That earth-shattering volley was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples across the Carrington training ground.
After training, the atmosphere in the locker room was noticeably different.The previous subtle disdain and indifference had faded considerably, replaced by a complex mix of curiosity and scrutiny.Gary Neville even patted him on the shoulder in the shower and said, "Good job, kid," though his tone wasn't exactly enthusiastic, it was a sign of approval.
Captain Roy Keane still had a stern face, but before leaving the locker room, he stopped in front of Ronaldo's locker and bluntly said, "Be here half an hour early tomorrow for extra defensive positioning practice."
This wasn't a question, it was a command.But Ronaldo understood the implicationโit was acceptance, proof of being included on his "highly demanding" list.True genius, even with Keane, requires genuine effort.
"Okay, Captain." Cristiano Ronaldo nodded in agreement.
He knew that the shot had stunned the crowd, but it hadn't completely won their trust.It could be attributed to a flash of inspiration, or even luck.To establish himself in this star-studded, proud team, he needed to show more, especiallyโฆ his "team" side.
At dinner, Mendes was unusually excited, chattering incessantly about how amazing the shot was and Sir Alex Ferguson's barely perceptible nods from the sidelines.Ronaldo, on the other hand, quietly ate his strictly nutritionally balanced mealโa habit that surprised ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐๐, who had never seen an 18-year-old player so disciplined.
"๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป๐ผ, you need to be moreโฆ integrated." ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ฆ chose his words carefully."I know you have talent, but here, talent alone isn't enough.You have to get those old guys to like you."
"I know what to do, ๐ ๐๐๐๐," ๐๐๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ interrupted him, his tone calm yet undeniably confident."Not to appease, but to conquer.In a way they understand."
๐๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ looked at the boy before him and felt as if he had matured ten years in a single day.His gaze didn't seem like that of a newcomer, but rather that of a.all-knowing chess player.
The next day, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ arrived at Carrington forty minutes early.Instead of going directly to the training ground, he went to the gym first and underwent a scientific and systematic core strength activation workout.These training methods were far ahead of their time, meticulously designed by him combining futuristic knowledge with Ronaldo's physical characteristics.
Half an hour later, ๐๐๐๐๐ appeared on time and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes when he saw ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, who was already drenched in sweat.
Defensive positioning training was tedious and arduous.๐๐๐๐๐'๐ demands were almost harsh, constantly yelling and correcting every tiny mistake.If it were the old ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, he might have been impatient long ago.But now, he was like the most focused student, listening carefully, pondering repeatedly, and even able to draw inferences from one instance to another, raising questions that even ๐๐๐๐๐ had to think about.
"You've studied defense before?" ๐๐๐๐๐ couldn't help but ask.
"I've watched a lot of videos," ๐ฅ๐ข๐ก๐๐๐๐ข replied vaguely, wiping away sweat.He couldn't very well say that it was the evolution of defensive systems over the next twenty years that gave him a broader perspective.
๐๐๐๐ก๐ gave him a deep look but didn't press the matter.At the end of training, he surprisingly said, "Not bad."
In the following days, Ronaldo began to consciously change his training routine.
He will still try to break through, but he's no longer fixated on winning one-on-one.When the opportunity isn't good, he'll decisively pass the ball to teammates in better positions, especially those players who are open but often overlooked.
In a scrimmage, after drawing two defenders down the wing, he didn't force his way down the flank.Instead, he delivered a low, unpredictable cross to ๐ฃ๐๐จ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ฆ, who had quietly slipped into the edge of the penalty area.
"Ginger Head" didn't even need to adjust; he met the ball with his signature powerful shot, and the ball went straight into the net!
After scoring, Scholes unusually ran over to Ronaldo and gave him a high five.Although he remained taciturn, the approval in his eyes carried more weight than any words.
On another occasion, during a defensive retreat, he accurately predicted the opponent's through ball route to Giggs, made a decisive tackle to intercept the ball, and then quickly launched a counter-attack.Although this counter-attack ultimately did not result in a goal, the entire process was smooth and efficient.
Sir Alex Ferguson, watching from the sidelines, gradually broke into a wider smile.He turned to his assistant coach and said, "See?He's learning, and learning incredibly fast.Not just technique, but here." He pointed to his head.
The real turning point came during a team tactical analysis session.
Analysts are analyzing the defensive weaknesses of their next opponent, Blackburn Rovers, primarily through traditional video clips, highlighting their offside traps and the gaps between their full-backs and center-backs.
After the analyst finished speaking, ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ก, as usual, asked for everyone's opinions.
The locker room was silent.The veterans were used to it, while the newcomers dared not speak up easily.
At that moment, Cristiano Ronaldo raised his hand.
All eyes were on him, filled with suspicion.What was this Portuguese kid up to now?
"Coach, I have an idea." Cristiano Ronaldo stood up, walked to the tactics board, and spoke calmly.
He picked up the magnetic chess pieces and, while setting them up, said in his accented but clear English, "๐๐๐๐๐๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ก'๐ฆ left-back is very fast, but his defensive positioning is terrible, especially when he pushes forward, the area behind himโฆ" He drew a circle on the tactical board, "โฆis their fatal weakness in defense."
"We all know that, kid," Gary Neville said.
"Yes, Gary.But we can use it better." Ronaldo looked at him, his eyes sharp.Their left center-back habitually covers this side, which shifts their entire defensive focus to the left.So, when we successfully get the ball into this area and draw their attentionโฆ" His piece quickly moved to the other side, "โฆhere, on the right flank, a huge gap will appear.If our midfielder, like Paulโฆ" He looked at Scholes, "โฆcan make a timely run here to receive the pass and have a one-on-one opportunity with the goal."
He added, "Furthermore, their goalkeeper has a relatively low save percentage against shots above the near post.The data shows that he is better at handling ground balls and long-range shots."
After he finished speaking, the entire tactics room fell silent.
It wasn't just his incredibly detailed analysis of his opponents' weaknesses, but also the tactical acumen and strategic vision he displayed that completely exceeded everyone's expectations.This is simply not the mindset of an 18-year-old winger!He even mentioned "data"!
The analyst opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found that the problem Ronaldo pointed out, upon closer examination, did indeed exist and hit the nail on the head.
Sir Alex Ferguson's eyes lit up.He looked at Ronaldo as if he were examining a rare gem.He had seen many exceptionally talented players, but those possessing such top-tier football intelligence and tactical understanding were extremely rare!
"Where did you learn all this from?" Ferguson asked slowly.
"I watched all their games from the last two seasons," Ronaldo replied without batting an eye.This was, of course, an excuse, but he couldn't explain that his mind contained tactical analysis and data models for the next few decades.
Ferguson didn't press further.He simply nodded and told the analyst, "Add it to the tactical report, as Cristiano suggested."
At that moment, the last vestiges of disdain in the locker room vanished completely.
You may envy his talent, you may dislike his personality, but you cannot ignore a teammate who can let his feet do the talking on the field and conquer the coach with his mind in the tactics room.
After the meeting, Ryan Giggs walked up to Ronaldo and whispered, "Well done, kid.But we'll see on the pitch."
Cristiano Ronaldo smiled slightly: "Of course, Ryan."
He knew he had passed his first real test.With wisdom ahead of his time, he had earned himself respect and.a possible opportunity.
His name was prominently featured in the squad list for the weekend match against Blackburn.๐ฆ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ก'๐ฆ gaze towards him was filled with a meaningful anticipation.