June 2007.
A photo of Ho-young roaring with the trophy held high in one hand made the front page of Korea Daily Sports.
It was the first time Ho-young had appeared solo on the front page since Zidane's famous interview during the World Cup last year.
['Real Madrid Youth' Ho-young Promoted to Senior Castilla Team, Aims for First-Team in Two Years]
Ho-young (15), who will now compete against senior players at Real Madrid Castilla CF, declared confidently, "I will reach the first team within two years."
Real Madrid Castilla CF is the official reserve team of Real Madrid, essentially its B team.
What's unique is that, unlike in England, Spain has no dedicated reserve league. For instance, Manchester United's B team only plays against other B teams in the reserve league.
In contrast, Real Madrid Castilla, despite being a reserve team, plays in the Segunda División against full-fledged first teams. In Spain, the B team is treated as a completely independent club.
That means Ho-young would be facing opponents like Sporting Gijón, Málaga, Numancia, and Real Sociedad's senior squads — all clubs with top-tier La Liga experience.
In short, Ho-young would essentially be playing against the first teams of reputable clubs.
To exaggerate slightly, Castilla's level could be considered just one notch below that of Reading FC in the English Championship, the club made famous in Korea by Seol Ki-hyeon (29).
Castilla is a stage where many stars, including Real Madrid legend Raúl, once honed their skills...
– Hwang Tae-seok, Sports Reporter
Real Madrid Castilla is a bit like a rubber band team.
As the reporter said, when the squad is deep, their level is just below Reading FC. But when the depth is lacking, they're worse than a third-division side.
Last year, they finished 18th in the league and barely avoided relegation.
Meanwhile, Barcelona B, who were promoted to the second division last year, finished an impressive 9th, powered by the breakout performances of Bojan.
An incredible feat for a B team.
But this year, Real Madrid also had high hopes.
That was because they had just brought in Ho-young, whose trajectory was every bit as impressive — perhaps more so — than Bojan's.
The reaction from fans was overwhelming.
Most expressed pride and support for Ho-young.
But, as always, there were some negative comments.
[There are only three non-EU slots in the first team. You think they'll give one to an Asian kid?]
└ As if. The current first team is already bursting at the seams. And Ho-young's going to make it? His fans are delusional. lol
└ Even Higuaín, a super prospect, is already rumored to be going out on loan. Real isn't a place for raising youth. It's for selling them.
└ Still, it doesn't look like Pérez wants to sell Ho-young. Why assign Zidane as a tutor if they were planning to sell him?
└ That's just PR to increase his transfer value.
└ One tabloid says Raúl will be his next tutor?
└ Marca? That place is basically a rumor mill.
The skepticism was understandable.
For an Asian player to earn Spanish citizenship and be officially registered with Real Madrid's first team was as difficult as a camel passing through the eye of a needle.
Yet, even under such tough circumstances, there were those who believed in Ho-young and gave him strength.
One such group was the members of the WooHooHyung fan café, which had recently surpassed 300,000 members.
A few days later.
Ho-young received an international package from Uijeongbu, Seoul.
The sender was the fan café administrator, "Power-hyung (PowerType)." The package was a collection of gifts and messages from fans celebrating Ho-young's title win and promotion.
From bags and clothes to daily necessities, the box was packed with heartfelt items, including a portrait of Ho-young and handwritten letters.
It wasn't the only international mail that arrived.
Another parcel came from São Paulo, Brazil — specifically from Vitória, Recife.
The sender was Monica.
– Hi Ho-young!
How are you doing? I'm doing well. It's been hectic with the national championships in December, but I'm working hard. If I place well, they'll send me to Spain or Russia for training next year. Today I learned how to make farofa from Maria. I really want to make it for you too. Oh, I saw your face in an online article! But since you can't see me, I've included a photo again today. Stay safe and take care of your health!
– From a girl who misses the boy
A letter full of emotion, fitting for a future rhythmic gymnastics star like Monica.
Reading it brought a smile to Ho-young's face.
He took the envelope and pulled out the photos inside.
This time there were seven.
"Ha."
In them, Monica smiled shyly and made peace signs with her fingers.
Over the past year and a half, they had exchanged letters regularly. Occasionally, she would include photos like these.
'It's barely been two months and she's changed again.'
It had been a year and a half since they last met.
She still had that youthful glow, but Monica had already grown into a young lady.
Ho-young placed the new photos into his album.
It was already filled with dozens of them.
Time continued to pass.
By mid-June, most of the first-team players had returned to their home countries to join their national teams.
The French players, including Zidane, headed back for Euro 2008 qualifiers, while the Brazilians flew to Venezuela for Copa América.
As a result, Ho-young also returned to Korea to participate in an international tournament for about 10 days.
An 8-nation U-17 international youth football tournament.
It wasn't a prestigious competition, but it carried meaning.
He led a South Korean squad, considered the weakest, to an honorable 2nd-place finish. He scored 7 goals in 4 matches and swept multiple individual awards.
With a 30-meter long-range goal, he moved one step closer to acquiring Cha Bum-kun's talent.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo, who hadn't been called up by the Brazil coach, remained in Madrid, indulging in a carefree lifestyle.
This was also when Lucci's efforts began in earnest.
As June came to a close, the sweltering heat of 30 degrees Celsius began.
Ho-young, spending most of his time at the training ground, struggled, but managed with the help of cooling sleeves, towels, and other gifts from fans.
With vacation lasting until early September, he had plenty of time.
But there were no breaks.
Ho-young stayed at Valdebebas the entire time.
He no longer had a tutor, but with a personal coach provided by the club, he focused on developing his talents.
To compensate for his biggest weakness — stamina — he trained relentlessly.
Still, since he was still growing, he didn't push himself too hard.
A few days later, the players were called up.
The list included players promoted to the professional teams (Real Madrid C, Castilla) this year, and those demoted from Castilla to Real Madrid C.
All gathered at Valdebebas' third-team training ground for trial matches to determine final squad placements.
Among them, the one who stood out most was Ho-young.
A class of his own.
In just a year and a half, he had risen from Juvenil to this level. That day alone, he scored two goals, leaving a lasting impression.
Players seeing Ho-young for the first time were visibly shocked, and the youth staff were highly satisfied with his adaptation.
This signaled that a storm might be brewing in this season's Segunda División.
Now, all that remained was tutoring.
Ho-young poured himself into training, eagerly awaiting the day he would meet his idol, the Emperor of Football — Ronaldo.
By early July, the long summer break had come to an end, though it had felt incredibly short.
Ronaldo, having toured various resorts like a concert tour, was already stressed just by being back in Madrid.
What he once thought would become his second home had long turned into a nightmare.
Politics, schemes, even fan threats.
Everyone advised him to stay, but he just wanted to leave.
He had already submitted a transfer request to the club and was now receiving offers from other teams.
Although his contract with Real Madrid still had one year remaining, his mind was already set.
This vacation had been his way of organizing his thoughts, but there was one thing that had been bothering him for months.
'Ho-young, was it?'
President Pérez. Zinedine Zidane.
And that fashionista agent he'd met through his wife, Lucci.
Ronaldo had been hearing nonstop about Ho-young from all three.
Since March, Pérez had been asking him for a favor.
To take things slow and help mentor a promising young player.
That player was Ho-young.
Zidane had recommended it too, saying it could be a great turning point in his life after football.
Lucci, who was from the same country and had a similar personality, often shared drinks with him, and always brought up Ho-young.
Everyone around him was obsessed with this kid.
But Ronaldo couldn't understand why.
It wasn't that he disliked the boy.
He just didn't see what made him so special.
If he were Brazilian, maybe. But Ronaldo had no interest in mentoring a youngster from another country.
Of course, he could always grant their request if he felt like it.
But his crushing laziness never let go of him.
The Emperor of Football, Ronaldo, had lost his passion for kicking a ball.
He just wasn't the same as before.
'This isn't the time to be babysitting some kid.'
Without even unpacking, Ronaldo threw himself onto the bed.
His phone buzzed moments later.
'Who's calling this early?'
[Roni, I hope you enjoyed your vacation. I believe you're scheduled for medical check-ups and training the day after tomorrow. I'll be waiting at the office.]
It was a message from President Pérez, who remained close with him despite all the recent tensions with the club.
It was time to make a decision about his future.
Two days later, Ronaldo visited Valdebebas.
Coincidentally, it was the day of the first team's initial call-up for fitness assessments.
Most of those summoned were B team players, with only a few first-teamers — like Ronaldo, who hadn't been called up for national duty, and others returning from injury.
It's common for first-team players to appear in B team matches to regain match fitness.
That's the purpose of the B team.
Ronaldo was scheduled to participate in today's training match for that reason.
Having passed his recent medical test, he needed to sharpen his physical and ball condition ahead of the season.
It wasn't about a flashy La Liga comeback, but a new beginning.
And on that day.
Arriving at Valdebebas, Ronaldo finally met the boy he had heard so much about.
Rookie player Ho-young.
'Doesn't look like someone who's good at football.'
Ronaldo had a prejudice about appearances.
After all, it was rare to find players who were both exceptionally talented and good-looking.
Aside from a few like Beckham, Roque Santa Cruz, or Kaká, he hadn't seen many.
'Well, I'll find out soon enough.'
With all the things he'd heard about Ho-young, Ronaldo's expectations were already set high.
He would soon find out if the boy was truly a prodigy.
The two were set to share the same pitch today.
(To be continued.)