Champion Rules

Chapter 20019: FMP's Eternal Pride (Please Read!)

Real Madrid coach Julio Lamas was forced into the end of his Real Madrid career just after taking office.

In the history of competitive sports, no matter what sport, the change of dynasties and the rise and fall of giants have always been eternal themes.

Even the greatest teams experience decline.

As a legendary club in European basketball, Real Madrid has not been able to escape this fate.

They are at their lowest point in history.

Winning the La Liga title in 2000 was Real Madrid's last glory. In the following years, Real Madrid's performance got worse and worse.

In the 00-01 season, the team lost to their arch-rival Barcelona in the ACB (Spanish League) final and failed to defend their title.

In the first round of the 01-02 playoffs, they were eliminated by their city rivals, Estudiantes de Madrid, in the sixth round. (Estudiantes is just a name, but it is not a team composed of university students.)

This season, the team shamefully lost hope of making the playoffs early on.

This directly led to the Spanish national team coach Javier Imbroda being fired in a very embarrassing manner after only one year in charge of the team, becoming the first national team coach in history to be fired by the club during his tenure in the national team.

His situation is not much better than that of Nick Harrison, the general manager of the Mavericks who reached a stupid deal in 2025. Simply put, he has to bring bodyguards with him whenever he goes out, otherwise he might be stabbed to death by extreme fans.

Because since the professional basketball league in Spain began in 1957, Real Madrid has never failed to make the playoffs in any season.

Before this, Real Madrid's worst regular season record was only fifth.

In European basketball, where there is no salary cap, it is inconceivable that a top team cannot make the playoffs.

If Real Madrid is not a licensed club of the Euroleague Basketball long-term license, they will not even be eligible to participate in the Euroleague next season.

In next season's European League, Real Madrid will be the only team that fails to make the playoffs in its domestic league.

So it's not hard to imagine how big a shit Javier Imbroda pooped.

In this way, Argentine Julio Lamas took office and became the 25th head coach in Real Madrid's history.

This coach, who has won two championships in the Argentine domestic league, is both lucky and unfortunate.

Fortunately, he coached the most successful basketball club in Europe.

Unfortunately, he managed the worst Real Madrid team in history.

He is under enormous pressure as basketball fans throughout Madrid are hoping for a miracle of redemption after a humiliating season.

And so Julio Lamas came here, to Belgrade.

If Real Madrid wants to get out of the quagmire next season, it cannot rely solely on strength, but may also need a little bit of luck.

He wanted to take away two lottery tickets issued by Serbia to see if he could win the prize in Spain.

At this time, in the FMP first team training camp, Lynch was talking to Misko Raznatovic.

Lynch was actually very curious about why Real Madrid's record was so bad last season.

He thought that Real Madrid helped him win the European championship, but you tell me that this famous and powerful team only ranked tenth in La Liga last season?

Misco didn't explain, but handed Lynch a list of Real Madrid's players from last season.

Lynch was dumbfounded after taking the list.

"What? Are Swiss players so popular in Spain? Did Real Madrid sign a Swiss national team last season?"

Misco laughed: "The red cross in front is not the Swiss flag, it means that the player is injured."

"Oh"

Well, Lynch immediately understood why Real Madrid was so bad last season. It was because Javier Imbroda was too old, otherwise he would have taken off his suit and warmed up before going on the court.

And Lynch didn't see those well-known Real Madrid star players on this list.

Felipe Reyes, Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Llull, Goran Dragic and others have not yet joined the team, but the stars of the previous era have begun to retire one after another.

This Real Madrid team is in its most transitional period.

But this is exactly why Misco sent Lynch and Theo to Madrid.

The rotation of a championship-contending team must be very mature, and it is difficult to suddenly cram two kids in.

Those teams that can squeeze Lynch and Theo in are definitely not very strong and have very poor exposure.

Real Madrid is different. They were awful last season. The existing order needs to be broken, otherwise it will continue to be this bad.

Therefore, they can provide young players such as Lynch and Theo with the opportunity to play in the first team.

At the same time, Real Madrid also has exposure that other teams do not have.

Just like the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, whose attendance is always in the top three in the league no matter how badly they play, Real Madrid is still one of the most watched clubs in Europe even though it had a bad season last year.

For Lynch, this is the perfect dream theater.

As for Real Madrid's performance next season? That's not what Misco cares about.

He only sees Real Madrid as a stepping stone for Lynch, nothing more.

NBA teams never look at a player's team record when drafting. Having a good record is certainly better, but talent is the most important thing.

Of course, he didn't tell Lynch that "results are not important" so as to prevent Lynch from letting down his guard.

In the afternoon, Julio Lamas arrived at the FMP first team training ground.

He hugged Vlad Durovich and waved to Misko.

Finally, his eyes fell on Lynch.

Lynch is training with the first-team players. While waiting for Real Madrid's call, Lynch has not relaxed for a moment.

He continued to gain weight to adapt to the confrontation of professional basketball and to fully grasp Moses Malone's strength talent.

He continued to practice his low-post skills and continue to study more complex tactics.

Enjoy life? Lynch certainly knows how to enjoy life. He'd already planned it out: after entering the NBA, he'd just work a day's wages and not even eat anything! But now?
It is not time to enjoy, and he has no capital to enjoy.

Lynch's current youth training contract with FMP has not yet expired. This contract only exempts Lynch from all training expenses and provides him with a small monthly living allowance. Even if he is loaned to Real Madrid, he will still be under this youth training contract.

So, although Lynch is already very famous, he cannot live a life of debauchery now.

He can only devote all his energy and time to training.

Julio Lamas watched Lynch weaving among the FMP first-team players, astounded by the number 10's agility. He looked stronger than most adult players, and was definitely over 203cm tall. Yet, he was incredibly agile on the court, a pace most Spanish players couldn't keep up with.

I just don’t know if he can keep up with the Spanish professional players.

But Lamas was confused: "Why didn't the kid dunk? He got a lot of open cuts to the basket, but he just let them go gently. I've seen his game tapes, and he's not so gentle in the game. Is it the competition from the FMP first team that makes him timid in the penalty area?"

Vlad Durovich scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, our club's financial situation simply doesn't allow him to do that."

"Huh? Does the club's finances have anything to do with Lynch not dunking?"

"Sir, he's already broken two backboards in my training gym. We even had to replace the basketball hoop with a higher-spec, more expensive one. As he continues to gain weight, Lynch's strength is increasing like crazy. So now, I don't allow him to dunk during training. As for the fear of confrontation you mentioned, that's indeed the problem. The players on the FMP first team are now a little afraid when confronting Lynch."

Julio Lamas: ???

So, this kid has height, speed, and more power than most adult players?

He thought Lynch was very good, but he didn't expect him to have evolved to this level.

But Julio Lamas had another concern: "Is he too heavy?"

"I know what you're worried about," Durovic replied with a smile. "For a powerful striker like Lynch, keeping him healthy is more important than letting him play high-level basketball. Don't worry, when you take him back to Spain, you can use the most advanced and scientific methods for a physical examination, and your results will be the same as mine: he's as healthy as a bull!"

Julio Lamas didn't ask any more questions. It looked like this would be a lottery ticket that would win the jackpot.

Should he place his bets on this lottery ticket? He didn't know, but at least he saw hope.

After the practice match, Lynch walked to the sidelines and greeted Lamas.

"When can you and Theo leave?"

"It'll be fine tomorrow."

"Great, then pack your bags after today's training. We're going to Spain tomorrow!"
-
After the afternoon training, Lynch and Theo returned to the youth team's locker room to pack their things.

The entire team just stared at the two of them without saying a word.

The afterglow of the setting sun slanted through the high windows of the dressing room, casting long shadows on the lockers. When Lynch stuffed the last piece of clothing into the suitcase, the click of the metal zipper closing was particularly harsh in the dead silence.

The atmosphere was suffocating, and Lynch finally couldn't help but say something.

"Guys, are you going to hold a moment of silence for me and Special Olympics?" Lynch joked in a light-hearted manner.

Luka Modric stood up, tears streaking down his face. "Damn it! Who's going to help me defend the penalty area from now on? Who's going to pass the ball to me? Who's going to bully me again?"

Boshko also came up and patted Lynch's face gently. "When you came here at the age of 12, you were still a child with a childish face. Look at you now, you are a star of Real Madrid Club. Go, Lynch, create greater glory! Come back to see us when you have time, and bring the Spanish girl you found over there."

Lynch nodded and continued packing.

He is not heartless, he just doesn't want to embarrass himself in front of so many people.

After packing up, Lynch and Theo stood at the door of the locker room, looking at their familiar teammates and coaches.

"Goodbye guys."

"Good luck to you two, play FMP style!"

"Thank you!"

Lynch pulled Theo around, but at this time, Boshko started shouting again.

"Lynch, Theo! Remember! Professional players won't take care of you just because you're kids. What they want is their contracts so their families can maintain their standard of living over the past few years. And to get those contracts, they have to beat everyone, including you!
You will face greater challenges and difficulties! But don't be afraid, keep going forward bravely, and don't be discouraged!

Because you are so young, you should be proud of yourself!"

Until the very end, he still wanted to teach Lynch and Theo the last bit of knowledge.

Lynch turned around and winked at Boshko: "Thank you, Mr. Boshko."

Boshko was a little dazed.

Wait, that bastard didn't even call himself Mediterranean Commander?

Back at the restaurant, Lin Qi packed his luggage while listening to Wu Lan's nagging.

"A person must eat on time, remember! Don't go out and wander around at night, and listen to the coach. If you are tired, tell me, if you are injured, rest. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, you are already great. How many people in this world were signed by Real Madrid at the age of 17? Have you packed your things? Don't forget anything."

"Everything is packed, mom. Don't worry. I'm going to play basketball, not to the front line."

"How can I not be worried? From childhood to adulthood, you have never traveled far away alone."

"Everything has a first time. Oh, by the way, there's one thing I forgot to pick up!"

As Lin Qi spoke, he took out an old sports backpack, took off the Chinese knot on it, and put it in the suitcase.

Wu Lan looked at the Chinese knot and felt relieved, and finally stopped nagging.

After packing their luggage, Lin Qi and Wu Lan walked out of the room and went to the restaurant lobby, and then they were both stunned.

The restaurant closed early today, but outside the window, a group of fans wearing FMP jerseys gathered, holding up signs.

"Bon voyage, Lynch. No matter where you are in the future, you will always be our pride."

A little girl holding a No. 10 jersey pressed her face against the glass, and the white mist from her exhaled gradually blurred the scene in front of her.

It also blurred Lynch's rosy eyes.
-
Will David Beckham be the next player to join the Galacticos? — Madrid's El País.

New Detroit Pistons head coach Larry Brown has made it clear that if the Pistons receive a top-three pick, they should and must select Syracuse University's MOP Carmelo Anthony. Darko? Larry Brown declined to comment. —Detroit Free Press

Two tough guys have arrived from the East. —Marca, Madrid, Basketball Edition.

(Thanks to Boss Mei for not digging coal, Sitting alone by the sea watching the sunrise, Cong Rong, Please call me Wolf Master and other big guys for their rewards)
(End of this chapter)