Winning La Liga and the Champions League.
The team spirit should have been soaring at the thought of achieving a double, but that wasn't the case at all.
That moment wouldn't arrive until four days later, on May 2nd—because the 35th round of La Liga against Osasuna was still ahead.
The players looked visibly tense before the match.
The common goal was, of course, to win, but each player had their own personal objectives.
For instance, Alonso, currently second in assists, was aiming for the assist title.
Although he had recorded eight assists in the Champions League, he had only managed ten in La Liga due to the league's stricter criteria for awarding assists.
Meanwhile, Xavi Hernández led the rankings with 14 assists.
But even more intense than the assist race was the battle for the Golden Boot.
Woo Ho-young was leading with 33 goals, while Messi trailed close behind with 31 goals, and Ronaldo wasn't far off either.
In reality, though, it was a two-way battle between Ho-young and Messi.
Unless Ronaldo went on a scoring spree, he was unlikely to catch up.
"How are you feeling? Confident?"
"Oh, you're here?"
Valdebebas Training Ground 1.
As soon as morning training ended, Pepe approached Ho-young.
"Is Spain finally about to see its first Asian top scorer?"
"Haha, it still feels like a dream."
"Dreams come true. I'll be rooting for you."
"Wouldn't Ronaldo be upset if he found out?"
"Haha. Ronaldo isn't the type to get upset over something like that. He'd sincerely congratulate you if you won the Golden Boot. Of course, he won't give up until the very end. Anyway, good luck. You can do it."
Pepe might have seemed like a brute on the pitch, but off it, he was a gentle and kind-hearted player.
Ho-young vividly recalled the past two years he had spent with him.
'Pepe has changed a lot over the years.'
Ever since meeting Scolari, his mentality had improved tremendously, leading to significant growth in both skill and talent.
---
[Pepe] Talent
"Kang Pepe's Violence" (U)
"Boldness Without Fear" (S+3)
"Brutal Body Clashes" (S-)
"Outstanding Aerial Ability" (A+3)
"Lightning-Fast Acceleration" (A+3)
"Genius Defensive Intelligence" (A+)
(See More)
---
(You can pursue one talent if you meet the conditions.)
(S-rank and above can only be explored after achieving hidden conditions.)
Condition 1: Train together for 600 minutes
Condition 2: Play as a defensive midfielder and provide cover
Hidden Condition: Make 6 successful tackles in a single match
---
'Inherent talent doesn't change.'
Pepe's unique talent had always been available, but Ho-young had never considered pursuing it.
It was, quite literally, a devil's talent.
Trying to absorb it seemed like it would do more harm than good.
'I think our defenders' talents are pretty much settled for now.'
The talents of Ramos, Marcelo, Albiol, and Mertesacker were still a bit underwhelming.
For now, it was better to wait for them to develop further.
Meanwhile, Iker Casillas' talent was already ripe, but the condition for acquiring it—"Play as a goalkeeper for Real Madrid in an official match"—made it practically impossible.
As of now, goalkeeping talents were almost a forbidden zone.
Other interesting talents were Raúl and Guti, but the quickest one to explore was Arjen Robben, who was cooling off by splashing water on his head.
---
[Arjen Robben] Talent
"The Dutch No. 7" (T)
"Robben's Signature Curl Shot" (U)
"Lightning Speed Dribble" (SS+)
"Blazing Acceleration" (S+)
"Explosive Shooting Power" (A+3)
(See More)
---
(You can pursue one talent if you meet the conditions.)
(T-rated (Title) talents can only be explored at age 18+.)
(S-rank and above can only be explored after achieving hidden conditions.)
Condition 1: Train together for 300 minutes
Condition 2: Run more than 200 km at Santiago Bernabéu
Condition 3: Score 100 goals in La Liga in a single season
Hidden Condition: Unlocks after acquiring at least one talent
---
Robben, who looked far older than his actual age due to constant injuries, was still an exceptional player.
His SS+ class talent was truly rare.
Even Douglas, whose sprinting speed was legendary, only had an S-class rating.
And above all, main force talents were far more valuable than other skills.
'Among all physical attributes, strength is the hardest to improve.'
Strength didn't increase easily, and even when it did, the improvements were marginal.
Even after advancing from S-class to SS-class this season, there wasn't a dramatic difference.
That's why the modifier had remained the same.
'If I can push it to Triple S-class and integrate it, things will definitely change.'
To do that, first, he needed to explore Robben's unique talent.
The only remaining requirement was to score 100 goals, and that seemed achievable within one more game.
And it had to be.
There might not be another chance.
'Robben is likely leaving the club at the end of this season.'
After suffering so many injuries, Robben had lost his place in the starting lineup.
Moreover, with Van Nistelrooy and Sneijder—his closest teammates—gone, the club had started to feel less like home.
The only thing keeping him going was the support of his teammates.
"Hey, Robben, if you pour water on your head, will your hair grow? It's not a plant, you know."
"Ramos, you bastard."
"Heh heh."
"By the way, Robben, you don't have some kind of chronic illness, do you?"
"What the hell? What are you talking about?"
"Don't take it the wrong way. There are rumors in Korea."
"My god. What the hell are Koreans even looking at to say stuff like that?"
"Your face, probably. You look way older than you are."
"…What the hell."
"Hahaha!"
Thanks to teammates like Ramos, Ho-young, and Lee Gwa-in, Robben had managed to endure and push forward.
For them, Real Madrid wasn't just a club.
It was a home—a place where great dreams could be realized.
Ho-young felt the same.
Even though there were players like Benzema, who openly disliked him, that was just part of football.
There was no such thing as a perfect team.
The only thing they could do was keep moving forward.
And Ho-young wanted to achieve it all—here, at Madrid.
'Unbelievable.'
Even he couldn't believe it.
The old Ho-young—who thought he'd end up a journeyman—was long gone.
Now, he was a true Madridista.
Of course, no one could predict the future.
But one thing was certain.
'Tomorrow, we'll win.'
***
[The time has finally come. The 35th round of La Liga, the match for Real Madrid's 33rd league championship trophy, is about to begin. This match could also mark the historic achievement of winning the league for the fourth consecutive season.]
[That's right. And with the game being held at the Santiago Bernabéu, the victory will be even more meaningful if they secure it here. The crowd is already prepared to celebrate.]
The 80,000 spectators created a stunning visual display, forming the shape of the championship trophy with coordinated card sections. Massive flags bearing the Real Madrid emblem and the faces of their beloved players waved proudly in the stands.
Meanwhile, the match kicked off.
[Real Madrid attempt an attack from the left.]
[Xabi Alonso and Fernando Gago are building up play step by step. They're keeping their passes tight and forming a triangle with Woo Ho-young in the second line.]
Hoyoung, as always, played as an attacking midfielder. But today, his hunger for goals was stronger than ever.
Skill alone wasn't enough to score—opportunities had to be seized. And the more determined a player was, the more chances they could create.
It didn't take long for such a moment to arrive.
[Xabi Alonso flicks the ball forward—Woo Ho-young receives it on his shoulder and controls it!]
[Woo Ho-young engages in a psychological battle, his back turned to the defenders. They've already taken up their positions.]
Miguel Flaño, the leader of Osasuna's defense, was assigned to mark Hoyoung, while young prospect César Azpilicueta closely covered him from behind, cutting off his escape routes.
It was a defensive strategy meticulously designed to neutralize him.
For Osasuna, who were fighting for a respectable mid-table finish, every single point mattered. They had trained intensively for this moment, refusing to rest.
They knew they couldn't realistically expect to beat Real Madrid, but if they could just contain Woo Ho-young, they might have a chance at salvaging something from the game.
However—
Whoosh!
Their carefully laid plans unraveled in an instant.
[Woo Ho-young's signature move!]
[A sharp turn to the right!]
"!"
For a brief second, Miguel Flaño's eyes widened in shock.
In that fleeting moment, he recognized what was happening.
The Marseille Turn.
Anticipating the next move, Flaño lunged forward, preparing for a tackle.
But all he grasped was air.
Boom!
[Woo Ho-young with a mid-range shoooooooooot!]
A sudden turning shot, exploiting Flaño's defensive positioning.
Azpilicueta, positioned just behind, instinctively lifted his foot to block it.
Too late.
The shot was too quick, too precise.
And then—
"Ugh!"
The ball's spin was wicked, curving beyond the reach of 37-year-old goalkeeper Ricardo, who could only watch as it rocketed into the net.
Swoosh!
[Gooooooooooooooal! A wonder goal from Woo Ho-young!]
[Incredible! He turns and shoots in one swift motion—and it's in!]
Football had never looked so effortless.
The commentator, barely able to contain his amazement, swallowed the words he had wanted to say. Instead, he continued.
[With this, Woo Ho-young has equaled Ronaldo's legendary scoring record! He now stands at 34 goals—the same number Ronaldo scored for Barcelona in the 1996-97 season.]
[And now, he is just one goal away from surpassing his mentor, Ronaldo!]
The stadium erupted into a festival-like celebration.
A massive jersey bearing Hoyoung's face and the number 10 was unfurled in the stands, draping over sections of the crowd.
The second half resumed without any particularly dramatic incidents.
Osasuna attempted sporadic counterattacks, but Real Madrid's defense remained solid.
[Arjen Robben fails to break through on the wing. Possession turns over to Osasuna.]
[Osasuna counterattacks! Javier Camuñas picks up the ball.]
[Woo Ho-young steps in by surprise! Marcelo joins in—what a perfect interception!]
[That was a clean tackle!]
Real Madrid showcased their impeccable defensive organization, shutting down any threats before they could materialize.
[If he was an attacking force in the first half, Woo Ho-young is displaying incredible defensive work in the second half. Rather than applying light pressure, he's actively approaching and stealing the ball himself.]
[And as we say that—Woo Ho-young closes in and steals the ball from Rúper!]
The tackles kept coming.
And then, at the exact moment he completed his sixth successful tackle, a new sensation ran through him.
A confirmation.
He had unlocked Pepe's "Ferocious Body Fight (S-)" talent.
A skill that, when combined with his own Innate Strength (SU), could create unparalleled synergy.
The game played out to its conclusion.
The final goal of the match came from Hoyoung's assist to Ronaldo, who finished with a clinical strike.
Beep!
[The match is over! Real Madrid claim a 2-0 victory, securing first place in La Liga!]
[31 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses. 94 points. 100 goals scored. 18 goals conceded. What an unbelievable record. Who could possibly take down a team like this?]
Four consecutive league titles.
A dream fulfilled.
But the journey wasn't over yet.
There was still one final battle left.
The Champions League final.