Reporter: "Some say you scored a goal in this match that looked strikingly similar to one of Henry's. Of course, your ball control still has some way to go compared to his."
"Who do you think will reach the final—Henry's France or Italy?"
The semifinals were now set.
France would face Italy.
Spain would go up against Portugal.
These two matchups alone could keep fans talking all night.
Su Hang smiled. "Of course, I hope my teammates can go even further."
"I also believe Zidane can make it happen."
"A player as extraordinary as him—if he retires without leaving something more for world football—it would be a real loss for everyone!"
Reporter: "What about Figo? He's also your teammate. Who do you think will advance in the semifinals—you or Portugal?"
Su Hang: "Naturally, I hope we keep winning. But I know Portugal is very strong. Until the final whistle blows, no one knows how it'll end."
Reporter: "We know you and Figo are close. Will you use that relationship to help Spain deal with him?"
The question was clearly meant to stir things up.
But Su Hang answered calmly, "Of course—why not? And I'm sure Figo would do the same. Plus, Puyol and Xavi know Deco inside out."
"Likewise, Deco knows them very well too."
"That's never been a problem."
"We're all professionals. The beauty of being a pro is giving everything you've got to defeat your opponent. That's what Figo wants—and what I want too!"
Finally, someone brought up Modrić.
Reporter: "When you scored your second goal, you revealed Modrić's Real Madrid jersey. Were you trying to pressure the club's sporting department?"
Su Hang: "No, I wasn't. Don't twist my words. Transfers are the club's business, not something I, as a player, should interfere with."
"I wasn't trying to pressure Real Madrid. I just wanted to show my admiration for Modrić. I believe he could become the next Zidane—or a Zidane of a different style."
Reporter: "Uh… does Zidane know you said that?"
Soon after, Su Hang dominated the headlines across major football outlets.
Spain had eliminated the host nation and advanced to the semifinals.
Everyone knew how tough that match was supposed to be—yet Su Hang made it happen.
And he did it with another incredible hat trick.
Before the World Cup began, the hottest forward in the market was Shevchenko, who seemed destined to leave AC Milan for Chelsea.
But from the previous round onward, the player grabbing all the spotlight was none other than Su Hang.
No one could ignore his phenomenal form.
"His goal was just like Henry's!"
"The fake Alien has gone home—the real Alien is still tearing up the World Cup!"
"Su Hang's playing like a Super Saiyan!"
"Standing among legends—Kocsis, Fontaine, Gerd Müller, Su Hang!"
Batistuta: "What the hell!"
...
Madrid, Spain.
After hearing Su Hang's interview, Calderón finally breathed a sigh of relief.
At last, this Su Hang understood his role as a player.
Smart move.
"Hey, adjust Su Hang's annual salary to seven million euros… I know the current team cap is six-point-four million, that's exactly why I want to give him seven. That's probably what he's been waiting for." Calderón told the sporting department. "Actually, never mind—set up a meeting with his agent. I'll tell them personally."
Calderón had learned his lesson the hard way and was finally showing some respect.
Soon after, he made a bold public statement in a media interview:
"Some outlets are exaggerating, saying Su Hang will leave Real Madrid this summer."
"I can tell you with absolute certainty—that's impossible!"
"Both Su Hang and the management are fully aligned about his future."
"To avoid disrupting his World Cup focus, we temporarily paused contract talks. After the tournament, we'll immediately renew his deal—with a record-breaking salary!"
"No one in Real Madrid history has ever earned this much!"
That announcement made it clear—Su Hang would become the club's top earner, and the only one at that level.
This wasn't just team status anymore—it was football world status.
Spanish fans were thrilled.
Meanwhile, German fans—still stunned by the 6–2 loss—grew even more desperate to see Su Hang join Bayern Munich.
They believed he was the missing piece for a Champions League title.
Coincidentally, Bayern's management thought the same.
Bild: "Klose and Podolski's futures uncertain! Their potential Bayern transfers now depend on another deal's outcome!"
Kicker: "Bayern submits a new bid for Su Hang—€42 million, with room for negotiation!"
€42 million?
What did that mean at the time?
Since 2002, the global financial crisis had hit hard.
Before that, transfer fees peaked at around €50–60 million, thanks to Figo and Zidane.
Afterward, prices fell back to about €40 million.
Only Abramovich's arrival at Chelsea had pulled numbers back up; otherwise, the average would've dropped to €30 million.
Even Shevchenko's confirmed transfer to Chelsea cost no more than €50 million.
And now Bayern was offering over €40 million for Su Hang.
If you put that into the 2023 transfer market, Su Hang's value would be around €150 million.
And that's just the starting price—if you didn't offer that much, they wouldn't even take your call.
That's how determined Bayern was.
Just as they'd later move heaven and earth to sign Kane, this year they were dead set on getting Su Hang.
And remember, this was the old Bayern—the frugal Bayern, the one that preferred free transfers or discount deals.
Honestly, when Calderón saw that offer, he was tempted to accept it on the spot.
That kind of money could've helped him bring in Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká during the same transfer window.
Then Real Madrid would truly become "Calderón's Madrid," free of the old regime's influence.
But that was just wishful thinking.
Su Hang had just won the Champions League for Real Madrid and was now leading Spain into the World Cup semifinals. His momentum was unstoppable.
Selling Real Madrid's new king now would have cost Calderón his job instantly.
So, as tempting as Bayern's offer was, Calderón held back.
But soon, his patience was tested again.
Su Hang's agent told him that Su was willing to sign the extension—but with two small conditions.
The first was to sign Luka Modrić.
Calderón nearly choked on his wine.
So this is what you call "not interfering in transfers"?
Isn't that a slap in my face?
He downed an entire bottle of red wine before calming down.
"Fine! Buy him! Modrić, right?"
"How much? Three million euros?"
"Damn it, I'll pay four! The extra million can count as Su Hang's funeral fee!"
And the second condition?