"Zidane, the King of France? You're as soft as noodles!"
"Beckham, the heartthrob? What do you have besides your looks?"
"Figo, the King of Portugal? Your speed is as slow as a turtle!"
"And you! What was your name again... Su Hang? For you to be on the squad list for this match is a disgrace to Real Madrid! It's the degradation of European football! It's the desecration of football by money!"
"You made us lose the only championship we could have won this season!"
Inside the locker room, Real Madrid's Head Coach Queiroz ranted, angrily scolding the star players.
This was the 2003-2004 Copa del Rey final, Real Madrid against Zaragoza.
No one could have imagined that the Galácticos of Real Madrid, boasting three Ballon d'Or winners and six superstar players, would be pushed to the brink by La Liga newcomers Zaragoza. Real Madrid led twice, but Zaragoza equalized both times, dragging the match into extra time.
The humiliating prospect of finishing the season empty-handed had already made Real Madrid fans unhappy, and the Copa del Rey was the only trophy Real Madrid could possibly win this season.
In short, Real Madrid could not afford to lose this match.
Facing the Head Coach's furious scolding, no one dared to retort.
Until the sound of a shattering water bottle rang out.
In the corner, Su Hang, who had been hanging his head, stood up and shook the water from his hands: "I don't care how you scold others, but I'm just a substitute who hasn't played. How can losing the match be blamed on me?"
"In competitive sports, being weak is the original sin."
"If you lose, you have to accept it!"
Su Hang knew that Queiroz had always been extremely displeased with him because his father's sponsorship had allowed him to be on the squad list for the match.
He accepted the criticism for being a connections-based player. But to make him, someone who hadn't even had a chance to play, bear the responsibility for the match's loss, he would not accept that.
"What did you say?" After a brief moment of surprise, Queiroz said through gritted teeth, "Well done! You think I'm definitely going to be fired, right?"
"You're finished, kid! This time, no matter how much money your father sponsors Real Madrid, I'm going to kick you out of the Real Madrid youth academy!"
"Get out! You don't deserve to be in this locker room! You're a piece of trash of a player... that phrase even insults both the words 'player' and 'trash' simultaneously!"
Queiroz let loose with a barrage of insults.
But the next moment, there was another loud bang.
Su Hang rushed over and pinned Queiroz against the locker.
Since he had already offended Queiroz and his future as a player was uncertain, he decided to vent his own, and his teammates', dissatisfaction.
"Do you have to find a scapegoat in this locker room just because we lost?"
"When Makelele left at the last minute last summer, didn't you ever think Real Madrid would have a day like this?"
"Whose fault is it?"
"It's Florentino's fault for giving other stars high salaries of six or seven million euros, but not giving Makelele a mere four million!"
"Do you dare to criticize Florentino?"
"You don't dare!"
Su Hang's series of questions stunned Queiroz.
Zidane's pupils contracted.
Sharp!
Too sharp!
Hiss, hiss, hiss!
The locker room was in an uproar.
These words had been on everyone's minds for a long time, but no one had dared to actually say them.
Because in this team, anyone who questioned the team president, Florentino, had already been kicked out.
Bosque, Hierro, Makelele... no matter if you were the Head Coach or the team captain!
The atmosphere in the locker room dropped to freezing point.
It wasn't until Su Hang slowly released Queiroz that everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Of course, everyone knew that he, who had angrily blasted Head Coach Queiroz, would also not escape the fate of being kicked out of the team.
Alas, what a pity!
...The unpleasantness in the locker room did not affect the progression of the match, and Su Hang still appeared on the substitute bench.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back. This is the extra time of the 2003-2004 Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Zaragoza."
As the live announcer introduced the match, the battle resumed.
"In the 112th minute, Zaragoza's star striker David Villa scored a crucial goal, helping his team take a three-two lead over Real Madrid, just one step away from lifting the Copa del Rey!"
"Now the players have returned to the field, and the match continues."
"Real Madrid still has eight minutes to change the score. Can Real Madrid uphold the dignity of a giant club? Please stay tuned."
Su Hang was also observing the match, even though these might be the last eight minutes of his career at Real Madrid and even his entire football career, he still hoped the team would win. It had nothing to do with his conflict with Queiroz; it was simply because he truly loved football, this great competitive sport.
118th minute.
Real Madrid striker Portillo fell to the ground. After the Team Doctor entered the field to examine him, he shook his head at Queiroz.
Portillo could not continue the match.
Queiroz turned to look at the only substitute striker on the bench, a glint flashing in his eyes.
Su Hang had a bad feeling.
"Su Hang, get ready to play!"
Sure enough, Queiroz spoke, calling his name.
The surrounding players were all stunned.
Su Hang felt as uncomfortable as if he had eaten rat poison.
When he had blasted Queiroz in the locker room just now, he was indeed full of vigor, but he was still self-aware about his football skills.
Are you kidding? I can't even play well in youth academy matches, how can I play in the Copa del Rey final?
Is this to publicly humiliate me in front of Real Madrid fans worldwide?
Su Hang had to admit that Queiroz was ruthless and cruel enough.
But... is it worth it to humiliate me at the cost of a Copa del Rey?
Queiroz looked at Su Hang, his eyes filled with disdain: "What? Scared?"
"If you don't dare to go on, then apologize to me."
"Not just a verbal 'sorry'."
"I want you to write a ten-thousand-word self-criticism for me. Don't you Chinese people always excel at that..."
Bang!
Su Hang ripped off his substitute vest and slammed it to the ground, walking towards the sideline without looking back: "Apologize to your mother! If you want to play, then play! At worst, we all go down together!"
He was truly stirred up, not just for himself, but also for his skin color.
I, a proud descendant of Yan and Huang, a Chinese man, what is there to fear?
On the sideline, the fourth official held up the substitution board.
Number 11, Portillo, was substituted off.
Number 24, Su Hang, was substituted on.
After a brief silence, boos erupted from the crowd.
"Who is this?"
"Su Hang, an 18-year-old Real Madrid youth player who still plays in the U16s."
"Fuck! Tell me this isn't real! This is the Copa del Rey final!"
"Portillo was already useless enough, this Su is ten thousand times more useless than Portillo!"
"This is absolutely outrageous! Did Queiroz participate in match-fixing? He must be investigated after the match!"
"Get Queiroz and this Su Hang out of Madrid immediately!"
Real Madrid fans cursed wildly.
But their anger changed nothing.
As Su Hang entered the field, the match continued.
"Ding! You have participated in an official match, activating the King of Football System, and obtaining the Moment Card 'Cristiano Ronaldo 2016'!"