June 2015 – Valdebebas, Madrid
The stadium lights were off, but the training pitch at Valdebebas still buzzed with life. Summer had settled into Spain with its dry heat and golden skies, but for Itoshi Sae, the days felt heavier than ever.
There was no longer a question of whether he belonged. After playing a pivotal role in the Champions League final, Zidane had made it clear—he was now a core piece of Real Madrid.
But that meant expectations. And expectations had a cost.
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Training Like an Obsession
He arrived earlier than anyone else.
6:00 AM.
Sun barely breaking over the rooftops.
The sprinklers still whispering across the pitch.
Sae ran sprint intervals, practiced short turns in tight cones, and repeated two-touch rondos with passing walls.
By the time most of the squad arrived for breakfast, his training shirt was soaked through.
> "You'll burn out," warned Toni Kroos with a raised brow.
"No," Sae replied, "I'll burn brighter."
Zidane didn't stop him. In fact, he watched from afar—approving but silent.
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Media Frenzy
The Spanish media swarmed with Sae content. His Champions League performance was now mythologized. Clips of his first touch under pressure, the inch-perfect assist to Benzema, and his calm exchanges with Modrić in tight spaces circulated everywhere.
AS:
> "El Niño de Hierro – The Iron Child. At just 17, Sae plays like he's 27."
MARCA:
> "Zidane's Quiet Masterpiece – Sae might be the youngest midfield general since Xavi."
International outlets picked it up too. Japanese sports media couldn't stop showing his post-match press conference quotes.
Even tabloids tried to find out if he had a girlfriend (he didn't), or what music he listened to (he wouldn't say).
Sae kept his distance. No social media. No interviews. Just training.
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Preseason Friendlies — Statement Made
July 18th, 2015 – International Champions Cup
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Zidane started Sae alongside Casemiro and Isco. He was tasked with controlling the tempo while navigating between Yaya Touré and David Silva.
From the kickoff, he dominated. At just 17, in a sea of experienced internationals, Sae played like he owned time.
In the 12th minute, he drifted wide left, looked up, and launched a no-look switch pass across 40 meters to James Rodríguez—cutting through City's press like a scalpel.
James squared it to Ronaldo. Goal.
2–1 victory.
Sae: 1 pre-assist, 92% pass completion, and a standing ovation from the Melbourne crowd.
ESPN:
> "He's not just technical. He's surgical."
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Behind the Spotlight – The Pressure
But while the media sang his praises, inside the club, Sae felt the tension build.
Modrić was beginning to feel the weight of age.
James Rodríguez was watching his minutes shrink.
Isco… barely spoke to Sae anymore.
> "They think I'm stealing something," Sae murmured to himself after a silent lunch in the player's dining hall.
Even Ronaldo, who had once taken an interest in mentoring him, was colder now—competitive tension brewing beneath their mutual respect.
> "You want to be king?" Ronaldo once said in the gym, eyes narrowing. "Then train like you want my crown."
Sae simply nodded.
> "Already am."
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Friendlies Continue – Madrid vs. Bayern
July 24th – Shanghai Stadium
Against Bayern Munich, Sae was assigned a deeper role. With Modrić rested and Kroos playing anchor, Sae operated as the pivot in Zidane's 4–3–3.
He made it look easy—spinning out of pressure, playing vertical passes between the lines, occasionally surging forward.
In the 61st minute, he picked the ball up from Casemiro, dribbled forward, and slid an inch-perfect ball into Benzema, who chipped Neuer with a casual flick.
Madrid lost 2–1 overall, but Sae's performance stood out.
> "The most complete teenager in world football?" asked BBC Sport.
"If he stays fit, Real Madrid have found their next great number 8."
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Private Talk with Zidane
After the final preseason match, Zidane called Sae into his office.
> "You're in the squad for Supercopa and La Liga. You've earned it."
Sae didn't smile.
> "What do I need to do to start El Clásico?"
Zidane leaned forward, amused but serious.
> "You need to stop asking what to do and start making me afraid not to start you."
Sae nodded.
> "Then you'll be scared by September."
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Closing — The Fire Inside
As August neared, the weight of fame, rivalry, and expectation pressed against him.
But to Sae, it was familiar.
He hadn't asked for the spotlight. He had claimed it—inch by inch, play by play.
Now, as he sat quietly in his Madrid apartment, taping his fingers, watching old Zidane clips on a tablet, he whispered under his breath:
> "The world still hasn't seen my best."
The season was coming.
And Itoshi Sae was ready to set it on fire.
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End of Chapter 17