"I'm sixty-eight years old, but I can wait! And I believe the people of Spain can wait just as long as I can!"
Many reporters on-site were visibly moved.
This…
Is Spain really raising the white flag?
What kind of willpower does this take?
To declare withdrawal in front of the World Cup trophy—this kind of restraint, this commitment to the future—is far harder than throwing everything away for a single cup in front of you.
Aragonés wasn't after 'glorious defeat.' If he didn't have absolute certainty in a decisive strike, then even with the trophy within arm's reach, he would still hold back and wait for the next chance.
That is the wisdom of Aragonés.
This decision would inevitably ignite controversy across the entire football world.
Aragonés could very well become the sinner of Spain.
And all of this was for Spain's future—to ensure they would still have a healthy Su Hang.
Upstairs, by the window.
Su Hang looked down at the roaring crowd, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
He had fought Queiroz head-on, clashed with Camacho, schemed with Luxemburgo's clique, using every trick, every ounce of wit and will.
Honestly, it was tiring.
But this time, he finally met a good coach.
Su Hang: "Jennifer, help me get that white spray bottle from my bag… yeah, that one."
Jennifer: "Su, what is this? Perfume?"
Su Hang: "No, that's the black bottle—the foot spray. This white one is for skin care. The secret is to keep your skin hydrated, every single day."
Jennifer: ???
Clara: "Su, Calderón is calling."
Su Hang: "Tell him to wait a little longer."
Clara: "He said you should be free now? He's been waiting a long time so he wouldn't disturb your match prep. He also said… no one's ever made him wait this long. He said it jokingly."
Su Hang: "I know. That's why he can wait a bit more. I don't like talking about anything else before a match is over."
Clara froze.
"Su, are you insane? If you love the World Cup trophy that much, you could literally have several made in solid gold just to play with!" She suddenly realized something. "You absolutely cannot take a pain-killing injection! It could affect you for life!"
Su Hang nodded. "I know. But… Spanish friends are just too enthusiastic. Besides, I may not need an injection."
"I'm already treating it, aren't I? It's helping."
Clara shook her head again and again.
Madman!
Footballers are all madmen!
Aragonés giving up a World Cup trophy within reach just to protect Su Hang—madman.
Su Hang still thinking about the match in this condition—madman.
Watching Su Hang instruct Jennifer on how to spray the medicine, Clara could only give a bitter smile. But who the hell would know that someone like her—Clara, the great beauty—would actually fall for a madman like Su Hang?
Love. Absolutely love.
Aragonés: Uh… hello, I'm also a madman. Perhaps you could consider—
Clara: Get lost! I go by looks!
...
"Shocking! Spain's Head Coach Publicly States Su Hang Will Not Appear in the World Cup Final—Spain's Win Probability Crashes!"
"Eight Percent! Only eight percent of fans worldwide believe Spain can beat France—and they're almost all Spanish fans!"
"Humanity has lost its mind! How are there still eight percent who think Spain can win in this state?"
"Sport slams Su Hang for 'protecting his feathers,' claiming he's putting his career over the national team by refusing an injection!"
"Mundo Deportivo says Su Hang should have his captain's armband stripped—that he should die on the pitch rather than cling to life for his right ankle!"
"The London Globe calls Sport and Mundo Deportivo idiots—and declares it'll use them as toilet paper!"
As the saying goes—misfortune never comes alone.
July 7th—two days before the World Cup final.
Spain's starting attacking midfielder Luis García was struck with a severe cold.
Worse, it seemed highly contagious—the staff caring for him and an assistant coach also fell ill.
For the team's safety, García was admitted to a local hospital and ruled out of the final.
Another setback for Spain.
Even if this El Mago wasn't the most reliable, he was still the best Spain had right now at that position.
Iniesta, Fàbregas, Joaquín, Reyes—these rising stars might one day become world-class, but at the moment, none of them were as effective as García.
Media everywhere began speculating about Spain's lineup.
Most predicted Raúl would replace García, with Villa and Torres upfront.
But this would drastically weaken Spain's bench.
Whatever slight physical edge Spain had over France was now gone.
Spain had undeniably weakened again.
Yet absurdly, their win rate didn't budge—still eight percent.
Meaning: whether García played or not, the public didn't care.
García: …
Well, to be fair, eight percent can't drop any further anyway.
Those who still believed Spain could win at this point were hardcore loyalists. Even if the entire Spanish squad were injured, they'd still insist Spain would win.
July 8th—the day before the World Cup final.
A bombshell broke out!
Zidane appeared at France's training ground. His head was still bandaged, but he didn't look like someone gravely injured.
France soon issued a formal statement, saying Zidane had visited the squad while injured to boost team morale.
France's momentum soared again.
Countless French fans began celebrating early on social media, convinced they would lift the World Cup trophy again—their first since 1998.
That night, many Spaniards couldn't sleep.
Including the players.
The pressure was suffocating.
When the whole world believes you can't do it, even if you can, you start to falter.
That is the power of belief.
On the morning of July 9th, media captured footage of Su Hang being carried onto the team bus by his teammates outside the Spanish hotel.
He sat in a wheelchair, and the wheelchair itself was lifted onto the bus.
This indicated that Su Hang would still go to the stadium.
But clearly, he couldn't possibly play.
At the same time, Zidane was seen again at France's training ground.
He gave an interview at noon.
His head had been shaved clean for treatment.
This land, not rich to begin with, was now completely barren.
But Zidane still smiled brightly. "My injury hasn't fully healed yet, so I might be cheering from the stands."
"But in their current form, I believe this French team can win the final."
Though regrets lingered, French fans largely agreed.
...
At 5 PM that afternoon, both team buses arrived at the Berlin Olympiastadion.
Spain had knocked Argentina out here earlier.
But this time, they seemed to be walking into disaster.
Both squads were already warming up on the pitch.
Aragonés stood with furrowed brows. With only three hours left before kickoff, he had to submit the final match roster.
After scribbling and adjusting his formation sheet, he finally settled on the attacking trio of Villa, Torres, and Raúl.
But just as he stood up to leave, Su Hang rolled to the doorway in his electric wheelchair.