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Chapter 110 Challenge
“Not going to Madrid?”

Vitini's father stared at his son with wide eyes and asked in an incredible tone.

Vitini nodded very calmly and gave his father an affirmative answer:

"Yes, I'm not going to Madrid FC. I'm staying in Tain."

Dad's eyes seemed to widen even more: "Why? Didn't Wang explain it to you clearly?"

"It was very clear, and he used his own early experiences in Bowen as examples."

"Yes! Wang used Born as a springboard to join Atlético Barcelona, ​​then became a first-class star in Atlético Barcelona, ​​and finally became a top star in Sofia. His career plan was very clear, and he made decisions that were beneficial to him at every critical juncture... When Atlético Barcelona didn't want him, he chose to leave immediately. This time at Sofia was the same, without any emotional ties..."

The father was afraid that his son didn't understand what Wang Lie meant, so he analyzed and explained it to him again.

He was worried that his son had developed feelings for Tyne, and that he might act on his emotions and miss the most important moment in his life.

"Didn't we agree on this? Tyne is just a stepping stone to Europe. You're going to a big club eventually. And wasn't going to Madrid FC your childhood dream?"

"I did think so when I was a child, but now I'm grown up." Vitini was very firm. "The original Tyne had no king, so of course it was just a stepping stone. But now Tyne has undergone earth-shaking changes since the king came. I see hope in this. I think staying in Tyne and fighting side by side with the king is the right choice."

Dad caught the loophole in his words: "You said that you stayed in Tyne to fight alongside Wang. But we all know that Wang's contract with Tyne ends next summer, and your contract was supposed to expire at that time. Wang will most likely retire after participating in the World Cup, what will you do? You could have transferred to Madrid FC as a free agent after that, but if you want to renew your contract with Tyne now, then you won't be able to leave or not..."

"I asked Wang, he didn't say he would retire after the World Cup. He also didn't say he would definitely not renew his contract with Tayne."

"Then he didn't give you any definite promises."

The father felt that his son's fan filter was a bit too strong. He sighed and said in a slightly gentler tone:

"How about this? Tomorrow I will go to Madrid to talk to them as usual and try to get more treatment for you. You also know that no matter what we ask for, Madrid will not agree immediately, so we will not decide anything tomorrow, but just express our attitude... We can continue to observe. Don't rush to close the door now, no one can guarantee what will happen in the future. If... I mean if, after the end of next season, Wang says he will retire after the World Cup, then you go to Madrid. But if Wang announces his contract renewal with the club before the end of next season, and you still plan to stay in Tyne, then you also renew your contract with the club..."

Vitini shook his head. "Tyn has been urging us to renew the contract, but we have rejected it before. I think the club should have felt that they could not keep me at that time. But if we can really qualify for the Champions League this season, I believe the club will ask us to give them an answer immediately, whether to renew the contract or not. If I still don't renew the contract, they probably won't choose to let me stay until the contract expires and then leave for free. What should I do then, Dad?"

My father also frowned. This was indeed a tricky problem.

Tyne has been talking to them about contract extension since the winter transfer window.

At first, because he was already preparing to transfer to FC Madrid, they were indifferent to the contract renewal and just kept finding excuses to delay it.

Now they are still dragging their feet, but they are not making excuses, but telling the truth. Vitini said that he only wants to devote himself to the competition for the Champions League qualification now, and does not want to be distracted by the contract renewal negotiations.

But this is inevitable and cannot be avoided.

When the season ends, regardless of whether they qualify for the Champions League or not, the club will come to them and ask them to negotiate a contract extension immediately.

By then, there will be only one season left on the contract, leaving them with much less room for maneuver.

The club will not have the patience to slowly work out the contract terms with him.

Whether the contract extension is successful or not, it must be done before the transfer window closes.

Moreover, both parties have to make preparations for both scenarios during the negotiation process.

Both the players and the team have to find a buyer to avoid being in an awkward situation if the negotiations break down.

The club certainly doesn't want its players to stay with the team until the contract expires and then leave the team for free, as that would be a huge loss.

The players may also face the risk of being sidelined and not being able to play in the last season of their contract if they do not accept the club's contract renewal conditions.

From this, we can see how irresponsible it was for Madrid FC to ask Vitini to withstand the pressure and not renew his contract with the Tyne Club, and then wait until the contract expires before transferring to Madrid FC freely.

In order to avoid paying transfer fees, the top giants have completely transferred all risks and pressures to young players.

If it weren't for the fact that FC Madrid is a top club and has a strong appeal to players, making them willing to sacrifice themselves to join, other clubs would have been criticized for doing so - of course, even now, FC Madrid's reputation among many fans is not very good...

Seeing his father fall silent, Vitini knew that he had pointed out the biggest problem, so he continued: "I thought about all this yesterday. I think your approach of not offending either side and leaving me a way out is not feasible. Both Madrid FC and Tyne are not fools. It is impossible for them to be played around by you, so we have to make a decision now - to go to Madrid FC or stay in Tyne."

Then he added:
"In fact, Wang's suggestion yesterday was that even if I wanted to go to Madrid FC, I shouldn't go now, but wait until later, at least I should have participated in the Champions League with him... Although he said it was for his own purpose, I know he was reminding me in a tactful way that only by performing well in the Champions League can I win more attention from Madrid. According to his idea, I should renew my contract with Tyne first, and when my performance in Tyne is getting better and better, Madrid FC should come to me again. At that time, at least we don't have to bear the pressure of Tyne not to renew the contract, so that Madrid can get the advantage...

“This is also possible…” Dad thought Wang Lie’s suggestion was very good and perfectly solved the problem they were facing.

As long as his son can continue his outstanding performance in the second half of this season, he doesn't believe that Madrid FC will give up. And it can also attract more attention from big clubs, which is a good deal no matter how you think about it.

But Vitini shook his head. "No, that's not even close, Dad."

"Almost?" The father didn't quite understand his son's train of thought.

"Dad, what do you think... should I go to a big club? Or should I create a big club?"

The father stared at his son in astonishment, realizing that he had never looked so strange before... This was totally not the little Vitini he remembered.

He was stunned for a while before his brain regained its ability to think: "Are you planning to turn Tain into a wealthy family together with Wang?"

"Yes, why not? Tyne has sufficient financial support, good hardware conditions, and enough loyal fans...all it needs is a championship. As long as we can bring enough championships to this team, why can't Tyne become a top club?" Vitini imagined the future passionately.

His father poured cold water on him: "You are with Wang, I don't doubt it... But how can you guarantee that Wang can continue to stay in Tyne? He will be 39 years old next year. I won't even say whether Tyne will renew the contract with a 40-year-old player. I'm asking you, how long do you think a player who is about to turn 40 can maintain his current state?"

He thought what he said made sense and his son should be speechless, but on the contrary, his son laughed when he heard it:

"This is a typical question. But I remember that at first everyone asked, 'What do you think a player who is about to turn 38 can still do?' Then it became 'What do you think a player who is already 38 can still do?' Then it should be 'a player who is about to turn 39', 'a player who is already 39'... My ears are about to get callused from hearing it.

"Those critics, journalists and bored haters don't know Wang, so they have such clichéd questions. But I know him. I train and compete with him every day. I know what level he is at. He is definitely not a flash in the pan as people say. Wang is in very good physical condition. I don't believe that his physical condition will suddenly decline by this time next year. So I think Wang can still maintain a high competitive level in the future...

"Think about it, Dad. With Wang's personality, if his body allows it, how could he retire easily? I'm not worried about his retirement, but I'm worried about him leaving Tyne. So I told him that I want to build Tyne into a wealthy club with him, just to make him feel challenged, he loves challenges the most. If he doesn't have any goals, he probably won't stay in Europe after the World Cup. It would be great to go back to China to play football, and reunite with his family, instead of being separated like now..."

Listening to his son's clear and logical analysis, the father felt a little emotional. His son's growth in the past three months has surpassed that of the past.

Is the power of idols really that great?

After coming to his senses, Dad asked, "So you threw a bait to Wang to see if he would take the bait?"

Vitini was speechless about his father's analogy: "Don't make it sound like I'm scheming against the king..."

"Haha, but that's pretty much what I mean! You gave Wang a problem, and you're curious about how Wang would solve it." After listening to his son's story, the father felt much more at ease, because he found that what his son said was well-reasoned and not based entirely on emotion.

So he was persuaded by his own son.

Then he said, "But I'm still going to Madrid tomorrow."

"Ah?" Vitini didn't expect that after spending so much time and effort, he still couldn't change anything.

He frowned, very dissatisfied, and looked at his father with some confusion.

Seeing this, the father smiled and explained: "You have your reasons and ambitions, which I think is great. It's okay for young people to have ambitions. But as your father and agent, I have to be responsible for covering for you. Go ahead and try, I hope you succeed. But if you fail, I can still find another way out for you.

"So I will go to Madrid as scheduled tomorrow and talk to Pinin. But this time I will tell him clearly that you will not wait until the contract expires to join for free. If Madrid FC wants to get you, either pay a transfer fee that can impress Tain this summer, or wait another two years and pay a transfer fee that is higher than this summer to convince Tain..."

Seeing that his son seemed to have something to say, the father raised his hand to stop him and explained:
"Don't worry, son. I won't tell him that you don't plan to leave Tyne. But I believe Madrid won't be willing to spend a lot of money to sign you immediately, so it won't affect your plan. Just don't say it now. You can't guarantee what will happen in the future, and neither can Wang. So let it go. If Wang leaves Tyne in the future and Madrid FC is still interested in you, why not?"

Vitini was also convinced by his father.

There's no harm in it after all...

But he still added: "I believe that Wang and I will succeed in Tain!"

Dad smiled and said, "I sincerely hope so."

※※※"Why do I feel like you're a little absent-minded today?"

Coming out of the bathroom, Tang Xingmei, who was wearing pajamas, looked at Wang Lie who was browsing his phone on the bed and suddenly asked.

Wang Lie was stunned for a moment, then he looked up with a surprised expression: "Ah?"

It was as if the network delay was very high and he didn't respond to his wife's words immediately.

So Tang Xingmei pointed at Wang Lie and said, "Look, just like now. What are you thinking about?"

"Well... do you think Tyne can become a wealthy family?" Wang Lie asked this question.

Tang Xingmei felt puzzled: "How should I know? I'm not a prophet. Who can predict the future?"

"Yes, who can predict the future..." Wang Lie repeated his wife's last words.

"What's wrong?" Tang Xingmei lifted the quilt and sat on the bed.

"Today Vitini came to me because of Madrid FC's interest in him and wanted me to give him advice..."

Wang Lie told his wife everything that happened during the practice with Vitini this morning.

Tang Xingmei was surprised after hearing this: "He actually wants to make Taien a wealthy family?!"

Wang Lie pointed at his wife's exaggerated face and said, "When I first heard his thoughts, I had a similar expression to you."

"This is too... too ridiculous, right?" Tang Xingmei didn't know how to comment on Vitini's "wild idea".

Then he quickly reacted: "Is this the reason why you have been absent-minded? That's not right! Although Vitini's idea is ridiculous, at most I was shocked when I first heard it. I can't be so shocked that I haven't recovered yet, right? So... do you have other ideas?"

Wang Lie smiled slightly. "Yes. My original contract with Tyne was due to expire at the end of June next year. After I came back tonight, I was actually thinking about whether to negotiate a contract extension with the club. In fact, they have already approached me, but I have not agreed to discuss this with them."

Tang Xingmei was fully aware that the Tyne Club was looking for her husband to renew his contract.

She was also aware of her husband's previous attitude.

The reason why Wang Lie chose to come to Tyne is that he hopes to play steadily and maintain his form before next year's World Cup.

Therefore, Tyne, the only one who promised to give him a starting position at that time, became Wang Lie's choice.

Since the goal is to participate in next year's World Cup, the contract between Wang Lie and Tyne will naturally take the World Cup as an important reference, so the two parties signed a one-and-a-half-year contract.

A year and a half later, at the end of the season, his contract with Tayne expired and they had no further connection, and he would participate in the World Cup as a player of the Chinese national team - if he could still be selected for the national team by then.

This is Wang Lie’s plan for his future career.

To put it bluntly, in his original plan, Tyne was just a tool to achieve his personal goals and ambitions.

He actually doesn't have much affection for this team, nor does he care about the future fate of the Tyne team.

Make Tyne a wealthy club?
If he had heard this when he had just joined Tyne, he would probably have just smiled and thought it was someone's big talk to trick him into joining. He had heard so many big talks in his career, and he never took them to heart.

But after playing for Tayne for a few months and getting to know all his teammates, he was somewhat moved when faced with Vitini's "naive dream".

Because he realizes that if he can really lead this team to participate in the Champions League next season, he will have many opportunities to score goals, he will score a lot of goals, and his physical functions will be many years younger.

How old will he be when he plays in the World Cup?

He didn't know, but he should be much younger than he is now.

So after the World Cup, what should I do as a much younger self?
Return to China to play football and start real retirement?
If his physical age is the same as his actual age by then, returning to his home country to retire or simply retiring are options that can be considered.

But what if his physical age is much younger than his actual age?
He would be unwilling to return to China to play football in such a good physical condition, or to retire.

So if he wants to stay in Europe, where should he go? Should he change teams? Should he go to a team that is stronger than Tyne?
A team stronger than Tyne? Aren’t they a top club?

Do you want to join a wealthy family?

I'm afraid no top club will sign a player who is about to turn 40, and I'm not willing to be a water dispenser attendant in a top club.

Before Vitini said that, Wang Lie had actually vaguely thought about what to do in the future, but he did not delve into it.

It's not impossible for him to stay in Tyne, but... after leading the team into the Champions League, what more remarkable goal can he find?
Without a goal, he felt there was no point in staying.

He knew that he would not be able to play football for many more years, and he wanted to enjoy football to the fullest at the end of his limited career.

It’s just that his “enjoyment of football” may be different from what most ordinary people understand as “enjoyment of football”.

To be precise, what he enjoys is not football, but the "challenges" in football.

Just like now, leading a relegation team into the Champions League finals is a huge challenge, and many people think he can't do it.

But Wang Lie really enjoys this kind of challenge. Completing an impossible task will give him a great sense of accomplishment.

And Vitini's words today seemed to have found a new challenge for him.

Tyne obviously has money and people, so why can it only avoid relegation instead of becoming a top team?

Because there is no honor.

A top team is made up of one championship honor after another.

So if you want Tyne to become a top club, you have to win one championship after another and keep winning in the future.

In other words, if Wang Lie accepted this challenge, he would probably have to stay in Tyne until he retired.

And he must win as many championship honors as possible for Tyne before retiring, and make this team a newly promoted giant. After all, there is really not much time left for him, and there is a huge gap between his career and the timeline for a normal club to become a giant.

It is easy to win one or two championships, but it is very difficult to win many championships in a short period of time.

This kid, Vitini, has found himself a very difficult but interesting challenge...

"So you haven't thought it through all night?" asked the wife.

Wang Lie raised his head: "I've thought it through now."

"what's the result?"

“It’s such a difficult thing, I want to try it.”

Tang Xingmei had an expression that said "I knew it".

Wang Lie raised his hand and hugged her to his chest: "I'm sorry to trouble you. I can't go back to accompany you so soon..."

Tang Xingmei smiled and sighed: "Who told me to like you like this?"

※※※

My son went to bed early as usual.

Vitini's father was in his room, he took out his cell phone and sent a message to his wife:

"My dear, little Vitini has really grown up! I think it won't be long before he doesn't need me to be here with him anymore... Then, we can be reunited!"

(End of this chapter)