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Starting as a Defensive Midfielder at Real Madrid

Chapter 35: Mourinho’s Decision Before Departure · 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

Li Ang didn’t know what exactly Mourinho and Allegri talked about, but after exchanging shirts with Seedorf, he saw the ”Special One” walking toward him with a smile on his face.

This was just an initial test—after all, Li Ang still didn’t have an agent.

After some thought, the only person he could ask to help him initiate contact was Mourinho.

Of course, for Mourinho, this was nothing. He’d coached in Serie A for two years and, while not close with Allegri, they at least knew each other. Asking a quick question after a match was no big deal.

If Allegri felt Li Ang wasn’t up to standard, better to be rejected early so Li Ang could start looking for other clubs for his loan.

But seeing Mourinho’s expression now, Li Ang knew the conversation must have gone well. He finally let go of the weight in his chest.

”Boss, so about—”

”Get ready. Once the winter window opens, I’ll send you over at the right time—if nothing unexpected happens.”

Mourinho slung an arm around his shoulder, giving him an almost definitive answer.

”But that old fox had the nerve to ask for a buyout clause. Hmph. I dodged the question. Once you renew with Madrid, we can negotiate that part later. No objections?”

Li Ang looked into Mourinho’s squinted, scrutinizing gaze and immediately shook his head.

”Of course not. A loan is just a loan. I’m not thinking about a transfer.

If you ever have a starting spot for me here, I’ll come back without hesitation!”

No way he could show even a hint of uncertainty right now.

If he did, Mourinho might just cancel the whole thing.

After all, Mourinho had once blurted out in frustration that next season, he’d sell That Guy just to open a starting spot for Li Ang.

If Li Ang looked like he was trying to bail, Mourinho might actually bury him on the bench for six months and then really sell That Guy next summer.

So when the moment called for a commitment, Li Ang knew exactly what to say.

Madrid was in a stable phase of reconstruction. The last thing anyone wanted was Mourinho making a desperate, rash move that would blow up the locker room.

”You’re too mature for your age, but in this case, maybe a little too rational…”

”Alright, it’s settled. Go celebrate with the others.”

Mourinho gave him a final approving slap on the back of the head, motioning for him to join his teammates in thanking the fans.

He turned and began prepping for the post-match press conference.

But before he made it five steps, he slapped his forehead and called back:

”Hey, Little Lion—do you want an agent?”

”Huh?”

After the Champions League group stage match ended, Real Madrid returned to the grind, preparing for Matchday 8 in La Liga.

But for Li Ang, this round had nothing to do with him.

He wasn’t even in the 18-man squad.

October 23rd, the day of the match, Li Ang wore a light tracksuit and waited at a small private café near Valdebebas.

He was expecting to meet an agent, just a representative from Gestifute, the agency Mourinho recommended.

Instead, he got Jorge Mendes himself.

Yes, the Jorge Mendes—super-agent of Cristiano Ronaldo and José Mourinho. One of the most powerful figures in all of European football.

Li Ang was stunned.

He’d only agreed to consider signing with Gestifute on Mourinho’s advice. Mendes had promised it would be handled by someone competent, even if not directly by him.

But here he was, smiling warmly and sitting across the table.

Only after recovering from the surprise did Li Ang learn the full story.

Mourinho had recommended him, of course.

But the biggest push?

Cristiano Ronaldo.

”Cristiano’s mentioned you to me more than once. Told me to sign you personally.

Said you’ll be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Told me not to miss the chance.”

Mendes chuckled as he explained. The atmosphere was relaxed, friendly.

He hadn’t flown in just for Li Ang—he was also in Spain to help Cristiano handle endorsement deals. But he figured he’d stop by and take care of this signing personally.

After a pleasant 20-minute chat, Mendes left a copy of the contract with Li Ang and told him to have it reviewed by a lawyer before signing.

Then, politely, he left.

Li Ang didn’t feel snubbed.

On the contrary, Mendes taking the time to meet him at all was more than enough.

What shocked him more was Cristiano’s quiet help behind the scenes.

”Captain Ronaldo... really is a man of passion.”

Li Ang sighed emotionally and carried the contract to a nearby law firm.

After confirming everything was legitimate, he signed the next day—with both Mourinho and a Gestifute representative as witnesses.

With his agency situation resolved, contract negotiations with Real Madrid were handed over to Mendes’ team.

Li Ang, now relieved of those off-field responsibilities, threw himself back into grinding his attributes.

But just as he felt his mind and body relaxing, Mourinho faced his first major PR crisis since joining Real Madrid.

The earlier media drama over That Guy’s agent begging for minutes? That had been a minor annoyance.

Now?

The fans were demanding more.

They wanted Mourinho to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona, fearlessly and boldly.

And the pressure just kept mounting.

On one side: the harsh reality of the squad’s current ceiling.

On the other: the fans and even some players’ overly optimistic expectations.

Mourinho knew he couldn’t hold the line with words and locker room speeches anymore.

So he made a brutal—but necessary—decision to force everyone to see the truth.

November 29th: Mourinho took Real Madrid’s strongest attacking lineup to the Camp Nou.

Li Ang watched from home, recognizing all the signs, and remembered clearly what was about to unfold.

Just like in his memories, Barcelona demolished Madrid.

The 90th minute whistle blew.

Piqué flashed his infamous five-finger taunt.

Real Madrid lost 0–5.

And the news exploded online.

The football world was set ablaze.

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.

Read 20 Chapters In Advance: /johanssen10

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