Volume 1: Heroes Come and Go, People Pay Attention. Chapter 163: The Era of Fluttering White Clothes... Has Gone with the Wind (Second Update, Monthly Ticket!)

Chapter 163: The era of fluttering white clothes... has gone with the wind (Second update, monthly ticket!)

Go to Napoli or Schalke 04, or stay at Real Madrid?

These questions have been lingering in Raul's mind in recent days. In the end, he still preferred to stay.

After all, he is the banner of Real Madrid and a living legend. He has played for Real Madrid for fifteen seasons and has surpassed Stefano to become the player with the most appearances in the history of the club. Deep down in his heart, he really has very deep feelings for the Real Madrid team.

He doesn't want to leave. If he could, he hoped that he could play here until he retires, in the name of a loyal minister.

But the situation is stronger than people. The reality is that he has a great chance of leaving now, so he must be prepared for his departure. If you want to leave, which one should you go to?

Schalke 04 or Napoli?

The conditions of these two teams are actually similar, both have human factors, and both qualify for the Champions League. However, Naples is in the qualifying round, while Schalke 04 directly advances to the main draw.

He thought about it and realized that he had already been in contact with Schalke 04. Now that there is one more choice, you still have to listen to what others think.

So he asked Cassano for Mazzarri's phone number.

However, he did not fight directly, but waited for Mazzarri to fight. Because he knew that by asking Cassano for Mazzarri's contact number, he had already shown his attitude and was willing to talk about the matter. Then Cassano will definitely inform Mazzarri of this matter.

If Mazzarri is really sincere enough, he should take the initiative to call himself instead of asking me to call him myself, making it seem like Raul is no longer wanted and I have to take the initiative to ask him.

Although the situation at Real Madrid is not good, Raul is Raul after all. He has been in the world for fifteen years. Although he has not won the European Ballon d'Or or World Footballer, who dares to ignore his existence?

Sure enough, he soon received a call from Mazzarri.

When the Naples head coach called him, there was some obvious joy in his tone.

※ ※ ※

Raul figured out one thing after Cassano finished the phone call with him. That's why Napoli are suddenly interested in themselves.

Because their player Chen Yingxiong was suspended for eight games by UEFA, including the two qualifying matches, he will basically miss all the Champions League group matches. Chen Yingxiong was the biggest contributor to Naples last season. His ten goals helped the team reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League, but was eventually eliminated by Barcelona due to some very unexpected factors.

Raul certainly knows what those factors are.

This is a very promising forward. He was able to score ten goals in his first Champions League at such a young age and was elected as the top scorer in the Champions League.

Raul has also played against Chen Yingxiong and knows something about him. The two teams met in the quarter-finals last season. Before the game, Real Madrid's players felt that they had received a good draw, and there were differences in the locker room's attitude towards Naples at that time. This difference was settled by him using his authority as the boss.

In the end, it turned out that Xavi (Alonso)'s worries were justified. They were eliminated by Napoli, losing at home in the first leg.

Chen Yingxiong's performance during and after the game was eye-catching. Although he was disrespectful to Real Madrid after the game and angered many people. But who is Raul? Naturally, he won't get angry because of this kind of thing. He actually finds this boy's fearless character very interesting.

Later, I saw that they forced Barcelona into a panic at Camp Nou, and the winner's face was even more bitter than the loser's face. Just make him smile.

He watched the live broadcast of that game. Chen Yingxiong used his height and header advantages to overpower Piqué and turned Barcelona's defense upside down.

It seemed that his heart was surging - how long had it been since he had seen such an unreasonable center routine in today's football world? Did Drogba count as one? But in today's football world, they have become an outlier. Although he is not that type of center, it doesn't mean that he doesn't like that type of center.

Especially the header, which reminds him of his good friend Morientes.

Now Chen Yingxiong has been suspended for eight games by UEFA for beating Butzquez in the second round and causing chaos on the field. Naples' forward attack power suddenly dropped sharply. If Naples wants to qualify from the Champions League group stage, of course it must replenish its combat power.

However, I have rich experience in the Champions League, outstanding abilities, and am too old to compete with the 22-year-old Chen Yingxiong for the main spot. At that time, Chen Yingxiong will focus on the domestic league and concentrate on the Champions League...

Raul had a pretty good guess at Naples' intentions.

But Mazzarri's first words surprised him: "We are definitely not interested in you because we want you to be a substitute for Chen Yingxiong, Raul. I say seriously, Naples intends to become a giant. Team. A team that always relies on only one lineup to play games will never become a giant, so you will also be an important member of Naples. We believe that with your experience, ability, and charisma, you will be a great team. Help us. On the road to becoming a giant, we need you, Raul."

These words were so sincere that Raul was stunned for a moment.

But Mazzarri's words immediately pierced his heart.

"Coming to Naples is definitely not to retire, but to rise again and prove to the world. You, Raul Gonzalez, are not old enough to be used as a scapegoat!"

Raul didn't even know what to say for a while.

Last season, whenever Real Madrid lost, all the media in Madrid, big and small, would criticize him the next day.

Raul plays? very good. The loss was because he came on the field, allowing Real Madrid to turn a great advantage into a defeat. The situation was advantageous before he came on the field, but once he came on the field... he could only run around, so far away from the goal. When he wanted to score, he couldn't get up, so he came back to defend? He's not a defender!

Raul didn't play? I heard there is another internal strife in the Real Madrid locker room? The clique situation in Real Madrid's locker room is serious... The local Spanish gang headed by Raul suppressed the Portuguese gang and the Argentine gang, and Raul publicly suppressed Ronaldo. It's not like he hasn't suppressed another Ronaldo before, and the conflict between him and the Brazilian is nothing new... Let's see, what's the fighting capacity of a team with internal strife? Losing to Barcelona 2:6 at home is really embarrassing!

There will be almost no change. During the second half of the league, this kind of drama will happen almost every time after Real Madrid loses.

What can he do? As the captain of Real Madrid, the flag of Real Madrid, the idol worshiped and loved by thousands of Real Madrid fans, and the image of Real Madrid, can he stand up and blast the media for their nonsense? Can he come out and apologize for himself?

He can't, just because he is the image of Real Madrid. What is the image of Real Madrid? Even if it was a misjudgment, you are not allowed to say anything about it. It is a royal demeanor. Even if it is a misjudgment, you are not allowed to trouble the referee. You are not allowed to talk about the referee after the game. (Author's note: Some friends may say this, but now Real Madrid always makes excuses. Well. In fact, that’s because after Mourinho came, Real Madrid became more aggressive. The previous Real Madrid followed this method and took the Royal airs very well. We are Real Madrid and we don’t disdain it. to argue with others about these).

As the so-called spokesperson of Real Madrid, can he complain about himself and quarrel with the media?

What can he do?

When he came on the field, he helped the team with even harder running and fierce tackles; in the last minute of the game, he ran all the way chasing the obviously wide football to the opponent's corner flag area, using difficult moves to Saving a ball; leading the players to applaud the fans in the center circle after losing to Barcelona. If a player didn't do it, he would get furious; breaking his teeth and swallowing them with blood...

He was feeling aggrieved, but who could he go to to complain?

Florentino had never dealt with him, and the idea of ​​​​operating on him was not a day or two. His best friend Morientes was sold during Florentino's first term as president. Now, Guti has also left Real Madrid and gone to Türkiye.

In this starry and dazzling galactic battleship, there is no one who can listen to his innermost thoughts...

Somehow, Mazzarri's words made Raul feel so much.

Holding the phone, he raised his head and took several deep breaths to stabilize his emotions.

"Is it really proof, not pension?" he asked Mazzarri.

When Mazzarri heard what Raul said, he was delighted - there is a way!

"Of course! We are willing to offer you a two-year contract. After one season, we can talk about contract renewal again!"

"Don't worry about renewing the contract, it's too far away. I will be thirty-five years old in two years, and I only want these two years." Raul made up his mind, but at the same time, there was something he didn't say. .

I only have these two years.

"Naples, I'll go."

※ ※ ※

Although he had decided to go to Naples, he still wanted to hear what the head coach had to say. If he doesn't understand some things clearly, he won't be willing to leave even if he leaves.

If...he means if, even if there is only a slight chance, even if it is just a fluke, he still wants to try to stay on this team.

So he planned to go to Mourinho for an interview. After all, he was still the nominal first captain of the team. The first captain always had to talk to the new head coach, no matter whether the head coach planned to do it or not. Use him. He is still a member of Real Madrid and is the captain of Real Madrid. Then he is qualified to take charge of the team's affairs.

Coincidentally, Mourinho also plans to find Raul.

After the two met, they chatted for a long time. At the beginning, they were all greetings, nothing more than "the Bernabeu flag, the legend of Real Madrid, I have admired it for a long time" and "the number one coach in football today, I also admired it for a long time" and the like.

In fact, Mourinho knew why Raul came to him, and he also came to Raul for the same reason.

Although it is difficult to say this, it must be said.

And you have to say it yourself.

Raul stopped talking nonsense to Mourinho and asked directly: "Mr. Mourinho, there have been a lot of rumors about me recently. To be honest, many of them are baffling to me. So I think I'd better come here." Let me ask you, am I, Raul Gonzalez, in your plans for the new season?"

This time Mourinho did not chat with him, but looked at Raul quietly, and the two people looked at each other like this.

After a while, Raul saw Mourinho opposite and shook his head: "I'm sorry, I'm not here..."

Raul smiled. He smiled a little. The smile was very bitter.

Mourinho continued to explain: "Today's Real Madrid must be faster and younger. I need a lot of fast players in the frontcourt. As you can see, we bought Di Maria before the World Cup. He is a Very fast wing players... In addition, we also have players with outstanding speed such as Ronaldo, Kaká, Higuain and Benzema. Therefore, Real Madrid's tactics in the new season will definitely focus on speed and require offensive players. Possessing speed and outstanding physical fitness and running ability..."

He was using football techniques and tactics to convince Raul, but there was another reason he didn't say.

Because the technical and tactical aspects can only prevent Raul from playing the main role, can he still play as a substitute? As long as he is in Real Madrid, he has his status, his voice, and his influence in this locker room. No matter how bad he is, no matter how he is bombarded by the media, no matter how provocative he is by other rising stars in the locker room, as long as he, Raul Gonzalez Blanco, is still in the Bernabeu locker room, no one will not be afraid of him. Consider him.

This is the status he earned in exchange for fifteen years of loyal service to Real Madrid, always maintaining a high level of competitiveness, and leading Real Madrid to win championships one after another.

But Mourinho doesn't need him to have such influence or status. Even if Raul paid for it with his blood and life, he didn't need it. From today on, in this century-old giant, apart from Florentino, there can only be one voice, and that is... me, Jose Mourinho!

Of course, he didn't say the reason because it would be too naked to say it. Raul is also a legend of the club. In today's Madrid, he still has countless fans and his influence is still terrifying. If you say it so nakedly, it's like a slap in the face, and it's too disrespectful.

The reason why Mourinho is successful is not only because he can win championships, but also because he is good at handling complex interpersonal relationships. Although the outside world promotes him as an outspoken, reckless, brutal and difficult to get along with, if the outside media can be believed, sows can climb trees...

Raul heard these words and lowered his head.

He heard what Mourinho said, but why couldn't he hear what Mourinho didn't say?

It's really like what they said, it's time for me to make way for young people. This position is not just for the court...

Cristiano Ronaldo is eager to become the boss of the locker room, and he can see the joy in the eyes of his former younger brother Casillas when he wears the captain's armband. Even Ramos, a young guy who just joined the team, plans to become Real Madrid's new Hierro... This world no longer belongs to him, a thirty-three-year-old guy.

It's just...he's always a little lonely.

He nodded, smiled and said, "I understand, thank you for being so honest with me."

After that, he stood up to say goodbye and left, polite, graceful and impeccable, just like his chic style on the court.

Mourinho didn't say anything to persuade him to stay, nor did he get up to see him off. He just sat in his seat and looked at the back of Raul as he went out.

He just felt that the back of the man known as "Real Madrid's living legend" and "the greatest No. 7 in Real Madrid's history" was particularly lonely.

Since joining Real Madrid's first team in 1994, he has witnessed Real Madrid go from weak to strong, then strong to weak, then struggling in the quagmire, briefly revived, and then plunged into dark times. It can be said that he has almost experienced everything a club can go through. We've all been through this.

Those who were around him at the beginning have left one after another, and those names that are like thunder have come one after another.

Davor Suker is gone, Mijatovic is gone, Morientes is gone... Figo is here and gone, Zidane is here and gone, Ronaldo is here and gone, Beckham is here Irving is gone, Irving is here and gone, Roberto Carlos is here and gone...

So many people have come and gone, but he is still there, wearing his No. 7 jersey, like a flag, always flying over the Bernabeu.

When people mention the name Raul, they immediately think of Real Madrid. When talking about Real Madrid, Raul will quickly come to mind.

During his fifteen years at Real Madrid, he was Real Madrid and Real Madrid was him.

Now, this one is leaving too.

That era of fluttering white clothes may become a memory completely with the passing of this person, and will always remain in the hearts of everyone who likes nostalgia.

From today on, there is no more "Lord of the Rings" at the Bernabeu.

※ ※ ※

ps, this is a tribute to Raul...