At the same time, agents representing Europe's top forwards were quietly reaching out to Real Madrid through every possible channel.
On Capello's side, a transfer shortlist was promptly submitted to the club's upper management.
It listed the hottest attacking talents in Europe.
The names included—but were not limited to—Henry, Shevchenko, Ibrahimović, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robben, Ribéry, Torres, Villa, Messi, Tevez, Pato, and others.
It was practically a message to Calderón: every single player on this list could replace Su Hang.
Calderón wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Capello and Su Hang's cooperation had always been a façade of harmony.
As head coach, Capello had to accommodate Su Hang's preferences in almost every aspect.
If Su Hang wanted to play as a winger, he played as a winger.
If Su Hang wanted to change formations, the formation changed.
If Su Hang wanted Beckham on the pitch, Beckham played.
If Su Hang felt Gago wasn't reliable, Gago sat on the bench.
If Su Hang refused to be subbed off, Higuaín never got time to adapt on the field.
If Su Hang wanted Modrić and Kompany signed, the club had to sign them.
Anything Su Hang didn't get involved in, Capello could decide himself.
But once Su Hang got involved, Su Hang made the call.
If you were Capello, would you be happy?
Who actually held the real power—wasn't that obvious enough?
That said, by the time Capello arrived, Su Hang was already an overwhelming presence. He didn't rashly clash with him, choosing instead to bide his time.
Until now.
With Su Hang retiring due to injury, Capello was finally free to show his true colors.
He even posted a cryptic line on his social media:
"The light boat has already passed ten thousand mountains."
...
April 8th, La Liga Round 29.
Because of Su Hang's situation, Real Madrid pulled together as one.
Before the match, Raúl stepped up in the locker room with the bearing of a veteran captain, urging everyone to dedicate the victory to Su Hang.
Zidane went even further, telling his teammates that Su Hang wasn't giving up on football. His choice of conservative treatment wasn't because he feared the thirty percent risk of paralysis after surgery.
It was because he wanted to return this very season—and continue leading the team to more glory.
The entire squad was shaken.
No one had imagined that Su Hang's so-called conservative treatment was actually such an aggressive choice.
Even if he really did manage to return in time and finish the season, under pressure from family, friends, and doctors, he would still likely choose to retire afterward.
Just for these last two or three months—was Su Hang really willing to gamble his life?
Was it worth it?
The whole Real Madrid squad fell into silence.
During the match, Beckham, Ramos, Guti, Cassano, Robinho, Kompany, and others all played with exceptional intensity.
In the end, Real Madrid defeated Osasuna 3–1.
After the match, the players' interview answers were strikingly consistent.
Beckham: "Su, we're waiting for you!"
Raúl: "Su Hang has given us so many victories. This time, it's our turn to give one back to him."
Guti: "Rest well. We're waiting for you."
Casillas: "I've always believed Su will return to the pitch."
Ramos: "Su Hang will recover. I believe that more than anyone."
Ironically, it was Capello who was questioned after the match about his "light boat" remark.
Capello explained, "That line was meant for Zidane. His comeback wasn't easy, and it allowed the team to regain a midfield core."
"Zidane is the brain of this team. Without him, our play was always chaotic."
"In a team, any player can be missing—but the midfield core cannot."
Between the lines, it sounded as if he were telling the fans that Su Hang was not irreplaceable.
For Su Hang's fans, that was hard to accept.
Because the Capello they once knew wasn't like this.
This was exactly what people meant by time revealing true character.
Only when you hit rock bottom do you find out who was merely pretending—and who was truly sincere.
Of course, Su Hang himself didn't feel particularly chilled by Capello's attitude.
After all, everyone focuses on different things.
Everyone defines their own role differently.
From Capello's perspective, he may have endured Su Hang for a long time, unwilling to keep "bowing and scraping" every day.
Put someone meant to be an emperor in the position of a prime minister, and of course he'll feel stifled.
But put a low-ranking nobody in that same position, and he'll worship you like a god—remembering your kindness forever.
Simon: Ahem. That would be me.
But paper can't cover fire forever.
Especially when Premier League media possess terrifying investigative reach.
And Chelsea's owner Abramovich had both money and muscle, with connections everywhere.
In order to turn the tide for his club, he paid a hefty price to obtain the forward transfer list Capello had submitted to Calderón.
Europe instantly erupted.
Sky Sports: "Su Hang's Successor List Exposed! Who Do You Favor?"
BBC: "Real Madrid Still Refuse to Disclose Su Hang's Injury! But Capello's Transfer List Says It All!"
Kicker: "Capello Shatters Real Madrid Fans' Last Illusions! Su Hang's Retirement Enters Countdown!"
Bild: "Sources Claim Su Hang Will Hold a Retirement Ceremony in Early May!"
Marca: "No One on This List Can Replace Su Hang! But Plan B Must Be Considered!"
AS: "Supporting Su Hang and Signing a Powerful Forward Are Not Mutually Exclusive! Even With Surgery, He'd Need One or Two Years—Real Madrid Must Buy This Summer!"
Sport: "Real Madrid Finally Admit Messi Is Not Inferior to Su Hang! Unfortunately, the Current Su Hang Is No Longer Qualified for Comparison!"
Mundo Deportivo: "Barcelona Restart Contract Talks With Messi, Meet His Salary Demands, Buyout Clause Raised From €200 Million to €1 Billion!"
Messi: "Catalan media, can you stop dragging me into this? I don't want to compete with Su Hang—there's no need!"
Sport: "Don't worry! Even if the whole world is against you, we'll support you."
Messi: "The problem is, I'm not against the whole world! As long as you stop riding Su Hang's popularity, my reputation is great!"
Mundo Deportivo: "No problem! We'll help you go to war with the whole world!"
The release of these reports threw Real Madrid's preparations for the Champions League quarterfinal first leg into chaos.
Some players felt that without Su Hang—their backbone—the team simply couldn't play anymore.
Modrić: "Bullshit! I was put back on strength training, my body's out of balance—that's why my performance dropped."
Some players felt that with Su Hang gone, their chance to break out on Real Madrid's frontline had finally arrived.
Higuaín. Robinho. And others.
Some believed that with the king of Real Madrid leaving, it was now their turn to claim the throne.
Van Nistelrooy. Cassano. And the rest.
Others were simply affected by the team's increasingly fractured atmosphere and lost all motivation to play.
Under such conditions, the same group of players—the same people—could display completely different levels of combat strength.
The most representative example would be Chelsea in the future, forced to change ownership due to the Russia–Ukraine war.
The players were still the same.
But a Champions League–winning squad ended up scoring fewer goals than a single Haaland.