Awakening the Messi template, Florentino Pérez begs me to join Real Madrid

In the humid and sweltering summer of Guangzhou, the pace of training at the vast training base never slows down.

In the past few weeks, Evergrande has been making great strides in the Chinese Super League.

Wu Shi's name began to appear more and more frequently on the list of candidates for the best player after the game, and he was even selected twice.

In the 21st round, Evergrande played against Shanghai Shenhua at home. Wu Shi started as a left winger, and in the 33rd minute, he cut inside and delivered a pinpoint through ball, assisting Elkeson to score a one-on-one goal.

In the 71st minute, he received a pass back from Muriqui at the edge of the penalty area and sealed the score at 3-1 with a signature outside-of-the-foot curler.

In the 22nd round, they will face Tianjin Teda away from home.

With Elkeson resting, Wu Shi was moved to the center forward position.

Faced with the opponent's tight defense, he repeatedly dropped back to provide support and acted as the offensive hub.

Although he didn't score, he orchestrated both goals and repeatedly created space for Muriqui and Conkara through his runs.

Post-match statistics show that he touched the ball 78 times, made 4 key passes, and was fouled 5 times, making him the most active pivot in the midfield and attack.

In the 23rd round, they returned to their home ground to face Hangzhou Greentown.

Wu Shi's position in this match was even more surprising.

Lippi positioned him in the attacking midfield position, behind Conca, forming a double attacking midfielder formation.

The task was clear: to participate more in organizing and orchestrating the offense, and to drop deep into defense. Wu Shi played 65 minutes, delivering a game-high 6 key passes, and completed a long-range assist from midfield, helping the team to a 3-1 victory.

Rotating, but indispensable; position may change, but performance remains consistent.

This is Wu Shi's current situation in the first team.

Lippi is like a master chess player, placing Wu Shi in different positions on the chessboard to test his adaptability and hone his all-around skills.

After training today, Wu Shi, as usual, practiced free kicks.

The setting sun cast a long shadow over him. The soccer ball traced similar arcs time and again, striking the crossbar and the inside of the post with dull, rhythmic "thumps."

On the second floor of an office building not far away, Lippi's office window was open.

The old man stood by the window, holding a cup of espresso, his gaze fixed on the solitary figure practicing extra hard on the training field.

"He still trains extra every day." Lippi's assistant, Magroni, walked to the window and looked down. "He's so disciplined, he doesn't seem like a seventeen-year-old."

"Because he knows what he wants," Lippi said, taking a sip of coffee. "He also knows the gap between himself and his goals."

Magroni nodded and handed over a document:

"This is a detailed technical analysis report of Wu Shi over the past five league rounds. There is also data from the physical fitness department. His muscle fatigue is well controlled, and his recovery speed is about 25% faster than his peers."

Lippi took the report but didn't open it immediately. His gaze remained fixed on Wu Shi, watching the young man precisely send another football into the corner of the net.

"You really intend to..." Magroni hesitated, then stopped himself from speaking.

Lippi knew what his assistant wanted to ask. He turned and walked back to his desk, put down his coffee cup, and finally opened the report.

The report is very detailed. In addition to basic statistics, it includes heat maps for Wu Shi in different positions, passing network analysis, breakdown of his challenge success rate, and even his average speed and decision-making time when running off the ball on the field.

"Look here," Lippi said, pointing to a page.

"When playing as a center forward, his back-to-goal receiving success rate has increased from 48% a month ago to 61%. When playing as an attacking midfielder, his forward threatening passes have increased, but his unforced pass error rate has actually decreased. What does this indicate?"

Magroni leaned closer for a look: "This shows he's learning, adapting, and learning very quickly. He's not just following the job requirements; he's understanding the underlying logic of different positions."

"Yes." Lippi closed the report, leaned back in his chair, and said.

"Most young players, if you put them in different positions, they will only mechanically perform the basic tasks of that position."

But Wu Shi... he was thinking. He would observe his teammates' positioning, read the opponent's defensive weaknesses, and adjust his playing style according to the situation of the game.

This is talent, but not just technical talent; it's the talent of this place.

Lippi tapped his temple.

"So that's why you've put so much effort into honing his skills?" Magroni asked, "even going so far as to let him try and fail in some less crucial matches?"

Lippi did not answer directly. He remained silent for a moment, his gaze drifting to the darkening sky outside the window.

"Giuseppe (Magnoni's name), I have coached many geniuses."

Lippi spoke slowly, his voice carrying a calmness born of experience.

"Some people are more talented than him, physically stronger, and more technically skilled. But many of them ultimately fail to reach their full potential. Why?"

Magroni shook his head, waiting for the rest of the story.

"Because their coaches, or themselves, only think about 'using' their talent to win the game in front of them," Lippi said. "Winning today means losing tomorrow. A player, especially a young player, has a career spanning more than ten years. If you only think about making him serve your tactics today, overworking his body, and solidifying his mindset, you are ruining him."

He looked back at the training field. Wu Shi had finished his extra training and was stretching on the sidelines.

"What I did with Wu Shi was not simply 'using' him."

"I'm 'building' him. Left winger, center forward, attacking midfielder, false nine... every position is helping him build a more complete understanding of the game and develop his different ability modules."

"An attempt at a certain position today might have made him play awkwardly, or even cause him to make a mistake."

"But a year or two later, when he encounters more complex defensive systems and more demanding tactical requirements in Europe, these 'awkward' experiences today will become his experience in solving problems."

Magroni was solemn.

Having followed Lippi for many years, he knows that the veteran coach's philosophy goes far beyond just troop deployment and on-field command.

But to plan a young player's development path so clearly and with such a long-term vision, and to be willing to put it into practice in the fiercely competitive professional arena, requires not only vision, but also courage and patience.

"Then... what about Europe?" Magroni asked in a low voice.

Lippi took another document from the drawer, which contained the logos and contact information of several European clubs.

"I've spoken with a few old friends," Lippi said.

"Portugal, Dutch, German, even Italian. They watched Wu Shi's match videos and reports and were interested."

"If... I mean if, Real Madrid's trial doesn't go well, or if the conditions they offer aren't right, Wu Shi still has other options. The door to Europe won't be completely closed to him just because of one trial."

Magroni was somewhat surprised: "You didn't tell him?"

"Of course not," Lippi shook his head.

"Young people need pressure, they need the determination to fight with their backs against the wall. Knowing there's a way out will diminish their courage to charge forward. These arrangements are the path I, as his coach, should pave for him. But he must walk that path himself, and he must walk it without looking back."

He paused, then added:

"I will do my best for every player. But someone like Wu Shi, who has top-notch talent and the effort and mentality to match that talent... such material deserves my extra attention."

"This isn't just for Evergrande, or just for Chinese football. It's... a coach's responsibility to football itself."

Outside the window, Wu Shi finished his stretching, slung his bag over his shoulder, and headed towards the locker room.

Lippi looked away, picked up his pen, and circled a league match for next week on his schedule.

The opponent is not strong, which is a good opportunity to test new tactics and continue to hone our skills.

On the chessboard of a master, the pieces are placed silently, but each move points to a more distant future.