Li Ang didn't know what exactly Mourinho and Allegri talked about, but after exchanging shirts with Seedorf, he saw the "Special One" walking toward him with a smile on his face.
This was just an initial test—after all, Li Ang still didn't have an agent.
After so thought, the only person he could ask to help him initiate contact was Mourinho.
Of course, for Mourinho, this was nothing. He'd coached in Serie A for two years and, while not close with Allegri, they at least knew each other. Asking a quick question after a match was no big deal.
If Allegri felt Li Ang wasn't up to standard, better to be rejected early so Li Ang could start looking for other clubs for his loan.
But seeing Mourinho's expression now, Li Ang knew the conversation must have gone well. He finally let go of the weight in his chest.
"Boss, so about—"
"Get ready. Once the winter window opens, I'll send you over at the right ti—if nothing unexpected happens."
Mourinho slung an arm around his shoulder, giving him an almost definitive answer.
"But that old fox had the nerve to ask for a buyout clause. Hmph. I dodged the question. Once you renew with Madrid, we can negotiate that part later. No objections?"
Li Ang looked into Mourinho's squinted, scrutinizing gaze and imdiately shook his head.
"Of course not. A loan is just a loan. I'm not thinking about a transfer.
If you ever have a starting spot for here, I'll co back without hesitation!"
No way he could show even a hint of uncertainty right now.
If he did, Mourinho might just cancel the whole thing.
After all, Mourinho had once blurted out in frustration that next season, he'd sell That Guy just to open a starting spot for Li Ang.
If Li Ang looked like he was trying to bail, Mourinho might actually bury him on the bench for six months and then really sell That Guy next sumr.
So when the mont called for a commitnt, Li Ang knew exactly what to say.
Madrid was in a stable phase of reconstruction. The last thing anyone wanted was Mourinho making a desperate, rash move that would blow up the locker room.
"You're too mature for your age, but in this case, maybe a little too rational…"
"Alright, it's settled. Go celebrate with the others."
Mourinho gave him a final approving slap on the back of the head, motioning for him to join his teammates in thanking the fans.
He turned and began prepping for the post-match press conference.
But before he made it five steps, he slapped his forehead and called back:
"Hey, Little Lion—do you want an agent?"
"Huh?"
After the Champions League group stage match ended, Real Madrid returned to the grind, preparing for Matchday 8 in La Liga.
But for Li Ang, this round had nothing to do with him.
He wasn't even in the 18-man squad.
October 23rd, the day of the match, Li Ang wore a light tracksuit and waited at a small private café near Valdebebas.
He was expecting to et an agent, just a representative from Gestifute, the agency Mourinho recomnded.
Instead, he got Jorge ndes himself.
Yes, the Jorge ndes—super-agent of Cristiano Ronaldo and José Mourinho. One of the most powerful figures in all of European football.
Li Ang was stunned.
He'd only agreed to consider signing with Gestifute on Mourinho's advice. ndes had promised it would be handled by soone competent, even if not directly by him.
But here he was, smiling warmly and sitting across the table.
Only after recovering from the surprise did Li Ang learn the full story.
Mourinho had recomnded him, of course.
But the biggest push?
Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Cristiano's ntioned you to more than once. Told to sign you personally.
Said you'll be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Told not to miss the chance."
ndes chuckled as he explained. The atmosphere was relaxed, friendly.
He hadn't flown in just for Li Ang—he was also in Spain to help Cristiano handle endorsent deals. But he figured he'd stop by and take care of this signing personally.
After a pleasant 20-minute chat, ndes left a copy of the contract with Li Ang and told him to have it reviewed by a lawyer before signing.
Then, politely, he left.
Li Ang didn't feel snubbed.
On the contrary, ndes taking the ti to et him at all was more than enough.
What shocked him more was Cristiano's quiet help behind the scenes.
"Captain Ronaldo... really is a man of passion."
Li Ang sighed emotionally and carried the contract to a nearby law firm.
After confirming everything was legitimate, he signed the next day—with both Mourinho and a Gestifute representative as witnesses.
With his agency situation resolved, contract negotiations with Real Madrid were handed over to ndes' team.
Li Ang, now relieved of those off-field responsibilities, threw himself back into grinding his attributes.
But just as he felt his mind and body relaxing, Mourinho faced his first major PR crisis since joining Real Madrid.
The earlier dia drama over That Guy's agent begging for minutes? That had been a minor annoyance.
Now?
The fans were demanding more.
They wanted Mourinho to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona, fearlessly and boldly.
And the pressure just kept mounting.
On one side: the harsh reality of the squad's current ceiling.
On the other: the fans and even so players' overly optimistic expectations.
Mourinho knew he couldn't hold the line with words and locker room speeches anymore.
So he made a brutal—but necessary—decision to force everyone to see the truth.
November 29th: Mourinho took Real Madrid's strongest attacking lineup to the Camp Nou.
Li Ang watched from ho, recognizing all the signs, and rembered clearly what was about to unfold.
Just like in his mories, Barcelona demolished Madrid.
The 90th minute whistle blew.
Piqué flashed his infamous five-finger taunt.
Real Madrid lost 0–5.
And the news exploded online.
The football world was set ablaze.
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