I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 305: Chapter 9: The Shot Caller (Part 2)

C. Ronaldo looked at Pirlo and Kaka standing by the ball, seemingly unable to believe his ears.

He quickly walked over, a satisfied smile on his face, and said, ”I’ll take the shot!”

”That’s right, it’s you.” Chen Zhong answered C. Ronaldo’s question again, saying, ”You had quite the quality free kicks during the warm-up game.”

”You also had quite a few spectacular performances at Manchester United.”

”Go on! Show everyone what you got.”

C. Ronaldo has a free kick ”special skill”; back in Manchester United days, he even hit the commentator’s face with a super long-distance free kick.

During the warm-up game, he also had several high-quality free kicks.

Though none of them went in, they were still impressive.

C. Ronaldo showed no sign of humility, standing confidently before the free kick.

He stepped back, measuring the ground and adjusting his state with each step.

”Huh?”

”Wasn’t it supposed to be Kaka and Pirlo taking the free kick?”

”After Chen Zhong communicated with them, it turned out to be C. Ronaldo.”

”Tsk, this is the big picture!”

”Real Madrid chose him as captain, that’s definitely the right choice.”

A qualified leader must have the capacity to embrace others; only forming small groups is of no benefit. They must integrate the team and cultivate team spirit.

And clearly, Chen Zhong wanted to help C. Ronaldo get into shape quickly.

Ever since the ”maximum salary gate,” many people have discussed how the relationship between the proud C. Ronaldo and Chen Zhong would develop, but from now, it seems Chen Zhong is displaying his magnanimity.

He never worried that C. Ronaldo’s form would affect his own status, only concerned whether C. Ronaldo’s performance would make the team better.

There is also another theory, which is that no matter how outstanding C. Ronaldo’s form is, he can still keep him in check.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on C. Ronaldo. After exhaling deeply, C. Ronaldo started jogging, then kicked forcefully.

”Bang!”

The ball quickly rose.

Then...

It did not come down.

The stands were filled with boos and laughter, C. Ronaldo gritted his teeth, his eyes showing a trace of fierceness.

Pirlo glanced at Chen Zhong, raised an eyebrow, and shrugged when Chen Zhong looked at him, seemingly saying, ”See, isn’t it wasted?”

The match continued, while C. Ronaldo seemed isolated on the field.

Whenever he got the ball, teammates wouldn’t actively run to support him, but rather ”cautiously retreated,” and quickly made counterattacks when C. Ronaldo lost the ball.

No kidding.

Real Madrid indeed created several good chances this way.

The cheers from the stands came wave after wave.

And Real Madrid once again seized La Coruna’s defensive error, performing another fluid attack that some new fans might confuse as passing control.

But in fact, it was genuine passing cut.

The continuous quick passes in the front field left Deportivo running around, and Chen Zhong’s forward insertion gave Real Madrid players a stable receiving point.

Whenever they couldn’t handle the ball, they would naturally pass it to Chen Zhong.

And thus the ball charged into Deportivo La Coruna’s penalty area.

”Continuous passing and collaboration.”

”Pirlo, Kaka, Negredo.”

”Chen Zhong!”

”Whoa!”

”That moment...”

Faced with Real Madrid’s training-like ”circle game” play against them, the Deportivo players couldn’t hold back in the face of the score deficit.

As Chen Zhong released the ball, Filipe Luís’s cleats scraped against Chen Zhong’s calf.

This Brazilian defender, heavily watched by Atletico Madrid, even ran toward Chen Zhong, who was clutching his calf on the ground after the whistle blew, instantly provoking other Real Madrid players.

”You’ve already won!”

”Is this necessary?” Filipe Luís angrily said, wanting to say more, but was knocked to the ground by Negredo in the next moment.

Pepe ran over from the backfield with his long strides.

He showed his bright teeth, and looking at Filipe Luís, smiled benignly, then asked Chen Zhong, ”Do you want me to take care of him?”

”I’ve been holding it in for too long.”

In this match, Real Madrid’s center-backs had a relatively laid-back time, as Deportivo rarely gave them chances to intervene.

Meanwhile, Pepe’s ”notorious reputation” had already spread in his three seasons at Real Madrid, even earning him the nickname ”Martial Monk” among Chinese fans.

”Keep holding it in!” Chen Zhong glared at Pepe, then took out his shin guard. The camera zoomed in on Chen Zhong’s calf, revealing the swelling in the front and more shredded socks on the side, along with skin abrasions and bleeding from the cleat scrape.

”That was a savage tackle, even worthy of a red card.”

”But the main referee only gave a yellow package.”

”It’s hard to understand his penalty standard.”

As the main referee whistled, he ran over and showed Felipe Luís a yellow card.

The entire Real Madrid stadium surged with boos and curses.

Some more aggressive fans even tried to climb onto the pitch.

Do you freaking know where you are?

This is the Bernabeu.

Do you freaking want to walk out alive?

Listening to the rising sound decibel, and seeing the boiling stadium along with tough-looking men trying to climb onto the stands, Filipe Luís suddenly became much more alert.

Negredo approached with the ball, being Chen Zhong’s designated first penalty kicker without needing the coach’s appointment.

Looking at Chen Zhong, he asked, ”Why don’t you take this penalty?”

”Scram.” Chen Zhong rolled his eyes at Negredo: ”You think there are too many penalties?”

”It’s just that you’ve worked so hard, and I’m not that obsessed with penalties.” Negredo bantered, playfully nudging Chen Zhong’s shoulder with his: ”If you want, I’d be willing to give you every penalty in the future.”

Negredo might not have been this touching and gentle even when speaking romantic words to his partner, his words gave Chen Zhong goosebumps all over.

He turned around awkwardly, instantly noticing Cristiano Ronaldo far away, looking at the two of them ”bantering” with a grieved expression.

”Hey.” Chen Zhong shouted at Negredo, who was about to leave, then turned to look at C. Ronaldo and said, ”If you can, give it to that guy!”

”Give it to him?”

”He’s not one of us.” Negredo’s words made Chen Zhong frown.

”In the locker room, it’s only my voice.”

”We’re all freaking family.”

”Give it to him! You don’t care, but his eyes are practically on fire.”

”Alright.” Negredo pursed his lips, walked towards C. Ronaldo with the ball, then handed it to him, saying, ”It’s yours.”

”Me?!” Excitement flashed in C. Ronaldo’s eyes. He looked at Chen Zhong, smiling like a 200-pound kid.

Those pair of watery eyes seemed to say...

Is it really for me?

Is it really really for me?

It felt like a child who got a candy.

”Huh?”

”Seems the rumors of Real Madrid locker room discord are proving false.”

”Following a free kick, Chen Zhong gave C. Ronaldo a penalty chance.”

”Look at the smile on C. Ronaldo’s face...”

”It’s...”

”Quite that something.”

C. Ronaldo walked towards the penalty spot, while there was some noise in the stands.

After hearing that noise, Chen Zhong put his finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture.

In an instant, that noise reduced by half.

Then Chen Zhong raised his hands to make a clapping gesture.

The applause suddenly overwhelmed the boos.

”Damn!”

”They’re cheating!”

”Just because they’re home, they’re amazing?”

”At home, can you broadcast applause?”

Chen Zhong: Hey! You’re right, home is indeed amazing, and I can do whatever I want.