German Transfer Market: "Su Hang is a top-quality player in every respect!"
Italian Republic: "Seventy percent of Real Madrid fans support Su Hang as the club's next leader!"
Portuguese Record: "Real Madrid has caught 'Su Hang Syndrome'—in both results and image! A triumph for Su Hang, perhaps, but not necessarily for Real Madrid!"
...
"Ding! You've scored multiple goals from Guti's precise passes. His personal stats have improved significantly. He's very pleased with you and is willing to teach you everything he knows, including his signature technique—Demon Knife Pass."
Demon Knife Pass: Superstar-level skill. El Maestro Guti, nicknamed the Demon Knife—when he plays a through ball, it's either deadly to the opposition or costly to himself! Your through-pass and vertical long-pass abilities have greatly improved. The more opposing players the pass bypasses, the higher its accuracy, and the easier it is for teammates to control.
As a result:
Su Hang's Short Pass attribute +1, now 75.
Long Pass attribute unlocked, at 70.
Guti had silently given Su Hang a real surprise. He truly lived up to his role as vice-captain.
Even though Guti often shifted between the bench and the starting lineup, he was still an indispensable part of Real Madrid's midfield—handsome, hot-tempered, and fiercely aggressive. A player with a distinctive personality.
The next day in training, Su Hang made sure to praise Guti.
Su Hang was the team's rising star, yet he showed Guti such respect—it was enough to make any veteran proud.
"Su's a really good kid," Guti said later in a chat with Raúl.
"Yes, he's outstanding. With him here, we don't need… those so-called superstars from outside," Raúl replied in a low voice after glancing around.
The ambitions of the so-called Brazilian clique were now common knowledge.
A few days ago, Luxemburgo's agent had contacted Real Madrid through Roberto Carlos.
Although Simon's results were good, Florentino wanted more than just victories—he wanted everything to look perfect. For a team this elite, only a famous coach would do.
Luxemburgo's arrival seemed inevitable.
Raúl, known as the Prince of Real Madrid, had once been targeted by Guti due to his Atlético Madrid roots, but quickly won him over. The two became close friends, later joining the first team together and becoming key figures alongside Morientes, Casillas, and others.
When Hierro left, Raúl became captain and leader of the local group. He was also the first to extend a hand to Figo when he arrived, building a strong friendship.
Raúl's opinion was essentially the opinion of the local group.
Su Hang, while considered part of Real Madrid's youth system, had never formally "joined" due to his age and experience. Even Casillas had only gained the group's full recognition in the past two years.
But now, both leader and deputy leader were very pleased with Su Hang's performances.
Watching Su Hang chatting with Samuel, Owen, Ronaldo, and others, a bold idea crossed Raúl's mind.
If Su could become the team's… But Raúl quickly shook off the thought.
It was unlikely—unthinkable, even, to the outside world. No one would believe that Raúl, one of the key voices in Real Madrid's local group and the Spanish national team, had no desire to be the main leader.
Raúl loved football and had many friends, but being captain meant accepting countless changes and swallowing plenty of grievances:
Close friend Redondo sold off.
Morientes pushed out, then brought back but without a place in the squad.
Growing distant from Roberto Carlos due to factional disputes.
Behind every Galácticos signing was Raúl's constant effort to keep the dressing room united—at the cost of his own dignity, handing resources to Ronaldo and Zidane.
While he wasn't at their level technically, as the local leader he could have demanded equal treatment. But he didn't.
His sacrifices were huge.
He longed for someone to take the burden so he could once again be the happy Prince of the Bernabéu. He had no desire to be king.
Unfortunately, Guti's personality made him even less suited for leadership. Casillas was too young to control the room. Helguera and Salgado lacked the influence and star power.
No one could outshine Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham, and the other superstars in terms of seniority.
But when experience falls short, potential can tip the balance.
If someone had the potential to become the next top superstar—and had the backing of the local group—that person could unite all factions within Real Madrid and truly set the Galácticos on a course for glory.
That person seemed to have appeared.
He even had strong leadership and personal charisma.
He had even managed to win over Zidane—the hardest man to sway!
"Find a chance to talk to Su. I want him to stop sacrificing himself for the team," Raúl said. "If he can make Ronaldo no longer indispensable, the Brazilian clique's core advantage will vanish."
Guti was stunned. He hadn't expected Raúl to place such high hopes on Su Hang.
"I've told you, I'm sick of this position! I don't want to play midfield! I don't want to play midfield! Do you understand? Do you really know football?"
A sudden outburst on the training ground interrupted the two leaders' conversation.
Roberto Carlos and head coach Simon had clashed violently again.
From a football discipline standpoint, Carlos's behavior was way out of line—not only ignoring his coach, but openly confronting and insulting him.
It was the sort of outburst more expected from Su Hang!
Su Hang: ???
"Carlos, you've gone too far!" Simon's voice shook with fury, his face flushed. "You'll be suspended, you—"
"You try it!" Carlos suddenly charged at Simon, knocking him to the ground.
The players froze in shock.
Su Hang was the first to react. "Carlos, stop! Don't do this! He's the head coach!"
He tackled Carlos to the grass.
Other players rushed in to separate them.
Ronaldo tried to calm Carlos down, but his temper had flared—today, he was determined to go after Simon.
Breaking free, Carlos swung again at Simon.
Su Hang, who had both a professional and personal bond with Simon, couldn't stand by. He shoved Simon aside—
Bang!
Carlos's fist connected with Su Hang instead—and he didn't stop there.
Su Hang was patient and fair, but he wasn't about to be pushed around. His reflexes kicked in instantly—
Bang!
He blocked Carlos's second punch with his elbow, stepped in, grabbed him by the neck with his right hand, and forced him down.
Carlos hit the ground, unable to move—
His knees pinned by Su Hang's right knee.
His chest pressed under Su Hang's left knee.
His neck still firmly in Su Hang's grip.
--
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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