Starting as a Defensive Midfielder at Real Madrid

July 30th, 2010.

Another day of preseason training had ended. In his office at the Valdebebas training center, José Mourinho sat quietly, struggling with a player report sheet in his hand.

”...Great sense of positioning, naturally gifted in defensive awareness, exceptional at covering, not overly aggressive in challenges, prefers to restrict the dribbling space of attacking players, strong in physical duels…”

”Stable in ball retention and distribution, but lacks creativity. Doesn’t frequently make forward runs. Weak dribbling skills…”

”A defensive midfielder worth nurturing—excellent in positioning, active in defense, good stamina, but has weak organization skills and low offensive intent. Technically solid. Notably, he has outstanding heading ability, which could prove useful in set-piece tactics in the future…”

Having read through the scouting report submitted by his assistant once again, Mourinho’s tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

After rubbing his temples for a bit, it seemed he had made a final decision. With a hint of regret, he gently set the report down.

Half an hour later, a young player with distinct East Asian features knocked on the door and walked into Mourinho’s office after being given permission.

”I heard from Mr. Pérez that you wanted to see me. I was still a bit sweaty, so I took a quick shower—sorry for the delay.”

The young man offered a polite explanation the moment he stepped in.

His buzzcut was still damp, not yet fully dry from the rinse. Combined with his clean-cut and sunny appearance, he looked unusually fresh and spirited.

Mourinho looked at the young player sitting across from him—clearly relaxed, respectful but also cheerful—and waved his hand with a friendly smile, gesturing for him to sit.

It was obvious that during the previous preseason sessions, Mourinho had developed quite a favorable impression of this young man.

”We’ve talked once already, Li Ang. I’ll get straight to the point—no need for small talk. I asked you here today to discuss our plans for you this season.”

As he spoke, Mourinho tapped lightly on the report beside him.

The young East Asian player, Li Ang, straightened up slightly and showed an expression of earnest attention.

”We’ve decided to loan you out. You know the situation—our midfield is already crowded with talent. To better support your growth, we believe sending you out on loan, letting you play more matches, is the most responsible choice.”

Before Mourinho could finish, Li Ang’s expression suddenly brightened, as if relieved, and he quickly asked a follow-up question.

”Can I choose the team I go to, Boss?”

Mourinho gave a smile that seemed to say ”I knew you’d ask that” and waved the team list in his hand.

”There are quite a few clubs in La Liga and Segunda División that are interested. Real Betis is on the list, of course.”

With that, Li Ang was completely at ease and repeatedly thanked Mourinho.

This young East Asian player was named Li Ang.

Don’t misunderstand—he wasn’t a French-born Chinese, nor did he have a Westernized name like Leon. He was a fully native player from Huaguo (China).

Thanks to relatives living in Madrid, he had come to Spain at the age of thirteen. He successfully passed trials and joined the youth academy of Getafe, officially beginning his path as a professional footballer.

At fourteen, thanks to his outstanding performances in youth competitions, he made the move to the youth academy of Real Madrid—La Fábrica, one of the most prestigious in Spain.

By eighteen, he was promoted to Real Madrid Castilla (the B team). After half a season in Segunda División B, he was loaned to Real Betis, who were short on defensive midfielders, to play in the Segunda División for the remainder of the season.

At nineteen, he helped Real Betis achieve direct promotion to La Liga by finishing third in the league—just before the league restructured the promotion system.

Such achievements at such a young age.

Li Ang may not have been a once-in-a-generation talent, but he was absolutely worthy of the reputation as one of the most promising graduates of Real Madrid’s La Fábrica.

However, unlike many of his Castilla teammates who were desperate to stay at the club and dreamt of playing for the first team, Li Ang was fixated on going out.

Even though he had been personally selected by the newly appointed Real Madrid head coach, José Mourinho, and had begun training with the first team during preseason, his mind remained unchanged.

Whether Real Madrid sold him or loaned him out, he could accept either.

His only request was to be sent to a team where he could get regular playing time.

Now that Real Betis had been promoted to La Liga, they were naturally his best destination.

A head coach who appreciated him, teammates he had already spent half a season working with, and fans who liked him—Real Betis was the perfect ”leveling-up ground” for him.

Mourinho really didn’t know what to say about Li Ang.

In all his years of coaching, he had rarely come across a young player as mature as Li Ang.

So mature that he wasn’t tempted by the opportunity to join Real Madrid’s first team.

Insisting that the club loan him out so he could gain match experience, Li Ang was easily the most ”unconventional” youth product in Castilla.

That’s why Mourinho had kept an eye on him ever since he joined the club.

He liked this grounded, hardworking, and seemingly clever young man.

Perhaps Li Ang lacked top-tier natural talent, but Mourinho wasn’t overly concerned with that. In his system, a player’s weak offensive attributes could be overlooked if they showed solid defensive quality.

And Li Ang’s defensive instincts truly impressed him.

If the midfield hadn’t already been packed with players, Mourinho wouldn’t have minded giving him a shot in the first team this season, letting him get a few games to build experience.

That’s what had him hesitating earlier.

He believed in Li Ang’s potential—but Real Madrid, as it stood, didn’t need potential.

Under the pressure from a dominant Barcelona, what Real Madrid needed were ready-made stars—immediate impact players.

So rather than let Li Ang rot on the bench during the most critical period of his development, it was better to send him out, hoping he would seize the opportunity and grow quickly.

If all went well, maybe in a year or two, Mourinho could be working with a top-class defensive midfielder who had come through Castilla.

”Keep working hard. Don’t let go of the dedication and discipline you showed at Valdebebas. I hope to see an even better version of you soon. You’re a great kid—stay focused!”

Mourinho stood up and shook Li Ang’s hand, offering some customary words of encouragement.

Li Ang smiled and nodded, thanked him once more, and walked out of the office with a light step.

It was a simple preseason conversation between coach and player.

If nothing unexpected happened, once the clubs finalized the loan deal, Li Ang would pack his bags and return to Seville, where he had spent the past six months.

This brief training stint with the Real Madrid first team felt more like a fleeting dream—one of those illusions too good to be true.

But beyond the experience and insight he gained, Li Ang had also finally earned the chance to draw from a special reward he’d been waiting on for six years—a ”Golden Star Talent Card.”

Three years, then another three years—he’d been playing as a defensive midfielder for six years!

Not because he was naturally gifted at it, or because he loved the position.

But because he had no other choice.

As he left Valdebebas and headed home, Li Ang opened the ”Road to Football King” interface in his mind.

At the far left of the simple system panel, a card shimmered with a golden glow.

”2008–2009 Limited Edition Claude Makélélé!”

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