July 22.
Real Madrid returned home to participate in the 4th Peace Cup, held in the Andalusia region of Spain.
The Peace Cup was a tournament organized by a Korean foundation, and it had gained enough prestige to be recognized as an official international competition by FIFA.
With a prize of around 20 million euros, it was considered quite substantial, especially compared to La Liga's 70 million euro championship prize.
For Real Madrid, who had been actively engaging in partnerships and exchanges with Asia, this was a great opportunity to further strengthen their position in the Asian market.
Their first opponent was Al-Ittihad Football Club.
As the oldest club in Saudi Arabia, they were not a side to be underestimated.
July 25.
One day before the Peace Cup, at Valdebebas' press conference hall.
Manager Scolari sat for a pre-tournament interview.
A journalist asked,
"This will be your first official match since taking charge, even though it's still pre-season. It's also Real Madrid's first time participating in the Peace Cup. As manager, you must have some special feelings about this. What are your thoughts?"
"To manage a team like this is a tremendous honor. We have great players and an excellent coaching staff. At the same time, managing such a team is not easy. But we'll do well. While the Peace Cup may not be a world-class tournament, I believe it can serve as a stepping stone toward our expansion into Asia. I hope lifting the trophy will bring a message of peace to the world."
The interview seemed to be proceeding peacefully.
But that didn't last long.
"You held a two-week pre-season training camp. According to reports, there was some internal conflict between players. Is it related to rumors that the team is divided over Ho-young and Cristiano Ronaldo? And if so, how is their current relationship?"
Scolari furrowed his brow deeply.
He had agreed only to formal interview questions, but now he was being blindsided.
"Either reveal your source or stop this nonsense. Since our hotel was completely isolated from outside contact, I'm guessing it's the latter. Haha."
Scolari let out a hearty laugh like a magnanimous man.
While he was strict with himself and his players, he presented a genial and charming image in public.
He knew better than anyone how troublesome it could be to be at odds with the press, especially as a newly appointed manager.
Making enemies early on in Spain would only make life more difficult.
"And will Cristiano Ronaldo and Ho-young both feature in the first match?"
"If they're ready to play, they might."
That question was answered the following day in the match against Al-Ittihad.
[Both Ho-young and Ronaldo are on the bench as substitutes. Perhaps they're not ready to be fielded together yet?]
[Hard to say. Let's wait and see. They could be brought on at the same time, or maybe they're being saved as secret weapons for the official season.]
The 30,000 fans who filled the stadium showed clear signs of disappointment.
Despite the Peace Cup being an unfamiliar tournament, the reason fans had shown up in droves was to witness the historic moment when both players took the field together.
But contrary to their hopes, neither Ronaldo nor Ho-young moved from the bench for the entire match.
Real Madrid secured a light 1-0 victory, but it only fueled speculation about internal conflict within the team.
'This much is fine.'
But Scolari wasn't the least bit concerned.
This was just how he worked.
'They need more time.'
There was no need to rush things and risk the two showing poor chemistry on the pitch, which would only cause more controversy.
After all, slow and steady wins the race.
There was still time until September. He could afford to take things slow and lay the foundation.
If you started construction without a proper base, the structure was bound to collapse.
Starting the next day, Scolari planned to field Ronaldo and Ho-young at different times and observe.
The tournament continued without any issues.
Scolari gave opportunities to various players, and both Ho-young and Ronaldo each played in a match and delivered brilliant performances.
As a result, they defeated LDU Quito and FC Porto in succession and advanced smoothly to the final.
Their opponent in the final was Aston Villa, a traditional EPL club that had beaten Juventus in the semi-final.
The final match was scheduled for August 2 at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville.
As expected of a final, psychological warfare began even before kickoff.
The biggest surprise came in the starting lineup.
[Finally, the moment we've all been waiting for. Football fans around the world have been eagerly anticipating this.]
[Absolutely. I've been counting down the days. With both Ho-young and Ronaldo in the starting eleven, expectations are sky-high.]
An hour before kickoff, Real Madrid announced their starting lineup, and both names were on the list.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
[Can't wait to see what kind of performance Scolari has been preparing in secret. He's kept this combination under wraps for so long.]
[Indeed. It would be great if this puts all the conflict rumors to rest.]
The match kicked off about an hour later.
The atmosphere became even more electric.
[What a phenomenal squad. Ronaldo, Ho-young, Robben, and Raul are leading the attack. Who can possibly stop this front line? Just hearing the names is enough to call them the strongest in the world.]
Real Madrid lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Ronaldo on the left wing, Robben on the right, Raul as the lone striker up front.
It was a strategy to prevent the striker from becoming isolated by using inside cuts from inverted wingers.
At the center, in the attacking midfielder role — the most critical position in a 4-2-3-1 — was Ho-young.
His role was a free-role.
'That means the manager has high expectations for me.'
And he was right.
Scolari was building the team around Ho-young.
The free-role, which required talent, mentality, and ball control, was perfect for him.
Then.
Tap.
Ronaldo was the first to touch the ball.
[Ronaldo dribbles forward, attempting a central breakthrough.]
[At the same time, Marcelo is making a daring overlapping run to exploit the open flank.]
The tactic was clear. When Ronaldo cut inside, Marcelo would attack the wing to create a variety of offensive options.
Ronaldo showed off his dazzling footwork against right-back Luke Young, buying time for Marcelo to get into position.
Then it happened.
Tap, tap.
Smack!
"...Whoa!"
[Cristiano Ronaldo's dazzling skills! He beats Luke Young and bursts into the box!]
Having faced Luke Young multiple times during his Premier League days, Ronaldo boldly carved open space.
Then came a powerful shot from his right foot.
Boom!
But it didn't go in.
[A miraculous save from Brad Friedel!]
[But the rebound is still in play!]
As players rushed in for the loose ball, one had already taken position.
Ho-young.
Thanks to his outstanding anticipation and positioning, Ho-young had already read the play and was in place.
Without hesitation, he struck the ball.
Thud!
[GOOOOOAL!]
[Ronaldo's assist and Ho-young's goal! This is the combination we've all been waiting for! Incredible!]
"Siuuu!"
Ho-young ran toward the stands and celebrated, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
But Ronaldo, despite having provided the assist, walked back to his position with a slightly bitter expression.
His lack of celebration raised some eyebrows.
Still, Real Madrid's performance left no room for doubt.
[Ronaldo, Ho-young, and Robben have completely taken over the second line.]
[Yes. Their movements and passing aren't completely synchronized yet, but they're already a major threat.]
Their chemistry was still rough and unpolished, but their impact was undeniable.
With all three in the second line possessing blistering speed, it was easy for Xabi Alonso to play through balls from deep and create chances.
Xabi Alonso, who had taken the role of deep-lying playmaker during build-up, was in his element.
If the second line's cohesion improved, he might even surpass Barcelona's Xavi and become the top assister in Europe.
What stood out was that over 80% of Alonso's passes were directed at Ho-young.
Not for any specific reason.
It was simply that passing to him created more opportunities.
Thud.
[A low and fast pass from Xabi Alonso.]
[Ho-young receives it cleanly.]
Ho-young handled the ball like he was playing with it, orchestrating the attack.
Whether Ronaldo or Robben had the ball, all the decisive attacking chances began with Ho-young.
His ball control made it possible.
When he touched the ball, he dictated the tempo, controlled the flow, and shifted the rhythm of the game.
Even when Aston Villa applied intense pressure, he maintained possession.
In fact, he often escaped the press and opened up space.
It was literally like he was playing with the ball.
[Ho-young, it's as if he's handling the ball with his hands.]
[With that kind of delicate control, how do you take the ball off him? You'd have to chop his knees just to stop him.]
[The more you watch, the more captivating it becomes. It's as if the ball has a mind of its own. Aston Villa can't help but lose motivation.]
There was no one on the pitch capable of pressing Ho-young properly.
While Ho-young controlled the ball and space, Raul manipulated positioning and spacing up front to draw mistakes from the defenders.
The proven Ho-oul combination was once again pushing the opponent to the brink.
The game tilted even further in Real Madrid's favor.
With space opening up everywhere, Ho-young began playing truly artistic football.
He shifted between classical build-up like Riquelme and explosive driving runs like Kaká, breaking down Aston Villa's zonal defense.
The constant evolution in Ho-young's play left Villa's defense shell-shocked.
[Just what exactly is this player's role?]
[Free-role. Nothing more, nothing less. Ho-young fits it perfectly. Only players with exceptional talent and decision-making can pull it off.]
Ho-young wasn't confined to a single role.
He became a forward, then a midfielder, changing his playing style like a chameleon to threaten the opposition.
Exactly as the commentary described — a true free-roamer.
Then it happened.
[Ho-young looks toward Robben, who is making a diagonal run from the right flank.]
[Robben is making himself available for a pass...]
But then.
Thud!
[A lofted pass goes to Ronaldo instead! He controls it on his chest inside the box!]
It wasn't Robben. It was Ronaldo.
With perfect chest control, Ronaldo fired a shot just a beat earlier than expected.
Thud!
The ball hit the net effortlessly.
Ronaldo's first goal. And Ho-young's assist.
Ronaldo couldn't help but wonder if football had always been this simple.
Everything flowed like it had been scripted.
It reminded him of when he first joined Manchester United and synced perfectly with Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
He felt like he could reach even greater heights with Ho-young.
Even though he had already won the Ballon d'Or, there was still room for growth.
'As he grows, so will I.'
With that thought, Ronaldo finally acknowledged Ho-young.
But that didn't mean their rivalry was over.
It would continue to push both of them forward.
"Phew!"
As a shiver ran down his spine, Ronaldo glanced at Ho-young and gave him a subtle thumbs up.
And Ho-young smiled with satisfaction.
Ronaldo might be a legendary rival, but before that, he was a great teammate.
A teammate who would help him grow.
[Potential (SS+2)]
Achieved by fulfilling "Start together in the Peace Cup and assist each other."
Ho-young had gained Ronaldo's Potential.
And soon, he would be able to integrate other talents as well.
Whistle—
The match ended in a Real Madrid victory.
Although they conceded twice in the second half to the Agbonlahor–Ashley Young duo exploiting the backline, Ho-young and Ronaldo each scored again to secure a 5-2 win.
That day, Ho-young didn't just take from Ronaldo.
He also gained talents related to ball sense from Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, enhancing his ball control further.
It was the beginning of true growth.
And it didn't end there.
"Ho-young, do you have time tomorrow?"
Director Mijatović, who had come to the stadium, had an unexpected message.
"Di Stéfano is returning from vacation tomorrow. He wants to meet you privately."
Originally, Alfredo Di Stéfano had planned to meet with Ronaldo first.
But now, his interest had turned to Ho-young.
(To be continued.)