Time: August 7, 2014, 8:30 AM Location: Wolfsburg Team Base As the new season drew closer, the club's base became increasingly busy.
And this day was also the day Mark returned to the team!
Accompanied by the roar of an engine, a black Porsche pulled up to the gate of the team base.
The old gatekeeper had never seen a car with that license plate, so he looked wary.
It wasn't until he saw Mark, wearing aviator sunglasses, in the driver's seat that his serious expression instantly turned to surprise: "Mark?!"
"Hi, Old Hahn, good morning!"
"Did you get a new car?"
"Yes, it's my new sports car, what do you think?"
The rumors with Hisch made Mark realize that his black Beetle was already well-known.
So, he discussed buying a new car with Raiola.
As a man, he naturally had a soft spot for sports cars.
Therefore, Raiola also recommended several brands of sports cars to him.
After comparison, Mark immediately fell in love with the cool Porsche 911.
Of course, there was a reason why he chose the Porsche 911.
It was simply because, in his previous life, he had seen outdoor male streamers driving sports cars to pick up girls, and the Porsche 911 was the most frequently seen sports car!
However, unlike some male streamers who rented cars to pick up girls, with his current wealth, a sports car that only cost a little over 200,000 euros was bought outright!
After a slight pause, the old gatekeeper gave a thumbs up and replied with a smile, "It suits you very well!"
"I think so too!"
"You have to help us win the championship this season too!"
"I will do my best!"
After a brief chat with the gatekeeper, Mark learned that today was also the day new signing De Vrij arrived at the team to report.
After signing autographs for a few loyal fans waiting outside the base, he drove into the team base and parked his car in the players' exclusive parking lot.
Getting out of the car, Mark, dressed in a black Adidas tracksuit, entered the base with his backpack.
"Hi!"
"Mark!"
"How was your vacation?"
"Great, the beaches in Spain are so beautiful..."
Not long after entering the base, Mark happened to meet De Vrij, who was touring the club accompanied by Sporting Director Allofs.
And next to the two of them, there was also a photographer documenting the new signing's arrival.
Seeing De Vrij, Mark also proactively stepped forward, raising his hand to greet his new teammate: "Hey, Stefan, how are you?"
Hearing Mark greet him in English and call out his name, De Vrij was first stunned, then quickly reacted: "I'm fine, and you?"
"I'm fine too."
"I heard you were coming today, so I specifically came over to say hello to you."
Pausing, Mark then showed a brilliant smile: "Welcome to Wolfsburg!"
"Thank you."
After also saying hello to Allofs, Mark turned and left very gracefully.
De Vrij also didn't expect that on his first day joining the club, he would meet Wolfsburg's number one star who happened to be returning to the team.
And from Mark's friendly attitude, it seemed that this young man, who had become famous at a young age, was very easy to get along with.
This also made De Vrij relax a lot internally.
Greeting the club staff along the way, Mark quickly arrived at the changing room.
"Hey, guys! Did you miss me?"
Seeing Mark, Perišić couldn't help but tease, "Oh, our World Champion is back!"
Greeting his teammates one by one, either with a fist bump, a shoulder bump, or a hug, Mark, back in the changing room, felt as comfortable as if he had returned to his own territory.
"Did you see my free kick? Was it cool?"
"She's not my girlfriend, just a good friend..."
"I bought a new car..."
It is worth mentioning that when high-fiving Gustavo, the latter deliberately twisted his body, refusing to high-five him.
He was clearly still upset about the German Team's bloody massacre of Brazil in the World Cup.
Mark also understood, and proactively raised his hand, saying loudly: "Guys, I'm treating tonight!"
"Luis, you're coming too!"
After chatting and joking with his teammates, Mark then realized that his locker had changed position!
"Oh, by the way, the club moved your locker to the middle..."
"Oh, oh..."
At Benaglio's reminder, Mark finally reacted.
He remembered very clearly that the previous owner of this locker was Wolfsburg's previous number ten, Diego!
He didn't expect that he not only inherited Diego's number ten but also inherited his locker.
Recalling the first time he made his professional debut, when he replaced Diego, who was about to leave at the time, Mark suddenly had a feeling that things had changed, but people remained the same.
The change in the locker's position also indicated a change in his status in the changing room.
Six months ago, he was just a nobody the team had just brought up from the youth team;
Six months later, he was already the team's most valuable player and number one star, holding a World Cup champion title and the world cup golden boot!
The magnitude of change in his professional career in just these short six months was so great that it could even be made into a Hollywood inspirational sports movie story and contend for an Oscar!
Looking at the number ten jersey hanging in the locker, and "Lion" printed on the jersey number, Mark nodded with satisfaction.
Originally, his jersey had his name printed on the back.
However, after discussing with Raiola, it was believed that using his surname would enhance his personal image and brand promotion effect.
So, he made this small request to the club.
Changing into the training gear and shoes that had already been prepared for him, Mark first went to the base's medical room for his new season's physical test.
This physical test was mainly to monitor whether Mark had been lazy or neglected his management during the summer off-season.
Fortunately, although Mark did not do extra training, he also did not overeat.
And the physical test report also satisfied Hecking.
Compared to January, Mark had grown four centimeters and gained five kilograms in six months.
He no longer looked as thin as he did at the beginning.
And Mark's huge change also caused a hint of concern in Hecking's heart.
With Mark's height change, would his center of gravity and dribbling rhythm be affected?
However, Mark quickly dispelled his concerns with his performance on the training ground!
Normally, with physical development and changes in height and weight, a player's dribbling rhythm, body balance, flexibility, agility, and tackling ability would all change.
However, all these changes were good changes for Mark!
He not only became more explosive and faster, but even his tackling ability also became stronger!
"K (De Bruyne), I'm open!"
"Through ball!"
"Good ball!"
After the baptism of the World Cup, Mark, returning to the club, was clearly a cut above the rest.
After realizing that his teammates' defensive abilities and intensity were far inferior to his World Cup opponents, Mark became more confident and more proactive in demanding the ball for breakthroughs and dribbles.
And watching Mark, who was facing several defenders on the training ground yet still moving with ease, Hecking on the sidelines couldn't help but widen his eyes, swallow his saliva, and only two words appeared in his mind: "Monster!"
...
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