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Atlético Madrid training base, the car park was quite lively.
A group of young people embraced and greeted each other, joking around like middle schoolers on their first day back.
"Hey, Saúl, your haircut is so ugly, where did you get it?"
"Get lost! José, you're a jerk, look how fat you've got."
"No way?"
"Your body fat is definitely over the limit, you're done for, the big demon is going to punish you."
"Oh no!"
Thinking of head coach Diego Simeone's harsh methods, the young Uruguay defender, José Giménez, looked panicked.
He had let himself go a bit during the summer break, and his weight had increased slightly, his entire face had rounded out.
Before the holiday, the coach had repeatedly emphasised maintaining their physique; if they didn't meet the standards, they would definitely suffer.
"By the way, have you guys seen the new guy yet?"
"Lance? Yeah, I saw him."
"So, is he as difficult to get along with as the rumours say?"
"Yeah, I heard he has a pretty wild personality."
Atlético Madrid defenders Juanfran, Filipe Luís, midfielder Augusto, and others all gathered around.
The team was almost entirely composed of Spanish and Latin American players, who loved to gossip.
Lance was undoubtedly the hottest topic amongst the players.
"The rumours are a bit exaggerated, almost all made up by Marca. Lance himself is quite nice."
"Really? I heard Oliver and Lance had a conflict. And Oliver got thrashed by him."
"Nonsense, we just had a simple spar."
Oliver Torres was quite embarrassed.
Last time, Oliver had given his all, and Lance didn't even break a sweat, Oliver was completely convinced, but if it got out, he would lose face.
"Say less, Lance will be here today, everyone will see for themselves."
Fernando Torres, an Atlético Madrid legend, currently the spiritual leader of the entire Atlético Madrid team, quickly dispersed the gossiping group.
Just as they were about to head to the restaurant to start the first day of training, with the roar of an engine, a Lykan Hypersport, the same model as in 'Fast & Furious 7', drove into the car park, executing a stylish drift into a parking space.
Lance, carrying a gym bag, got out and paused, realising that at least 10 people were all staring at him.
"Hola! Guys!"
A very sunny smile, a generous greeting, left the Atlético Madrid players with a very good first impression!
Completely different from the stereotypical image of a dull, gloomy, introverted East Asian.
"Lance!! I finally get to meet you! I'm José Giménez, I'm your fan!"
The young defender Giménez was the first to rush up and shake Lance's hand, the other Atlético Madrid players embarrassingly lowered their heads and covered their foreheads.
Just moments ago, they were gossiping about Lance behind his back, but upon meeting him, they were like crazy sasaeng fans.
"Lance, let me introduce you, this is José, this is Diego Godín, our big brother. And this one, Oblak, our most reliable guardian. And…"
Under Torres's introduction, Lance briefly met more than half of Atlético Madrid's starting players.
He also noticed, the expressions of the other team members varied, not as enthusiastic as Giménez.
Some maintained politeness, some merely glanced, and some even looked at Lance with hostile eyes.
After all, he had just joined, and last season, Lance led Bayer Leverkusen to eliminate Atlético Madrid in the Champions League round of 16, many players already hated Lance, so hostility and a lack of welcome for a newcomer were normal.
Trust and chemistry needed to be gradually cultivated through long-term training and matches; it couldn't be rushed.
The initial awkwardness he experienced when joining Bayer Leverkusen, needed to be re-experienced with the new team.
The only good news was, Lance joined with the world's highest transfer fee, and with the experience of their previous encounter, everyone clearly knew how strong Lance's abilities were, so he didn't need to prove himself again.
As the group chatted in the car park, another Land Rover drove in.
The middle-aged man with a thuggish look and fierce demeanour, head coach Diego Simeone had arrived.
"You're all here, why aren't you going inside?"
"Oh? Lance, you're here too."
"Coach."
"I'm very happy to see you join, Lance, let's work well together this new season."
Simeone's smile was quite straightforward, and he showed Lance a lot of respect.
An 18-year-old player, theoretically, should be at the bottom of Europe's football hierarchy.
But Lance had conquered Simeone with his outstanding past performances.
Not everyone could consecutively eliminate Real Madrid and Barcelona.
To single-handedly challenge La Liga's top two teams at their peak, few people in the world could do it.
After having breakfast in the cafeteria, and a simple adaptive training session in the gym, once the entire first team was present, Simeone gathered everyone in the changing room.
Lance sat in the centre seat of the changing room, with his number 10 jersey behind him.
The Atlético Madrid players' gazes inevitably drifted towards him.
"First, let's welcome our new teammate, and new comrade! Lance from the East—"
Clap clap clap clap!
Thunderous applause.
Whether out of respect, admiration, or hatred, at least Lance was enough to command the attention of the entire team.
"For specific introductions and getting acquainted, Torres, you can take Lance and get to know everyone privately. Today, let's get down to business, I know, many of you must have indulged during the holiday. So I won't conduct physical tests yet. After running 20 laps for warm-up later, we'll start with an internal scrimmage to see who amongst you maintained professional discipline during the holiday. I will divide you into teams shortly, remember, the losing team won't just do press-ups. Whoever loses, the entire team will serve as servants to the opposing team for a week, to be ordered around at will."
"Oh yeah!!"
"Oh no!!"
Some were happy, some were sad.
If they lost, wouldn't they be unable to hold their heads up for the entire season, being a dog for teammates was definitely the most humiliating way.
Simeone sure came up with something!
Previously, internal matches were just a formality, now there was a genuine reason to win!
Instantly, the entire team's gazes focused on a few individuals.
Fernando Torres, Griezmann, Koke, Gabi, Godín, Giménez, Juanfran, Oblak… and Lance!
Everyone knew who could lead a team to victory.
Simeone made the entire team nervous with each name he read out.
Finally, the teams were divided, looking at the rosters of both sides, the young Argentina winger Ángel Correa was almost in tears.
Atlético Madrid's starting lineup, Torres, Griezmann, Koke, Gabi, Godín, Giménez, Juanfran, Oblak… all these people were on Team 1!
Team 2 players were basically the usual substitutes, like Correa himself, who was a "super sub."
There were also Oliver, Jackson, Luciano, Matías, and others; their competitiveness was at best mid-table in La Liga.
How could they win?
The strength was completely unbalanced!
"Coach, I protest!"
The substitute defensive midfielder, Argentinian Matías Kranevitter, looked indignant.
"This grouping is unfair! With only Lance leading the team, how are we supposed to play?"
"Oh?"
Simeone's expression darkened as he narrowed his eyes.
"Are you questioning me?"
"No, no, I wouldn't dare. I just think it's not very reasonable. Why should he…"
Seeing that the other Team 2 members also looked dissatisfied, Simeone just smiled mysteriously.
"The coaching staff has already decided, you can only comply. Lance, do you think there's a problem with the grouping?"
"No problem!"
Lance's tone was firm.
He could figure it out with his eyes closed, Simeone definitely wanted to test his ability, to see if the player with the world's highest transfer fee could lead Team 2 to contend with the starting lineup.
And at the same time, to humble him a bit, to tell the 18-year-old not to be too arrogant, not to take his transfer fee for granted, and to show him the strength of Atlético Madrid's starting lineup.
This intention was too obvious, Simeone.
But Lance wasn't scared at all.
With the system backing him, if he couldn't even beat Atlético Madrid's starting lineup, how could he talk about the goal of a sextuple?
"Very good, all of you, hurry up and change into your clothes to warm up!"
"In half an hour, the scrimmage begins!"