"Though I have Spanish citizenship, everything I've experienced since childhood has taught me where my true roots lie! No document can ever change that!"
"Those who know me well understand my temper—I'm easygoing."
"Zidane, Raúl, Figo, Beckham, Guti, Casillas… they all know."
"But in public, I must be tough. I have to make it clear to anyone who belittles me, provokes me, insults me, or hurts me that I'm not someone to mess with."
"This might bring me trouble, spark controversy, and create endless difficulties."
"But I can't retreat, because every step I take back means my fans—the millions who believe in me—also take a step back."
"If I'm disrespected once, it means all those who support me are disrespected once."
"Some things are seen differently abroad than they are at home."
"I've lived here for nearly twenty years. I understand everything here."
"I must defend the dignity of my fans in the right way—even if some of them might not understand."
Then the broadcast cut to Zinedine Zidane.
Fans watching were overwhelmed with excitement.
It was Zidane!
The Ballon d'Or winner, the FIFA World Player of the Year!
No domestic media had ever secured an interview with Zidane.
And yet, here he was, appearing in Su Hang's exclusive.
He really had made it big!
"Bonjour…"
"Hey, Zizou," Su Hang interrupted. "This interview is for fans around the world. Do you think they understand French?"
"At the very least, shouldn't you greet them in Chinese?"
Zidane smiled and made an effort to speak Chinese: "Ni hao, wo shi Zidane!"
Zhan Jun laughed. "I didn't expect you to know Chinese. I thought you'd just learn a few lines on the spot."
Zidane shrugged and continued fluently in French: "Su is a language genius. He's mastered several languages and can chat with every player in their native tongue."
"But what he speaks most often is Chinese. It's incredibly contagious—many Real Madrid players now use Chinese to express their emotions."
Zhan Jun's eyes lit up. "Really? Which phrases?"
Zidane suddenly barked out in Chinese: "Holy shit! Idiot! Damn it!"
Zhan Jun froze for a moment, then slowly gave a thumbs-up. "Wow… authentic. Really authentic. I guess Chinese really is going global."
Zidane went on in French: "Su is very kind. He's the glue that keeps the team together—Real Madrid's unity depends on him."
"But he's definitely not without edge."
"In fact, it's precisely because of his toughness and sharpness that the players respect him. Even Roberto Carlos—I'm sure you all know he and Su had some conflicts before."
"But now their relationship is good. At the very least, Carlos must hold Su in high regard. If you don't believe me, ask him next time."
Zidane didn't say much more. He had originally come just to visit Su Hang, but ended up being pulled into the interview.
That night, after watching Football on Earth, countless fans couldn't sleep.
Many now saw Su Hang in a new light.
For them, he had become a football idol—on par with Baggio, Figo, Rivaldo, Zidane, Ronaldo.
...
April 27th, the first leg of the Champions League semifinal.
Real Madrid hosted Premier League giants Liverpool at the Bernabéu.
After ninety minutes of battle, the match ended 1–1.
Zidane scored Real Madrid's only goal, assisted by Figo.
After the game, neither the players, the fans, nor Luxemburgo were satisfied.
Luxemburgo even criticized starting forwards Raúl and Owen, claiming they hadn't lived up to their responsibilities.
Raúl and Owen were fuming.
"Why don't you give us a Su Hang to play with?"
"We could score a hat trick for you!"
"Same with Ronaldo—if he were here, we'd feed him a hat trick too!"
"But where is he?!"
"You're the one who screwed it all up!"
Su Hang: That sounds kinda weird.
April 30th, La Liga Matchday 34.
Real Madrid traveled to face Real Sociedad.
This time, Figo and Raúl both found the net, giving Madrid a 2–0 win.
But Barcelona also won their match.
The two teams were now level on points.
According to La Liga rules, goal difference decides the standings.
Barcelona held a clear advantage.
So Real Madrid sat second.
May 4th, the decisive Champions League semifinal second leg at Anfield.
In the first half, Steven Gerrard scored with a thunderous long-range strike.
In the second half, Xabi Alonso's cross led to Samuel handling the ball.
Gerrard converted the penalty, bagging a brace and sealing the match.
Liverpool marched into the Champions League final over Real Madrid's dead body!
Meanwhile, the Anfield crowd showered Owen with boos.
When he left Liverpool for Madrid the previous year, he said he wanted to join a team with greater Champions League ambitions.
And now, Liverpool had just eliminated Real Madrid.
Owen was devastated.
Worse, he hadn't even secured a guaranteed starting spot at Madrid.
If he'd stayed at Liverpool, his status, achievements, and numbers would all be strong. If Liverpool went on to win the Champions League, Owen might even have won another Ballon d'Or!
His legacy would have been entirely different.
And his treatment at Real Madrid would've been different too.
What a pity.
If only he'd gone to Madrid a year earlier!
But sometimes, that's just fate.
When Real Madrid's plane landed back in Madrid,
fans outside the airport unfurled banners:
"Luxemburgo Out!"
"Luxemburgo is the sinner!"
"Greed cost Real Madrid everything!"
"A great warrior, undone by greed!"
"Luxemburgo sacrificed the team's future for his own promises!"
"Real Madrid should have reached the Champions League final—if only we had Ronaldo and Su!"
"Su was right! Only Su's long-term vision can lead Madrid forward!"
"Give us back a healthy Su!"
Luxemburgo was humiliated.
The media quickly sought out Su Hang, eager to hear him slam Luxemburgo.
But Su Hang's words were calm, focused on the bigger picture:
"Though losing the Champions League is hard to accept, we must accept it."
"Now is not the time for sorrow. Our title race with Barcelona is at its peak."
"We must put all our energy into the league."
"In the next match, Real Madrid needs a victory—a big one. We're fighting for the league title, and I hope the fans will support our players, let them feel your strength!"
"Everything else can wait until we lift the league trophy."
His words were published on the front page of Real Madrid's official website.
Clearly, Florentino was very pleased with Su Hang's vision and composure.