But if Su Hang doesn't flop, his influence within Real Madrid will only grow deeper. What happens then—will he start challenging the hierarchy?
Calderón still dreams of changing the team's captain and central figure!
Yet if they only update his salary without extending his contract, what happens when Su Hang, entering his final year next season, decides to walk away?
Florentino never worried about players being bought out, but Calderón has to.
If Barcelona were to swoop in and sign Su Hang the year after next, Calderón would be forced to resign on the spot.
This isn't just about money—there's much more at stake.
That's why Calderón's team has been hesitant to act.
But soon, they would have no choice.
Because during training camp, Zidane publicly announced that he would retire after the World Cup.
Not just from the national team—he was retiring from professional football altogether!
That freed up a huge salary slot for Real Madrid since he still had one year left on a high-paying contract.
In the past, Real Madrid would've welcomed such news.
An aging veteran stepping down early not only opened up space but also saved money—a perfect scenario.
But this year was different.
Florentino Pérez had stepped down, and Calderón had just taken over, facing enormous pressure.
To win over the fans and consolidate his support, Calderón publicly promised an aggressive transfer campaign.
He named names—Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, AC Milan's Kaká, Juventus' Zlatan Ibrahimović, Chelsea's Arjen Robben, and Arsenal's Cesc Fàbregas—
all top-tier talents of the new generation!
He claimed that the Galácticos project wasn't wrong, but Real Madrid shouldn't just represent the present—it should also symbolize the future.
He wanted to bring in players who combined fame with ability, forming a "Madrid Model Squad."
If the Galácticos era had been a total failure, Calderón could've dismissed everyone without consequence.
But the problem was, this Galácticos team had just achieved unprecedented success.
Champions League winners!
A historic quadruple!
Calderón's sweet words weren't enough to win over the Madridistas.
He had to prove himself by signing new stars while also keeping the symbols of this golden era intact.
Only then could he truly stabilize his position.
Ronaldo's constant injuries made him unreliable as the team's new standard-bearer.
Not that he wasn't capable—but every injury break crushed morale.
Figo had already agreed terms with Inter Milan and was set to leave.
Beckham would stay, but his reputation for prioritizing business over football wouldn't help Calderón gain fan support.
Roberto Carlos? Too lightweight a figure to lead.
Roberto Carlos: …
For Calderón, Zidane was the perfect candidate.
Most importantly, Zidane's willingness to accept a substitute role last season showed Calderón a more mature, ideal version of the French legend.
Even his once fiery temper seemed to have cooled. Calderón was confident they could work together in harmony.
Then came the news—
Retirement?
Damn it!
Calderón nearly blew up Zidane's phone trying to reach him.
But during training camp, Zidane had no contact with the outside world.
...
"Kid, I've done everything you asked—but have you really decided? Are you sure you're staying at Real Madrid?" Zidane was calling Su Hang.
Calderón: ???
Calderón: Didn't you say no phones?
Zidane: No contact with the outside world—but Su Hang's not the outside.
On the other end, Su Hang replied, "The Galácticos have such a strong foundation—it'd be a shame to tear it apart. Besides, I'm still not good enough yet. Jumping to another team right now might make me crash and burn."
"Only when a team fully adapts to my playing style can I truly shine. I can't yet perform like a superstar anywhere I go. Those are two completely different levels."
Zidane chuckled. "You're the first player I've met who openly admits he's a system player."
Su Hang said calmly, "You know, when someone admits what they are, it usually means they believe they're not. I want to become a player who transcends systems—but to do that, I have to acknowledge my current limits first."
Zidane approved of his mindset. "I heard Calderón came up with a four-step plan for Real Madrid."
"Year one—offload as many sellable superstars as possible to free up wages and positions. Then bring in players in their prime and test the balance between new signings and remaining veterans under the coach's tactics."
"Use that year to evaluate everything—new players, old players, coaching staff, even fan reactions—to determine the ideal model."
"Year two—based on those results, rebuild around a younger core and complete the full transition."
"Year three—focus on chemistry and aim for solid results."
"Year four—sweep across Europe!"
Su Hang nodded repeatedly.
No wonder people always said European streets were spotless.
If every club's goal was to "sweep Europe," how could they not be clean?
Zidane continued, "So theoretically, Real Madrid won't bring in a new true core this year. Even if you stay, you won't be their first choice."
Su Hang said, "Calderón's logic isn't wrong, but he's ignoring one key point. Real Madrid can give a player everything—honor, wealth, fame, recognition, influence... but not time."
"According to his plan, Real Madrid won't achieve real success until the fourth year."
"And I guarantee that by then, he'll already be out of office."
Zidane asked, "So you plan to hang on at Real Madrid for the next three years? Wait for the next Florentino to come?"
Su Hang replied, "No. I told you—I want to become even better. When the time comes, I'll move on to the next stage."
Zidane: "Which team?"
Su Hang: "Not sure yet."
He still didn't know what kind of club Florentino would be able to buy for him in the future.
Zidane: "A top-tier powerhouse?"
Su Hang: "Of course."
Right now, Su Hang was staying at Real Madrid so that when he finally left, he'd have the strength to lead an underdog into Europe's elite.
He was preparing for the worst—
but dreaming of the best.
Soon, Calderón's assistant called Su Hang.
With Zidane and Figo—two icons of the Galácticos era—gone, Real Madrid had only one banner left to rally behind: Su Hang.
"Your new salary will be €4.5 million! No one your age earns more—not even in history!" Calderón's assistant said eagerly, piling on the praise.
But the only response was silence.
Su Hang had already hung up.
Respect goes both ways.
Calderón hadn't shown Su Hang the respect he deserved from the start,
so now that Su Hang held the upper hand, he had no reason to show any courtesy in return.
That was the "Levy Effect" people talked about.
If Calderón had made even a meaningless courtesy call after taking office, things wouldn't have come to this.
Soon after, Su Hang called his old friend Queiroz for a brief chat.
Not long after, Manchester United hit the headlines.
Manchester Evening News: "Red Devils Strike Back! A Firm Response!
Ever since Calderón took charge, rumors have swirled about Real Madrid pursuing Van Nistelrooy. Now, the Red Devils have officially countered—with a €32 million bid for Su Hang!"
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser