"Sign!"
Calderón clenched his teeth so hard it sounded like they might crack.
Once everything was negotiated, all that remained was procedure. Neither side really needed to do much after that.
"Then don't leave today. Let me treat you to a meal. I know a really good place around here—you can't say you've been here if you haven't tried it."
"I'd rather not have come at all…" Calderón muttered under his breath. "No, no. I need to fly back to Spain immediately and share this good news."
"We'll need your cooperation when it's time for the official announcement."
Su Hang nodded. "No problem! I won't walk you out then. Just head out, turn left, grab a cab—you'll reach the airport in forty minutes."
Calderón was so furious walking out that he tripped, nearly giving his assistant a heart attack.
After confirming Calderón had left, Su Hang picked up the phone beside him. The call timer showed over an hour.
"So? I've set everything up for you. How you negotiate from here is on you." Su Hang said into the phone. "You earn less than Ronaldinho, Ronaldinho earns less than me, and I'll earn less than the players who come after. That's how it goes—each new wave overtakes the last."
Zidane's voice came through. "Why didn't you ask for 100% of the image rights? With the way you negotiated, he would've agreed."
Calderón: So this is your so-called overseas exclusive?
"Too much is as bad as too little, Zidane," Su Hang said patiently. "That 10% goes to Real Madrid because it's deserved. They provide the platform, so they should get their share."
"Real Madrid's commercial resources are top-tier in world football—arguably the very best."
"Ronaldinho earned €23 million at Barcelona, more than Beckham's €18 million. But total commercial revenue between him and the club was still far below what Real Madrid and Beckham generated together."
"If Ronaldinho had come to Real Madrid, he would've made much more… though he definitely wouldn't have gotten Barcelona's percentage."
Zidane said, "I get it. For ordinary players, Real Madrid's channels are worth 90%. Without the club, they'd never even get a chance at those big sponsorship deals—without Madrid, they earn nothing."
"But for top stars, 50% is very reasonable."
"But you're different. Your family already has massive commercial resources. With that backing, even contacting someone like Bill Gates wouldn't be an issue for you."
"You could easily give Real Madrid less than 10%."
Su Hang laughed. "In theory, sure. But doing everything through my own team takes time and energy, and it would eat into my focus."
"Real Madrid already has a full commercial framework. Why not use it?"
"And you know my situation—I still have a lot to improve on as a player, especially the fundamentals."
"All of my time needs to go there. For the new season, I want to lead Real Madrid to results everyone can be proud of."
Zidane: "Heh, so you're worried your new teammates will look down on you, huh?"
"Young Su Hang might not care about being mocked."
"But Su, the captain of both Real Madrid and Spain, the Treble winner, the World Cup champion—how could he tolerate anyone looking down on him?"
Su Hang chuckled. "Oh? You like that poem too? Bet you've recited it in full plenty of times. Especially the second line, right? "First came the Fenómeno, and the heavens parted—Zizou and Figo carved the path before us.
"I remember someone even wrote you your own 'Zinedine Zidane' song, didn't they?"
"What were the lyrics again? Something like: 'All the stars of the world have arrived, but none can match Zidane,' right?"
Beep… beep… beep…
Zidane hung up immediately.
He still had his pride.
To him, that song was just as irritating as any other awful chant blasted on repeat.
...
When Calderón landed in Madrid, a bombshell exploded across the football world.
Facing fans who had come to greet him at the airport, he announced, "Everyone has been deeply concerned about Su Hang's future. I've always said that Su Hang is an inseparable part of Real Madrid."
"He will not abandon Real Madrid, and Real Madrid will not abandon him."
"Many refused to believe me and used it as an excuse to attack me and mislead the fans."
"Today, it's time to make everything clear."
"I, Calderón, am honored to announce to the world: Real Madrid and Su Hang have successfully renewed his contract!"
"We have given Su Hang the highest respect!"
"From now on, the Merengues no longer need to worry about losing him."
"Long live Real Madrid!"
The crowd erupted like a tidal wave.
Marca: "Su Hang renews! Building a brighter future together!"
AS: "The Su Hang saga ends—European transfer window officially begins!"
Sport: "Chelsea suited Su Hang better—he made the wrong choice!"
Mundo Deportivo: "Real Madrid has Su Hang, but we have Messi! No fear!"
Bild: "Portions of Su Hang's renewal leaked—€7 million redefines Madrid's top salary!"
Kicker: "€7 million annual wage, 20% increases in the final two years, a five-year mega deal—Madrid shows full sincerity."
Sky Sports: "Abramovich claims he could match or exceed Su Hang's salary demands—suggesting other hidden reasons for choosing Madrid."
The Times: "Blockbuster! Su Hang may become football's top earner! Massive image rights income awaits him at Real Madrid!"
Gazzetta dello Sport: "All about money! Su Hang renewed because Calderón offered him an irresistible financial package!"
BBC: "How is this Real Madrid any different from the Chelsea they criticize? Without money, what would they be?"
One article, titled "Su Hang's Salary Hurts Real Madrid," analyzed the impact of his renewal.
It argued that Su Hang's top salary raised Real Madrid's wage ceiling, meaning future renewals would inevitably follow the trend.
And because Su Hang is young and hasn't been at the club long, it gives future transfers more leverage to demand high wages.
Previously, high salaries required not only fame but years of service and contributions to the club.
But modern football increasingly ignores that.
Su Hang's lucrative deal officially puts that old system to rest.
For some extreme club loyalists—the so-called "spiritual shareholders"—this is unforgivable.
How dare you make the club spend that much on you?
Do you even have a conscience?
This money comes from us, the spiritual shareholders, thinking day and night!
What wages?
You should be paying the club to play!
What?
The club made tons of money off you?
Nonsense!
The club is always losing money!
Where's the profit?
The club has it tough!
Sometimes you need to reflect on yourself, okay?
All these years—did your salary go up? Did you train seriously?
Su Hang: Uh… aren't I literally figuring out how to raise it right now?
Get out!
Get out of here right now!
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser