[Season Task: Debut]
[Official Match 0/1]
[The badge draw will be unlocked based on player data after the match.]
Early in the morning, in the new dormitory, Chen Zhong was in the middle of washing up, the electric toothbrush working gently in his mouth. Although physically in the washroom, his thoughts had already raced to the training field.
In his youth team career, the aura made him unbeatable. But in the professional arena, he believed that badges are the cornerstone of the next step, and to earn a badge, he had to first take the initial step—appear in an official match for Real Madrid.
To get such an opportunity, he needed to earn the coach's trust.
The pre-season training camp was a good opportunity.
Moreover, the dorm at Real Madrid was really comfortable, and he didn't want to lose this luxurious home for free.
The dorm was equipped with all sorts of modern appliances. If one had to describe what it felt like to stay in the team dormitory, it would be akin to staying in a star-rated hotel.
White sheets, double pillows, a hotel-style bathroom, and a balcony with a recliner outside. It might lack the feeling of home, but the comfort was undeniably real.
Also, at Real Madrid, you didn't need to worry about food. They had a cafeteria similar to a buffet-style restaurant, so you didn't have to worry about what to eat each day because the food they prepared was absolutely healthy and delicious.
"Knock knock knock, knock knock knock, knock knock, knock, knock knock."
A rhythmic knocking sounded. In Chen Zhong's mind, Marcelo's face appeared. After tidying himself up, Chen Zhong went to open the door.
What he saw, however, was one, no, two unexpected faces.
"Esteban." Chen Zhong looked at the man in front of him, with sharp brows and eyes, tied hairband, and a wild beard, clearly stunned. It was apparent he was somewhat surprised to see him here.
"It's me." The man made his signature action, covering one eye, then laughed, "Unexpected, right!"
Esteban Felix Granero Molina.
The first name Chen Zhong heard after joining the Real Madrid Youth Academy was Granero.
Granero was born in Madrid, Spain. His whole family were fervent fans of Real Madrid, and his greatest dream since childhood was to become a "White Knight" and dedicate everything to charge and fight for his team.
At the age of 8, Granero entered the Real Madrid Youth System. In the U10 league, he scored 83 goals in one season, astonishing countless people. Everyone believed that this child's future was promising.
After scoring, Granero often celebrated by covering one eye, and as he grew older and gained fame, fans gave him the nickname "Pirate."
Every June was a trial for players in various levels of the Real Madrid Youth System.
That's the time when they all had to go to the office to receive news of being "retained" or "released," and Granero was always retained.
Before Messi joined the Barcelona Youth Academy, the Barcelona Youth Team had never won against Granero-led Real Madrid Youth Team, even though Barcelona had players like Pique and Fabregas back then.
In 2006, Granero progressed to Castilla. In the summer, he was selected into the Spanish Youth National Team and helped the team win the U19 World Cup trophy in Poland as an absolute main player.
When Chen Zhong first joined the Real Madrid Youth Academy, he saw Granero as a target, but he was always one step behind Granero.
Even though the two were always in different tiers, Chen Zhong still communicated with Granero and established a friendship.
This was all thanks to the construction of the Real Madrid Sports City in 2005.
It was "the best football training base in the world," hosting players from various levels of the Real Madrid Youth Academy and even arranging transportation for the day students.
At that time, what all the young players talked about most was that all the fields in the base used the same grass as the Bernabeu, airlifted from the Netherlands.
This made them always feel a sense of "faith" during training.
"Ah, you..." Chen Zhong looked at Granero, a bit flustered. It had been a while since they last met, and he wanted to have a good chat with Granero, but a figure stepped between them.
His features were delicate, his beard was cleanly shaved, and he stood with hands on hips, sounding a bit miffed: "Brother, can't you see me? Am I not human? Am I not human or what? You didn't see me at all!"
Nacho Fernandez, who joined Real Madrid Youth Academy in 2000, was undoubtedly Chen Zhong's predecessor. If Chen Zhong hadn't appeared, he would likely have become the new generation leader of Real Madrid Youth Academy.
A leader who was not so much of a genius but was humble, obedient, and seemed to have an aura.
His story is quite inspirational. In 2002, he was diagnosed with diabetes. Doctors advised him to give up football, but Nacho refused.
He regularly injected insulin and controlled his diet, actively fighting against the disease, never willing to give up his beloved football.
Chen Zhong and Nacho were teammates for a short while. Because they were both utility players, they hit it off immediately.
"My bad, my bad." Chen Zhong raised his hand in surrender, looking at Nacho and Granero excitedly, "How come you two are here? Did you also join the first team?"
Nacho appeared a bit somber but quickly regained his vigor. Looking at the reserved Granero, he said cheerfully, "I don't want to come to the first team so soon. Now that you two are gone, I'm the most fashionable in the youth team! By the way, I recently met a promising newcomer, Lucas Vazquez, 16 years old, same age as you. He just joined our youth academy. He's very talented, and I have high hopes for him."
Looking past Nacho, Chen Zhong gazed at Granero with some excitement. Granero smiled modestly, saying, "I just received a notice to train with the first team."
"Training with the first team!" Nacho chimed in from the side, "With your talent, you'll quickly establish yourself in the first team. Then wait a while, in a few years I'll join the first team too, and the three of us will win all kinds of championships for the team and become club legends, staying with the team for life!"
"Hiss..." Chen Zhong took a deep breath, looking at Nacho. This guy usually stayed quiet and humble in front of others, but whenever the three of them gathered, he became a chatterbox.
So, is his usual quietness because he uses up all his "quota" when the three gather?
"Alright, alright, come on in and sit." Chen Zhong checked the time, realizing it was still early, so he invited the two into his room and they sat on the balcony, enjoying the cool morning breeze. Then he regretted it, feeling awkward about going back inside, ended up bracing himself to chat in the cool wind outside.
"So," Chen Zhong slightly furrowed his brows, looking at Granero and asked, "Did they suggest you go out on loan first?"
During the chat, Granero mentioned that some youth team coaches, who watched him grow up, suggested he go on loan to other teams. It was unclear whether they received some news or for some other reason.
"Yes." Granero looked at Chen Zhong seriously, "I want to hear your opinion. You've always had a clear understanding of future plans."
Granero played as a midfielder. Looking at his friend, Chen Zhong couldn't help but think of Guti, Sneijder, and others. Last night, he also hesitated over whether to temporarily leave Real Madrid, like Mata or Negredo, to train with other teams first.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
Because, as a central defender, Real Madrid hasn't settled it yet, so he still had some competitiveness. But in the midfield, even if Granero were a genius, there's absolutely no chance.
"My suggestion is to leave."