Chapter Summaries

After Valencia advanced to the Champions League final, David Silva treated Su Dong and their companions to a celebratory meal with his first major bonus. The group discussed their hopes for the final, and David Silva planned how a possible title bonus could help his family.

• David Silva led Su Dong, Nuno Cruz, and the others to La Marcelina, where fans crowded around Su Dong for photos and greetings.
• David Silva ordered a feast and explained that Valencia's advancement bonus of sixty thousand euros was the largest sum he had ever received.
• David Silva said he had sent most of the money home to his father and bought gifts for his family, who asked Su Dong to visit their Canary Islands hometown.
• Su Dong told David Silva that Valencia had a slight edge over Porto in the Champions League final, despite Porto's strong players.
• David Silva imagined spending a possible title bonus on a car for his father, clothes for his mother, and a bracelet for his grandmother, while Su Dong thought of his own parents asking him to send money for a house.

Ma Dawei visited Su Dong’s family as they prepared to travel to Europe for the Champions League final, then watched Valencia beat Seville with a goal and assist from Su Dong. As Su Dong faced pressure to surpass Ronaldo’s scoring record, he declared before Valencia’s match against Villarreal that he intended to surpass his idol.

• Ma Dawei visited Su Dong’s home, where Su Dong asked his parents to travel to Europe again to watch him play in the Champions League final.
• Su Wenji and his wife discussed their travel plans and shopping requests from relatives, while Ma Dawei learned that Su Wenji had renovated their Shanghai house.
• Su Dong scored after overpowering Sergio Ramos, and Valencia took a 1–0 lead over Seville.
• After Pablo Aimar returned from injury, Su Dong assisted Baraja’s goal as Valencia defeated Seville 2–0 away.
• Su Dong’s season total reached 33 goals, prompting debate over whether he could surpass Ronaldo’s record of 34 goals with two league matches left.
• Before Valencia visited Villarreal, Su Dong told Valencia Daily that Ronaldo was his idol and that he intended to pay tribute by surpassing him.

Su Dong scored against Villarreal to draw level with Ronaldo’s La Liga record of thirty-four goals, then kept pushing for one more despite Valencia’s poor form and Benítez’s concerns. With Su Dong due to rest in the final league round, the chapter left his chance to break the record hanging on the derby’s remaining minutes.

• Valencia rotated most of its lineup against a highly motivated Villarreal, who took a two-goal lead through Sonny Anderson and Riquelme.
• Su Dong combined with David Silva before heading in Silva’s corner to make the score 2–1 and equal Ronaldo’s record of thirty-four La Liga goals.
• Villarreal controlled much of the match while Su Dong ran tirelessly in search of another scoring chance.
• Su Dong recalled that Benítez had agreed to let him play this derby only if he rested in Valencia’s final league match before the Champions League final.
• Benítez considered substituting Su Dong but held back after seeing his determination, then turned toward the bench.

Valencia brought on Vicente and Aimar to help Su Dong break through Villarreal’s defense, while Marcos Senna entered to mark him closely. Late in the match, Su Dong anticipated Senna and the center-backs’ double-team and turned sharply after backheeling Aimar’s pass, leaving the attack unresolved.

• Benítez sent Vicente and Aimar on, and David Silva came off as Su Dong welcomed his attacking partners.
• Paquito brought on Marcos Senna and instructed him to cut off passes to Su Dong and prevent him from shooting.
• Senna repeatedly harried Su Dong alongside Villarreal’s two center-backs, limiting Valencia’s attacks as the match passed the eighty-fifth minute.
• Aimar played a through ball toward Su Dong, who backheeled it behind himself and spun around as Senna and Coloccini closed in.

Su Dong scored a spectacular late equalizer against Villarreal, reaching 35 league goals and breaking Ronaldo’s record for a player’s debut La Liga season. After Valencia drew 2–2, he celebrated with his teammates and coaches, leaving Yesterdan convinced that his career had only begun.

• In the 88th minute, Su Dong beat Senna, Coloccini, and Álvarez before curling the ball into Villarreal’s goal to make it 2–2.
• Su Dong celebrated his 35th league goal, which broke Ronaldo’s debut-season record and matched Baltazar’s total on the single-season La Liga scoring list.
• After the match, Villarreal players congratulated Su Dong, and Riquelme shook his hand and praised the goal.
• Su Dong thanked Benítez and Yesterdan, then celebrated with his Valencia teammates and promised to treat them to dinner.
• Yesterdan reflected that Su Dong’s ability and character had earned him a powerful place in Valencia’s dressing room.

Florentino and Laporta reacted to Su Dong surpassing Ronaldo’s scoring record by reassessing their bids to sign him from Valencia. As Real Madrid’s election rivals and Barcelona’s internal divisions shaped the race, the chapter left both clubs preparing to pursue Su Dong more urgently.

• Florentino learned from Manuel Redondo that Su Dong had scored twice, passed Ronaldo, and set a new record.
• Redondo warned Florentino that their previous valuation was too low, while Balde and Sanz promoted rival campaign plans centered on Su Dong or broader squad rebuilding.
• Florentino ordered Redondo to revise Real Madrid’s campaign strategy, publicize Valdano’s dismissal, continue negotiations with Valencia, and contact Camacho.
• Laporta’s aides told him that Rosell opposed signing Su Dong and that Valencia could demand more than fifty million euros.
• Laporta instructed Sara Martin to accelerate negotiations for Su Dong and to keep in contact with Real Mallorca about signing Eto’o as an alternative.

Wang Chuqing saw how Su Dong’s record-breaking achievement had captured public attention, then traveled to Spain to help BMW plan a Champions League promotion campaign centered on him. At Valencia’s training base, Aimar tried to set her up with Su Dong, while David Silva’s praise left her wondering about Su Dong’s feelings.

• Wang Chuqing learned from the news and online discussions that Su Dong had surpassed Ronaldo and made Chinese people proud.
• Ralph asked Wang Chuqing to travel to Spain and assess legal risks for BMW’s Champions League promotion, offering her a recommendation letter.
• Wang Chuqing arrived at Valencia’s training base with Ralph, and Su Dong’s teammates recognized her from a photo taken in Munich.
• Aimar asked Wang Chuqing whether she had a boyfriend, then tried to pair her with Su Dong by revealing that he had never dated.
• David Silva told Wang Chuqing that Su Dong was exceptionally hardworking and his most trustworthy friend, prompting her to look at Su Dong with a complicated expression.

Wang Chuqing stayed at Su Dong’s home while preparing a sponsorship and media plan, and Aunt Zhang urged Su Dong to show her some personal concern. Su Dong won La Liga’s title and several scoring honors, while questions arose about whether he would stay at Valencia or move to another Spanish club.

• Wang Chuqing learned that Su Dong trained at home before going to the training ground, then spent the day completing a detailed promotional plan while staying at his villa.
• Su Dong read Wang Chuqing’s plan, and Aunt Zhang encouraged him to call her after she had worked hard and left for the airport.
• Su Dong called Wang Chuqing to ask whether she had arrived safely, thank her for the plan, and tell her to call him by his name.
• Valencia lost 0–1 to Albacete with a reserve lineup but secured the La Liga title, while Real Madrid and Barcelona also lost their final league matches.
• Su Dong finished as La Liga’s top scorer with 35 goals, won the European Golden Shoe, and all but secured the Champions League Golden Boot with 15 goals.
• Spanish media praised Su Dong’s season and debated whether he should remain at Valencia or move to Real Madrid or Barcelona.

The day before the Champions League final, Su Dong reunited with his parents in Gelsenkirchen, then trained and considered how to improve his game. He began upgrading his system level to Ball Knight and prepared to choose a Star Ability Card to address his weaknesses before facing Porto.

• Su Dong visited his parents, who questioned him about Wang Chuqing and enthusiastically discussed his future relationships, marriage, and children.
• After leaving his parents, Su Dong trained at the hotel gym while Vito Scala and Nuno Cruz praised his physical condition and potential.
• Su Dong entered the Path to the King of Football system and began upgrading from Ball Soil to Ball Knight using 31,250,000 King of Football Points.
• Su Dong reviewed his difficulty holding off close-marking defenders such as Marcos Senna and considered strengthening his ball shielding and ability to escape markers.
• Su Dong anticipated that Mourinho's Porto would tightly mark him in the final and decided to exchange his voucher for a Star Ability Card before the match.

Su Dong leveled up to Ball Three, searched unsuccessfully for the mysterious Chinese player Li Dadi, and exchanged a voucher for Henry’s ball-control ability card. As Valencia prepared for the Champions League final against Porto, Aimar worried about being targeted by their midfield.

• Su Dong saw that reaching the next level required two Champions League titles, a World Cup, or a European Cup, and decided that two Champions League titles were his only realistic option.
• Su Dong found a Chinese Star Ability Card for Li Dadi that claimed his ball control was like Henry’s, but Ma Dawei had never heard of him and Su Dong suspected the card was a prank.
• Su Dong exchanged his voucher for Henry’s Dripping Ball Proof ability card and felt disappointed that Li Dadi was probably not a real player.
• Benítez told Valencia to suppress Porto’s midfield, guard against counterattacks, and create counterattacking chances in the Champions League final.
• Aimar worried that Porto’s three-man midfield would target him, while Su Dong promised to help him and Aimar joked about returning to Planet Vegeta.

Valencia prepared for the Champions League final against Porto, with Benítez naming his strongest lineup and urging the team to score first and shut down Deco. As the teams entered the pitch, Su Dong tried to unsettle Carvalho, while Mourinho worried about Valencia’s attacking threat.

• Su Dong attended BMW’s online business meeting and was surprised to find his parents and Ma Dawei among the crowd.
• Benítez announced Valencia’s starting lineup and emphasized scoring first and keeping Deco under control.
• Yesterdan gave Valencia’s players an emotional speech urging them to fight for the Champions League trophy.
• Su Dong greeted Porto’s players in the tunnel and teased Carvalho about transfers and his free kicks.
• Aimar accused Su Dong of trying to play mind games with Carvalho, and Su Dong admitted he wanted to exploit their history.
• Mourinho watched Su Dong with Aimar and worried that Valencia’s attacking combination would be difficult for Porto to contain.

Su Dong repeatedly used his strength and ball control to break through Porto’s close marking and create chances, but Valencia failed to score. The match remained tightly contested, and Su Dong ended the chapter teasing an aggrieved Ferreira.

• Su Dong escaped Carvalho, Maniche, and Deco’s three-man press and released Vicente, whose cross reached neither Aimar nor Rufete in time.
• Porto tightened its defense after Su Dong’s attack, while Su Dong continued holding off defenders and passing under pressure.
• Su Dong combined with Vicente to get past Ferreira, then crossed for Aimar, whose shot Baía caught.
• Su Dong joked that Ferreira looked like a bullied little wife, and Ferreira silently endured the insult.

Su Dong dominated Valencia’s attack against Porto in the Champions League final, repeatedly breaking through their defense as his family and Wang Chuqing watched in awe. In stoppage time, he burst past several defenders and unleashed a powerful shot toward goal, leaving its outcome unresolved.

• Mourinho and Brito worried that Porto could not contain Su Dong after he created two dangerous chances.
• Su Wenji, Ma Dawei, and Wang Chuqing watched Su Dong command the crowd and admired his performance.
• Valencia’s attack lost momentum after Aimar and Rufete missed excellent chances, and Su Dong decided they needed to score before halftime.
• In stoppage time, Su Dong took the ball on the left flank, evaded Ferreira, Maniche, Costinha, and Jorge Costa, and broke into the space above the penalty area.
• Su Dong fired a powerful shot toward the right side of Baía’s goal.

Su Dong scored Valencia’s opening goal just before halftime, and both teams adjusted their tactics for the second half. Porto pushed forward but failed to equalize, and Mourinho brought on McCarthy as time ran out.

• Su Dong blasted the ball past Porto’s defense in stoppage time to give Valencia a 1–0 lead.
• Benítez criticized Valencia’s missed chances and instructed the team to defend securely while counterattacking.
• Mourinho replaced Mendes with Alenichev and reshaped Porto’s midfield to give Deco more freedom.
• Porto attacked after halftime, but Valencia’s defense stopped their attempts, including shots from Alberto and Derlei.
• Mourinho replaced Alberto with McCarthy as Porto searched for an equalizer.

Su Dong scored a spectacular solo goal to put Valencia two goals ahead of Porto. In the stands, Roig and Subirats accepted that Su Dong might leave and began considering how to secure the highest transfer fee.

• Su Dong stopped suddenly to evade Deco and Maniche, then dribbled past Ferreira and scored with a left-footed shot in the fifty-eighth minute.
• Su Dong celebrated with his teammates as Deco lamented that Porto had failed to stop him and considered how his own defending had hindered Carvalho.
• Roig celebrated Valencia’s two-nil lead and concluded that Benítez’s team was well placed to hold on to the win.
• Roig asked Subirats whether Valencia could keep Su Dong, and Subirats said letting him leave was likely best for both the player and the club.
• Roig and Subirats discussed seeking the highest offer through Mendes, while Roig regretted agreeing to give Su Dong twenty percent of his transfer fee.

Valencia celebrated winning the Champions League after Su Dong helped secure the title, and he reflected on sharing his success with his parents. As the award ceremony approached, Mourinho returned and asked Su Dong whether he wanted to come to the Premier League.

• Valencia celebrated its Champions League victory as Su Dong went to the stands to share the moment with his parents.
• BMW executives Schmidt and Ralph discussed Su Dong's rising commercial value and agreed to hire Wang Chuqing.
• Su Dong congratulated Deco on his performance and encouraged him ahead of the European Cup, while Ferreira and Carvalho kept their distance.
• Mourinho returned before the award ceremony, approached Su Dong, and asked whether he wanted to come to the Premier League.

After Valencia won the Champions League, Mourinho approached Su Dong about joining Chelsea, but Su Dong reserved judgment. Su Dong was named the final’s MVP and celebrated Valencia’s first Champions League title as the team lifted the trophy.

• Mourinho asked Peter Kenyon to pursue Su Dong and then directly invited him to join Chelsea, explaining his plans and the weaknesses in the club’s forward line.
• Su Dong thanked Mourinho for the offer but said he would think carefully before deciding whether to move to the Premier League.
• Valencia lined up to receive their medals, and UEFA named Su Dong the Champions League final’s MVP for scoring twice.
• Su Dong greeted Luis Suárez before Albelda and Baraja lifted the Champions League trophy, securing Valencia’s first title in the competition.

After Valencia won the Champions League, Su Dong discussed how to build on his performance with his personal coaches and laid out an ambitious plan for his development. He left the chapter assigning them to prepare a training program to begin that summer.

• Aimar searched the hotel for the trophy he had hugged to sleep, then found Vicente and David Silva with it in the gym and reclaimed it.
• Vicente teased Aimar about Su Dong already preparing for the next Champions League, and Aimar defended himself by criticizing Vicente's performance in the final.
• Nuno Cruz showed Su Dong footage of his sudden stop before his second goal and explained how his balance and physical development helped him do it.
• Su Dong said he wanted to keep improving his strength, coordination, fitness, and technique until his best responses became instinctive.
• Su Dong gave each of his three personal coaches a bonus of one hundred thousand euros and told them to prepare a training plan for the summer.

After Su Dong scored twice in Valencia’s Champions League final victory, global media hailed the nineteen-year-old as a superstar and major clubs pursued his signature. Kicker Magazine weighed the risks of his possible transfers, leaving his next move uncertain as Valencia faced financial pressure to sell him or other key players.

• Su Dong’s Champions League final performance drew worldwide attention, and UEFA praised his rise from the UEFA Cup to leading Valencia to the Champions League title.
• Kicker Magazine reported that Su Dong earned over twenty million euros a year from sponsors and warned that his sudden wealth and fame could distract him.
• Kicker Magazine said Manchester United wanted to offer cash and Van Nistelrooy for Su Dong, while Cristiano Ronaldo publicly urged his friend to join him.
• Kicker Magazine described Real Madrid’s crowded squad, Chelsea’s concerns over Su Dong’s development, and Barcelona’s management conflict over whether to sign him.
• Kicker Magazine argued that Valencia might have to sell Su Dong or other important players to ease its financial difficulties, and said Su Dong faced major risks whichever club he chose.

Abramovich’s Chelsea weighed pursuing Su Dong against their efforts to sign Shevchenko, then chose to prioritize the Ukrainian striker. The chapter left Chelsea planning to press AC Milan for Shevchenko while refusing Valencia’s valuation and Su Dong’s demand to be the team’s top star.

• Peter Kenyon reported that AC Milan had rejected Chelsea’s second offer for Shevchenko and was preparing a lucrative new contract for him.
• Peter Kenyon told Abramovich that Mourinho wanted Chelsea to accelerate their pursuit of Su Dong, whose transfer fee might exceed Zidane’s record.
• Marina Granovskaia pointed out that Chelsea could sign Shevchenko for a similar price and that Su Dong wanted a promise to become the club’s number-one star.
• Abramovich decided to raise Chelsea’s offer for Shevchenko and tell AC Milan to name their price.
• Abramovich instructed Chelsea to reject Valencia’s high asking price for Su Dong and refuse to promise him top-star status, offering salary concessions instead.