I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 884: Chapter 3: Old Comrades and New Friends: Does No One Grow Old Together?

Time seems to have drawn a circle again. In his years playing for Real Madrid, Chen Zhong has seen many teammates leave.

Guti, Raul, Soldado, Morientes, Granero, Ramos, Casillas, Benzema, Higuain, Kaka... One familiar yet unfamiliar name after another flashes through Chen Zhong’s mind, and now he has to watch Modric leave too.

This interesting Croatian once left a deep impression on Chen Zhong. Initially, he was considered a flop, but later he gradually proved himself on the field. In those seasons when Chen Zhong and Messi competed fiercely for the Ballon d’Or, it was precisely because of Modric that Chen Zhong gained an advantage in the Ballon d’Or race.

Casemiro, Modric, and Kroos were known as the ”King’s Three Midfielders,” meaning they were the three most outstanding midfield players apart from the king of Bernabeu, Chen Zhong.

”How could he leave?” Chen Zhong was somewhat confused, especially since he had heard earlier that Real Madrid intended to renew Modric for another year, and Alonso was also keen to keep Modric for another year. Modric himself very much wanted to stay at Real Madrid.

The two had discussed the matter of renewal, and at that time, there was light in Modric’s eyes.

His no longer young and skinny face revealed a beautiful expectation for the future. He said, ”Chen, I can definitely stay here. I am willing to take a pay cut, and I’m willing to be a substitute.”

”I just want to play for Real Madrid for another year.”

Modric is different from Casemiro and Kroos.

The reasons for Casemiro’s departure are varied, but Chen Zhong knew it was simply because the offer from Manchester United was so high, because Casemiro had already achieved all kinds of honors, because there was a big contract there, and also because Cristiano Ronaldo was returning to Manchester United.

So Casemiro joined Manchester United.

Chen Zhong understood this transfer operation, but he didn’t have too many thoughts about it. On one hand, the team’s new forces like Valverde, Camavinga, and Tchouameni had already risen. On the other hand, Chen Zhong, who was already in his thirties, also understood.

If they didn’t sell Casemiro at that time, it’s unlikely they would have received such a high offer in another year or two.

Manchester United’s offer was £60 million plus add-ons, totaling around £70 million, which was an irresistible high price. Moreover, for Casemiro, receiving such a contract towards the end of his career was a good thing.

So Chen Zhong wouldn’t be sad for Casemiro’s departure, because it’s a win-win, or even a win-win-win situation.

Real Madrid received the transfer fee, Casemiro could go for a big contract, and it freed up a spot for younger players.

As for Kroos’s retirement, there’s even less to say.

When the news that Kroos decided to hang up his boots was announced, the entire football world was shocked.

But Chen Zhong actually knew about it before anyone else because Kroos had already discussed it with him. He told Chen Zhong that this season was perfect, with the club winning the league title, Champions League title, achieving a double, and almost a triple crown.

He felt there was no better way to do it, and he wanted to retire at Bernabeu, to leave his most beautiful moments here.

This German midfield maestro was at the peak of his career, and his departure undoubtedly made people feel regretful.

For Kroos, this decision was not impulsive, but the result of thorough consideration.

In an exclusive interview with Marca, Kroos candidly said, ”Informing Ancelotti and Chen about my retirement decision was the hardest.” Being Kroos’s first coach at Real Madrid, Ancelotti had high expectations for him, and their relationship was as close as father and son.

When Kroos informed Ancelotti of his decision, the pain and reluctance in his heart were beyond words.

And being the guide for Kroos after he joined Real Madrid, Chen Zhong’s mutual growth and accomplishments with him also led to a very close relationship between the two.

When Kroos was mocked at Bayern Munich, with people saying, ”A player like him can only earn that much.”

Chen Zhong responded during the subsequent Champions League match against Bayern Munich, ”He’s now earning this much, and it’s well worth it.”

Their friendship was elevated, with only poor Robben being hurt.

Both had played at Real Madrid, and even a world-famous painting came into being, but after they parted ways, the Little Flying Hero always ended up at a disadvantage against Chen Zhong.

Leading Robben to privately complain sometimes, ”Although my relationship with Chen is so good, he always treats me mercilessly in matches, as if we have some deep hatred.”

After Kroos decided to retire, he passed on the number 8 jersey to Valverde, fully aware that he was doing something extraordinary.

At that time, Chen Zhong discussed with the club and organized a handover ceremony, partly to convey Kroos’s contribution to Real Madrid, and partly to explain the extraordinary significance of the number 8 jersey.

And after the ceremony ended, Kroos stood by Chen Zhong’s side and whispered, ”I trust him, so I’m passing the number 8 to him.”

Kroos’s words were filled with trust and expectation for Valverde.