"Um, the second condition is that Su Hang wants fifty percent of his image rights revenue… just like Beckham."
The moment Su Hang's agent said that, Calderón slammed the phone to pieces.
Image rights revenue?
What kind of dream are you having?
Who the hell do you think you are?
At eighteen, Beckham scored his first goal for Manchester United's senior team.
At twenty, he became an overnight sensation across the Premier League.
At twenty-five, Beckham won the Treble and finished runner-up for both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
At twenty-eight, he joined Real Madrid as a global superstar—and only then did he earn fifty percent of his image rights.
And you, Su Hang—how many years have you even been playing professionally?
Even if you've won the Treble this year alongside Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Beckham, Raúl, and Roberto Carlos, you'd still have to wait another three years for that kind of deal.
There's no way in hell I'm opening that door for you!
Once again, Su Hang's renewal talks ended badly—this time, completely behind closed doors.
Calderón then shared a report about Rooney being cursed out back in England.
Before this World Cup, Rooney was England's golden boy—their next leader.
But now? Even nightclub hostesses refused to serve him.
Not even for money!
Go further back—1998. Beckham, at the height of his fame, was sent off for retaliating against Simeone and instantly became England's public enemy number one.
Who could ever forget that image of Beckham hanging from a noose on a tabloid cover?
So don't be fooled by Su Hang's current glory—being compared to old legends and all that.
The moment he slips up in the next match…
Well...
Calderón knew it perfectly well: if Spain had been eliminated in the Round of 16, the backlash wouldn't be so harsh.
Even a quarterfinal exit would've been survivable.
But losing in the semifinals? That could destroy a rising superstar completely.
A little success wins you praise; too much, and it turns to resentment.
The moment Su Hang makes a single mistake, he'll become the villain.
And why? Simple.
Who made you the top scorer?
Who made you the one carrying the team?
Who made you the captain?
Every gift from fate comes with a hidden price tag.
...
"Ding! Your performance has struck fear into the German players. Your unyielding willpower has taught them a hard lesson. As a reward, Schweinsteiger gifts you his skill 'Midfield General,' and Ballack grants you his skill 'Endurance Engine.'"
"Midfield General: Superstar-tier skill. A third-rate Forward, a second-rate Winger, a first-rate Defensive Midfielder—Bastian Schweinsteiger reached the peak of his career by evolving his role on the pitch."
"Your Defensive Awareness, Interceptions, Tackling, Covering, Tracking Back, and Clearances have been enhanced."
"Endurance Engine: Superstar-tier skill. Michael Ballack, the 'Eternal Runner-Up,' was the model of a complete midfielder—dominant in strength, stamina, jumping, ball control, attacking runs, interceptions, passing, long shots, heading, tactics, anticipation, organization, and leadership. His extraordinary endurance powered his all-around play. Your stamina has been greatly improved."
"When your total running distance in a match exceeds 10,000 meters, you gain an additional 10% stamina."
This… is hard to judge.
Those guys sure aren't generous.
These two skills sound impressive—listing all these attributes like Forward, Midfielder, Defense, Tactics—but the actual stat boosts? Tiny.
At least throw in a few bonuses for everything you mentioned!
Instead, just a few defensive upgrades. What's the point of that?
Do they seriously think I, Su Hang, am going to end up as a defensive midfielder someday?
Come on—who'd willingly drop back when they can play up front?
A forward moving to attacking midfield? That's compromise—it's about aging gracefully.
But a forward or attacking midfielder dropping into defensive midfield? That means you lost your place.
If you're not willing to do the dirty work, not ready to be the team's grinder, you won't survive.
What else would you call that but failure?
Beckham, cracking his knuckles: "If you can't say something smart, say less."
Pirlo, opening his eyes: "When I retire, I'm coaching your team—and I'll ruin it on purpose."
Under Schweinsteiger's influence, Su Hang's defensive stats improved:
Defensive Awareness: 70 +1
Tackling: 77 +1
Interceptions: 71 +1
Covering: 70 +1
The only two attributes he hadn't unlocked yet were "Tracking Back" and "Clearances."
Zidane: "Oh? You haven't unlocked Clearances yet? I thought you had—your shots always look like them."
Anyway, compared to the stingy Schweinsteiger, Ballack's gift was actually solid.
The Endurance Engine was a great skill—put in the effort, and you'd gain more stamina.
Don't underestimate that 10%. In the final minutes of a match, that could be the difference between victory and collapse.
But seriously, could Ballack drop the whole 'Eternal Runner-Up' label?
Ballack: "What, you think it's unlucky? Like it's jinxed or something?"
Su Hang: "No, I just haven't even finished second in anything yet."
Ballack: "Don't run! I swear I'll smack you every time I see you!"
Su Hang: "Relax, Ballack. We're in the semifinals—you're not. How exactly are you gonna see me?"
Ballack: "FIFA, can you mute this brat already?"
Su Hang: "FIFA? Please. You'd have better luck praying at the wrong temple. No wonder your luck's been off."
Ballack: "Damn it… I'm taking my skill back!"
System: "Confirmed. Ballack has withdrawn the Endurance Engine's brand rights."
Ballack: "???"
All jokes aside, the World Cup is no laughing matter.
July 4th. The World Cup semifinal—France versus Italy—kicks off.
This match was pure football luxury.
For France:
Malouda, Henry, Ribéry
Zidane
Makélélé, Vieira
Abidal, Gallas, Thuram, Sagnol
Barthez
For Italy:
Toni, Totti
Perrotta, Gattuso, Pirlo, Camoranesi
Grosso, Materazzi, Cannavaro, Zambrotta
Buffon
Even their benches were stacked—Nesta, Del Piero, Inzaghi, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Peruzzi, and more.
To many fans, this was the real final.
Compared to the French, who were just finding their rhythm, the Italians—backed into a corner—burned with unmatched hunger to win.
Eighty-five seconds in, Henry made a forward run and was deliberately shoulder-checked by Cannavaro.
Henry, turning his head at that moment, hit the turf hard and stayed down for nearly twenty seconds before getting up—clearly shaken, almost concussed.
Cannavaro's attitude perfectly summed up Italy's approach to the match.
By the fifth minute, Henry showed exactly why Cannavaro had gone to such lengths to stop him.
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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