I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 383: Chapter 43: Coming of Age, Awards, and a Resounding Victory (Part 2)

However, this season, C. Ronaldo faced two months of injuries, and during his injury period, Real Madrid under the leadership of Chen Zhong delivered perfect results.

Of course, this also owed to Pellegrini’s ”awakening.”

But many people believe that Chen Zhong has the qualification to lead Real Madrid forward.

Adding to that, in the recently concluded national derby, Chen Zhong performed outstandingly and successfully won the Golden Boy Award.

On some level, Chen Zhong and Messi share the same honors; in terms of the number of Golden Boy Awards and Ballon d’Or, both only have one Golden Boy Award.

The award ceremony left Almeria’s away fans and players speechless, with some even voicing their disdain, thinking it was merely a Golden Boy Award and that the celebration was excessive.

But the envy in their eyes was undeniable.

It wasn’t that they thought the celebration was overdone, but rather because the hero of the celebration wasn’t themselves, hence excessive.

On the award stage, Florentino gave a speech, expressing his expectations for Chen Zhong’s future, then Chen Zhong stepped onto the stage, before countless fans, in front of the cameras, lifted the Golden Boy trophy.

The gleaming golden ball resembled the Ballon d’Or trophy, the only difference being the base and the text underneath.

For a moment, there was a multitude of fans who felt dazed, as if they saw Chen Zhong lifting the Ballon d’Or in the future.

Chen Zhong gave a brief acceptance speech on the stands.

First, he thanked the club, his nation, and his family.

Finally, at the end, looking at the fans in the stands, he said: ”I’m thrilled to be able to play for such a great club as Real Madrid.”

”I will repay everyone with victories.”

”Finally, let’s shout together!”

”Hala Madrid!”

The overwhelming roar filled the entire Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the away fans and players of Almeria only felt like a small boat in a raging storm, seemingly on the brink of capsizing.

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The match officially began, and without Negredo, Almeria had long lost its previous might, their offense unable to threaten Real Madrid at all.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid was united and determined to secure victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for their fans.

”Real Madrid’s offense.”

”Chen Zhong takes the ball in the midfield.”

”A series of passing exchanges.”

”Continuing to move forward.”

”Benzema receives the ball inside the penalty area.”

”Set the cannon for Chen Zhong!”

In this match, Real Madrid’s front line was paired between Benzema and Negredo. After receiving the ball, Benzema had no intention of lingering; since joining Real Madrid, he was very clear of his status, which is why he could replace Higuain as a starter this game.

Chen Zhong raced from the back, squeezed the nearby defender aside, and blasted the ball aggressively.

This was his familiar position; the ball boomed as it transformed into a white streak rushing towards Almeria’s goal.

1:0

Real Madrid only took 4 minutes to unlock Almeria’s defense.

”The ball’s in!”

”Beautiful!”

”Chen Zhong scores first for Real Madrid!”

”This season, he has scored multiple goals from this position with a splendid heavy cannon.”

”Perhaps in the future of football, the value of a strong defensive midfielder will significantly rise.”

”They must find a player capable of countering Chen Zhong in this position.”

Real Madrid fans in the stands were jubilant, while Almeria’s fans looked dejected; from the tactical arrangement, Almeria clearly had plans targeting Chen Zhong.

This was evident as they deployed a double defensive midfielder formation.

But when Benzema set the stage for Chen Zhong, they rushed forward immediately.

Nonetheless, neither defensive midfielder reached a height of 175CM, against Chen Zhong, a formidable figure, it was clearly like throwing eggs against stones.

After scoring, Chen Zhong ran to the corner flag and leaped high, amidst the chants of ”Chen” from the entire stadium, he showed the camera his jersey and name.

Negredo was initially excited too.

But halfway through the run, he noticed the resentful gazes from some Almeria players, and gradually slowed his pace.

After all, that first season after he left Real Madrid, he was playing for Almeria and was the team’s main striker!

This goal seemed to open Pandora’s box; throughout the first half, Real Madrid completely controlled the pace of the game, and before the referee blew the half-time whistle, they were already ahead by three goals.

And in the second half, within just 70 minutes, they scored two more goals, turning the score to 5:0.

C. Ronaldo was extremely excited in this match; twice he received passes from Chen Zhong in the penalty area, breaking through the opponent’s goal. The two even hugged by the corner flag, giving the media ample opportunity to capture numerous photos.

In the photos, C. Ronaldo was always sneakily looking at Chen Zhong. Although C. Ronaldo was the older one, from their behavior in the photos, C. Ronaldo seemed the ”weaker” party, with his eyes filled with admiration for Chen Zhong.

Behind them, Kaka watched C. Ronaldo helplessly, while Negredo stood expressionless, and further back, Benzema was almost invisible, watching the ”lovers’ quarrel” in front of him, unsure of what expression to make.

The score finally froze at 5:0.

It’s not that Real Madrid couldn’t score anymore; it’s just that Almeria was too pitiful.

After conceding 5 goals, they had almost completely lost their fighting spirit, and with Negredo’s mediation, ultimately, Almeria didn’t concede any more goals.

Even in the end, Almeria had a few opportunities.

Sadly, Casillas performed outstandingly, preventing them from successfully breaking through the goal.

Casillas: ”MMP, my clean sheet bonus is gone, are you gonna pay for it?”

At the post-match press conference, Pellegrini smiled as he answered reporters’ questions in front of the cameras, addressing the recent changes in Real Madrid, he said: ”Undoubtedly, Chen is the key player in this.”

”During Cristiano’s injury period, the team indeed faced significant challenges, after all, Cristiano is an indispensable player for the team.”

”But Chen filled the gap well, both in terms of creating opportunities and goals, we had complete compensation.”

Pellegrini’s previous tactics had the midfield and defense manage all aspects of scoring beforehand, while of the three front line players, one was the absolute core and explosive point, with the other two providing support and coordination.

But now, Chen Zhong has become the core of Real Madrid.

He is the player who receives and passes the ball the most in a match, playing a crucial role in defense, organization, and offense.

Not long ago, Pellegrini had concerns about Chen Zhong’s fitness, but recently, Chen Zhong’s physical condition suddenly improved, becoming more durable.

This delighted Pellegrini.

When asked by a reporter about Real Madrid’s expectations for this season, he unabashedly said: ”You know.”

”Chen’s performance has been outstanding.”

”My biggest wish now is to help Chen win the Ballon d’Or next season.”

Pellegrini, after repeatedly hitting barriers, has learned to be smart, knowing that talking about championships is too risky, he simply declared that his goal, amid fans’ emotions, is to help Chen Zhong win the Ballon d’Or.

Pellegrini’s statement improved his perceived stature among the fans, and when Chen Zhong, during the last round of Champions League group stage, was caught and questioned by reporters about Pellegrini’s stated expectations for Real Madrid this season, this is what Chen Zhong said.

”Compared to personal honors.”

”I hope the team gets more in terms of collective honors.”

”Last season, Barcelona unprecedentedly won Spain’s first Triple Crown.”

”I hope, in my career at Real Madrid, I can achieve more Triple Crowns for the team.”

”It might be one, or maybe two, three, who knows?”

”And the timing? Perhaps even this season.”