"Ding! Your performance in the match earned Figo's applause. Next, he will teach you how to become a king on the pitch! You have acquired 'The Running Posture of the King of Portugal.'"
"The King of Portugal's Running Posture: Legendary Skill. From Figo onward, the Kings of Portugal shared a unified running posture—slightly arching their backs, like eagles ready to soar."
"Your Ball Control, Dribbling, Shooting, Long Pass, Short Pass, Speed, Explosiveness, Strength, and Agility have all increased."
"When a player is chasing you, there's a high chance to trigger the special effect 'Leave Them in the Dust.' Your powerful back blocks everything behind you, making it difficult for opponents to catch up or break through."
As a result.
Su Hang's stats now stood at: Ball Control 80, Dribbling 79, Shooting 81, Long Pass 80, Short Pass 82, Speed 71, Explosiveness 85, Strength 89, Agility 74.
Awesome!
Coach Figo really delivers!
Look at how balanced these stat boosts are.
In truth, the so-called "Portuguese King's Running Posture" is just a slight hunch.
But it's a functional one.
Early speedsters used to burst forward like lightning—blindingly fast.
But once caught or intercepted, they were just as likely to get injured because of that extreme speed.
And when you're moving too fast, it's harder to control the ball.
The faster you go, the more out of control the ball becomes—a physical law no player can escape.
That's why true dribbling masters know how to manage their pace.
Go past your man when needed, but once you've done so, slow down slightly to tighten control and prepare for your next move.
During that pause, fast defenders can still catch up.
That's when players must use their body, positioning, and all-around physical advantage to suppress their opponents—just like blocking an overtaking lane in a racing game.
That takes tremendous core strength, along with the right movements to channel that power.
Over time, players who rely on this motion naturally develop a changed physique and running form—a slight hunch, especially while sprinting.
That's exactly how Figo runs now, and how Ronaldo will later.
But Su Hang might master this technique even before Ronaldo does.
After all, the current Cristiano is still at Manchester United—enjoying freedom and dazzling the Premier League with explosive speed, sharp dribbles, and powerful shots, all while dealing with Van Nistelrooy's frustrated kicks.
Ronaldo: Can we not talk about Van Nistelrooy? Let's say something cheerful!
Su Hang: Alright. That World Cup's going to drive a wedge between you and Rooney. From then on, you'll drift apart—friends on the surface, rivals at heart—and even in old age, you'll still diss each other.
Ronaldo: …Let's go back to Van Nistelrooy.
...
The injury crisis hit Real Madrid hard, though nearly every team still alive in the Champions League was suffering the same fate.
By now, no team had a fully fit squad left.
March 12th, Arbor Day.
La Liga Round 27 kicked off.
Real Madrid hosted Valencia.
Without a proper attacking midfielder, Su Hang filled in.
Since he often dropped back to receive the ball, it seemed reasonable in theory.
But after the match, the difference between a link-up player and a true playmaker became clear.
Under Su Hang's "direction," Real Madrid failed to score.
Fortunately, his tireless defensive work helped the team keep a clean sheet against the Bats.
Final score: 0–0.
Yet the injury plague kept spreading.
In the 56th minute, Real Madrid Center Back Helguera went down after a challenge and couldn't continue.
English Center Back Jonathan Woodgate, only recently recovered, came on as a substitute.
March 19th, La Liga Round 28.
Real Madrid faced Real Betis.
For this match, Simon chose Raúl as the attacking midfielder.
Compared to Su Hang, Raúl was more composed and experienced. His awareness and calm under pressure helped Real Madrid find the net.
However, he offered little defensively and couldn't use his organization to relieve pressure on the back line.
Final score: 2–2. Real Madrid drew again.
And then... Jonathan Woodgate, who had just come back and played one match, got injured again!
He was the only player in the squad more fragile than Ronaldo!
At this point, Real Madrid had given up on him.
That summer, Woodgate would have to go.
With both Woodgate and Helguera out, the only remaining options were Pavón and Raúl Bravo—two Center Backs from Real Madrid's academy.
Both were tall and strong, but their defending was unstable.
March 22nd, La Liga Round 29.
Real Madrid faced last season's "benefactor," Zaragoza.
Baptista started as the attacking midfielder—his last chance to prove himself as the team's core.
Ninety minutes later, his expression was grim.
1–1.
Real Madrid recorded their third consecutive draw.
Zaragoza celebrated joyfully, finally at peace with the heartbreak from last season's final match.
Before long, the media weighed in.
Sport: "Without a defensive midfielder, Real Madrid are still a strong team. But without an attacking midfielder, they're nothing! Three matches without a win drop them to third in La Liga!"
Mundo Deportivo: "Simon's midseason tactical shifts have been completely misguided! He's led Real Madrid into a dead end—and it all stems from the players' arrogance, especially Su Hang!"
Marca: "Barcelona's last three matches: one win, one draw, one loss. Their form is unstable! The top three remain neck and neck in the title race!"
Barcelona: Damn it!
Indeed, despite Barcelona-affiliated media mocking Real Madrid's slump, their own side wasn't doing much better.
At this stage of the season, upsets could strike at any time.
This uncertainty also cast a shadow over the upcoming Champions League quarterfinals.
The outcome of any match was becoming impossible to predict.
Then, on March 25th, Clara's Column broke major news:
"Zidane has returned to training and could feature in Real Madrid's Champions League clash against Inter Milan!"
March 26th, La Liga Round 30.
Real Madrid hosted Deportivo La Coruña.
Unexpectedly, the first half ended 2–2, with Su Hang and Raúl each scoring and assisting the other.
In the 55th minute, Zidane came on as a substitute.
Immediately, Real Madrid's attack came alive.
Su Hang scored again in the second half, while Baptista and Cassano also found the net.
Zidane himself notched both a goal and an assist.
Real Madrid crushed Super Deportivo 6–2.
With that victory, they overtook Valencia and reclaimed second place in La Liga.
The core was back.
Real Madrid had survived their darkest days!
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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