I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 102: Chapter 19: Great Rewards Inspire Courageous Men

The time has come to November.

It’s only about a month until Christmas, which in the West is akin to the Chinese Spring Festival, a grand holiday.

”We are playing against Valencia tonight.” Marcelo chattered incessantly beside Chen Zhong, his eyes sparkling with gossip: ”The boss seems to be in a bad mood today.”

Higuain lifted his head, while other players nearby leaned in a bit. Marcelo smacked his lips and whispered, ”It seems to be because of Calderon.”

The current president of Real Madrid is Calderon. He recently made a wish at a private gathering with friends: If the team can clinch the La Liga, Champions League, and King’s Cup titles this season, he would give his beard a ”Grand Slam,” growing it until it reaches the bushy level of Santa’s beard.

As for why the private gathering conversations were leaked, that’s up to individual interpretation.

When the public discussed this topic, he appeared in a special interview with ”Marca,” stating that his inspiration came from Juan Padros, one of the founding fathers of Real Madrid Club. Padros served as the club president from 1902 to 1904 and was the first leader in Real Madrid history to make the beard-growing celebration wish.

Calderon expressed in the interview that he was inspired when looking through museum photos and stories of Padros, which led to his remarks at the private gathering. These comments sparked controversy for Real Madrid, as in current European fashion, only Russians find beards attractive, while most civilized nations consider them a coarse expression.

Nonetheless, fashion is cyclical; perhaps beard trends will return!

Then, people might think Calderon is truly a genius.

Actually, back in early September before the season began, Calderon had ”quietly babbled” to the media, saying: ”Real Madrid is the best team in Europe. La Liga title, Champions League title, King’s Cup title, we must have them all.”

But now, as Real Madrid has started the league season with its first three-game winning streak in 16 years and is top of the league and comfortably progressing in the Champions League group stage, Calderon can’t help but come out and ”loudly brag.”

He must let the esteemed Merengue fans see his capabilities.

The pressure soon shifted to Schuster. With Calderon believing the team could sweep the ”Triple Crown” titles and boasting to the media, how would Schuster, who is referred to as the Lion King for prowling the field like a territorial lion, respond?

”Idiot.” At the pre-match press conference before facing Valencia, Schuster grumbled about Francisco: ”Does he even know what he’s doing?”

”We need to relieve some pressure off the players, not add more.”

”I sometimes suspect he’s a Barcelona mole.”

Of course, privately lamenting to Francisco, but once he sat on stage, Schuster, with his golden hair flying, looked vibrant and energetically declared, ”I think there’s no issue. We are Real Madrid, and we can certainly win these three titles and set a new record.”

The football-certified ”Triple Crown” refers to the Champions League title, top league title, and domestic cup title.

Currently, there are only four Triple Crown teams in football: The first was the Scottish Premiership team Celtic in 1966-1967, followed by Ajax, Eindhoven, and finally Manchester United, the first to win a Triple Crown among the five major leagues.

Until now, neither Spain nor La Liga has seen a Triple Crown team emerge, and Schuster’s comments stirred excitement among the reporters below, akin to a historical ruler openly declaring ambition to ”unify the world.”

”This season, the team’s main and substitute players are balanced in strength.”

”We have ample choices to keep the starting lineup rotating, and everyone can compete in three tournaments, be it the European Cup or King’s Cup.”

”Also, we have many talented youths in the team, so I believe, this time, no one will say relying on a bunch of kids won’t win us anything.”

The journalists below naturally knew Schuster referred to the story of the ”Class of ’92,” when Ferguson led a group of academy players and, despite initial losses, defied Liverpool legend Alan Hansen’s remark: ”You’ll win nothing with kids,” to win the Premier League title that season.

In the following days, these kids became the backbone and led to the first Triple Crown for a team from the five major leagues.

As the interview proceeded, questions returned to the game preparation, with Schuster expressing respect for Valencia’s new coach Ronald Koeman, saying: ”I know him, he’s a very outstanding coach, and he will help Valencia quickly return to shape, though this match, Real Madrid will be the ultimate winner.”

After completing the press conference, Schuster returned to the locker room, sparing few words to the players, merely announcing the bonuses Calderon promised.

Achieving the Champions League title rewards each player with 600,000 euros.

Retaining the league title earns each player 400,000 euros.

Winning the King’s Cup grants each player a 300,000 euro bonus.

If the team accomplishes the Triple Crown this season, every player will receive 1.3 million euros, exceeding the annual salary of many young players within the team and the majority of La Liga players.

You should know, Messi, who is now at the height of his fame in La Liga, has an annual salary of only two to three hundred thousand euros.

When Schuster announced this news in the away team’s locker room, the players of Real Madrid were all unusually excited, even Chen Zhong’s heart couldn’t help but beat a few times, making him feel exhilarated.

It’s important to know that his current contract hasn’t been updated, and his annual salary is less than one hundred thousand euros, but any championship win would give him a reward that is several times his salary.

Schuster looked at the smiling faces of the players, but his expression wasn’t very happy.

This time the bonus had a significant increment; he had hoped to use it as motivation at some crucial moments!

However, Calderon had to let the players know of his generosity, facing Valencia, he released this ”motivation,” which truly felt wasteful.

Mestalla Stadium

The pre-match performance in the stadium had ended, and the players from both teams were coming out of the player tunnel, filled with eager anticipation from the fans.

”CCTV5, CCTV5.”

”Now we are broadcasting the 10th round of the La Liga.”

”Valencia at home against Real Madrid.”

”Real Madrid’s players are dressed in dark blue jerseys adorned with gold stripes, while Valencia’s players wear white jerseys with orange stripes.”

”Valencia has recently changed their coach, and the new coach is Ronald Koeman, who during his playing career could play as a central defender and midfielder, his powerful free-kicks are particularly refreshing.”

”This match is a serious test for Koeman, as the team’s main player, known as Huluwa by fans, Villa, is unable to play due to injury.”

”Real Madrid’s recent matches have also been inconsistent, especially on the defense line, with Chen Zhong moving to the position of defensive midfielder, creating numerous gaps.”

”In the last game, less than three minutes into the match, the opponent broke into the goal, the camera showed Schuster on the sidelines, his expression was very annoyed.”

”We can see the starting lineups, Valencia adopted a 4312 formation, while Real Madrid went with a 442 formation.”

”In Valencia...”

”In Real Madrid...”

Amid the commentary’s introductions, the players of both teams are already in position on the field, Real Madrid has obtained the kick-off, Schuster stood on the sideline, glanced at Koeman with the same golden hair, couldn’t help but stroke his own hair and sneered: ”Heh, not as good-looking as mine.”

Then he focused his attention on the field.

Last season, Real Madrid defeated Valencia twice, and in the last 7 league encounters, they only lost one match.

The two teams have faced each other 144 times in league history, with Real Madrid having 75 wins, 28 draws, and 41 losses.

In Valencia’s lineup, Ivan Helgara looked at the familiar pure white on him, and at the dark blue of Real Madrid on the opposite side, a hint of remembrance flashed in his eyes, this starter against his old team made his blood boil.

Golden-haired Koeman stood on the sidelines, feeling somewhat regretful that the team didn’t get the kick-off; knowing Real Madrid has been losing goals soon after starting in recent matches, he wanted to see if he could replicate it!

As the match begins, when some fans were still finding their seats, when viewers in front of the TV were placing snacks, adjusting positions, or playing with their phones.

On the field, a crisp whistle had already echoed through the television.

The fans on the stands looked somewhat astonished at the time on the scoreboard, a few even rubbed their eyes, almost not daring to believe it.

The match had barely begun.

Within just 40 seconds, a goal was scored.

The efficiency was indeed surprising and seemed quite unbelievable.