At the press conference with coach Scolari.
Soon a question was directed at Ho-young.
"That was a great match today. Your physical condition looked excellent. Was the rest worth it?"
"Yes. I think the reason we were able to win so comfortably today was because of that. I also believe I showed how much I improved through the World Cup."
"Then may I ask a question unrelated to the match?"
"Go ahead."
Once Ho-young agreed, the reporter raised his voice.
"I would like to ask about the recent transfer rumors. Recently your mother moved to England, which has led to speculation that you might be heading to the EPL. Many fans are also feeling very anxious about this."
"Yes, I am aware of those reports as well. However, there is nothing I can say about it right now. I simply follow the club's decision and make choices for my own development and the team's growth. What matters is that I am still a Real Madrid player, and I love this club, my teammates, and the fans. I will always do my best to produce the best possible results."
After the press conference ended, Scolari quietly asked.
"When you go in January, when will you return?"
"I'm curious about that myself."
"Right. I asked a ridiculous question."
That was true.
It was not something Ho-young could decide.
Scolari studied Ho-young's expression and smiled bitterly.
"Remember that you won't be alone there. Wherever you are, I and your teammates will always support you."
"Thank you for your kind words."
Scolari felt deep regret.
A footballer leaving a club because of money rather than ability.
After thirty eight years in football, it was something he had seen many times, but this case felt especially unfortunate.
A manager who had won both the World Cup and the Champions League.
The player who made that reputation possible was Ho-young.
Scolari truly respected him.
"I don't know if I will still be here when you return, but I will do my best to lead the team well. I hope you come back healthy."
Ho-young's transfer also placed heavy pressure on Scolari.
Because of everything achieved so far, the expectations from the board and fans were extremely high.
He wondered if he could still satisfy them after Ho-young left.
The best solution was to achieve the best possible results in the second half of the year.
"Anyway, I look forward to working with you until you leave."
"I feel the same."
Ho-young answered sincerely.
Before leaving Spain, there were still things he had to accomplish.
Messi's agility, Xavi's passing, Iniesta's ball keeping, Ronaldo's various talents.
There were still many talents he did not want to miss.
First, Lionel Messi's agility would likely be obtained at the end of December during the Ballon d'Or ceremony, so there was no need to worry about that.
Ronaldo's talents were the same.
Given enough time, those could be achieved without difficulty.
The real problem was Xavi and Iniesta.
For example, in order to steal Xavi's passing talent, he first needed to acquire two other talents, but one of the conditions required "doing something while belonging to Barcelona," which was impossible.
The situation was the same for Iniesta.
To obtain his Ball Keeping at the Pinnacle (SSS-), two prerequisite talents were required, but the condition also involved being part of Barcelona.
That meant it was impossible.
In other words, unless the environment changed significantly, those talents would be extremely difficult to acquire.
Still, giving up felt like too much of a waste.
In Ho-young's opinion, players possessing triple S level talents were extremely rare.
He had not met every player in the world, but logically that seemed true.
'It would be best to take them before their level drops.'
Even the talents of Ronaldo and Zidane near retirement were no longer triple S.
Which meant Xavi and Iniesta's talents would eventually fall to SS level as well.
He had to acquire them before that happened.
In that sense, perhaps the move to Manchester City could become a breakthrough.
[Real Madrid defeats Barcelona 3-1 with Ho-young's 1 goal and 1 assist. Mourinho suffers the worst debut.]
[Second leg scheduled for the 21st. It may be President Laporta's last chance.]
[Barcelona presidential election only 9 days away. Despite the bold decision to appoint Mourinho, his chances of reelection are extremely slim.]
[Alfredo Di Stéfano says, "The solution is not to change Barcelona, but to change Real Madrid."]
[Alex Ferguson says, "Mourinho going to Barcelona was the worst mistake of his life. It's like walking into his own grave. Still, I admire the courage."]
While mockery and sympathy toward Mourinho filled the media, August 21 arrived, the day of the Supercopa de España second leg.
The venue was Barcelona's home stadium, Camp Nou.
7 PM.
Before the match began, Mourinho's interview started.
A reporter with a face full of freckles asked in a mocking tone.
"As everyone knows, Barcelona suffered a helpless defeat in the last match. More and more people are starting to doubt your tactics. Some even say you are no longer the 'Special One.' Would you like to respond?"
When it came to El Clásico, provocation and mind games were inevitable.
Especially for Mourinho, aggressive questions followed him everywhere, so today was nothing unusual.
Mourinho smirked.
"Do you really want to discuss my tactics right now? Or do you not know when I arrived in Spain? I have not even been here for a full month."
In other words, his tactics still needed time to integrate into the team.
Mourinho spoke passionately.
"Do you think defeating the defending Champions League winners happens overnight? If there is such a method, someone should tell me."
"There is a method. Stop obsessing over victory."
"What?"
Mourinho reacted sharply, and the reporter fired back immediately.
"Barcelona can solve this problem by finding another goal besides winning. Football is a sport where victory matters, but if you cannot win, you could simply give up peacefully and enjoy the process."
Pure audacity.
The reporter made a dangerous remark, fully prepared to face the anger of Barcelona supporters.
His goal was to provoke Mourinho, who was famous for prioritizing results over process, and create a sensational interview.
But Mourinho refused to answer.
His trademark arrogant expression was nowhere to be seen.
He simply closed his eyes and tried to calm his headache.
Then he spoke.
"I came to Barcelona to lift trophies. That means victory is the only thing that matters."
He still needed time.
Losing the Supercopa trophy did not matter.
Even losing to Real Madrid did not mean they could not win the league.
His real goal was to gradually build a powerful team.
But Barcelona fans inside the stadium felt very differently.
Even before the match began, many were shouting, "Victory or death."
President Laporta, who had come to Camp Nou to watch the match, could not hide his anxiety.
'If we lose, it's over.'
His approval rating had already collapsed.
Even appointing Mourinho had not changed anything.
In fact, the public opinion had worsened.
'This is driving me insane.'
Watching Real Madrid's players enter the field made his blood pressure rise.
'Please stop beating us. Please.'
Laporta clasped his hands and prayed desperately.
When the match began, he was too afraid to even watch properly.
But about forty minutes into the match, color slowly returned to his face.
The anxious expression in his eyes disappeared.
A shocking fact.
The score was still 0-0.
'Good. Just keep it like this.'
Real Madrid had more possession, but Barcelona was not being completely dominated.
In fact, they looked much better than in the previous match.
'Yes. Hiring Mourinho was a brilliant move.'
Over the past few days, Mourinho had reportedly begun special training.
It focused on aggressive man marking based on quick defensive transitions.
Apparently the training was working.
'Good. Even a draw will be enough.'
That alone would be satisfying.
It was like a student who normally scored 5 suddenly getting 50.
It felt more rewarding than a student who always scored 90 getting 95.
Right now, fan expectations were at rock bottom.
Even a draw would make them celebrate wildly.
'Just like this. Just like this.'
Laporta watched the match nervously.
Then just before halftime.
Boom!
"Wooooooo!"
A roar that shook the entire stadium.
It was the reaction to Lionel Messi's opening goal.
After defending against Real Madrid's relentless attacks, Barcelona scored from a single counterattack.
"Yes!"
Laporta clenched his fists.
For some reason, this felt promising.
Whistle.
[The second half begins. Real Madrid has made changes. Zhirkov is off and Diarra is on. Benzema is replaced by Yoann Gourcuff, who enters as an attacking midfielder. Ho-young moves forward to form a two striker system with Ronaldo.]
[It is a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, also known as the diamond 4-4-2. It appears to be an adjustment to address the problems from the first half.]
Barcelona had played dull football throughout the first half.
They dropped their line deep and relied on Mourinho's trademark defensive wall.
Meanwhile Real Madrid attacked relentlessly through multiple channels centered around Ho-young.
They recorded fourteen shots.
However Benzema, who played as the lone striker, wasted chance after chance.
For a striker known for his finishing ability, it was unbelievable.
Worse still, Barcelona scored on a counterattack, ending the first half 1-0.
So Scolari made a bold decision.
He placed Ho-young and Ronaldo, both clinical finishers, as a two striker partnership.
This compensated for the lack of finishing.
However Gourcuff alone could not control the game.
So Ho-young was given a free role to participate in creating chances.
In other words, he was assigned the roles of both playmaker and finisher.
And indeed, Ho-young proved Scolari's decision correct.
Only ten minutes into the second half, the momentum shifted.
[Xabi Alonso and Gago exchange passes in midfield and escape Iniesta's pressure.]
[The ball rolls to Gourcuff. Busquets closes in.]
[Xavi joins from behind.]
Tap.
Gourcuff had excellent press resistance, but escaping Busquets and Xavi closing in from both sides was difficult alone.
However, he was not alone.
"Stay calm!"
"Ah!"
Ho-young dropped deeper and created a passing lane with quick movement.
Thanks to that, Gourcuff managed to keep possession.
The pass went straight to Ho-young.
And at that moment.
Real Madrid's attack accelerated rapidly.
Tap!
[Brilliant first touch. Ho-young pushes the ball through Piqué's legs and breaks forward.]
[Piqué tries to chase but cannot keep up.]
There was no second touch.
After the first touch, Ho-young sprinted toward the ball and struck it with his left foot as soon as he reached it.
It happened the moment he entered the left side of the penalty area.
Net!
[Goal! Ho-young scores the equalizer.]
[One shot, one goal. Why did it look so difficult in the first half?]
Once the momentum started, it did not stop.
After the equalizer, the players moved faster and the attacks became sharper.
Ho-young guided Gourcuff patiently and began creating chances step by step.
Because he could focus entirely on attack without worrying about defense.
'I don't need to think about defending.'
The complete opposite of the World Cup.
At Real Madrid, he could play exactly how he wanted.
"Gourcuff, play with more confidence. Ronaldo and I will occupy their defenders."
"Alright, I'll try."
20 minutes into the second half.
The atmosphere heated up.
As the quality of passes improved, shooting opportunities increased.
And eventually, it led to another goal.
Net!
"That's it!"
"Great pass, Gourcuff!"
"Thanks!"
It was the winning goal created by Gourcuff's killer pass and Ho-young's lob shot.
Real Madrid's comeback victory was confirmed about thirty minutes later.
Whistle!
Full time.
Ho-young's 100th match ended in great success.
And as he entered the locker room, something unexpected happened.
"Congratulations."
Real Madrid's honorary president had come to Camp Nou to celebrate Ho-young's 100th match.
Alfredo Di Stéfano extended his hand for a handshake.
Ho-young accepted it with both hands.
"Thank you for coming personally, Mr. Di Stéfano."
He was truly grateful.
Because if they spoke for just twenty four more minutes, he would be able to steal All-Rounder's Versatility (L).
(To be continued.)