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Starting as a Defensive Midfielder at Real Madrid

Chapter 17: If He’s Not a Freak, Then He’s a Prodigy · Nov 11, 2026

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Chapter List (401)

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1 Chapter 1: The Real Madrid Youth Product Set on Being Loaned Out 2026-11-11
2 Chapter 2: What Do You Mean I’m Unlucky? 2026-11-11
3 Chapter 3: Just an Ordinary Defensive Midfielder 2026-11-11
4 Chapter 4: Valerón’s Short Passing Talent Fragment 2026-11-11
5 Chapter 5: That Kid Might Really Start for Real Madrid 2026-11-11
6 Chapter 6: Facing the Future 2026-11-11
7 Chapter 7: A Decade’s Cycle — The Budget Makélélé 2026-11-11
8 Chapter 8: Mourinho’s “Dream Midfield Anchor” 2026-11-11
9 Chapter 9: Rich Rewards from La Liga – System Upgrade 2026-11-11
10 Chapter 10: Grinding and Pay-to-Win—Not the Strongest, Just the Most Durable 2026-11-11
11 Chapter 11: The Rapidly Improving Defensive Grind King 2026-11-11
12 Chapter 12 - 12 2026-11-11
13 Chapter 13: At First, I Refused—But He Spoke So Well 2026-11-11
14 Chapter 14: Don’t Charge Forward, Be the Defensive Grind King 2026-11-11
15 Chapter 15: A Completely Different Second Half—Li Ang’s Impact 2026-11-11
16 Chapter 16: How Could He Not Be Considered a Promising Young Talent? 2026-11-11
17 Chapter 17: If He’s Not a Freak, Then He’s a Prodigy 2026-11-11
18 Chapter 18: From Foe to Friend, Little Lion – The Low-Key, Versatile Prince 2026-11-11
19 Chapter 19: A Tragedy from the Start 2026-11-11
20 Chapter 20: The Ironclad Midfield Trio 2026-11-11
21 Chapter 21: Mourinho’s Real Madrid Sets Sail 2026-11-11
22 Chapter 22: Double Rewards! The Champions League Is the True Path to Wealth 2026-11-11
23 Chapter 23: Boss, Can You Guarantee Me a Starting Spot?【Double-Length Chapter】 2026-11-11
24 Chapter 24: Make the Most of This Time—Time to Grind! 2026-11-11
25 Chapter 25: If I Give Everything in My Prime, I’ll Never Regret It 2026-11-11
26 Chapter 26: As Long As He Hasn’t Left, He’ll Start in the Champions League for Real Madrid 2026-11-11
27 Chapter 27: His Path—The Loneliest, The Most Glorious 2026-11-11
28 Chapter 28: A Breakthrough in Growth 2026-11-11
29 Chapter 29: Li Ang’s “Lucky Record” 2026-11-11
30 Chapter 30: Germany or Italy? 2026-11-11
31 Chapter 31: Alonso’s Displeasure 2026-11-11
32 Chapter 32 - 32 2026-11-11
33 Chapter 33: The Twilight of a Dynasty 2026-11-11
34 Chapter 34: Allegri, Do You Want a Defensive Midfielder or Not? 2026-11-11
35 Chapter 35: Mourinho’s Decision Before Departure 2026-11-11
36 Chapter 36: Allegri’s “Accomplice” Arrives in Milan 2026-11-11
37 Chapter 37: First Day in Milan – Reviewing the First Half of the Season 2026-11-11
38 Chapter 38: Who Says He’s Just a Defensive Midfielder? 2026-11-11
39 Chapter 39: Everybody Loves the Little Lion 2026-11-11
40 Chapter 40: The Superstitious Kid 2026-11-11
41 Chapter 41: The Final Piece of the Championship Puzzle 2026-11-11
42 Chapter 42: We Want the Winter Title 2026-11-11
43 Chapter 43: The Butcher Version of Kaká 2026-11-11
44 Chapter 44: You Can’t Get Past Li Ang, You Can’t Break Milan 2026-11-11
45 Chapter 45: Let Me Show You What “Surprise” Really Means 2026-11-11
46 Chapter 46: If You’ve Got Questions, You Can Ask Me 2026-11-11
47 Chapter 47: Longing from Spain 2026-11-11
48 Chapter 48: Mourinho Was Right 2026-11-11
49 Chapter 49: From Now On, We Won’t Lose Again—Until We Lift the Trophy 2026-11-11
50 Chapter 50: You—Start Practicing Forward Runs 2026-11-11

”Di María is onside! He’s tearing down the right wing, and Higuaín is already calling for the ball in the middle!”

The Movistar commentator’s voice raced with excitement. As Di María approached Osasuna’s penalty area, the broadcast booth caught fire with adrenaline.

Di María showed no signs of passing. The shooting angle was narrow, but there was still a theoretical chance to fire one off.

Osasuna’s defenders quickly shifted their formation to cover the left side. Keeper Ricardo braced himself, sealing the near post tight.

But just as Osasuna closed in for the double-team, Di María suddenly—rarely—used his right foot to deliver a low cross!

”Back post!”

Defender Damiá instinctively shouted.

But the ball didn’t dip into the center like they expected. It flew past everyone—heading straight to the back post!

And there, Cristiano Ronaldo exploded past right-back Juanfran, burning him with sheer speed.

A flash of lightning. A crushing header.

Osasuna’s keeper Ricardo never had a chance.

The ball slammed into the back of the net, and the Portuguese superstar spread his arms wide, roaring as he sprinted down the sideline.

His celebratory slide near the corner flag felt like he was unloading all the pent-up frustration from the first half.

By the time Li Ang reached him to join the celebration, all that was left on Ronaldo’s face was a brilliant smile.

Gone were the frustrated expressions of the first half. The entire Real Madrid squad now radiated relief and joy.

”You’ve got guts, kid... but nice job.”

Cristiano slung an arm around Li Ang’s neck, thumped his chest, and gave him a knowing look.

Li Ang’s smile twitched.

Okay, fine—he’d admit it. That through pass earlier was a gamble.

Even though he’d been working on seizing offensive opportunities and improving his short passing in training, he couldn’t say he was yet capable of confidently delivering killer through balls in matches.

But sometimes, when the opposition’s midfield was out of position—like just now—he could take a calculated risk.

Most of the time, though? He stuck to his defensive role.

Cristiano, having trained with him recently, obviously knew Li Ang’s current level. He could tell that pass had at least a bit of luck behind it.

But Li Ang wasn’t ashamed.

Everything starts with a first try, right?

And his first professional through pass? Successful.

Too bad Di María didn’t go for goal himself—otherwise, Li Ang might’ve picked up his first La Liga assist right then and there.

As he lamented the missed stat, up in the coaching area, Mourinho and Karanka sat slightly dizzy—once again forced to reevaluate Li Ang’s potential.

”That was luck, right?”

”Probably. Or at least a little. But still, he did recognize the split-second gap in Osasuna’s midfield. And honestly, his short passing... it’s really improving.”

”Hey, Aitor… is it possible our youth coaches were just... wrong about him?”

”Come on, no way. A few coaches misjudging a player? Sure. But the Castilla and C-team managers too? That’s a stretch.”

”Yeah… probably.”

”So?”

”So either this kid’s a freak... or he’s a genius.”

Mourinho said it with calm certainty.

While Karanka was still mulling it over, Mourinho had already accepted the facts.

After all, he’d coached Balotelli for two years—he’d seen what talent looked like when it bloomed unexpectedly.

If he had to explain Li Ang’s recent transformation?

It might just be that after joining the Real Madrid first team, the kid had experienced a second awakening.

Rare, yes. But not impossible.

Especially for a young player with solid fundamentals. Once the light bulb flicked on, with the right environment and enough work, that spark could absolutely evolve into real talent.

Still, Mourinho wanted to watch closely in the coming weeks—to see if this was a fluke or a breakthrough.

For now, he returned his focus to the game.

With midfield defense under control, Real Madrid had been able to ramp up the pressure in attack.

And now that they were 1–0 up, Osasuna had no choice but to press forward in search of an equalizer.

Mourinho wasn’t just about parking the bus—he loved controlling the tempo.

Osasuna hesitated. Should they fully commit?

No problem. Real Madrid made the decision for them—by forcibly accelerating the pace.

Di María subbed on for a certain ”deadweight,” able to drift centrally or tear up the right flank in one-on-one duels.

Benzema, who had played as a right winger in the first half, shifted into the center alongside Higuaín.

Add Ronaldo on the left, and suddenly Real Madrid had four explosive attackers up front—each capable of overwhelming defenders.

Once they hit full stride, Osasuna could barely breathe.

Their defense collapsed under the barrage, and their attack lacked the coordination to respond.

Li Ang, meanwhile, found his job easier than ever.

Hold position. Clean up behind the midfield line.

Simple.

And in the 74th minute, Higuaín finished off a slick move to score the second goal—killing off the match.

2–0.

Li Ang didn’t even feel tired.

When the referee finally blew the whistle for full-time, and his teammates began celebrating the two-match win streak to start the season, Li Ang was smiling for another reason.

Inside his mind, the system was speaking:

”2010–2011 La Liga: Second victory achieved.

Top-tier European league wins: +2

Base points: +5

Win bonus: +10”

He watched the number on his system interface jump upward.

The smile on his face widened.

And standing on the sideline, watching Li Ang with a satisfied look, Mourinho was already planning something.

Freak or genius.

Didn’t matter.

This rare ”midfield anchor of dreams”?

Mourinho was going to shape him personally.