lacking.
Ronaldo and Owen, a duo with massive potential, were producing less than expected.
...
At halftime, the assistant coaches urged Camacho to make changes.
Florentino was in the stadium.
From the way he was dressed, he looked ready to lift the Super Cup.
If Real Madrid lost, Camacho could be in real trouble.
Camacho's only options were Su Hang and Morientes.
Who to send in?
...
Second half.
The commentators caught the switch.
"Oh! Real Madrid made a substitution at the break."
"Owen is off. He was ineffective in the first half, and Camacho clearly wasn't happy with him."
"Looks like the English Golden Boy still hasn't found his rhythm—unless he's paired with Su Hang."
"Wait, Su Hang is coming on for Owen? Not Morientes? That's an interesting choice…"
"The camera pans to Morientes—he doesn't look happy."
"Su Hang said he wouldn't compete for the spot, but in the end, he beat out Morientes. That's hard to justify."
On the pitch, Su Hang's expression said it all—pure WTF!
Camacho had played him.
Su Hang had just said he wouldn't compete, and now he was the first sub? What would the others think?
Of course they'd think he was a hypocrite.
If his relationship with the team broke down, Camacho could drop him anytime without pushback.
And by doing this to Su Hang, Camacho also sent a message to everyone else.
He didn't dare go after superstars like Ronaldo or Zidane, but as a coach who liked to assert authority through punishment, Su Hang was the perfect target.
If Queiroz clashed with the stars because he was rigid and pushed hard in training, Camacho's problem was different—he wanted to dominate the locker room.
Sooner or later, he'd clash with Real Madrid's stars too. And when it happened, it would be explosive.
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