"From what stone did this kid jump out?"
In the stands of the Joaquin Almeida Freitas Stadium in Moreirense, a balding Spanish old man stared at Su Dong on the court with interest and asked curiously.
Sporting Lisbon II was still forced to take a defensive stance after Sudon scored the second goal.
There was no other way. Our overall strength was far inferior to that of our opponents, and we were playing away from home. We had to defend when our opponents launched a massive attack.
Moreirense also increased its attention and defense on Sudong. The two central defenders stuck to Sudong closely, which temporarily curbed Sporting Lisbon's counterattack momentum, but it also made their own offense no longer strong.
This is the offensive and defensive game in professional football.
As soon as the bald old man finished asking, a middle-aged Spanish man sitting next to him flipped through the materials in his hand and quickly found a name. "His name is Su Dong, from China. He started playing for Sporting CP in Lisbon last summer, a third-tier league team. He transferred to Sporting Lisbon during the winter break."
"Chinese?" The bald old man was surprised, and nodded again: "This kid is pretty good. He has a strong body, skills and speed. His two shots were also very calm and decisive, especially that emergency stop. He was able to stop with such a height, and his skills are quite good."
The Spanish middle-aged man was a little surprised. He didn't expect that the balding old man would speak so highly of an unknown Chinese player.
who is he?
Luis Suarez.
The only legendary superstar in Spanish history to have won the European Golden Ball Award, he played for top teams such as Barcelona and Inter Milan. After retiring, he coached Inter Milan, Deportivo La Coruna and the Spanish national team with remarkable results.
After retiring from the coaching position, he did not fade out of the football world, but moved behind the scenes to serve as a senior advisor to Inter Milan's chairman Moratti, providing valuable advice on Inter Milan's operations, coaching selection and signings.
When Inter Milan brought Ronaldo from Barcelona, ​​it was Luis Suarez's most praised move.
Not only that, he is also the head of Inter Milan's scouting network in the Iberian Peninsula.
Today, he flew from his home in Spain to Porto, and then drove dozens of kilometers to arrive at Moreira de Konigues, just to observe the nationally renowned talented young man Cristiano Ronaldo in the Sporting Lisbon II team.
Unexpectedly, the old man accidentally discovered Su Dong.
The middle-aged Spanish man picked up a pen, circled Su Dong's name, and remembered the name.
…
The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Sporting Lisbon II failed to upset away from home.
Although the team is currently ranked sixth, its overall strength lags behind Moreirense. Being able to draw 2-2 is already very satisfactory. No one can make more stringent demands on this group of young players.
Su Dong, who scored twice, performed very well and continued his excellent form in the past few rounds.
Ronnie also showed his personal strength that stood out from the crowd.
After training with the first team, Su Dong made great progress, and Ronnie also made rapid progress.
Both the Portuguese media and Sporting Lisbon fans have high hopes for this local talent from the youth training camp.
With Quaresma in the first team and Ronaldo emerging, forming a golden duo has become the wish of countless Sporting Lisbon fans.
What no one knew was that after the game, when Sporting Lisbon II returned to the locker room, washed up, got back on the bus and set off back to Lisbon, Luis Suarez was standing in the distance.
Watching the bus leave, Luis Suarez took out the mobile phone from his pocket, found Moratti's number, and called him directly.
"Ha, Luis, I heard you went to Portugal?" Morati's hearty laughter came from the phone.
"Yes, Massimo, I came to inspect the Portuguese genius."
"I told you, Luis, you don't need to go in person, just find a scout to go." On the phone, Moratti's tone was full of concern, and it was obvious that the relationship between the two was extraordinary.
"Besides, we already have Ronaldo, why do we need to bring in a mini Ronaldo?"
Luis Suarez smiled bitterly, "Sporting Lisbon's valuation of him should be around 1 million euros, no more than 2 million euros. It's a good deal now, Massimo."
"Great potential?"
"Well, his physical condition, speed, technique, and ability to change speed and direction are all excellent."
"But only seventeen, isn't it?"
"We have to invest in the future, Massimo," Suarez advised.
"Of course, Louis, you're right, we need to invest in the future, but he's only seventeen, and I think in another three years, when he's more mature, it would be a better fit for us."
"But the price will definitely be more than this by then."
"Of course, as long as he has the ability." Moratti said generously.
Luis Suarez can't do anything about it, as it falls within the club's transfer strategy.
Introducing a semi-finished product like Cristiano Ronaldo does have certain risks, so many top teams would rather wait until the player grows up, becomes more mature and stable, and spend a higher price to introduce him, rather than work hard to train him.
This is how the top teams survive.
"I also got a surprise, Massimo."
"There aren't many things that can surprise you."
"He's a Chinese player, 17 years old, with excellent physique, skills and awareness. He gives me a very complicated feeling."
"What do you mean?" Morati also became interested.
"He has a burly figure, his tactical role is very obvious, his feet are very delicate, a bit like Kluivert in the past, but when he kicks the ball, he looks a bit like Batistuta, and his positioning is also very smart..."
"Wait, wait, Louis, are you sure this person you're talking about is seventeen years old?"
"certainly."
"That's quite interesting." Morati said with a smile.
"I think so too, he should be around 1 million euros."
"Here you go again, Luis." Moratti was a little impatient, "He's like Kluivert? But we have Vieri, he's like Batistuta, but the problem is, the real god of war is in Rome, if we need a scorer, why not Batistuta, and choose a little god of war?"
Luis Suarez was speechless.
He would rather help Inter Milan spend less and get more returns.
But Moratti prefers to bring in superstars rather than semi-finished products.
Of course, Inter Milan is not short of money now.
…
…
On the morning after the match against Moreirense, after training with Nuno Cruz in the gym, Sudong was called aside by head coach Boloni when he returned to the first team.
Boloni said the team is satisfied with his recent performance and hopes he will continue to work hard.
"I want you to be ready at all times."
In the just-concluded Portuguese Super League, Sporting Lisbon drew with their opponent at home, and Jardel was injured and left the field during the game.
This was the first time he had not scored in a game since his goal spree in January.
Nalizis, who replaced Jardel, played for nearly an hour, but had a poor performance throughout the game and did not score any goals.
Now is the critical moment for Sporting Lisbon to challenge for the league title. Sporting Lisbon's advantage is not obvious, especially after this round of draw, Boavista, which is closely behind, has caught up again.
Going further ahead, Porto, led by Mourinho, is even more eager.
Not only that, there is also a Portuguese Cup semi-final coming up, and Sporting Lisbon is under great pressure fighting on two fronts.
The four teams that have reached the Portuguese Cup semi-finals are Sporting Lisbon vs. Maritimo and Porto vs. Lesos.
Both Sporting Lisbon and Porto are playing at home, and the winner will advance to the final.
This also makes the game full of suspense.
But at this critical moment, Jadel was injured.
According to the team doctor's post-match test results, Jardel's injury was not serious and would not affect his continued participation in the game, but it was still a potential risk.
After hearing what Boloni said, Su Dong didn't know how he should react.
are you happy?
He was indeed very happy, after all, he saw the opportunity in front of him.
But there is more pressure.
…
As soon as Boloni left, Pontes followed and handed Su Dong a newspaper.
In an inconspicuous corner of the sports edition of the freshly published Portuguese newspaper Public, the scores of yesterday's Portuguese League were introduced, and Sporting Lisbon II drew 2-2 with Moreirense away from home.
Su Dong's name [SU] and the times of the two goals appeared in smaller fonts below the score.
"How does it feel to report for the first time?" Pontes asked with a smile.
Su Dong smiled slightly and shook his head. He didn't know how he felt.
If I have to say there is, it is a very unreal feeling, like a dream.
"Keep working hard. I believe that it won't be long before you will not only find your name on the list, but you will also get a report of your own and even see your own photo," Pontes encouraged.
He watched Su Dong progress step by step with his own eyes, and he was very optimistic about Su Dong's future.
Su Dong held the newspaper, raised his head, and stared blankly at the blue sky without a trace of clouds.
…
…
After playing Moreirense on Saturday, Mendes came to the apartment with two Spanish guests on Tuesday night.
Since they received a call in advance, Sudong, Ronnie and Jose Semedo all stayed at home waiting.
Luis Suarez and his friend, Garcia.
To be honest, Su Dong didn't know Luis Suarez before.
Because the era when he played football was so long ago, let alone Su Dong, even his father was probably not born yet.
But Mendes reminded Sudon and Ronnie on the phone that Luis Suarez not only has a highly respected status in Spanish football, but also in European football, and is also a senior adviser to Inter Milan chairman Moratti.
He once won the European Golden Ball.
This was the first time in Su Dong's life that he saw a player win the highest honor in football.
Even though he looks very old.
But this still made Su Dong very excited.
Especially since Luis Suárez brought a gift that he simply couldn't refuse.