The wao Shen had spoken weighed heavily on Valdano's mind.

  In the end, Valdano had to admit that Gao Shen's arguments made a great deal of sense and demonstrated remarkable fht.

  But the truth was, Real Madrid's pursuit of Kaka was iable.

  The recruitment of a superstar like Kaka wasn't just about football; it was a massive and intricate projevolving pyer saries, sponsorships, and ercial agreements. Just resolving the flicts between Kaka's ercial deals at A and Real Madrid's sponsors would require extensive iation.

  For example, what if Kaka's existing sponsorship tracts cshed with Real Madrid's partners? Would those traeed to be terminated early? How would pensation be handled? Who would pay for the losses incurred?

  Ah experien business iations uood how plex these problems could be.

  Now that it was March, it was clear that the decision t Kaka to Real Madrid had already been made. Once Florentino assumed office, the transfer would move forward immediately, and the reted iations and tracts would begin without dey.

  This left Gao Shen feeling disappointed.

  In the past, he had believed that Kaka's struggles at Real Madrid were primarily due to his injuries during the World Cup and the arrival of Mesut ?zil, whose exceptional performances had reduced Kaka's influence.

  These two factors certainly pyed a role.

  But now, Gao Shen was beginning to realize that even without those issues, Kaka might not have performed well at Real Madrid.

  In Kaka's debut season at the club, Real Madrid had an exceptional La Liga campaign, sg over 100 goals and being the most prolifiners-up in league history. Yet, they were eliminated in the Champions League Round of 16 by Lyon.

  The iy of the Champions League knockout rounds far surpassed that of the group stage or domestic league matches. That season, Real Madrid lost almost every major enter: the group stage matches against A, the knockout round against Lyon, and the league fixtures against Bara.

  Real Madrid excelled against weaker teams but sistently faltered against strong opposition. Wasn't that a clear sign of deeper issues?

  Of course, these were observations Gao Shen had made in his previous life. He couldn't share them with Valdano.

  But with Gao Shen's current status and credibility, the fact that he eaking so decisively and with such thh reasoning was already persuasive enough.

  While Valdano trusted Gao Shen, Real Madrid's president was Florentino.

  Florentino's motivation fning superstars wasn't purely based on footballing siderations; ercial value alyed a signifit role.

  This was true during the first Gacticos era, and it remairue now. Florentino might have learned from past mistakes and adjusted his approach slightly, but his perspective was still fually different from that of a professional football coach.

  Valdano owerless to ge this.

  And deep down, the Argentine couldn't shake the feeling that Gao Shen was being increasingly distant from Real Madrid.

  Ever since he had met Gao Shen, he had known him to be someone who didn't promise easily.

  It was true back when he was at Real Madrid, and it was even more true now.

  …

  The car ride back from the hotel was quiet at first.

  Both Gao Shen and Zidane were lost in their own thoughts.

  Gao Shen wasn't sure what Zidane was thinking, but his own mind was focused on the unavoidable truths he had just discussed.

  The dee of the traditional en role was iable.

  Even when Sneijder moved to Inter Min, his role as a en was more of a tactical puzzle piece, ohat required him to shoulder a siderable defensive workload.

  Don't believe it?

  Who was the best pyer in Serie A during the 2009-2010 season?

  Who was named UEFA's Best Pyer in Europe that year?

  Both awards went to the same person: Diego Milito.

  Not Sneijder.

  That season, Milito's tributions were deemed more critical than Sneijder's, as evidenced by the major accodes he won.

  Even in a treble-winning Inter Min side, Sneijder's importance paled in parison to Milito's.

  This further proved that the era of the en was fading.

  But Real Madrid was determio walk this path regardless.

  And Gao Shen could do nothing to stop it.

  …

  "How about I arrange a meetiween you and Florentino?" Zidane suddenly asked.

  Gao Shen was momentarily stunned but quickly uood Zidane's iion.

  The Fren still hoped that Gao Shen would take over as Real Madrid's head coach.

  Or perhaps Zidane misuood, thinking that Gao Shen was eager to return to Real Madrid.

  To be fair, Gao Shen had sidered the idea. But the thought wasn't strong enough to make him a it.

  Truthfully, Gao Shen already had a thriving career and a respected reputation. Why would he risk it all?

  Besides, if he were to coach Real Madrid now, would Florentino grant him the authority to mahe superstars as he saw fit?

  If not, what would be the point?

  "Thank you, Zinedine, but Florentino and I won't see eye to eye on this matter," Gao Shen replied with a bitter smile.

  "Why not?" Zidane asked, clearly puzzled.

  "It's a differen philosophy. Plus, her of us is the type to back down easily. Unless one of us gets hurt enough to realize we're on the wrong path, her of us will yield."

  Gao Shen shrugged. "And I'm not about to yield."

  her, he was sure, would Florentino.

  Zidane fell silent, unsure of what to say.

  It was much the same rea Valdano had earlier.

  Gao Shen g Zidane's expression and, after a moment of silence, asked, "Do you want to go back?"

  "What?" Zidane seemed caught off guard, unsure if he had heard correctly.

  Gao Shen smiled faintly. "Do you want to return to Real Madrid?"

  "Of course," Zidane admitted. "It's a unique club, and my wife and children are in Madrid."

  Hearing this, Gao She a pang of disappoi.

  He had hoped Zidane would stay, much like Guardio.

  Although there had been some selfishness in his decision t Zidane and Guardio on as assistants, their w retionship had been rewarding, and they had formed a genuine camaraderie.

  But just as Gao Shen was refleg, Zidane suddenly added, "But I haven't decided yet."

  Gao Shen turo him in surprise.

  "To be ho," Zidane tinued, "I've learned so much this season in Naples. I've realized how far I still have to go to match the top coaches. I want to learn more before I take that step."

  Gao Shen couldn't help but ugh.

  This bald man truly had a way with words.

  In fact, Zidane wasn't the only one like this.

  Take Sarri, for example. He had initially e to o observe and learn. Gao Shen had weled him in, but Sarri had ended up staying. Now, Sarri had rented a pear Castel Volturno and worked tirelessly without pay, putting in the same effort as any official staff member.

  Sometimes Gao Shen wondered: if he hired more "volunteers" like Sarri, how much money could he save in a season?

  "Just wait," Gao Shen said fidently. "I'll definitely go baeday!"

  Whether the statement was meant for Zidane or himself was unclear.

  But deep down, Gao Shen truly believed he would return to Real Madrid one day.

  …

  Three days after the Chelsea match, the 28th round of Serie A enced.

  Inter Min secured a 2-0 home victory over Fiorentina, thanks to a brace from Ibrahimovi?.

  It was frustratingly ironic.

  Inter, who had failed to scainst Maer United in the Champions League, suddenly looked rejuvenated in Serie A, full of fidend arrogance.

  Football be strahat way.

  Napoli, meanwhile, faced Reggina away in a simultaneous match.

  Despite a heavily rotated lineup, Napoli struggled against a determined Reggina side that sat deep in a defensive block. Ih minute, Corradi scored fina on a terattack.

  Napoli pushed forward relentlessly and equalized ih mihrough Valencia, but the matded 1-1.

  With this draoli's lead in Serie A shrank from seven points to five, giving Inter Min a glimmer of hope.

  Mourinho wasted no time capitalizing, using the media to put pressure on Napoli.

  "They'll make mistakes," he said fidently. "And they'll keep making them!"

  The Italian media, naturally, joined in, portraying Napoli as a team on the brink of colpse.

  But the truth was, with ten rounds remaining, a five-point lead was still signifit.

  Gao Shen ignored Mourinho's provocations and focused on using the upio rest and prepare for the 29th round against A.

  Meanwhile, on March 20th, the Champions League quarterfinal draw was held in Nyon, Switzernd.

  ***

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