Every reporter at the scene grabbed their heads, scalp tingling.
This...
Real Madrid...
Su Hang...
Zidane...
These guys really know how to stir things up!
King Zidane is coming back!!!
After a full minute of stunned silence, reporters started raising their hands, questions firing one after another.
They had a thousand whys waiting to be answered.
Reporter: "Su Hang, is Zidane coming out of retirement? Will he be playing for Real Madrid again?"
Su Hang smiled and looked to his side.
"I think he can answer that question himself."
The next moment, Zidane stepped out in full brilliance.
The venue erupted like a tidal wave of noise.
Zidane sat down beside Su Hang and began answering the questions:
"Yes, it's sudden. And for me, it's still an unbelievable decision."
"I set my retirement plan over a year ago. Nothing was supposed to change that."
"Besides, last season—thanks to Su Hang, Figo, Beckham, Raúl, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Casillas, and the rest—we achieved the most glorious season of our careers."
"That was a perfect ending for me."
"The World Cup didn't end ideally, but I don't see it as a regret. Su Hang and the Spanish team fully deserved that trophy."
"But I never expected Su Hang to take it so hard. After the World Cup, he contacted me multiple times, hoping I'd play one more year with him."
"I know he meant well. In his eyes, I was just one trophy away from becoming the King of Football. And he absolutely had the ability to help me win one."
"So in the end, I decided to let my talent stay at the Bernabéu for one more year."
"One year later, I will retire no matter what—and take my talents somewhere else."
What Zidane meant was taking his talent beyond football—into family, charity, coaching, and other fields.
Watching from home, LeBron James memorized that line. He thought it sounded incredibly cool.
Reporter: "Su Hang, how did you persuade Zidane? After all, he's your biggest rival for the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year this year."
Su Hang: "Sincerity is the only ultimate move! If I'm willing to give my full support even to my greatest rival, imagine how I treat those who aren't competing with me. Cue the applause!"
The room broke into nonstop clapping.
Soon, the press conference swept across the globe.
Bild: "Stunning Return! Zidane Announces Comeback Just Half a Month After Retiring!"
AS: "One More Year! Zidane Extends with Real Madrid Because Su Hang Was Too Sincere!"
Marca: "Titanic Never Silent, Galácticos Never Falls! Treble-winning core remains—Real Madrid's La Liga odds now surpass Barcelona's!"
France Football: "The King Returns! The World's Third Football King Is Coming! One Year From Now, Let's Witness Zidane's Coronation!"
Sky Sports: "The strongest Ten and the strongest Nine? The Galácticos have found their engine again—will Su Hang evolve into football's star-destroying cannon?"
London Globe: "Adidas Stock Skyrockets! Yesterday Hit Limit-Up! Su Hang's ad for Adidas could become the most powerful commercial in brand history!"
Shock.
Shock.
And more shock.
Zidane's comeback sent massive ripples through the entire football world.
Yes, he retired from the national team in 2004 and returned in 2005, leading France back to the World Cup—and all the way to the final.
But that was the national team. He hadn't truly retired from club football.
When a player retires from club football, that's the real end of a career.
Almost no one comes back after that.
The last person whose comeback caused this level of global discussion was Michael Jordan.
French media simply aren't known for exaggeration. If this were South American outlets, they'd probably turn Zidane into a football god within a few years.
After all, Jordan did the same thing.
But Zidane's return wasn't entirely positive for everyone inside Real Madrid.
Especially Emerson.
He came to Madrid hoping to become the core of the midfield.
Now, with Zidane back, what was he supposed to do?
Their compatibility would become one of Capello's biggest headaches in the coming weeks.
...
With Zidane's return and the rest of the squad finishing their preseason training, Real Madrid were finally fully prepared for the new season.
On August 17, Real Madrid played their first official match of the year.
The first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
Of course, even though it counts as an official title, most coaches treat it as a high-value warm-up match.
Madrid, the Bernabéu Stadium.
Eighty thousand fans roared with passion.
But the commentators were even more excited.
"Hello everyone! I'm Derek Rae! A new season is about to begin, and finally—we have football again!"
"You're watching the Spanish Super Cup."
"Since Real Madrid won both the Copa del Rey and La Liga last season, today's opponent is last season's Copa del Rey runner-up, Espanyol!"
"Capello has gone with a 4-3-3 today—his preferred system."
"The forwards: Su Hang, Van Nistelrooy, Raúl."
"The midfield: Emerson, Diarra, Beckham."
"The backline: Roberto Carlos, Cannavaro, Ramos, Cicinho."
"Goalkeeper: Casillas."
"And Zidane, who just announced his comeback, is on the bench. He didn't participate in preseason training and needs more time to find his rhythm."
"Capello's forward trio probably isn't his ideal setup. Su Hang and Raúl aren't traditional wingers, but their strength, popularity, and standing in the club leave him no choice but to start them."
"Capello could've used Simon's 4-3-1-2 from last season, letting Su Hang and Van Nistelrooy play as twin strikers… but maybe he trusts his ability to build wide play."
"Or maybe he believes in Su Hang's ability on the wing."
"He did play with a winger's style multiple times during the World Cup!"
"Alright, the match has officially begun!"
On paper and in atmosphere, Real Madrid were unquestionably stronger.
So naturally, they controlled the game in the opening phase.
In the 5th minute, Emerson slipped a through ball forward.
But Raúl's pace was suppressed by the defender, and he couldn't reach it—goal kick for the opponents.
In the 12th minute, Su Hang timed his run perfectly, breaking the offside trap.
Emerson delivered another through ball.
Su Hang was clean through, took the ball, and fired a rocket straight into the top corner.
But he didn't smile.
Because the assistant referee had raised the flag almost the moment he struck it.