Chapter 130: Winning a Trophy as Soon as You Arrive—So This Is What It Feels Like to Be at a Big Club?
Modrić hadn't taken Li Ang's earlier jokes too seriously.
After all, when someone goes out of their way to welcome you, help you integrate into the team, and throw a few kind words your way, it usually just means they're being friendly.
But if you take every nice thing at face value? Well, then it might say more about how... simple your brain is.
Modrić didn't consider himself that naïve. He was nearly twenty-seven—he could tell when someone was joking, right?
At least, that's what he thought—until he saw Li Ang up close on the pitch.
The more he watched, the more doubt crept in.
Li Ang's performance wasn't anything out of the ordinary; it was consistent with his usual standards. But from Modrić's perspective, everything about Li Ang's style just fit his own like a glove.
He was the type who needed touches on the ball to orchestrate the game—Li Ang didn't.
He liked driving the ball forward under pressure—Li Ang's sharp short passes and protective shielding provided the perfect support nearby.
When Modrić wanted to accelerate play, it naturally came with higher risk and potential turnovers.
But guess what? Li Ang was always there to clean up with a timely interception or tackle.
One or two areas of overlap might've been a coincidence. But everything?
No, this was starting to feel like they were truly "made to play together."
What Modrić didn't know, though, was that every midfielder in Real Madrid felt the same way about Li Ang.
His nickname, "The Universal Connector," wasn't just for show. Any midfielder who'd played alongside him for a while had nothing but praise.
Just yesterday, Pastore, now at PSG, told reporters he missed playing next to Li Ang.
He even said it right in front of another attacking midfielder—no hesitation at all.
And don't even get started on Kaká. Ever since returning to Milan, he'd been singing Li Ang's praises nonstop.
Last season, Li Ang had given Kaká the confidence and stability to reinvent himself in a new role and bounce back.
The accolades from two former Madrid stars weren't a coincidence. Li Ang's defensive presence and supportive movement truly did make his teammates more comfortable on the pitch.
Take Matuidi, for example—starting today in midfield.
Even though he was deployed as a holding midfielder alongside Alonso, and Li Ang had shifted forward into a more advanced central role, Matuidi still felt the benefits of playing with him.
It was simple: Li Ang's defensive impact didn't diminish just because he played higher up the pitch.
When he advanced, his defensive style transformed from direct interception and support to full-field coverage and pressing.
And he was good at both.
His ability to read the game made his pressing so effective that Getafe's players found themselves suffocated in the opening stages of the match.
Before Madrid's attacking machine even kicked in, Getafe were already struggling just to get the ball through midfield.
They had come out in a 4-2-3-1 formation, hoping to snatch a goal on the counter and steal points at home. Ambitious, sure—but perhaps a little naïve.
Mourinho hadn't anticipated that approach. He had placed Li Ang higher up the pitch today mainly to test his ability to orchestrate from an advanced role.
Turned out, it was a blessing in disguise.
Getafe's counterattacks were completely nullified before they could even get going.
Li Ang's coverage and pressing shut down the passing lanes and space for their two holding midfielders.
Even when Getafe managed to push into Madrid's half, Belenguer and Lafita ran straight into Matuidi and Alonso's defensive wall.
Five Getafe midfielders couldn't break through three from Madrid.
After just ten minutes, the visitors had seized control and were dictating the tempo.
Today, Alonso wasn't worried about pressing. Li Ang had taken over as the engine of Madrid's offense.
The most obvious effect? Madrid's attack was sharper, faster, and far more frequent.
All Li Ang needed was a few steps forward, and he could immediately link up with the front three.
His passes—short or direct—further fueled Ronaldo and Di María's charges toward Getafe's backline.
And honestly? Li Ang was thriving in this new role.
His dribbling still needed work, sure. But his crisp, no-nonsense passing gave Madrid's attackers more time on the ball and freedom to improvise.
Against a team like Getafe, this was all they needed.
Why complicate things with fancy tactics when you have Ronaldo and Di María ready to tear things up?
Even Mourinho was surprised at how smart Li Ang played today.
Yes—smart.
He wasn't chasing highlights or flashy plays. He was linking the lines, keeping the tempo, and making his teammates look fantastic.
By the time the first half ended, Madrid were up 2–0 and hadn't conceded a single shot on target.
Benzema was off his game today, missing several golden chances—one from Ronaldo, another from Li Ang's perfect through ball.
Eventually, Ronaldo stopped feeding him and just scored a second goal himself.
Di María and Marcelo picked up assists. Li Ang got hugs and high-fives from everyone.
Truth be told, he wanted an assist, but Benzema wasted the perfect chance.
Still, when Li Ang saw Benzema walking off the pitch with a puzzled, dejected expression, he swallowed the tease and offered encouragement instead.
Maybe this was why Ronaldo always put aside his ego when playing with Benzema.
The other players noticed too. Marcelo and Di María both went out of their way to console him.
These days, Benzema and Marcelo were basically the squad's beloved little brothers.
Only Mourinho remained blunt as ever—calling out Benzema's mistakes directly during the break.
But even after the scolding, he still offered comfort and told him to reset mentally.
Last season, if Benzema had missed two or three chances in the first half, Mourinho would've yanked him at halftime for Higuaín.
Not anymore.
Benzema had proven his tactical value. Even when he didn't score, he kept the offense flowing.
More importantly, Ronaldo and Di María played better when partnered with him.
That's how Mourinho's favoritism worked—clear and purposeful.
And thankfully, Benzema responded in kind.
In the 64th minute, Di María received a pass from Li Ang, danced past the left-back, and lofted a perfect ball behind the defense.
Benzema charged in and, without hesitation, met it with a powerful header at the near post.
Getafe's keeper, Moyà, was caught off guard.
Goal—3–0.
Relief washed over Benzema's face. He beamed as he pointed at his teammates in gratitude.
And with that third goal, the match was as good as over.
Mourinho made immediate changes, subbing off Ronaldo, Di María, and Alonso.
It was all in preparation for the second leg of the Supercopa on August 29th.
Madrid's 3–0 victory capped off a clean and dominant start to their La Liga campaign.
No surprises. Two wins in two games. Both Madrid and Barça sat comfortably at the top.
But compared to Barça's narrow 2–1 win over Osasuna, Madrid looked far more composed and convincing.
No massive blowouts—but two clean sheets and smooth performances had the media purring.
Modrić got a first-hand taste of what it meant to be part of Real Madrid.
He hadn't even stepped on the pitch, yet media requests were flooding in.
Newspapers were filled with stories about him—mostly thanks to Li Ang's glowing review.
His agent was thrilled. The commercial offers were piling up, and his name recognition had exploded.
He'd been playing elite football at Spurs for years, but his reputation never matched his talent.
Of course he cared. Who wouldn't?
But now? He was finally getting the spotlight his skill deserved.
August 29th.
Modrić took part in his first ever El Clásico.
Not as a spectator. As a member of the squad.
Even though he remained on the bench, the experience sent chills down his spine.
Madrid were aggressive from the start. Mourinho's game plan? Blitz them with tempo.
Barça scored first after a counter, but six minutes later, Madrid equalized—Ronaldo hammering home with venom.
It was attack after attack. Both sides went all out.
Messi bagged a brace. But in the dying minutes, Ronaldo rose for a towering header to make it 3–3.
Madrid fans went wild. The Bernabéu roared with every wave of attack.
And at full time, as Modrić joined his new teammates to lift the Supercopa trophy, he stood frozen, lost in thought.
All those years at Spurs—no titles.
And now? One week at Real Madrid, and he already had silverware in hand.
So this... this is what it feels like to be at a big club?
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