Chapter 1

On July 25, 2010, news arrived that was both somewhat expected and shocking for countless Real Madrid fans.

Raúl González of Real Madrid officially transferred to Serie A team Napoli as a free agent. He would report to his new team on the twenty-seventh.

This news caused a sensation.

Before this, many voices had said, "Raúl is getting the boot!" "Raúl is leaving Real Madrid!" "Real Madrid doesn't want Raúl!" "A mountain cannot have two tigers; Mourinho will definitely drive Raúl away!" "Florentino didn't manage to complete this during the Galácticos era, but he will definitely complete it in the second!"

For a time, the city was in turmoil. Everyone thought Raúl would disappear the next day.

But when the day actually arrived, everyone was stunned. Many even thought it was an April Fool's joke.

But the traditional Spanish April Fool's Day is December 28th, and now it was July 25th!

So this was reliable news because it came from Real Madrid's official website.

Raúl was really leaving?

Was the legend who once caused countless people to flock to the Bernabéu just to shout his name really leaving?

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Real Madrid's general manager, Valdano, was surrounded by reporters, struggling to squeeze through the encirclement to his car while constantly answering their questions.

"Yes...yes, it's true. Raúl has left the club...Later, we will hold a special press conference to inform everyone about this matter, so please be patient..."

Florentino pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses on the television screen, his face full of regret: "I personally regret this very much. But I must say that all of this was initiated by Raúl. He is a very respectable person. On his last day at Real Madrid, he was worthy of the great title of 'captain'..."

Mourinho, wearing a training suit printed with the Real Madrid logo and sponsor's logo, stood on the edge of the training field, accepting interviews from reporters: "I respect his personal choice. I must say that I have no conflicts with him, contrary to what you think. We had an in-depth conversation...I wish him good luck. What I want to say is—whether at the Bernabéu or in Naples, he will always be that Raúl..."

Real Madrid's current first captain, Casillas, was blocked by reporters in the parking lot. It was obvious that he wouldn't be able to leave without answering questions.

"Raúl is my eternal big brother. He is the team's spiritual leader. This will not disappear with his departure. We will all miss him. He was my guide at Real Madrid...I am very grateful to him..."

"Look, Raúl. You haven't left yet, and these people are already rushing to deliver eulogies."

When Raúl González looked up, intently watching the television, his agent, Ginés Carvajal, snorted disdainfully beside him.

"Especially that new captain!"

Just after the South Africa World Cup ended, this well-known Spanish agent was fired by Casillas. So his relationship with Casillas was terrible. He even thought Casillas was ungrateful because he had managed Casillas's career for the previous fourteen years.

Raúl didn't respond. He just stared blankly at the television screen.

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On July 26th, Real Madrid arranged a farewell press conference for Raúl at the Bernabéu. The club president, coach, and Raúl all attended.

The media gathered, all wanting to hear what Raúl had to say about this matter.

In just one day, there were many versions of the reason for Raúl's departure circulating. Some said he left voluntarily, some said he was forced out by Mourinho, some said Florentino took ruthless action, and others said this was part of a power change in the Real Madrid locker room, with Casillas also playing an unflattering role...

In short, there was no consistent narrative.

Rumors flew everywhere.

At this time, everyone wanted to hear what Raúl had to say.

Raúl sat on the high platform, his face filled with microphones, recorders, and cell phones...

He glanced down at the dark, gaping mouths of the microphones pointed at him.

"Thank you very much for coming to see me off. Making the decision to leave was not easy. But this is really my own decision, and no one has ever forced me. I am very grateful to Real Madrid, President Florentino, and also to Mr. Mourinho..."

Someone below curled their lips: "I knew it. Wanting to hear him say bad things about Real Madrid? That'll happen when the world ends!"

"This is the Real Madrid spirit! No pure Real Madrid player will say bad things about her after leaving Real Madrid. They have never received such education since they were in Castilla..."

"You're right, this is the Real Madrid spirit. But I don't believe what he's saying now. Everyone knows about the conflict between him and the club..."

"Shh! Keep quiet and listen!"

On the platform, Raúl continued to speak.

"I admit that I very, very much wanted to stay. Even now, at this moment, I want to stay, dreaming that one day I can wear a Real Madrid jersey and wave goodbye to tens of thousands of fans at the Bernabéu stadium...But unfortunately, I have to leave early."

Hearing this, some older reporters under the stage couldn't help wiping their eyes. Which of them hadn't been interviewing Real Madrid for decades? They had almost watched Raúl grow from a green teenager promoted from the second team to a world superstar and had a father-like affection for Raúl. What Raúl had just said was obviously a scene they had imagined countless times.

But unfortunately, this scene would not have the opportunity to be staged.

This scene had appeared on Zidane's body, but why couldn't it appear on Raúl's body?

"I once said, 'I love Real Madrid, no one would think I want to leave, and I have never thought about leaving, but if I have to sacrifice myself for the team so that the team can achieve good results, then I am willing to leave.' I still say this now, and I sincerely think so. If my departure can make the team better, then I would rather leave. I don't want the treatment of retiring at the Bernabéu. I only hope that Real Madrid's future will be better."

Many Real Madrid fans who were watching the live broadcast of this press conference in front of the television, especially those over the age of thirty, couldn't help but burst into tears.

Raúl really said such things, and at first, everyone thought he was putting on a show. But now, no one thinks he is putting on a show. But how much everyone hopes that this is really a show...

"Of course, I can choose to retire at this time. But I can't do it. Because I can't betray my true thoughts. My true thought is that I still want to continue playing football, and I don't want to leave too early. So I chose to leave the Bernabéu and go to Napoli. Because Napoli is willing to give an old guy like me a chance. I'm not going there to retire." At this point, he turned his head to look at Mourinho, who was watching with a serious expression, and smiled at him, "I really like a sentence Mr. Mourinho said: Whether at the Bernabéu or in Naples, I am that Raúl. Thank you."

Mourinho's face quickly showed a smile, and he nodded to Raúl.

Raúl turned back to look at the camera and continued, "So I'm sorry, I have to wear the jerseys of other clubs. But my heart will always belong to Real Madrid."

He raised his hand and thumped his chest a few times. That was his celebration after scoring a goal now. He didn't kiss his fingers much anymore. Thumping his chest and then making a "v" sign was his most common gesture now.

Finally, he said, "Please rest assured, I will return to Real Madrid and return to the Bernabéu. Because I am Raúl González, I am Raúl González of Real Madrid. Thank you!"

Throughout the whole process, he had a warm smile on his face, just like the impression he usually gave people, humble and polite, like a spring breeze, not causing people to feel disgusted.

Even when announcing his departure, he didn't want to leave a bad impression in people's minds. It was such a player who cared so much about his image who, in the end, for the sake of the team's future, abandoned the halos of "Real Madrid flag," "Real Madrid legend," and "Real Madrid spiritual leader" and chose to leave. He gave his number to Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been coveting it for a long time, handed over the title of the locker room boss to his former younger brother Casillas, gave the authority of a decisive word to Mourinho, and took away all the controversies and accusations, leaving only his love behind.

Perhaps some people have many opinions about Raúl, but this point they cannot deny or slander, that is, his unreserved love for this team. For love, he can stay; for love, he would rather leave.

It has to be said that sometimes, leaving requires perhaps even more courage than staying.

When he stood up, under the gaze of everyone, shook hands with coach Mourinho, general manager Valdano, and club president Florentino in turn, and then turned and left the press conference.

From October 29, 1994, the flag that had been flying over the Santiago Bernabéu stadium for a full fifteen years was lowered.

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The next day, Raúl appeared in Naples. At the San Paolo stadium, he attended a grand welcoming ceremony specially prepared for him by the club. Ten thousand Napoli fans came to support him. Those media reporters who were reporting his sad farewell to Real Madrid in Spain yesterday ran to Naples again to report the grand occasion of Raúl's joining.

After passing the medical examination, Raúl took the two Napoli jerseys, home and away, and appeared on the field with a smile on his face. His name and number had already been printed on the back of the jersey.

Like at Real Madrid, he was still wearing the number seven jersey.

The white number seven of Real Madrid had died, and he would be reborn in Naples.

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ps, three updates have been released today! Shamelessly asking everyone for some monthly tickets!

It's the New Year, let me be happy too~