I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Playing Around

[Congratulations on successfully signing the professional contract, the task is completed.]

[(New) Season tasks have been released, please check.]

Chen Zhong’s first professional contract signing went very smoothly. Before signing the professional contract, as a genius of Castilla, Chen Zhong’s annual income was about 45,000 Euros, comparable to Messi of the same period.

After signing this 5-year contract, Chen Zhong’s annual income increased to 96,000 Euros, which is significantly higher than Messi of the same period. Of course, this talented player from Barcelona sees his salary rise to 275,000 Euros this season, along with a 6,000 Euro appearance bonus.

Not only did Messi crush Chen Zhong on annual salary, but the appearance bonus was also three times higher. Chen Zhong’s appearance bonus was only 2,000 Euros.

Chen Zhong didn’t mind at all. Any respect is based on strength. What he needs to do now is not worry about the trifles in the contract but focus on improving his skills.

Moreover, not every professional player makes a lot of money. The lowest salary in the Bundesliga is only 30,000 Euros annually, and that’s before tax. Even the lowest salary in Bayern Munich’s first team is only 83,000 Euros pre-tax annually, and the media feel it is too low.

Real Madrid’s first contract offering 96,000 Euros actually satisfied Chen Zhong. As long as he performs well, the club will give him a pay raise.

”6 points in Free Attribute.” Chen Zhong’s eyes were blazing: ”Season tasks.”

Full of anticipation for the future, Chen Zhong decided to first head to the locker room to meet his teammates, then research the season tasks.

In the locker room, Raul as the team captain, pulled Chen Zhong over for a brief introduction to other players.

Among the many players, Castilla’s pride, Real Madrid’s Door God, Spain’s national goalkeeper, Iker Casillas Fernandez, was undoubtedly the one Chen Zhong admired the most.

Besides Raul, Casillas is the most talked-about person in Castilla.

He is a role model for every Castilla player. Everyone hopes to become like Casillas.

He stood out from thousands of children at the age of nine, passing Real Madrid’s youth training entry test.

Although his first match ended in defeat, conceding six goals, he didn’t become discouraged but worked ever harder, eventually making it into Castilla.

In 1999, Casillas at the age of 19 became a member of Real Madrid, and in September of the same year, he completed his debut.

After experiencing a series of setbacks, including sitting on the bench for a season, Casillas seized a fleeting opportunity and solidified his position as Real Madrid’s main goalkeeper.

In 2005, he signed a long-term five-year contract with a fixed after-tax annual salary of 450,000 Euros.

With chestnut-brown hair, deep-set eyes, a high bridge of the nose, and a handsome face, Casillas was wearing an Adidas Real Madrid jacket and had a gentle smile on his face. When Chen Zhong looked over, he nodded slightly to express friendliness.

Then he turned back to talk with others beside him, showing no intention of conversing with Chen Zhong, which Chen Zhong took in stride. It was normal.

After a brief introduction, Raul pointed to a relatively corner position and returned to his own locker.

Real Madrid’s locker room was based on pure white, and each player’s locker had their photo. Chen Zhong quickly found his spot, with a photo of him in a Real Madrid number 22 jersey, arms folded.

This number once belonged to Pavin, and thinking of this, Chen Zhong couldn’t help recalling that lonely figure in the garage, adopting a determined look.

He absolutely did not want to become another Pavin!

”Hi, Chen.”

”Glad to meet you.”

With round eyes, a dark face, always with a slight upward curl at the corners of his mouth, paired with a haircut so short it was almost bald, the person exuded a certain comedic vibe. Chen Zhong recalled his name.

Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior.

He joined the team last season’s winter window for 6 million Euros, a talented left-back from Brazil, whose injuries last season limited him to just four appearances.

Before Chen Zhong came to the first team, Marcelo’s salary was the lowest in the team at 120,000 Euros. Real Madrid spends over 100 million Euros annually on wages, with an average salary of 400,000 Euros. They were both marginal players under the average.

”Uh...” Chen Zhong grasped the hand Marcelo extended and said: ”Nice to meet you too.”

Two locker room fringe players erected a bridge of friendship at this moment. Marcelo was clearly excited, chatting away in less-than-fluent Spanish with Chen Zhong, until Francisco walked into the locker room.

”Alright, alright, look over here, guys.”

Francisco wore a tracksuit, sported a small belly, and held a folder, waiting until the players quieted down before speaking: ”The day after tomorrow, we’re heading to Austria for a 16-day training camp. The list has been published, this afternoon we’ll do rondos training, and some recovery exercises.”

”Oh, Chen, I see you and Marcelo have gotten acquainted, you’ll be grouped with Marcelo this time!”

”Do well!” Francisco showed a hint of a smile at Chen Zhong, making the players in the locker room, especially the new signings, pay more attention to the newcomer Chen Zhong.

After changing into their training clothes and equipment, Real Madrid’s players arrived in groups on the training field, with Chen Zhong and Marcelo mingling with Robinho, Baptista, and Pepe.

Chen Zhong initially wanted to join Raul and Casillas, but they had already called familiar players to leave the locker room, not even giving Chen Zhong a glance, leaving him uncertain whether to follow, as they were mostly surrounded by Spanish natives, like Sergio Ramos Garcia.

Just then, Marcelo grabbed his arm and walked together, so he joined them.

”This is Baptista, he just returned from loan at Arsenal.”

Chen Zhong looked at Baptista, a player he had heard of, and when he first joined Real Madrid’s youth academy, some coaches even thought he was modeled after this 185cm center forward.

This Brazilian player, nicknamed ”Beast” and ”Tank,” no longer had the wild and defiant look he used to; his edges had been dulled by his time at Real Madrid.

The Beast who was once the second top scorer in La Liga and helped Sevilla secure a win and a draw, denying Real Madrid the championship hopes, joined Real Madrid in 2005, turning from a protagonist into a supporting player for Zidane and Guti, and finally became a side note in Reyes’ transfer, loaned out to Arsenal in 2006, illustrating life’s unpredictability.

Baptista looked at Chen Zhong with an unsightly smile, his eyes showing some worry, seemingly concerned about his future, having once been a bright frontline star, yet now just a regular Real Madrid player.

”This is Pepe.”

After introducing Baptista, Marcelo pointed to Pepe, who looked rather fierce at first glance, and he seemed aware of his intimidating appearance, revealing his white teeth to show friendliness.

Unfortunately, it backfired.

Pepe’s friendly smile looked even fiercer.

Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira, nickname: ”Pepe,” with dual nationality of Brazil/Portugal, helped Porto reclaim the Portuguese Liga and Portuguese Super Cup in 2006 and chose to play for Portugal National Team after waiting in vain for a summons from the Brazilian team.

Seeing Pepe’s fierce smile, Marcelo nudged his compatriot with his elbow, saying, ”Tone it down, I can’t handle your smile.”

Chen Zhong heard Marcelo’s words and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, ”No worries, it’s actually quite amusing.”

Pepe heard Chen Zhong’s words and also pushed Marcelo’s hand away, his eyes showing a hint of pride as if saying, ”See, he said I’m funny!”

Marcelo looked at Pepe, then at Chen Zhong, his expressive eyes full of incredulity, seemingly saying, ”Are you guys nuts?”

Lastly, Marcelo wanted to introduce Robinho, but Robinho walked off to join Cannavaro and Van Nistelrooy.

The scene was a bit awkward, but Marcelo quickly eased things with a joke, and several players formed a circle to start the monkey-in-the-middle training, a frequent exercise for Chen Zhong at Castilla.

But...

This time was particularly different.

Someone seemed to have set their sights on him.

Whenever he received the ball, it was intentionally intercepted, and when he was the defender, others didn’t try to rob, just made symbolic gestures, focusing on intercepting Chen Zhong.

It went on repeatedly, again and again.

Withdraw leg, nutmeg, raise hand, bow head.

Marcelo laughed heartily, even laughing so hard he fell to the ground.

He saw Chen Zhong get nutmegged, and Chen Zhong’s relieved expression after withdrawing his leg made Marcelo unable to hold back his laughter.

”What’s up, buddy? Afraid someone’s going to con you for money?”

”Castilla’s genius?”

His dark skin glistened in the sun, the little braids making him look distinctive, standing with crossed arms and feet on the ball, speaking confidently though small in stature.

He was...

Royston Rich Drenthe

Drenthe, who became famous at the 2007 European Youth Championship, winning the Best Player award.

Drenthe, who transferred from Feyenoord to Real Madrid this season for 14 million Euros, with a post-tax annual salary of 2.2 million Euros.

Marcelo got up from the ground and stopped laughing, Pepe turned his gaze toward Drenthe, Baptista moved his shoulders a bit, eyes glinting with menace.

Chen Zhong finally realized Drenthe’s ill intent, squinting his eyes and looking at the energetic little guy, saying, ”Have you been crushed by me before?”