I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 234: Chapter 90: C. Ronaldo (2)

Cannavaro swept away the slump from the previous two games with Real Madrid and the Italy National Team; under his command, Real Madrid’s defense was almost flawless.

Ramos celebrated his 22nd birthday with a victory.

Marcelo seemed to have honey on his lips, praising the head coach: ”Schuster taught me how to defend.”

Raul scored his 290th goal for Real Madrid when it was most needed, surpassing Sandyana and coming close to Di Stefano’s record of 307 goals.

Notably, his goal, from positioning and ball protection to the completion of the shot, could be written into textbooks.

The only one who might face criticism is the substitute Higuain, whose technical flaws won’t be mentioned, but he wasted at least two chances in this match.

If he had seized those two opportunities, the score would have changed to 5:1.

Lastly, Real Madrid’s midfield was a pleasant surprise; in the absence of Chen Zhong, they managed to suppress Sevilla in the second half.

In this match, Gago and Guti performed excellently. Gago, unfazed by Keita and Baulsen, disrupted the opponents’ organization, while Guti provided Raul with a dream-like pass.

Sneijder was the key figure in Real Madrid’s ability to create goals; Schuster used him differently than in previous matches, placing him behind Raul and Higuain in the center rather than on the flanks, to open up space for Guti.

Guti’s breakthroughs in the previous match left a deep impression on Schuster, so in this match, he attempted to strengthen his utilization of Guti, and Guti repaid Schuster with his performance.

This created a happy dilemma for Schuster: whether to use his newly discovered strategy against Manchester United in the upcoming match, or to continue employing Chen Zhong as the midfielder?

This is a question.

...

England, Manchester

After training, Ferguson had a conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo in the office, looking at the genius player he had discovered and nurtured like a son, feeling a bit emotional.

In the 2006-07 season, the Portuguese represented Manchester United with 34 appearances and 17 goals in the Premier League, 11 appearances and 3 goals in the Champions League, 7 appearances and 3 goals in the FA Cup, and 1 appearance in the English Football League Cup.

Manchester United won the Premier League that season.

He personally won the PFA Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, and was selected for the UEFA Team of the Year (right midfielder) and FIFA World XI (midfielder).

If possible, he hoped C. Ronaldo could become a symbol, a leading figure, a leader for Manchester United.

However, with Calderon’s incessant approaches, Ferguson found himself growing more distant from this ”son.”

This season, C. Ronaldo’s performances have been outstanding, especially since 2008 began; it’s as if he was spurred by Kaka winning the Ballon d’Or, unleashing unprecedented energy.

On January 12, 2008, in the 22nd round of the 2007-08 Premier League season, Manchester United defeated Newcastle United Football Club 6:0 at home, with C. Ronaldo scoring three goals against the visitors in the 49th, 70th, and 88th minutes, completing his first hat-trick in his Manchester United career.

On January 30, in the 24th round of the Premier League, Manchester United won 2:0 against Portsmouth at home, where C. Ronaldo scored a goal in the 10th minute, and in the 13th minute, he struck a dipping free kick at nearly 79 km/h, stunning all the fans present.

Such outstanding performances made Ferguson’s feelings complex; while trying to soothe C. Ronaldo’s emotions, he also made public statements revealing his intention to keep C. Ronaldo at bay from other clubs.

But that little man Calderon resorted to a ”relentless pursuit,” and C. Ronaldo himself and his family were hopeful about joining Real Madrid.

C. Ronaldo’s mother even said, ”If my son doesn’t play for Real Madrid, I won’t die peacefully.”

Were it not for Ferguson’s care for C. Ronaldo and their close relationship, C. Ronaldo would have likely left Manchester United for Real Madrid this season.

Ferguson frequently chatted with C. Ronaldo in private, yet C. Ronaldo never gave him a firm promise, like vowing never to join Real Madrid.

However, lately, a turnaround seemed to be developing.

Chen Zhong’s rise in Real Madrid, his outstanding performances, and his recent exploits on the frontline.

Ferguson knows how intense C. Ronaldo’s competitive spirit is; he tried to dissuade C. Ronaldo from this angle, but it seemed to ignite C. Ronaldo’s fighting spirit even more.

Still, on the matter of joining Real Madrid, C. Ronaldo remained undecided.

Ferguson could only sigh as he ended the conversation.

”Damn Calderon.”

”How dare you call yourself the president of Real Madrid.”

It’s not that there aren’t other clubs interested in C. Ronaldo, but Calderon is the first to make Ferguson despise him so.

Manchester United had negotiated with Real Madrid before; during Beckham’s transfer to Real Madrid, they had pleasant dealings.

But this Calderon.

Only knows how to employ underhanded tactics, making Ferguson feel nauseous.

After leaving Ferguson’s office, C. Ronaldo didn’t go home but went to the gym for extra training, with his eyes ablaze.

C. Ronaldo grew up in challenging conditions, leaving the island, arriving in the big city for the first time, and was mocked for his ”countryside” accent.

Yet he never gave in to despair, nor did he concern himself with competing on those fronts; he just honed himself, speaking through his most adept language, football.

He left the island, Portugal, came to England, the birthplace of modern football, joined Manchester United, and became one of the world’s top players.

But it’s not enough, everything thus far is not enough.

He still wants to go to Real Madrid, he wants to win the Ballon d’Or, he wants to be the best player in the world, to make his father in heaven proud of him!

”Chen?”

C. Ronaldo muttered this name; he had heard it many times this season; it’s a genius player.

But he had encountered many geniuses in his life.

For example: Wayne Rooney.

The incident in 2006 had an impact on C. Ronaldo.

But it wasn’t a decisive factor; he personally had longed to join Real Madrid since childhood on the one hand, and on the other, it was because of the short guy standing next to him.

In 2007, the top three for the Ballon d’Or were Kaka, C. Ronaldo, and Messi.

Besides Kaka, Messi also made C. Ronaldo feel threatened.

”Defeat Real Madrid.”

”Then defeat Barcelona!”

”Finally reach the pinnacle of Europe, then...”

”Join Real Madrid!”

C. Ronaldo’s eyes were shining with a peculiar light; he was a decisive and stubborn person, and sports allowed him to empty his mind. He already had a solid plan for his life.

Since signing that famous ”guaranteed playing time” contract.

Since the once-equal genius Quaresma ”fell.”

He knew that sometimes, choices are more important than anything.

Three days flew by, and the entire Manchester United team arrived in Spain, in Madrid.

The upcoming match was the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, Real Madrid vs. Manchester United.

Both teams valued this match immensely.

For Real Madrid, reaching the quarter-finals after many years, the fans were eager to see the team advance further.

And Manchester United!

This was another opportunity for them to strive for the Champions League.