Kicker: "Real Madrid's two most recent transfers are rather unusual. Neither Belgian giants Anderlecht nor Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb have traditionally been key scouting regions for Real Madrid."
"Considering Su Hang publicly backed Modrić during the World Cup, we have reason to believe he may have played an unseen role in both transfers."
After these two deals were completed, Calderón finally accepted an interview and responded to the fans' outrage.
Calderón: "Yes, I've never denied what I said before. Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Robben—these are all exceptional players."
"But forgive me: after watching Su Hang's performance at the World Cup, all I want is to build a team around him, tailor-made to maximize his abilities."
"Against Portugal, Su Hang's performance on the wing was in no way inferior to Cristiano Ronaldo."
"His driving runs through the middle were every bit as good as Kaká's."
"And in the final, that outside-line overtake he pulled off—he might be even faster than Robben."
"So it isn't that I refuse to fulfill my promises. It's simply that the strongest man is already in our squad!"
Calderón's words did win over some Real Madrid fans.
True enough—Real Madrid's lineup might look slightly weaker than last season's on paper, but Su Hang was no longer the boy he once was.
People now called him Su Emperor!
When the bright moon hangs high, who pays attention to the fading of two dim stars?
Figo: ???
Zidane: ???
Still, some media predicted that Calderón would be embarrassed soon.
Su Hang was a captain of the Florentino era—his rise was inseparable from the former president's support.
And the long-delayed contract negotiations suggested that Su Hang's renewal had not been smooth.
So Su Hang might not be willing to help Calderón placate the fans.
After all, as the team's leader, Su Hang would naturally want more strong reinforcements so they could compete for better results together.
He might even seize the opportunity to pressure Calderón into continuing recruitment.
But those media were disappointed.
Because shortly afterward, Su Hang endorsed Calderón's explanation through the London Global Times.
Su Hang: "There are far too many excellent players in the football world; no team can gather them all. As for Real Madrid's current squad, it's actually already very good."
"Up front, we have Raúl, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy, Cassano, Robinho, Reyes, and Negredo."
"In midfield, we have Beckham, Guti, Emerson, Diarra, plus the youngsters Modrić, Juan Mata, and Borja Valero."
"In defense, we have Carlos, Ramos, Helguera, Salgado, Cannavaro, Cicinho, Pavón, Bravo, and Kompany."
"In goal, we have Casillas, López, and Cañizares."
"And Coach Capello is a top-class manager."
"I'm very optimistic about the new season. I can't wait for it to begin."
Su Hang's message reassured Real Madrid fans.
Compared with the Galácticos of old, the current squad did feel a little underwhelming.
But it wasn't a total collapse—just a dimming of star power.
...
"So, Calderón bought Modrić and Kompany because you wanted them, and in return you helped him calm down the fans."
On the other end of the line, Zidane's voice came through: "You got the short end of the deal. These two players won't help the team nearly as much as a single Kaká would."
"Right now Real Madrid is missing a true world-class attacking midfielder. Beckham is a complementary piece, Guti is inconsistent, Diarra is purely defensive, and Emerson wants to move up the field and reinvent himself as a frontline playmaker—but honestly, I don't see it."
"You're not seriously expecting Modrić to become the midfield core, are you?"
Su Hang: "I never expect them. You know exactly who I expect."
Zidane fell silent for a moment, then said, "Su, I've already retired."
"And to be honest, I think the best player in the world over the past year has been you. Truly—you."
"I hope you win the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year at the end of the year."
"But believe me: if I return from retirement, it'll be hard for both awards to end up in your hands."
"I know how the FIFA World Player award works—it has a certain lag, and it favors bigger names, long-established stars."
"Just like Figo—his best year was 2000, but he won the award in 2001."
"I don't want to take your spotlight."
Su Hang: "It's fine. We're friends. If I give you one, I give you one. I'll be stealing plenty of honors from others anyway."
Zidane: ???
Su Hang: "But seriously—even if I give you a World Player award, under normal circumstances you still wouldn't become a king of football."
Zidane: "Your standards are that high?"
Su Hang: "They weren't at first. But then two absolute monsters raised the bar. You and Ronaldo were the near-kings of the previous era, so of course you'd take the hit."
It's actually easy to understand.
Imagine the Oscars only require a second-tier actor to win.
You were a top third-tier actor when you retired. Over time, your reputation matures naturally until you become considered second-tier—then you could win.
But during your maturing period, two first-tier actors show up and win Oscars.
Suddenly the standard becomes first-tier.
You maturing to second-tier no longer earns you the award.
Su Hang: "And honestly, whether you win or not doesn't matter. In your era, having one is enough—no one counts the total."
"The only thing between you and the title of king of football is a South American passport."
"Without it, a French player simply cannot gain universal recognition across all European nations—unless you do something absolutely earth-shattering that leaves the entire football world stunned."
"And then push the 'king' narrative, plant the idea in everyone's mind."
"As for pushing that narrative—I can handle it. As for doing something earth-shattering—well, isn't the opportunity right in front of you?"
Zidane: "Wouldn't that… not be very appropriate?"
Su Hang: "Why not? I did the thing—you were moved by me—helping me for one year is perfectly reasonable. That's what brotherhood is!"
Zidane: "Weren't we from different generations? When did we become brothers?"
Su Hang: "If this works, you'll have to call me dad!"
Zidane: "Get lost! And let me think about it—it still feels a bit improper."
Su Hang: "Don't pretend you can't see it. Are you really going to stand by and watch Calderón take me down? At your level of palace-intrigue awareness, you must have noticed that his 'this team is tailor-made for Su Hang' speech was deliberately setting me up."
"If next season I end up with zero trophies, he can sell me and the fans won't be able to say a thing. And plenty of clubs would still pay a high price for me."
"He clears out the last of the former regime, then uses that money to splash out on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Robben—are you seriously going to watch your prized student get treated like this?"
Zidane: "Oh, so now I'm your teacher again?"