Chapter 183: Before We Drift Apart, Let's Build the Mourinho-Era Madrid Dynasty
Higuaín didn't announce his departure to the entire team on the pitch.
At this point, only a few close teammates like Leon, Di María, and Alonso had received his quiet farewells.
The rest of the squad had only been speculating — guessing that his contract renewal talks with Real Madrid had broken down and that he'd likely leave during the summer transfer window.
Even at the celebratory banquet that night, Higuaín acted like everything was normal. He laughed and partied with his teammates, celebrating the league title just like everyone else.
But Leon? His thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
His mind kept looping back to Higuaín's parting words on the pitch.
"Keep going. Chase greater honors."
Some of the ambitions Leon had been suppressing — the ones he'd buried beneath a layer of calm — suddenly began clawing their way back to the surface.
Even with Leon's usual composure, those words from Higuaín shook him up.
He didn't quite agree with the "be more selfish" part.
But about climbing higher, about chasing personal greatness?
Leon couldn't argue — because that desire was already inside him.
Noticing Leon drifting off in thought during the banquet, Nacho had to nudge him several times, reminding him that there were club execs and teammates who wanted to chat with him.
After the peak of the celebration, Nacho finally pulled Leon aside and asked him directly if something was bothering him.
At first, Leon didn't want to drag Nacho into his mental mess.
But seeing the genuine concern in his friend's eyes, he softly brought up the fact that some players might leave in the summer.
"Is it about Michael going back to Chelsea? That's normal, right?" Nacho replied. "Don't tell me you're not used to transfers and loan returns by now. Since the winter of 2010, how many teammates have already come and gone?
What matters is that we've grown, and we've won trophies with the guys who are here now. The memories stay. The ones who leave? They'll always be our brothers."
Nacho was convinced he'd hit the nail on the head. He patted his chest and gave Leon a warm, brotherly smile.
And strangely enough, his words brought Leon back to clarity.
"You've got a point," Leon admitted. "As long as we keep stacking trophies while we're together, those moments will always be remembered by the fans.
Even if we go our separate ways in the future, this era we created — it's ours."
Nacho clapped Leon on the chest, smiling wide.
He wasn't great with poetic words like Leon, but the sentiment was exactly the same.
They'd built something together — and regardless of who stayed or left, they'd always be the foundation of this golden era of Real Madrid.
Winning more titles would be the best send-off for those leaving.
There was no time for tears in professional football.
Emotions were emotions. Business was business.
Departing players would always be brothers — but those who stayed needed to keep pushing forward, and prioritize their own careers.
For once, Leon lifted a glass of red wine.
He clinked glasses with Nacho and downed it in one go.
A bit sour. A touch sweet. But mostly, it burned going down.
He didn't like the taste of alcohol much — but for some reason, it felt good tonight.
"Nacho."
"Yeah?"
"Let's defend our Champions League title together. Let's build a new Madrid dynasty."
"Hell yes. Let's do it."
※※※
The next time Leon fully came to his senses, sunlight was already pouring through his bedroom window.
He hadn't gotten drunk. That wasn't possible.
He had simply let go of his worries last night and slept deeply — the kind of rest that comes only after clarity.
Twelve straight hours later, at 1:30 PM, he woke up and instinctively asked his personal nutritionist to prepare a pre-workout meal.
Then he remembered — he was on break.
Mourinho had given the squad two and a half days off. Training wouldn't resume until the afternoon of May 10.
They couldn't take a long vacation — not after securing the title — but a short one was fine.
Madrid still had two more La Liga games before the Champions League final, which Mourinho would use for tactical experimentation.
He'd probably rotate lineups, maybe even run different systems in each half.
Thinking of this, Leon stretched, flopped back into bed, and enjoyed his rare laziness.
Today, he was living like a true Spaniard.
Sleep in until 2:30. Then shower and finally get up for real.
His chef prepared a hearty lunch — seafood, steak, roasted veggies, nuts, potatoes, and freshly pressed juice.
It was 3:30 PM before he finished his meal.
Later, Leon swam laps in the pool on the third floor of his villa to digest and stay active.
It was fun once in a while — this relaxed lifestyle — but he knew he could never live like this every day.
The next morning, he called up Ronaldo.
By the afternoon, Irina posted a video of Leon and Ronaldo goofing around with a badminton challenge and juggling tricks — and the internet exploded.
That night, at dinner, Leon took one look at Ronaldo's dry chicken breast, boiled oats, and vegetables and lost his appetite.
He politely asked the nutritionist to prepare peppery chicken thigh with olive oil, paired with carrots and broccoli.
For carbs? Roasted potatoes with sea salt. Add some mixed nuts and fresh juice, and the meal was perfect.
Balanced, healthy — and unlike Ronaldo's "dark cuisine," it was actually delicious.
Ronaldo wasn't having it.
He took a picture of both dinners and uploaded it to his social media, asking fans to vote on which meal looked better.
He was betrayed.
His own fans overwhelmingly voted for Leon's plate.
Ronaldo sulked. Leon laughed all the way home.
Messing with "Brother Ro" put Leon in a great mood.
On the morning of May 10, he was the first to report back to the training base.
He crushed two hours of strength training before lunch.
After his medical checkup, Mourinho received his physical report: "Built like a bull."
No surprise — Leon was immediately included in the matchday squad.
Real Madrid's next opponent?
Espanyol, the very same team that had just applauded them onto the pitch for winning the league.
On May 13, Madrid arrived in Barcelona.
With a half-rotated lineup, the match didn't draw much neutral fan interest — but Espanyol supporters were full of spirit.
Before kickoff, Espanyol lined up to applaud the champions.
And throughout the game, whether it was Espanyol or Madrid making great plays, the crowd cheered for both sides.
Madrid played loose and aggressive.
Leon started on the bench, watching the first half from the sidelines.
By halftime, the score was already 2-2 — end-to-end action that thrilled both fanbases.
Ronaldo scored once in the first half, then rested.
Leon came on in the 63rd minute, replacing Essien.
Final score: 4-4.
Espanyol fans were ecstatic — they had held the champions to a shootout.
Madrid fans? They enjoyed the spectacle.
Even the press praised Mourinho for his "gracious" lineup and post-match press conference.
Next up: Málaga at home.
But Málaga were in trouble.
They'd made the Champions League Round of 16 — but the European push had cost them dearly in the league.
Now, with no distractions, they were trying to claw their way back into the top four.
But the damage was done. They sat sixth in the table — five points behind Real Sociedad and Valencia, both tied at 59.
Three games, five points. Doable… with a bit of luck.
But there was a bigger storm brewing.
The Qatari ownership had pulled out. Financial woes were crippling the club.
UEFA was rumored to be banning Málaga from European competition, for one or even four seasons.
It didn't matter if they qualified. They wouldn't be allowed to play.
Players hadn't been paid in months. The club was collapsing.
And Isco, their brightest star, was obviously affected.
Leon tried to comfort him before the match.
Neither he nor Ronaldo played that day.
Madrid and Málaga drew 2-2 at the Bernabéu.
As for the Golden Boot race?
It was over.
Messi had been injured in the last round against Atlético. Barça confirmed he would miss the rest of the season.
Ronaldo wasn't pleased.
He didn't want to win because of an injury. He wanted a fair fight — a full season, blow for blow.
This sudden end took the joy out of the chase.
So he didn't rush to play again.
Ironically, it was Higuaín who stole the spotlight — scoring twice against Málaga.
His form was peaking at just the right time.
And suddenly, the question of who would start up front in the Champions League final became a hot debate.
As the curtains began to fall on both La Liga and the Bundesliga...
The world turned its eyes to one thing.
The stage was set.
The Champions League Final had arrived.
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