The entire interview lasted fifteen minutes and went very smoothly.
Although some questions were sharp and difficult to answer.
Most of the questions were relatively mild.
Mark Lane, who had prepared in advance, was completely relaxed during the interview, and his answers were generous and appropriate.
This made Raiola, who was watching from the side, nod in approval.
Recalling Balotelli when he was eighteen, the super agent couldn't help but show a wry smile.
Both were eighteen, both were prodigies, so why was the difference in their thought processes so vast?!
After the interview, Mark Lane and Raiola went to the Italian restaurant where they signed the contract last time.
Neapolitan pizza, pasta with tomato meat sauce, osso buco, saffron risotto... "The food here is good, the taste is very authentic..."
Looking at the table full of dishes, and then at Raiola, whose eyes were sparkling and who was already rubbing his hands together, Mark Lane finally understood why this old man was so fat.
While twirling a forkful of pasta into his mouth, Raiola didn't forget to say:
"The remuneration from Kicker for this interview... I've already transferred it to your bank account."
"Also... recently, many sponsors in Germany have approached me, wanting to cooperate with you. But they are all small companies and local brands, so I've rejected them all."
Picking up a slice of pizza, Raiola continued:
"Oh, by the way, do you have any social media accounts? Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram?"
Mark Lane shook his head, "No."
"Then you should register an account on all three platforms immediately, and we will help you manage them."
Hearing this, Mark Lane raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
"This is the first step in building your image!"
"You're so handsome, you definitely need to post more videos and photos on social media, show your face more, to attract more female fans and followers."
"In this world, women's spending power is the strongest!"
"The more female fans you have, the larger your consumer base will be."
"Moreover, even if you transfer and leave in the future, your fans and followers will follow you to another team!"
Raiola's explanation was very reasonable and convincing.
Mark Lane, who was reborn from the internet explosion era, of course, knew how terrifying the fan economy was.
As long as it was a product endorsed by an idol, people would mindlessly buy, buy, buy!
So, he immediately downloaded these three social media platforms to his phone and then registered new accounts one by one.
As for the account name, it was his full name, Mark Lion!
His surname is the same English word as 'lion'.
It is said that the family's founder was given this surname because he was extremely brave like a lion in war.
"What's next?"
"Our operations staff will first get your approval for the content to be posted, and then we will publish it."
"Of course, before you post any content on social media, it's best to tell me first."
"No problem."
After thinking for a moment, Mark Lane took a selfie with his phone of himself and Raiola having lunch, and then captioned it:
"Hey guys, this is Mark Lane. I'm having lunch with my agent, how about you?"
The first thing every Chinese person says when greeting a friend is—Have you eaten yet?
And his impression of social media was to share daily life.
After posting his first social media content, he also didn't forget to send a message to his teammates in the team group chat:
"Guys, let's follow each other!"
Subsequently, he also followed teammates such as Gustavo, Perisic, and De Bruyne, and they followed him back.
As Wolfsburg's rising star, Mark Lane's fame was not small.
Less than two hours after the account was created, it was quickly discovered by Wolfsburg fans.
Subsequently, the Wolfsburg hardcore fan organization "Wolfsburg" also quickly spread the news, and more fans who liked Mark Lane learned that the Wolfsburg new star had opened a social media account.
For a time, keywords like "Mark Lane" and "Mark Lane" even topped the trending topics in Germany on Twitter and Facebook.
In just three days, the number of followers soared from a dozen at the beginning to thirty thousand!
This number of followers was even more than many Bundesliga players.
No wonder, who made him outstanding in appearance, with a brilliant playing style, and a pair of emerald green eyes like jewels.
In addition to the surge in followers, the content he posted also received many likes and comments.
"You're so handsome!"
"Wow! What a rich lunch, I want to eat too!"
"Does any sister know which restaurant this is? I want to go and meet him by chance!"
...The comment section was suddenly flooded with many female fans.
In addition, many female fans and followers also sent private messages to Mark Lane.
Some simply greeted him;
Others were very direct, sending him their sexy photos and attaching their phone numbers.
Looking at those sexy photos that made people nosebleed, and the constantly ringing phone, Mark Lane had to quickly turn off private message notifications.
As the saying goes, if you're too handsome, remember to turn off private messages!
...The next day, Kicker also published an exclusive interview video with Wolfsburg's new star, Mark Lane, on its official website.
In the video, Mark Lane performed very calmly and gracefully.
And with the release of the interview, Wolfsburg's sporting director, Allofs, immediately found the team's head coach, Hecking.
"Dieter, when can Mark Lane start?"
Upon hearing this, Hecking was also taken aback.
Uh, didn't we agree that you handle transfers and I handle the team?
Why are you asking me this now?!
Seeing Hecking's somewhat bewildered expression, Allofs immediately explained:
"I'm not interfering with your lineup choices, it's just that the current situation is not very favorable for us."
"After Mark Lane signed with Raiola, he has already attracted the attention of other clubs."
"We must make him feel the club's importance so that he can have more recognition and a sense of belonging to the club."
"Otherwise, after the League ends, the temptations from other clubs will make us very passive!"
In short, Allofs hoped that Hecking would give Mark Lane a starting opportunity as soon as possible, so that he would be satisfied with his playing time and would not think about leaving the club.
After understanding the situation, Hecking immediately replied:
"I have decided to let him start in the next match against Hoffenheim!"
"That's good!"
Although there was a ten-day interval after the match against Bayer Leverkusen.
However, with daily training and the fulfilling life of posting on social media, time flew by.
On the first day of March, Wolfsburg was about to welcome their opponent for the twenty-third round of the Bundesliga League:
"Hoffenheim" Hoffenheim!
On the eve of their departure for Hoffenheim, the Wolfsburg players gathered in the tactics room.
Hecking held a piece of paper with the starting lineup on it.
"Next, I will announce the starting eleven for tomorrow's away match against Hoffenheim!"
"Benaglio..."
"Naldo..."
"De Bruyne..."
"Dost and... Mark Lane!"