Naples or Schalke 04, or stay at Real Madrid?
These questions had been swirling in Raul's mind for the past few days. Deep down, he was still leaning towards staying.
After all, he was Real Madrid's banner, a living legend, having played for the club for fifteen seasons, surpassing Di Stéfano in appearances and becoming the player with the most appearances in the club's history. He had a truly deep affection for Real Madrid.
He didn't want to leave. If he could, he hoped to play here until he retired, as a symbol of loyalty.
But circumstances were stronger than him, and the reality was that he had a very high chance of leaving, so he had to prepare for his departure. If he had to go, which team?
Schalke 04 or Naples?
The conditions offered by both teams were actually quite similar, with personal connections involved, and both had Champions League qualifications, although Naples had to go through the qualifying rounds, while Schalke 04 directly entered the main competition.
He thought about it. He had already been in contact with Schalke 04. Now that there was another option, he should at least hear what they had to say.
So he asked Cassano for Mazzarri's phone number.
However, he didn't call directly, but waited for Mazzarri to call him. Because he knew that by asking Cassano for Mazzarri's contact number, he was already showing his attitude, willing to talk about the matter. Cassano would definitely inform Mazzarri about this.
If Mazzarri was truly sincere enough, he should take the initiative to call him, instead of making Raul call him, as if he was unwanted and had to beg him.
Although his situation at Real Madrid wasn't good, Raul was still Raul, having dominated the world for fifteen years. Although he had never won the European Ballon d'Or or the FIFA World Player of the Year award, who would dare to ignore his existence?
Sure enough, he soon received a call from Mazzarri.
The Naples coach sounded noticeably happy when he called.
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After Cassano called him, Raul figured something out. That was why Naples was suddenly interested in him.
Because their player Chen Yingxiong was banned by UEFA for eight games, which, including the two qualifying matches, meant he would basically miss all of the Champions League group stage. Chen Yingxiong was Naples' biggest contributor last season, his ten goals helping the team reach the Champions League quarterfinals, only to be eliminated by Barcelona due to some unexpected factors.
Raul certainly knew what those factors were.
This was a very promising striker, who was able to score ten goals in his first Champions League campaign and become the top scorer.
Raul had also faced Chen Yingxiong and knew something about him. The two teams met in the round of sixteen last season. Before the match, the Real Madrid players felt that they had drawn a good opponent, and there were disagreements in the locker room regarding their attitude towards Naples. He used his authority as the leader to resolve these differences.
Ultimately, it proved that Xavi (Alonso)'s concerns were valid. They were eliminated by Naples, losing the first leg at home.
Chen Yingxiong's performance during and after the match was remarkable. Although he disrespected Real Madrid after the match, angering many people. But Raul wouldn't be bothered by such things. He found the kid's fearless personality quite interesting.
Later, he smiled as he watched them give Barcelona a hard time at the Camp Nou, with the winners looking more miserable than the losers.
He watched that match live, and Chen Yingxiong used his height and heading ability to overwhelm Pique, wreaking havoc on Barcelona's defense.
It filled him with excitement—how long had it been since he had seen such an unreasonable center forward in modern football? Drogba was one, wasn't he? But he had become an anomaly in today's football. Although he wasn't that type of center forward, it didn't mean he didn't like that type of center forward.
Especially headers, which reminded him of his good friend Morientes.
Now, Chen Yingxiong was banned for eight games by UEFA for punching Butzkes in the second leg. Naples' attacking power was greatly reduced, so they naturally needed to supplement their strength to qualify from the Champions League group stage.
He had rich Champions League experience, outstanding ability, and was older, so he wouldn't be competing for the starting position with the twenty-two-year-old Chen Yingxiong. Chen Yingxiong would focus on the domestic league, while he would concentrate on the Champions League...
Raul guessed Naples' intentions.
But Mazzarri's first sentence surprised him: "We are definitely not interested in you as a substitute for Chen Yingxiong, Raul. I am serious, Naples intends to become a top club. A team that always relies on one lineup will never become a top club, so you will also be an important member of Naples. We believe that your experience, ability, and personal charm will greatly help us. On the road to becoming a top club, we need you, Raul."
These words were so sincere that Raul was stunned.
But then Mazzarri's words struck his heart.
"Coming to Naples is definitely not for retirement, but to rise again and prove yourself to the world. You, Raul Gonzalez, are not old enough to be used as a scapegoat!"
Raul didn't know what to say for a moment.
Last season, whenever Real Madrid lost a game, the next day, all the media in Madrid would criticize him.
Raul played? Great. The loss was because he played, turning Real Madrid's advantage into a defeat. The situation was favorable before he came on, but after he came on... he just ran around aimlessly, so far from the goal. When they needed him to score, he couldn't get up there. Defend? He's not a defender!
Raul didn't play? Heard there was infighting in the Real Madrid locker room again? Factionalism in the Real Madrid locker room is serious... The Spanish local faction led by Raul suppressed the Portuguese and Argentine factions. Raul openly suppressed Ronaldo. He had suppressed another Ronaldo before, and his conflict with that Brazilian was not news... Look, what fighting power does a team with infighting have? Losing 2:6 to Barcelona at home is really embarrassing!
It hardly changed. In the second half of the league season, this scenario played out almost every time Real Madrid lost a game.
What could he do? As the Real Madrid captain, the banner of Real Madrid, the idol admired and loved by thousands of Real Madrid fans, the image of Real Madrid, could he stand up and bombard the media for talking nonsense? Could he come out and defend himself?
He couldn't, because he was the image of Real Madrid. What is the image of Real Madrid? It is to not complain even when you suffer a loss, it is royal demeanor, it is to not bother the referee even if it is a wrong call, not to discuss the referee after the game (Author's note: Some friends may say that Real Madrid is always making excuses now. In fact, that's because Real Madrid became more aggressive after Mourinho came. The former Real Madrid followed this set, holding up the royal stance very well, we are Real Madrid, we don't bother arguing with others about these things).
As the image ambassador of Real Madrid, could he defend himself and argue with the media?
What could he do?
When he played, he used more desperate running and fierce tackles to help the team; he chased a clearly overshot ball all the way to the opponent's corner flag in the last minute of the game, using a difficult move to save the ball; after losing to Barcelona, he led the players to applaud and thank the fans in the center circle, and would be furious if any player didn't do so; he swallowed his teeth, along with blood...
He was frustrated, but who could he complain to?
Florentino didn't get along with him in the first place, and the idea of using him as a scapegoat wasn't new. His best friend Morientes was sold off when Florentino was the chairman for the first time. Now, Guti had also left Real Madrid and gone to Turkey.
In this star-studded, dazzling galaxy battleship, there was no one who could listen to his innermost thoughts...
For some reason, Mazzarri's words evoked so many emotions in Raul.
Holding the phone, he looked up and took several deep breaths to calm himself.
"Really proving, not retiring?" he asked Mazzarri.
When Mazzarri heard Raul's words, he was overjoyed - there was a chance!
"Of course! We are willing to offer you a two-year contract. After one season, we can discuss the renewal!"
"Don't worry about the renewal, that's too far away. I'll be thirty-five in two years. I only want these two years." Raul made up his mind, and at the same time, there was something he didn't say.
I only have these two years.
"Naples, I'll go."
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Although he had decided to go to Naples, he still wanted to hear what the coach had to say. If he didn't ask some questions clearly, he wouldn't be willing to leave.
If... he meant if, even if there was only a sliver of a chance, even if it was just a fluke, he still wanted to try to stay with this team.
So he planned to have a face-to-face meeting with Mourinho. After all, he was still the team's nominal first captain, and the first captain always had to talk to the new coach, regardless of whether the coach intended to use him or not. He was still a member of Real Madrid, the captain of Real Madrid. Then he was qualified to be responsible for the team's affairs.
Coincidentally, Mourinho also planned to find Raul.
After the two met, they chatted for a long time, starting with pleasantries, nothing more than "Bernabéu's banner, Real Madrid's legend, I've admired you for a long time" and "the number one coach in modern football, I've admired you for a long time" and so on.
In fact, Mourinho knew why Raul was looking for him, and he was looking for Raul for the same reason.
Although it was difficult to say, it had to be said.
And it had to be said by him.
Raul didn't waste any time with Mourinho and asked directly: "Mr. Mourinho, there have been many rumors about me recently. To be honest, I find many of them inexplicable. So I want to ask you, am I, Raul Gonzalez, in your plans for the new season?"
This time, Mourinho didn't beat around the bush. Instead, he looked at Raul quietly, and the two stared at each other.
After a while, Raul saw Mourinho shake his head: "I'm sorry, you're not..."
Raul smiled, just a little. A bitter smile.
Mourinho continued to explain: "Today's Real Madrid must be faster and younger. I need many fast players in the frontcourt. As you can see, we bought Di Maria before the World Cup. He is a very fast winger... plus we also have outstanding players like Ronaldo, Kaka, Higuain and Benzema. So Real Madrid's tactics in the new season will definitely be based on speed, requiring attacking players to have speed, outstanding fitness and running ability..."
He was using football tactics to convince Raul, but there was another reason he didn't say.
Because the tactical aspect could only keep Raul from being a starter, could he still be a substitute? As long as he was at Real Madrid, he would have his status, his voice, and his influence in the locker room. Even if he was criticized by the media again, no matter how much he was provoked by other rising stars in the locker room, as long as Raul Gonzalez Blanco was still in the Bernabéu's locker room, no one would not be afraid of him, no one would not consider him.
This was the status he had earned by serving Real Madrid loyally for fifteen years, maintaining a high level of competition, and leading Real Madrid to one championship after another.
But Mourinho didn't need him to have such influence, he didn't need him to have such status. Even if Raul earned it with blood and life, he didn't need it. From today onwards, in this century-old club, besides Florentino, there could only be one voice, and that was... me, José Mourinho!
Of course, he didn't say this reason, because it would be too blunt. Raul was a legendary figure of the club after all, and still had countless fans in Madrid today, and his influence was still frighteningly great. Saying it so bluntly would be like slapping him in the face, and it would be too disrespectful.
The reason why Mourinho was able to succeed was not only because he could win championships, but also because he was good at handling complex interpersonal relationships. Don't let the outside world portray him as a blunt, reckless, uncivilized, and difficult-to-get-along-with person. If you could believe what the outside media said, pigs could fly...
Raul heard these words and lowered his head.
He heard what Mourinho said, and he also heard what Mourinho didn't say, didn't he?
It was really like they said, it was time for him to give way to the younger generation. This position wasn't just on the field...
Cristiano Ronaldo was eager to be the boss of the locker room, and he could see the joy in the eyes of his former junior Casillas when he wore the captain's armband. Even Ramos, the reckless youngster who had just joined the team, planned to be Real Madrid's new Hierro... This world was no longer for a thirty-three-year-old guy like him.
Only... he was always a little lonely.
He nodded and said with a smile: "I understand, thank you for being so honest with me."
With that, he stood up, said goodbye, and left, polite, elegant, and impeccable, just like his free and easy style on the field.
Mourinho didn't try to persuade him to stay, and didn't get up to see him off. He just sat in his seat and watched Raul's back as he walked out.
He just felt that the back of this man, who was known as "Real Madrid's living legend" and "Real Madrid's greatest number seven in history," was particularly lonely.
Since joining the Real Madrid first team in 1994, he had witnessed Real Madrid's rise from weak to strong, then from strong to weak, then struggling in the quagmire, briefly reviving, and then falling into dark times again. It could be said that he had experienced all the things that a club could experience.
Those who were by his side at the beginning left one after another, and those thunderous names came and went.
Davor Suker left, Mijatovic left, Morientes left... Figo came and left, Zidane came and left, Ronaldo came and left, Beckham came and left, Owen came and left, Roberto Carlos came and left...
So many people came and went, but he was the only one who remained, wearing his number 7 jersey, like a flag, always flying in the sky above the Bernabéu.
When people mentioned the name Raul, they would immediately think of Real Madrid. When talking about Real Madrid, they would quickly think of Raul.
In his fifteen years at Real Madrid, he was Real Madrid, and Real Madrid was him.
Now, this one was also leaving.
That era of white shirts may completely become a memory with this one's departure, forever remaining in the hearts of everyone who likes nostalgia.
From today onwards, there will be no more "Lord of the Rings" at the Bernabéu.
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ps, consider it a tribute to Raul...