GOAT: All Football Talents Are Mine

Valdebebas in August was unrecognizable.

The players' joking voices that always resonated were not heard as much as before, and the friendly atmosphere that came from there was no longer there.

Many players came in and just as many left.

President Calderón had been ruthless in reshaping the squad, a stark reminder of modern football's reliance on capital.

Even those who had shown unwavering loyalty to the club were not spared from the chopping block.

Michel Salgado, who had dedicated over a decade to Real Madrid, was among those let go. A 33-year-old rotation defender with a weekly wage of 100 million won simply didn't fit Calderón's vision for the club.

His actions reflected a desire to erase the remnants of his predecessor Pérez's legacy and make the team his own.

The media termed this overhaul as a "purge."

[Calderón's Continued Purge: Can He Escape Pérez's Shadow?]

[Astronomical Transfer Fee from Pérez's Era: Real Madrid's Future Hinges on Calderón's Negotiations.]

[Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso Overspending: How Far Will Calderón Go?]

Calderón was under immense pressure. Despite his ambitious plans, his tenure had yet to deliver the blockbuster signings or transformative moves fans had hoped for.

In June, his first attempt was to bring in Fabio Capello to instill discipline and morale. However, as the England national team coach, Capello had no intention of leaving just a year before the World Cup.

The second failure followed with Cesc Fabregas. Calderón's pursuit ended embarrassingly, even after offering Arsenal 80 billion won. Subsequent attempts to lure players like Zambrotta, Carvalho, Vidic, and Chiellini also failed.

Faced with repeated rejections, Calderón resorted to overspending to complete his rebuild. By the end of August, he had spent a staggering 474 billion won to bring in eight players, including:

Cristiano Ronaldo (188 billion won)

Xabi Alonso (63 billion won)

Karim Benzema (60 billion won)

Yuri Zhirkov (48 billion won)

Raul Albiol (31 billion won)

.....

Despite securing high-profile signings, the financial strain left the club in debt. While a sponsorship deal with Arab countries was in progress, it wasn't enough to mitigate the challenges ahead.

Team Dynamics in Disarray

As the season opener approached, tensions within the team simmered. Factions began forming: the Spanish core of Raul, Guti, Casillas, Ramos, and Marcelo versus Benzema's French faction.

The discord escalated when Benzema, frustrated by limited pre-season opportunities, publicly expressed dissatisfaction. He demanded a two-striker formation, clashing with Scolari's preference for a 4-2-3-1 system.

Benzema's frustrations were exacerbated by Woo Ho-young's rising star. Woo's sensational pre-season performances drew all the media attention, leaving Benzema overshadowed.

The Opening Match

August 29th marked Real Madrid's La Liga opener against Deportivo. Scolari announced the starting lineup, leaving Benzema on the bench.

The match began with Real Madrid dominating possession. Woo Ho-young orchestrated the attack, delivering pinpoint passes and dazzling plays.

His synergy with Ronaldo led to a stunning goal in the 24th minute, silencing critics.

Benzema, watching from the sidelines, grew increasingly restless. The partnership between Woo Ho-young and Ronaldo was undeniable, and Benzema felt marginalized.

But then, Scolari called his name.

"Benzema, get ready. I'm putting you in before halftime."

Scolari's instructions were clear: "Follow Woo Ho-young's lead. Once you adapt to his game, you'll understand why he's the playmaker."

Though reluctant, Benzema prepared to step onto the pitch, determined to prove himself.

"I'll see for myself," he muttered, eyes fixed on Woo Ho-young. "Let's see how great he really is.

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