Chapter 77 The Curse Does Not Belong to Me, and I Am Also the Most Special One

The fourth round of La Liga between Real Madrid and Levante ended with Real Madrid winning 2-0 without a single blow.

Although Levante's defense was good enough and they performed tenaciously in the subsequent game time.

But the goal lost in the first half was a huge blow to them.

Mourinho saw that Levante was not a soft persimmon, so he decisively played a defensive counterattack after 30 minutes of the first half.

Real Madrid, which could lower its posture, was obviously not an opponent that Levante could exploit.

With Higuain's goal in the 65th minute of the second half, Real Madrid successfully secured the victory without any danger.

And Li Ang also became the best player of the game with one assist and the most efficient defensive data of the game.

This best player was awarded to Li Ang. Callejon and Higuain, who scored today, were not jealous. They were very convinced.

After all, Li Ang contributed nine steals, five effective interceptions and two clearances throughout the game. It was really unconvincing!

It can be said that Levante's desperate counterattack in the second half was cut off by Li Ang in the midfield.

And Li Ang also made Levante fans lament with the highest running distance of 14.2 kilometers in the game.

"He ran out of an invisible wall in Real Madrid's half! Otherwise, we should have a better ending at home. Facing Li Ang's amazing performance, what else can I say?

Mourinho and Real Madrid are lucky. They have a 'new Makelele'. Maybe they will create a surprising performance this season."

At the press conference after the game, Levante coach Ignacio Martinez could only spread his hands helplessly.

And Mourinho also smiled and praised Levante's performance.

Although Barcelona was in great form in the previous game against Osasuna, slaughtering Osasuna with a score of 8-0.

But at this moment, Real Madrid, which has successfully won three consecutive La Liga victories in the new season, is obviously the one that the media pays more attention to.

The starting lineup is powerful, and the rotation strength is also not bad.

Real Madrid's stable performance has given fans more hope and expectations than last season.

And Li Ang's iron-man performance has also made countless Real Madrid fans successfully forget a certain front midfielder.

After all, fans who often watch football know how important it is.

A midfielder who can run forever and can show stable performance in every game is very important.

Offensive midfielders can certainly increase the upper limit of a team's output firepower.

But without at least two strong midfielders to cover the bottom, it is simply a foolish dream to achieve good results or even win the championship in multi-line operations.

Well, Real Madrid now has almost four midfielders of this type, so Real Madrid fans are quite relieved.

Alonso is a perfect one, Las Diarra who doesn't stick to the ball counts as one, and Li Ang counts as 1.5. There is no way, he can run too fast!

As for the remaining 0.5, it is naturally Brother Face who is still actively rehabilitating.

After returning to Madrid with three consecutive league victories, the entire Real Madrid team received unanimous praise from fans and the media.

But Li Ang can't escape the renewal of his contract this time.

Because Zidane and Karanka invited him as representatives of the club, he couldn't refuse.

After agreeing on a time for the discussion, Li Ang called Mendes and talked for a full hour that night.

At five o'clock the next afternoon, Li Ang, who had not practiced after the training session, met with the current CEO of Real Madrid at the training base.

Angel Sanchez.

After receiving a series of meaningless condolences and compliments, Li Ang waited for Mendes' team.

This also announced that his contract renewal negotiations with Real Madrid will be launched for the second time.

And this time, he will participate in the whole process.

Of course, the key disagreement is still on the distribution of image rights.

For Real Madrid, they basically treat the players in the current Real Madrid first team equally.

That is, the club must get enough image rights from the players!

This is the bottom line of Real Madrid and an important part of Real Madrid's global promotion business plan.

But Li Ang's previous requirements were very clear, and Mendes' negotiation team could only hold on to this point.

The negotiators on both sides talked from 5:30 pm to 7 pm. Seeing that there was no progress, Li Ang took action.

Li Ang, who had not spoken much before, now exuded strong confidence.

He looked directly at Sanchez, who had not spoken much before, and asked directly.

"Mr. Manager, if I want to complete this contract renewal, can I only choose to give up more personal portrait rights?"

Sanchez's face still had the kind smile he had when he met Li Ang before, but his tone of answer was firm and unquestionable.

"Yes, this is the strategic bottom line of the club, Li Ang, you should understand."

Li Ang nodded and looked at Sanchez again.

"What does Mr. Chairman mean?"

"We can make another concession, 40%. We only want 40% of your portrait rights. You can enjoy the same renewal treatment as Cristiano. This is the greatest sincerity of Mr. Chairman!"

Li Ang finally began to nod slightly with a thoughtful look.

But just as Sanchez secretly breathed a sigh of relief, Li Ang spoke again.

"But the bottom line in my heart is actually to retain at least 80% of my personal image rights. Can the club really not be more accommodating in this regard? I can ask for a lower annual salary."

Sanchez was silent. After a while, he laughed and shook his head.

"Are you really not thinking about it anymore, Li Ang? There is no harm in giving up 40% of your image rights. With Real Madrid helping you, you will get a more generous endorsement contract than before, and we will also make further progress. Promoting your reputation throughout Europe and even the world is the most important thing for you at this stage.”

Seeing Sanchez's decisive look, Li Ang probably knew the attitude of Real Madrid's management.

In his signaling eyes, Mendes personally stepped forward to promote the progress of the negotiations with Sanchez.

"We need to retain at least 70% of the image rights, but the new contract cannot exceed three years. Real Madrid must bear part of the responsibility for promoting Li Ang's reputation around the world. In addition, it must fully help Li Ang operate this year's Golden Boy Award. "

This is slightly higher than the bottom line conditions reached by Mendes and Li Ang after their discussion last night.

But are you still negotiating now? Naturally, you have to "open your mouth" first, and then let the other party grind down bit by bit.

If the conditions are not raised first, how can Mendes continue to deal with Lafayette's counter-offer?

Among these conditions, the three-year contract period is actually a smokescreen.

Let Real Madrid increase its global promotion of Li Ang; and help fully operate this year's Golden Boy Award.

These two items are what Mendes and Li Ang need most now.

Sanchez thought for a moment, and then asked his negotiating team to continue working with Mendes on the terms of the new contract.

And he himself made a phone call to Lafayette after leaving the meeting.

The two sides continued to confirm and talk like this until nine o'clock in the evening, and finally reached a preliminary agreement with both Lafayette and Li Ang nodding.

Li Ang finally gave up 40% of his image rights to Real Madrid.

But correspondingly, Real Madrid also generously offered Li Ang a contract with an annual salary of 4 million euros after tax, but the term was only three years.

However, there are conditions behind such generous conditions.

That is, if Li Ang insists on signing for only three years, then Real Madrid must be given priority to renew the contract.

That is to say, more than two years later, when other clubs make offers to Li Ang, who is about to return to free agency, as long as Real Madrid is willing to keep up with the salary paid to Li Ang by the team, then Li Ang can still only complete the contract extension with Real Madrid.

At the same time, Real Madrid readily agreed to promote Li Ang globally and fully operate the Golden Boy Award at the end of this year.

The remaining details still need to be further confirmed by both parties. Real Madrid also proposed another contract extension plan for Li Ang.

That is, Real Madrid can directly raise Li Ang's annual salary to the salary level of a certain midfielder last year.

That is about 5 million euros after tax, but accordingly, Li Ang must accept a contract period of up to five years.

Regarding this second option, Li Ang said that he still needs to discuss it with Mendes.

However, after several major conditions in the contract have been negotiated, Li Ang's successful contract extension with Real Madrid will only be in the past few days.

Li Ang felt relaxed after solving the matter, and Mourinho, who had been following up silently, also breathed a sigh of relief after getting the news.

What he fears most now is that the team's internal and external environment has become turbulent again.

The reason why he was in Porto that year and Inter Milan last year achieved near-perfect success.

In fact, a large part of the reason is that the team is unified internally, the generals are united, and there are no strange external incidents that affect the team's preparations.

When I went to Chelsea in the middle, it was quite successful at first.

But the British media is really capable of causing trouble, and there have been constant disturbances both on and off the pitch in the Champions League.

The people are not united, the record cannot be broken, and the last bit of luck is always lacking, won't he lose the boss's continued trust?

So now that Mourinho is very satisfied when he sees that Li Ang has settled the contract renewal in a first-hand manner without giving the media an opportunity to create public opinion.

"Leon has no trivial matters and no performance problems. We can steadily win as many mid- and lower-tier teams as possible in the league. Even if we defend all the way, we can score more points more steadily than Barcelona."

After another day of training, Uncle Psy couldn't help but sigh at Karanka when he saw that Li Ang was still in high spirits and chose to practice more.

"Maybe, assuming that Li Ang doesn't get injured. If he lies in bed for a few months like Khedira, we may have to let Ramos play as a defensive midfielder when we rotate the lineup."

Karanka reminded Mourinho noncommittally.

After all, judging from Real Madrid's current style of play, neither of the two strong waists can be hurt.

Whether it's Alonso or Li Ang, getting injured by one is troublesome.

Las Diarra always has flaws in frontal interceptions and high-altitude battles, and he just can't get rid of his tendency to stick to the ball.

Khedira.

Forget it, let’s not mention Khedira. Mourinho understands what Karanka means.

The schedule has not yet become intensive, so Real Madrid's games are naturally going smoothly and their results are good.

But it's also time to consider signing up again.

Khedira is more versatile. Although he has suffered more injuries, he can still greatly enrich Mourinho's playing style and tactics when he can play.

In contrast, if Las Diarra can be sold in the winter window, in exchange for a defensive midfielder who is not sticky to the ball and is also highly defensive.

At that time, Real Madrid will not have any worries about the defensive midfielder position in the three-line battle.

As for the appearance of Altintop and Sahin?

The two who can't play "Mourinho's defensive midfielder" should stay on the bench honestly, and be substitutes for Kaka and Di Maria, which is not bad.

Mourinho, who was thinking, soon flashed a ray of decisiveness in his eyes.

Moreover, he already had a suitable preliminary candidate in his mind.

※※※

On September 21, Real Madrid once again embarked on the away journey of the league.

In the fifth round of La Liga, they will play against Santander Racing at 19:00 tonight at the Sardine Stadium.

Facing the penultimate team in the league with two losses and one draw, Real Madrid, which played almost all its main players, did not show any weakness.

C Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema and other players who were given a rest all scored in this round.

Among them, C Ronaldo successfully received the most dissatisfied and strong boos from Santander Athletic fans with his perfect performance of two shots and one pass.

Benzema opened the scoring, Kaka passed and shot, and Di Maria, who was rested for half a game and came on in the 73rd minute of the second half, finally scored a goal.

A perfect 5-0 victory, Real Madrid ushered in four consecutive league victories, and also made Ajax, who was about to play in the Champions League group stage in Madrid, tremble.

Li Ang clocked out again in this league game. He had no personal assists in offense, focused on defense, and blocked the possibility of Santander Athletic's counterattack with Brother Long.

But he didn't stand out much on the court, but the restless Spanish media once again pushed him to the focus of public opinion after the game.

"Another No. 10 who is least like a No. 10? 》

《The Origin of Real Madrid's No. 10 Curse》

《Las Diarra's Reasonable Compromise, He Wants a Brighter Future in Real Madrid》

《The Reason Why Leon Doesn't Care About the Curse: He Is Not a No. 10 Player》

When pictures of Leon's defensive tackles or interceptions were paired with these news headlines.

Interested Spanish fans soon started to discuss the incident.

Because last year, Spanish media targeted Las Diarra, complaining that Real Madrid's No. 10 player was the least like a No. 10 among the current football giants.

And Las Diarra, who had been complained for almost half a season, finally couldn't stand it anymore, and chose to give up the No. 10 jersey before the start of the new season.

If a certain attacking midfielder didn't leave the team, he would undoubtedly be the most suitable player to wear the No. 10 jersey in Real Madrid.

But he left before the start of the season, and the No. 10 jersey was naturally vacant.

Di Maria and Kaka both said they didn't want it, and the newcomers Sahin and Altintop might also be a little worried about Real Madrid's No. 10 curse and dared not wear it.

But for Li Ang, he has no such concerns and does not have much psychological pressure.

Therefore, when Mourinho said that Real Madrid's No. 10 jersey is now empty, Li Ang simply asked for it.

After all, in Real Madrid, since Figo left the team, the players wearing the No. 10 jersey have not played up to the expectations of the media and fans.

In the past, there was Robinho and Sneijder, and in the future, there was Las Diarra.

The performance of the three has made Real Madrid's No. 10 dim for six years.

In this case, Li Ang really doesn't understand what the media still means by hyping this number.

Therefore, before the second round of the Champions League group stage, Li Ang was also a little irritated by the reporters outside the training base for many days.

He remembered a sentence that Uncle Bird once said to the British media.

In this scene now, that sentence is actually very suitable for him.

"I don't think I need to prove anything for a number. I returned to Madrid with the Italian double crown. If you want to ask me what qualifications I have to wear this number, then ask my former Milan teammates!

Besides, the curse does not belong to me. I don't believe in that thing, because I am also the most special one."

After leaving this sentence, Li Ang started the car and drove away.

And the news material was finally polished from the always calm Li Ang, and the reporters on the scene were also very happy and satisfied.

As expected, Li Ang once again appeared on the pages of major sports and Spanish media newspapers the next day.

His speech this time was somewhat controversial.

"Double crown title", "The curse does not belong to me", "I am also the most special one"

These words are talked about by Spanish fans.

Some people think that Li Ang is tough and should be fierce against these media reporters who are always looking for trouble.

And this kind of confidence is what they like.

At the age of 20, he can start in Real Madrid. If he is not confident, should he be inferior?

At the age of early twenties, one should be more vigorous.

Li Ang was too low-key off the field before, and his tough speech this time made many neutral fans instantly feel better about him.

Of course, there are also many fans and spectators who sneered at Li Ang's speech.

Mourinho dared to say that because he had won the League Cup and the Champions League in Porto before going to Chelsea.

But you, Li Ang, dare to say this now that you have won the double crown in Italy?

Where does the confidence come from? !

The quarrel inevitably happened again on the Internet.

Li Ang still didn't care about the public opinion, but his teammates stood up to speak for him.

Alonso, Ronaldo, Benzema, Marcelo, Kaka, Ramos

One after another, Real Madrid stars clearly supported Li Ang's statement on social media.

While Spanish fans were lamenting the unity of Real Madrid, Ibrahimovic, who heard about this in Italy, also stood up and accepted an interview with reporters.

"What do those paparazzi reporters who only know to follow the players all day long and want to deliberately anger the players to get news know?

They don't know anything! And I can tell all Spanish media reporters and fans clearly today.

Li Ang is a player recognized by Zlatan. He is superb and has a high talent for growth.

He is the most special one, just like me and Mourinho!"