I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 614: Chapter 62: Battle for Number One

Anyway, at the post-match press conference, just like how Guardiola supported Xavi and Iniesta, Mourinho passionately supported Chen Zhong. Of course, he did not forget about Sneijder, after all, Sneijder and he had a wonderful season at Inter Milan.

After the interviews with the two head coaches, Chen Zhong and Messi also appeared in the subsequent interview session.

As the two best performers in this national derby, they received widespread attention.

When talking about the match, Messi expressed regret, believing they should have secured this match at home.

In front of the camera, Messi rubbed his nose, looking rather shy. When reporters asked him about Chen Zhong, Messi’s eyes lit up instantly. He looked into the camera and said, ”He is a very charismatic player.”

Messi’s choice of words was very deliberate, highlighting only the word charisma regarding Chen Zhong. When he spoke, Messi’s eyes twinkled, almost as if he was envious?

Seemingly worried about being misunderstood by the reporters, Messi further explained, ”What I mean is, he always manages to inspire his teammates on the field. Of course, our captain does this too, but considering his age, all I can say is, it’s truly incredible.”

Messi now has a budding sense of being a ”big boss,” but compared to other captains’ overt assertiveness, Messi’s personality makes people doubt whether he can take over the captain’s armband.

So not to mention in the club, but in the national team, could he become a leader like Maradona?

After a few words with Messi, reporters turned to discuss this match and Chen Zhong’s restriction on Messi, asking whether Messi worried about facing such a player again in the future.

Upon hearing this, Messi broke into a laugh, quickly covering his mouth with his hand! Yet that smile was captured by the cameras.

”There are many excellent defenders in today’s football.”

”I’ve encountered quite a few, but Chen gives me a different feeling.”

”He’s very strong, yet unexpectedly has a certain flexibility that doesn’t match his strength. The key point is he has a very keen defensive instinct. Several times I tried to get around him, but he always anticipated my moves. Though, of course, I did have my successful moments as well.”

Though Messi started with a smile, his expression grew more serious as he continued, eventually speaking directly to the camera: ”This time we lost at Camp Nou, but next time at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, we will win it back.”

”Chen, looking forward to our next encounter.”

After Messi finished speaking, Barcelona’s captain Puyol also appeared in front of the camera, patting Messi like an elder fondly watching over his child.

In front of the camera, he analyzed the match of this national derby, stating: ”In such an important match, achieving this score, we cannot be happy. We know the fans are deeply hurt and uncomfortable.”

”After all, we lost the match on our home ground, but now more than ever, we need to show the pride that signifies Barcelona.”

”Through ups and downs, Barcelona always strides forward.”

”Barcelona has not lost the league nor anything else, it’s just 3 points.”

”But we have to admit...”

Puyol paused here, maybe he initially intended to mention Real Madrid, but what he ended up saying was: ”Chen played an excellent game, and he has to be congratulated, as he changed the course of the game.”

”But still, football goes on, we are only behind, not having lost the league, and we will meet again.”

Additionally, Puyol discussed the fouling and controversies in this match, hands on his hips, he said: ”All kinds of outside comments make me feel bad.”

”There were entanglements on the field, like some confrontations involving Valdes, C. Ronaldo, Pepe, and Puyol... but they were just confrontations.”

”We have established our style for many years, although today wasn’t our day.”

”But we need to regroup and can’t dwell in the shadows.”

After saying this, Puyol nodded in acknowledgment toward Chen Zhong, who was approaching from a distance, before leaving with Messi.

Chen Zhong stood in front of the camera, having heard the outcome of the recent interviews.

A reporter looked at Chen Zhong and asked, ”We noticed that during the match, you went into the goal to pick up the ball several times, even asking your teammates not to celebrate...”

Chen Zhong glanced at the reporter who asked, smiling: ”Regarding celebrations, I did not ask my teammates not to celebrate. It’s just that if you are on the losing side, you always want to turn the unfavorable situation around. If the two teams are evenly matched, then the thought is always to overpower the opponent.”

”Obviously, in this direct competition with the opponent for the championship, we are more eager for victory,”

”When we came to Camp Nou, when our bus had its windows smashed, when Barcelona fans sang and provoked us, we actually didn’t mind, because we came as victors, and the result proved it.”

”Real Madrid is in its best state, the locker room is more united than ever, and we move forward together, winning honors together. I did not ask them not to celebrate when scoring, it’s just that they want to save the celebration for the victory moments, like, say, right now?”