Starting With Real Madrid

The next morning's training session was primarily focused on recovery, as usual. But after training, Castel Volturno welcomed a rare visitor:

Former Real Madrid technical director and Argentine football legend Jorge Valdano.

In fact, Valdano had quietly arrived in Naples the previous day and had been seated in the stands of the San Paolo Stadium to watch the match between Napoli and Chelsea. Sitting beside him were Napoli chairman De Laurentiis and general manager Marino.

The purpose of Valdano's visit was not just to reconnect with Gao Shen, nor merely to watch a Napoli match, but to initiate discussions with the club.

As early as January, when AC Milan star Kaka's transfer to Manchester City fell through, the world already knew that former Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez would return to the Bernabéu this summer. By now, this was an inevitable reality.

At least for now, no one could challenge Florentino in Real Madrid's upcoming presidential elections.

This time, Florentino's comeback was accompanied by grand ambitions. He planned to achieve in one summer what Ramón Calderón had attempted but failed to accomplish: the creation of another Galacticos.

More superstars! Younger superstars!

His goal was to bring in marquee players from each of the major European leagues: Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in the Premier League, Kaka from AC Milan in Serie A, Benzema from Lyon in Ligue 1, and Ribéry from Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

But a team full of stars also requires supporting players to complement them.

During the heyday of the first Galacticos, alongside superstars like Zidane and Ronaldo were indispensable role players like Makelele and Solari.

This time, Florentino seemed to have learned from past mistakes.

Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, Napoli's Di Maria, Sanchez, Biglia, and Vargas—all of these names were on his radar.

However, recruiting players on such a scale cannot be accomplished overnight.

Even the entire three-month summer transfer window might not be enough.

As a core member of Florentino's team, Valdano's task was to make early contact with clubs, gauge their attitudes toward Real Madrid's interest in their players, and adjust the transfer strategy accordingly. It was also a way to lay the groundwork for summer negotiations.

…

Valdano was a highly respected figure in European football and a former teammate of Maradona. With this deeper connection, everyone in Naples welcomed him warmly.

This was especially true for Gao Shen's squad, which had several South American players. Di Maria, Pastore, and Biglia were all Argentine, so they naturally felt a sense of closeness with Valdano.

Gao Shen, Carlo, Zidane, Lucas, and others personally accompanied Valdano on a tour of Castel Volturno.

"There have been rumors in the media that Napoli's training base is like a magical laboratory," Valdano said with curiosity. "Not only do players here seem full of energy, but their skills and progress improve dramatically."

After visiting the medical facilities and gym, Valdano was amazed by the state-of-the-art equipment.

Listening to the introductions, he was visibly impressed.

"Gao, I still remember when we had dinner together in Madrid. You told me that the next few years would be a golden era for advanced technology in professional football. Whether in youth training, scientific coaching, or rehabilitation therapy, everything would develop by leaps and bounds."

"You predicted that young players would emerge earlier, and highly disciplined players would retire later, even playing until forty without issue. Now it seems everything you said is coming true."

Valdano's words came from the heart.

Carlo, Zidane, and the others looked at Gao Shen with astonishment.

They had no idea that Gao Shen had made such predictions while coaching Real Madrid.

Was this really possible?

Feeling the curious gazes around him, Gao Shen smiled bitterly and shook his head. "I just like to read, explore, and learn about random things. I'm interested in new ideas. That's how I ended up as an internet celebrity."

The group laughed at his self-deprecating joke.

Someone jokingly asked why Gao Shen became an internet celebrity.

Gao Shen's reply was simple and humorous: "I registered early."

Of course, this was an understatement. If early registration was all it took, what about the countless others who registered before him?

But Gao Shen quickly noticed Valdano's intent gaze and coughed twice, feigning seriousness.

"Jorge, I suggest you control those greedy eyes of yours," Gao Shen said, half-joking.

Valdano laughed awkwardly.

He was indeed thinking about introducing similar high-tech equipment to Valdebebas once Florentino returned to Real Madrid. The goal was to make Real Madrid's training base the most advanced in the world, both in hardware and software.

Hardware was easy to acquire, but talented staff were not.

Most of Gao Shen's team members, from Zidane to Carlo, Lucas, and even Buenaventura, were tied to Real Madrid in some way.

Gao Shen looked at Valdano and said sternly, "I'm warning you: if you dare poach my people, we'll have problems!"

Valdano raised his hands in mock surrender. "I wouldn't dare. Besides, why go to the trouble? I can just bring you to Real Madrid and capture everything in one move, right?"

Gao Shen paused for a moment, then chuckled but made no comment. He noticed Carlo, Zidane, Lucas, and others exchange meaningful looks.

For many of them, returning to Real Madrid would be the ultimate career milestone, a chance to walk back into the Bernabéu in glory.

In private, some of them had expressed this desire to Gao Shen, but he never gave them a definitive response.

He understood that Florentino's vision for the club differed significantly from his own.

This wasn't a criticism. Differences in philosophy were inevitable.

Gao Shen's team was exceptional, but no one was irreplaceable. If they chose to leave, he wouldn't force them to stay. The challenge would be finding equally suitable replacements, as years of collaboration had created a level of mutual understanding that couldn't easily be replicated.

However, Gao Shen himself was the linchpin of the team.

Without them, Gao Shen would remain who he was. Without Gao Shen, it was uncertain if they could sustain their current reputations.

Of course, Zidane was an exception. As a legendary player, he was destined to carve his own path regardless.

…

In the afternoon, Gao Shen continued leading the team's training at Castel Volturno. Meanwhile, Valdano returned to Naples for further discussions with De Laurentiis and Marino.

Gao Shen stayed out of these conversations.

His position was already sensitive, and getting involved would only complicate matters.

The media and fans were abuzz with speculation that he would coach Real Madrid this summer. In reality, no agreement had been made.

Even Florentino's grand plans for signing superstars didn't involve consulting him.

Gao Shen understood Florentino's intentions weren't malicious, but this highlighted their fundamental differences in philosophy.

Florentino's decisions were driven by Real Madrid's commercial and brand interests, not football itself. This created an irreparable gap between them.

If Gao Shen were to return to Real Madrid, his goal would be success on the pitch and personal growth, not to destroy the foundation he had worked so hard to build over the years.

It had taken him three years to solidify his reputation in European football. If he failed at Real Madrid, both his career and the club's fans would suffer.

That evening, after a dinner hosted by De Laurentiis, Gao Shen and Zidane accompanied Valdano back to his hotel. The three sat down to discuss Real Madrid's future plans.

…

"I have to admit, your summer transfer plan is ambitious and truly impressive," Gao Shen said sincerely. "It's unprecedented in the history of football."

Whether in this life or his previous one, Gao Shen had always admired Real Madrid and the second Galacticos project. His praise was genuine.

Valdano's eyes lit up, thinking Gao Shen was expressing goodwill. He laughed.

"In fact, I'm also very optimistic about this plan. I believe it can correct the mistakes of the first Galacticos era. This time, we're setting strict age limits for signings and prioritizing the role of the head coach more than ever before."

He paused, then looked directly at Gao Shen.

"We are all looking forward to seeing you return to the Bernabéu as head coach."

This was essentially an official invitation. At this moment, Valdano almost spoke on behalf of Florentino.

Zidane's excitement was evident. He thought Gao Shen would accept.

After all, who could say no to Real Madrid?

But Gao Shen smiled faintly, shook his head, and sighed.

"No, Jorge, I think you've misunderstood me. I wasn't finished."

Valdano and Zidane exchanged confused looks.

What's going on?

"We were just having a lovely conversation, everything felt perfect then suddenly, you change the subject?"

Gao Shen smiled bitterly. "What I meant to say is that while your plan is fascinating and unprecedented, I don't think it will succeed."

Valdano was stunned. "Why?"

"Three years ago in Madrid, I told you and Sacchi that times had changed," Gao Shen replied calmly.

"And now, I'm telling you again: times have changed."

***

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