It hadn't been easy for the team to make it this far.
This season was also the final one at Real Madrid for Zidane, Beckham, and even Carlos.
Once they left, Real Madrid wouldn't just be facing a lack of star power.
There would also be problems with overall ability.
And with chemistry between players.
None of that could be fixed in just one or two seasons.
Next season, Real Madrid might very well end up with nothing at all.
If Su Hang didn't work himself to the bone this season and stockpile more "armor"—that is, trophies—how would he continue to keep control at Real Madrid later on?
So this season, whether he liked it or not, he had to go all out.
Zidane: "Uh… didn't you keep saying you were pushing yourself this hard for me this season?"
Su Hang: "That's what I tell every fan."
Zidane: "Scumbag."
Conservative treatment, returning in twenty days, and continuing to lead Real Madrid into battle alongside Zidane—that was Su Hang's choice.
After all, with conservative treatment, his injury resistance attribute would temporarily surge to 9 points, which in theory meant he basically wouldn't get injured.
As for next season, the best-case scenario was Modrić completing his special training before the new campaign began. If he couldn't make it in time, Su Hang would simply take medical leave and stay sidelined.
Either way, he wouldn't step onto the pitch until Modrić finished that training.
He would not take any risks.
He absolutely refused to gamble with his own career.
Don't accuse him of lacking professional ethics. Professional ethics should never outweigh a player's health—let alone their life.
Not long ago, the tragic death of Ghana international and former La Liga player Dewamena, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a match, left everyone shaken.
Even if it was his own decision, when he insisted on returning to the pitch, someone should have stepped in to stop him.
Unlike Dewamena, Su Hang's decision was made with full knowledge of how to obtain injury immunity and with strong confidence that he could completely resolve his own problem.
If not for the reward from the Star Path, he would have chosen Plan A without hesitation.
Two and a half years of recovery. Singing, dancing, playing football again—then dragging a half-crippled body back into battle.
At his peak, he could suppress both Messi and Ronaldo. But with injuries piling up, it would be hard for him to stand alone at the very top. At best, it would turn into a three-way struggle with Messi and Ronaldo.
That was precisely why insisting that Calderón sign Modrić this season could be said to be the single most correct decision Su Hang had made in recent years—without question.
In the hospital room, after Modrić left, Su Hang's father asked, "How do you know the mafia?"
Su Hang shrugged. "I don't."
Su Hang's father frowned. "Then what was that just now…?"
Su Hang replied calmly, "A lot of people's excellence comes from the pain of their childhood. I was just helping Modrić revisit his."
Zidane sighed. "Considering Croatia's past wartime situation, that really is a hell-level joke."
...
Corriere dello Sport: "Even if Su Hang does not play another match this season, he is still highly likely to retain the top scorer titles in both the Champions League and La Liga! His goal tally leaves everyone else far behind!"
The Times: "In truth, if Su Hang dares to take the risk, surgery is an option. Despite the possibility of paralysis, at least he would still be able to play football afterward!"
Manchester Evening News: "Surgery is Su Hang's only way to continue playing. Otherwise, he will be forced into retirement by injury!"
While other outlets were still speculating about Su Hang's decision,
The Sun had already added several more Page Three girls and obtained firsthand information.
The Sun: "Su Hang refuses surgery and chooses conservative treatment! World football will never witness the Su Hang era!"
Once again, they took the lead.
Other media outlets quickly followed.
Mundo Deportivo: "Zidane, whose claim to the title of 'King of Football' has always been controversial, is set to retire. Now the future king, Su Hang, bids farewell to the pitch due to injury. The next era belongs to Ronaldinho and Messi!"
Sport: "The first four months of 2007 belonged to Real Madrid and Su Hang. The following eight months will belong to Barcelona and Ronaldinho!"
Marca: "Over 80% of Real Madrid fans cannot accept a team without Su Hang! Half of them are urging Calderón to quickly find his successor!"
AS: "The Real Madrid No. 9 shirt has become a terrifying curse! The club urgently needs to find the next leader who can carry the team forward!"
Sky Sports: "Ferguson's smartest transfer decision of the new century wasn't signing Ronaldo—it was not signing Su Hang!"
Kicker: "Sources say Calderón is considering delaying Su Hang's retirement announcement in order to contact sponsors and organize a grand retirement ceremony!"
Each piece of news was a heavy blow to Su Hang's fans.
But Su Hang could personally confirm that Kicker's report was quite accurate.
Because that old fox Calderón really had flown over to discuss retirement with him.
"Su, I know this is incredibly hard to accept, but that's just how the world is," Calderón said.
He didn't look particularly sad. Su Hang even felt that there was a trace of a smile hidden in his eyes.
Perhaps he had been waiting for this day for a long time.
Su Hang was a player "cultivated and promoted" by Florentino, and had even been personally appointed by Florentino as Real Madrid's fourth captain.
When Calderón took office, players like Su Hang should have been the first ones purged.
Because if Su Hang played poorly, Calderón would take the blame.
If Su Hang played well, Calderón wouldn't get any credit.
He was a thorn.
Last summer, that thorn had nearly pierced Calderón's heart, forcing him to kneel and beg.
But the wheel of fortune turns.
Even though Su Hang's downfall would cost Real Madrid dearly, Calderón felt refreshed and clear-headed.
What did losses matter?
Real Madrid was massive—what loss couldn't it afford?
Once Su Hang was gone, Calderón could wave his checkbook and sign a batch of powerful stars. Fans would forget Su Hang in no time.
And championships and trophies would naturally follow.
So on this trip, Calderón couldn't even force himself to put on a sorrowful expression.
After all, this wasn't a graduation ceremony.
"So what do you think I should do?" Su Hang asked, as if genuinely seeking Calderón's advice.
Calderón replied, "First of all, we absolutely can't wait until June, when all competitions are over."
"By then, Zidane will be retiring. I've already invested a great deal of resources into planning his retirement ceremony. It will be the grandest farewell of this century."
"My tenure at the Bernabéu must have a King of Football! That's something no previous Real Madrid president has ever achieved!"
Calderón continued smugly, "Many resources can't be mobilized repeatedly in a short period of time. And even the most exciting events, if scheduled too close together, will cause aesthetic fatigue."
"So your retirement ceremony must be staggered from Zidane's."
"And your coma has captured the world's attention. If we drag things out too long, we'll lose this wave of momentum."