I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 526: Chapter 18: Wearing the Hat (Part 2)

Even if they can’t do it, as long as they carry the ball a couple of times, they can create space and pass the ball out.

Some fans in the stands even felt that this didn’t look like two teams of the same league level battling, but rather like an adult team disciplining a youth team’s young players.

Pellegrini’s pre-match arrangements were completely wasted.

He had originally set up Fernando and Midilliga to man-mark Chen Zhong, but due to Rondon’s self-imposed home ground play, it was already somewhat affected.

And later, Chen Zhong’s role as a ”free man” on the front line completely foiled his plans.

Chen Zhong appeared very active up front, coordinating well with Kaka, Negredo, and C. Ronaldo, with almost no errors.

More importantly, Chen Zhong has excellent awareness; wherever he wants to go, it’s hard for anyone to stop him when he’s dribbling, and even harder when he’s without the ball.

Real Madrid’s continuous ball control directly turned Malaga’s half into their home field, making people feel like they were watching Barcelona play.

Mourinho also raised an eyebrow at what he was seeing, but he quickly discarded the unrealistic thoughts he had in his mind. He had coached small teams before and tried offensive football, but reality told him that winning trophies was everything and defense was essential for that.

”Real Madrid has brought the ball into Malaga’s back half.”

”Negredo passes the ball to Chen Zhong.”

”Chen Zhong dribbles the ball.”

”Takes two steps forward.”

”C. Ronaldo and Kaka are advancing on the flanks.”

”Is it a pass?”

”No!”

”Adjusted slightly, opted to shoot directly!”

Malaga was already a bit disoriented, being led by the nose by Real Madrid’s forwards. When Chen Zhong took the ball outside the penalty box, Malaga’s players didn’t move up to press but first looked at C. Ronaldo and Kaka on the flanks.

Only Baptista realized the threat.

This Brazilian player initially wanted to be the protagonist on the field, but after the team’s midfield was completely out of control, he found himself isolated and in a state of ”nothing to do.”

He also thought about defending, but this ”rough” Brazilian, although he started as a Defensive Midfielder, his defending skills were frankly hard to put into words.

When Chen Zhong saw the ”open road” ahead, before Malaga’s players could react, while the Malaga fans in the stands were shouting loudly, and while Pellegrini on the sidelines almost wanted to rush onto the field, shouting at the players to pay attention.

Chen Zhong sidestepped, and a powerful shot was already unleashed.

”Boom!”

The ball rose from the ground, carrying grass clippings with it.

In this position, Chen Zhong had attempted this kind of powerful shot too many times.

This place had already become his comfort zone.

The ball shot towards Malaga’s goal like a cannonball.

Malaga’s players adopted various postures along the way, trying to block this shot.

There was even one player who, ignoring the previous case of a goalkeeper who broke his leg while trying a save, reached out his hand to try and block the ball.

However, in the face of Chen Zhong’s powerful shot, there was nothing they could do.

”He shot from outside the penalty box.”

”A forceful shot!”

”Can’t stop it!”

”Goal!!!!”

”0:3”

”Hat trick!”

”Chen Zhong!”

”This is his first hat trick in the league this season!”

”Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant.”

”How could Malaga allow Chen Zhong to shoot so easily from that position!”

At this moment, the boos at the Rose Garden Stadium were deafening. Chen Zhong had become the least liked person among the Malaga fans, while the Real Madrid supporters in the stands raised their hands, cheering excitedly, with some even shouting ”Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or!”

As a top contender for the Ballon d’Or, many fans firmly believed he would win the award this year.

Especially Real Madrid fans, even though this year was a World Cup year and Spain won the World Cup, Xavi and Iniesta’s performances weren’t convincing enough.

After all, Barcelona achieved nothing in last season’s league competitions.

Chen Zhong, on the other hand, had a league title, a King’s Cup title, was the European Golden Boot, La Liga Golden Boot, King’s Cup Golden Boot, and Champions League Golden Boot, putting up staggering numbers.

Many even said that Chen Zhong might break the convention that the Ballon d’Or winner in a World Cup year is always a World Cup champion team member.

Chen Zhong ran towards the corner flag and, after performing his signature move, waved his hands to acknowledge the fans.

Not far away, Cristiano Ronaldo had a somewhat complicated expression, a mixture of happiness and conflict. He was happy for Chen Zhong winning the Ballon d’Or but conflicted because Chen Zhong was becoming ”the brightest” one.

He believed he should be the best player in the world!

On the sidelines, Mourinho also wore a smile on his face. After seeing Chen Zhong score three goals against his former team, he looked at Francisco and said, ”If he continues performing like this, he has a high chance of winning the Ballon d’Or.”

”Of course!” Francisco, flexing his well-toned abs, replied to Mourinho: ”The club is doing everything to make this happen.”

Currently, FIFA’s president is Blatter, who is discontent with Real Madrid and Florentino but appreciates Barcelona and Messi.

He once publicly mocked Chen Zhong, suggesting that what he did on the pitch was like a clown’s antics, which Chen Zhong answered with goals and a salute as a celebration.

This also led to Real Madrid receiving some unfair treatment in certain matches.

For this Ballon d’Or selection, the club also worried that Blatter might meddle, though the concern wasn’t substantial since, if Blatter were to meddle, it would be to help Messi win the award.

But last season, Messi was overshadowed by Chen Zhong in every aspect.

With slightly inferior statistics, Chen Zhong was the Golden Boot whereas Messi was the Silver Boot, and in terms of honors, Messi’s World Cup performance was poor, and he didn’t help his team in the league, King’s Cup, or Champions League.

The restructured Ballon d’Or certainly wouldn’t engage in credibility-losing affairs at this time.

Real Madrid had completely controlled the game’s rhythm, with Malaga holding onto a 0:3 scoreline in the first half, seemingly not wanting to look too shabby at the Rose Garden Stadium.

But Mourinho clearly wasn’t satisfied.

In the second half, Real Madrid scored three more goals.

In the 53rd minute, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a cross from the left, finding Kaka at the far end. Kaka passed it back to Chen Zhong, who slotted it through.

Negredo, without stopping the ball, volleyed it, breaking through Malaga’s goal.

After scoring, Negredo and Chen Zhong embraced, their faces full of brilliant smiles.

After this goal, Real Madrid slightly slowed the pace, with Malaga eager to net a consolation goal, while Mourinho excelled in drawing them out for a beating.

In the 68th minute, the score was extended further. Kaka broke into the right side of the penalty area and passed horizontally, Chen Zhong cunningly let it go, and Cristiano Ronaldo slotted it into an empty net.

The score was rewritten to 0:5.

This goal prompted some Malaga fans to start leaving, seemingly not wanting to witness their team in such a poor state.

Real Madrid also began to gradually restrain their offensive plays, but Cristiano Ronaldo still showed great enthusiasm.

And his enthusiasm was rewarded!

In the final moments, the Portuguese carried the ball laterally and then fired a low shot, breaking through Malaga’s goal again, rewriting the score to 0:6.

The Portuguese player, having scored twice, wore an overwhelming smile.

Malaga finally awaited the final whistle.