Chapter Summaries

Bayern rotated their lineup against Wolfsburg, and the substitutes fell two goals behind before halftime. Heynckes sent Su Dong and Robben on in the second half, leaving the match poised for Su Dong to lead a comeback.

• Heynckes rotated Bayern's lineup, starting Podolski, Van Bommel, Demi, and Rensing against Magath's Wolfsburg.
• Grafite converted a penalty after Demi fouled Džeko, and Džeko scored again from Makoto Hasebe's cross two minutes later.
• Su Dong criticized Bayern's ineffective attack as the substitutes struggled to respond to Wolfsburg's two-goal lead.
• Heynckes sent Su Dong and Robben to warm up, then called them on as Bayern's fans chanted for Su Dong.
• Magath warned Wolfsburg's defenders to watch Su Dong as Podolski left the pitch in a dispirited mood.

Su Dong came on as a substitute and scored three goals in under three minutes, turning Bayern’s 0–2 deficit against Wolfsburg into a 3–2 lead and setting a record for the fastest hat trick in the history of Europe’s top five leagues. Bayern continued pressing after the comeback, with Su Dong combining with Robben and Klose for another attack.

• Heynckes brought Su Dong and Robben on as substitutes in the sixtieth minute.
• Su Dong controlled Ribéry’s through ball, turned past Barzagli, and scored to make it 1–2.
• Su Dong won a long ball, powered past Makoto Hasebe and Barzagli, and scored again to equalize.
• Magath substituted Gentner for Makoto Hasebe, but Su Dong soon scored from Modrić’s through ball to put Bayern ahead 3–2.
• Su Dong combined with Robben and Klose near Wolfsburg’s penalty area and struck Klose’s return pass toward goal.

Su Dong scored five goals in roughly nine minutes after coming on, turning Bayern Munich’s two-goal deficit against Wolfsburg into a 5–2 lead. He celebrated with his teammates while Klose lamented missing out on a goal, and the chapter ended with Bayern’s fans hailing Su Dong’s extraordinary performance.

• Su Dong scored his fourth goal less than six minutes after coming on, completing Bayern Munich’s rapid turnaround and astonishing the club’s executives, teammates, and fans.
• Su Dong celebrated by kissing his ring and pointing toward Wang Chuqing, then agreed with Klose to move forward while Klose dropped deeper in search of a goal.
• Pepe intercepted Wolfsburg’s attack and started a counterattack that moved through Modrić, Klose, Robben, and Ribéry before Marcelo overlapped on the left.
• Marcelo crossed toward the penalty spot, where Su Dong controlled the ball and scored his fifth goal, putting Bayern ahead 5–2.
• Magath watched in frustration as Su Dong’s five goals in roughly nine minutes completed Bayern’s comeback, while Klose complained that Marcelo had not passed to him.

Su Dong came off the bench against Wolfsburg and scored five goals in under nine minutes to lead Bayern to a 5–2 comeback victory. His performance stunned rivals and friends alike, while Cristiano Ronaldo reaffirmed his resolve to chase his “enemy for life.”

• Magath and Heynckes assessed Bayern’s comeback at the press conference, with Magath accepting Wolfsburg’s defeat and Heynckes praising Su Dong’s extraordinary performance.
• Cristiano Ronaldo watched highlights of Su Dong’s five goals after Manchester United drew with Everton and realized how far Su Dong had surpassed him.
• Ronaldo recovered from his shock and called Su Dong his “enemy for life.”
• Messi and Iniesta watched the highlights and marveled at Su Dong’s strength.
• Messi decided to train at the gym despite having a match the next day.

After Su Dong’s five goals in nine minutes made headlines worldwide, Bayern’s crowded training session and Bundesliga matches brought attention to Rensing’s errors and Ibišević’s scoring run. Su Dong scored twice against Bielefeld before Bayern’s Champions League match with Real Madrid, whose manager Schuster vowed to avenge his team’s defeat.

• Media around the world praised Su Dong’s five goals in nine minutes, while Bayern fans crowded Säbener Straße to see him train; Su Dong arrived late and agreed to treat his teammates to a meal.
• Heynckes rested Su Dong against Frankfurt, where Rensing made another costly mistake and Klose helped Bayern win 2–1.
• Hoffenheim defeated Bochum and Karlsruhe, with Ibišević scoring repeatedly and saying he could only bow before Su Dong’s achievement.
• Su Dong scored twice against Bielefeld before being substituted after an hour, and Ribéry and Klose added goals in Bayern’s 4–1 win.
• Before Real Madrid’s Champions League visit to Allianz Arena, Schuster promised to avenge his team’s defeat and claimed Su Dong would get no chances.

Bayern defeated Real Madrid 3–0 at the Allianz Arena, with Su Dong scoring twice and extending his record of scoring against them. Bayern secured first place in their Champions League group, while Real Madrid faced must-win matches ahead and the media hailed Su Dong as their nemesis.

• Su Dong scored a curling long-range shot in the fifth minute after Robben set up a Bayern counterattack, giving Bayern an early lead.
• Bayern controlled the match with disciplined defending and wing-based counterattacks, while Real Madrid struggled to create dangerous chances.
• Su Dong headed in Marcelo’s cross in the forty-ninth minute to complete his brace and put Bayern 2–0 ahead.
• Klose headed in a late goal that deflected off Heinze, but the referee ruled it an own goal and booked Klose for protesting.
• Bayern beat Real Madrid 3–0 to win their fourth consecutive group-stage match and effectively secure first place in the group.
• The media called Su Dong Real Madrid’s nemesis, while German outlets backed him as a contender for World Footballer of the Year and the Ballon d’Or.

Bayern continued their winning streak as Su Dong earned the FIFPro Best Player award and gathered overwhelming support for the Ballon d'Or. After another run of victories, Su Dong anxiously awaited France Football Magazine's announcement, wondering if he might not be the winner.

• Su Dong scored in Bayern's wins over Schalke 04 and Borussia Mönchengladbach, while Heynckes praised him and Bayern extended their winning streak.
• Su Dong was named the 2007–08 FIFPro Best Player, and Bild organized a signature campaign supporting his bids for the Ballon d'Or and World Footballer of the Year.
• Mendes rejected reports linking Su Dong to Man City and said Bayern was preparing to negotiate a new contract with him.
• Bayern beat Cottbus four-one, defeated BATE Borisov one-nil with a rotated lineup, and beat Leverkusen two-nil as Neuer secured his place as the starting goalkeeper.
• As France Football Magazine prepared to announce the Ballon d'Or winner, Su Dong grew uneasy because nobody had come to take his picture.

Su Dong worried that he would be overlooked for the Ballon d'Or, but he spent the day shopping and sharing dinner with Wang Chuqing rather than contacting the award organizers. The chapter ended when Denis Chaumier called him, prompting Wang Chuqing to say his threat had worked.

• Su Dong pushed himself through exhausting pull-up training while Pepe and Marcelo speculated that he was troubled by the Ballon d'Or results.
• Pepe explained that France Football Magazine would reveal the winner before the televised ceremony, and the lack of advance photographs with Su Dong suggested he might not have won.
• Pepe urged Su Dong to call editor-in-chief Denis Chaumier, but Su Dong refused and said he would take Wang Chuqing shopping instead.
• Su Dong took Wang Chuqing around Munich, then shared a home-cooked candlelit dinner with her and vowed to perform even better if he did not receive the award.
• Denis Chaumier called Su Dong during dinner, and Wang Chuqing exclaimed that Su Dong's threat had worked.

Su Dong celebrated winning the Ballon d'Or by giving expensive, personally chosen gifts to Bayern Munich's players and staff, earning their congratulations and strengthening his standing in the dressing room. The chapter left his teammates celebrating his achievement and joking about the even larger gifts and team trip he promised if he won again.

• Bayern Munich's players found three valuable gifts at each locker, and Pepe and Marcelo explained that Su Dong had given them to thank them for their support.
• Pepe revealed that Su Dong's Ballon d'Or win had been confirmed after a private interview, and Schweinsteiger, Lahm, and the others celebrated the news.
• Robben felt disappointed that his own hopes of winning the Ballon d'Or had faded, while Ribéry admired Su Dong and remained content with his life at Bayern.
• Heynckes and the staff discovered that Su Dong had also left gifts for every First Team employee, which Marcelo said Su Dong had personally selected and placed.
• Marcelo announced that Su Dong had promised to double the gifts and arrange a team-building trip if he won the Ballon d'Or again, prompting laughter and cheers.

Su Dong received his third Ballon d'Or unanimously with a record 476 points, then celebrated by scoring a hat trick as Bayern defeated Hoffenheim 5–1. After the match, he was set to travel to Paris to collect the award.

• France Football announced that Su Dong had won the Ballon d'Or unanimously, with all ninety-six judges voting for him and a record 476 points.
• Denis Chaumier praised Su Dong’s professionalism and outlined planned changes to the Ballon d'Or shortlist and announcement process.
• Bayern hosted second-place Hoffenheim, with Su Dong and Ibišević competing for the Bundesliga scoring lead.
• Su Dong scored twice in the opening fourteen minutes, giving Bayern a 2–0 lead at halftime.
• Ibišević pulled one back before Robben and Su Dong scored to put Bayern ahead 4–1, with Su Dong completing his hat trick.
• Su Dong assisted Klose’s late goal to seal Bayern’s 5–1 victory, then prepared to travel to Paris to collect his Ballon d'Or.

Su Dong arrived in Paris with Wang Chuqing to receive his third Ballon d'Or, where friends and former stars celebrated his achievements. He pledged to remain at Bayern until he helped the club win three Champions League titles.

• Su Dong and Wang Chuqing arrived at French Television One, greeted fans and reporters, and entered the studio for the ceremony.
• Su Dong picked up the Ballon d'Or before the broadcast and reunited with Ronaldo, Zidane, and Papin, while Ronaldo announced he was leaving European football for Brazil.
• Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, and other friends congratulated Su Dong through video messages, and Ronaldo and Zidane praised his future prospects.
• Su Dong accepted the Ballon d'Or from Xiao Mier and thanked his family, Wang Chuqing, teammates, coaches, and guests.
• Su Dong said he would stay at Bayern until he had helped the club win three Champions League titles, having won only one so far.

After winning the Ballon d'Or, Su Dong celebrated with Bayern before helping the club finish the Bundesliga half-season unbeaten and travel to Japan for the Club World Cup. As Bayern prepared to face Gamba Osaka, the hosts emphasized their home advantage and confidence in stopping him.

• Wang Chuqing attracted media and fashion-brand attention after appearing at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, but she declined endorsements and accepted gifts of clothing and jewelry.
• Bayern honored Su Dong at Allianz Arena, then defeated Zenit 3–0 without him to finish first in their Champions League group.
• Su Dong assisted Ribéry and scored as Bayern came from behind to beat Stuttgart 2–1, securing the Bundesliga half-season title with a perfect record.
• Real Madrid dismissed Schuster after a string of poor results and appointed Juande Ramos as head coach.
• Bayern arrived in Japan, where organizers provided no footballs for their training session, so the team bought its own supplies.
• Gamba Osaka coach Akira Nishino promised to assign three players to defend Su Dong, while Su Dong praised the Japanese side and warned that the match would be difficult.

Bayern crushed Gamba Osaka 8–0 in the Club World Cup semifinal, then defeated LDU Quito 2–0 in the final to win the first Club World Cup title in the club’s history. Su Dong scored five goals across the two matches, earned the final’s Best Player award and the tournament’s Best Player award, and donated his prize money to UNICEF before Bayern celebrated in Munich.

• Gamba Osaka pressed Bayern early, but Su Dong scored four times as Bayern built a 4–0 halftime lead and ultimately won the semifinal 8–0.
• Su Dong scored Bayern’s fifth goal after the break, then Klose scored twice as Bayern completed the rout of Gamba Osaka.
• Su Dong chipped the goalkeeper to give Bayern a 1–0 lead over LDU Quito in the Club World Cup final.
• Su Dong set up Ribéry’s goal in the 73rd minute, and Bayern held on to win the final 2–0.
• Su Dong received the final’s Best Player award and the tournament’s Best Player award, then donated the cash equivalent of his Toyota prize to UNICEF.
• Bayern returned to Munich to celebrate the title, and Rummenigge and Hoeness urged the team to defend its Bundesliga and Champions League titles.

After a holiday in Greece and a promotional trip to Abu Dhabi, Su Dong met Guardiola and was astonished by his clear, ambitious vision for a possession-based system. Their conversation left Su Dong convinced Guardiola was a coaching genius, while Guardiola decided Su Dong was the ideal center forward for his plans.

• Su Dong gave his private coaching team generous holiday red envelopes before taking Wang Chuqing on a weeklong yacht holiday in the Aegean Sea.
• Su Dong and Wang Chuqing traveled to Abu Dhabi, where Su Dong filmed an advertisement, took promotional photos, and attended a tourism event.
• At the event, Su Dong met Batistuta and Guardiola, then began discussing football with Guardiola after Batistuta left to meet other acquaintances.
• Guardiola explained how purposeful possession, movement, and rapid counter-pressing could disrupt opponents and support his proposed system in the Premier League.
• Su Dong understood Guardiola's tactical ideas and admired him, while Guardiola became more impressed by Su Dong and saw him as the ideal center forward for his plans.

Su Dong met with Guardiola in Abu Dhabi and learned how Man City was courting him as part of its plans for a new team. As Bayern began its Dubai training camp and European clubs made winter transfers, Su Dong quietly flew to Zurich on January 12.

• Su Dong and Guardiola discussed Guardiola's preference for versatile, well-rounded players, and both recognized that Man City had arranged their meeting to show its sincerity toward Su Dong.
• Su Dong and Wang Chuqing shared dinner with Guardiola and Cristina, and Su Dong grew more confident in Guardiola's abilities as a potential Man City coach.
• Real Madrid president Calderon resigned amid criticism over winter signings, scandals, and alleged vote manipulation, prompting speculation that Florentino would return.
• Bayern accepted Sagnol's request to retire and agreed to let Podolski return to Cologne in the summer after Podolski asked to leave for more playing time.
• Arshavin joined Arsenal, while Man City signed Given, De Jong, Bridge, and Bellamy during the Winter Break.
• Su Dong trained with Bayern in Dubai and then flew to Zurich instead of Munich on January 12.

Su Dong attended the 2008 FIFA awards ceremony in Zurich, where he reunited with Rony, Messi, Kaka, and Torres before winning World Footballer of the Year. He ended the chapter celebrating his return to the top with his second such award.

• Su Dong arrived in Switzerland and reunited with Rony and Messi, who congratulated him on his year.
• Su Dong, Rony, Messi, and Kaka discussed football before Torres joined them for the nominees' press conference.
• Su Dong handled reporters' questions, and the other four nominees named him as the likely winner.
• Su Dong attended the ceremony, where Marta won World Footballer of the Year—Women.
• Pele announced Su Dong as the 2008 World Footballer of the Year, and Su Dong accepted the award from Pele and Beckenbauer.

After winning the 2008 World Footballer of the Year award, Su Dong received praise from international media and became the subject of debate over the voting and his future. He returned to Bayern Munich to prepare for the second half of the season, while major transfer rumors involving Man City erupted before Bayern’s German Cup match.

• The German Press Agency called Su Dong the Bundesliga’s greatest active player and quoted his speech about the award’s significance for German football.
• Reuters, the Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse praised Su Dong’s season, while Blatter welcomed the possibility of him playing for Germany but said his wishes had to be respected.
• Media outlets challenged the award shortlist and rankings, and AS called for Florentino to return to Real Madrid and sign Su Dong, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kaka.
• Su Dong returned to Munich and joined Bayern Munich at its Donaueschingen training camp to prepare for the season’s second half.
• Bayern Munich completed three German warm-up matches after its two Middle East games and won all of them.
• As Bayern’s German Cup match against Stuttgart approached, a wave of major transfer rumors involving Man City broke out.

Su Dong learned that Kaka had rejected Manchester City and that the club had offered Barcelona €100 million for Iniesta, whose transfer was blocked by fan protests and Barcelona’s refusal. Bayern then crushed Stuttgart in the German Cup before losing to Hamburg, ending their seventeen-match Bundesliga winning streak.

• Manchester City ended its pursuit of Kaka after he chose to stay at AC Milan, and Su Dong suspected Florentino had influenced his decision.
• Ma Dawei told Su Dong that Manchester City had offered Barcelona €100 million for Iniesta, and Su Dong discussed how Barcelona’s supporters and membership politics could shape the decision.
• Barcelona rejected Manchester City’s approach after fans protested, declaring Iniesta not for sale.
• Bayern beat Stuttgart 5–0 away to advance to the German Cup quarterfinals, with Su Dong setting up goals for Robben and Ribéry.
• Bayern lost 0–1 away to Hamburg after conceding in first-half stoppage time, suffering their first Bundesliga defeat of the season after seventeen straight wins.

After Bayern lost their first Bundesliga match of the season to Hamburg, the team treated the defeat as a calculated consequence of rotating players and focusing on the German Cup. Su Dong prepared to celebrate his World Footballer of the Year award at Bayern’s upcoming home match against Dortmund, while agreeing to treat his teammates to dinner.

• Bayern lost 0–1 away to Hamburg, ending their seventeen-match Bundesliga winning streak, and the media celebrated the upset.
• Heynckes explained that Bayern had rotated players to focus on the German Cup and upcoming Champions League matches, and the players remained relaxed after the defeat.
• Bayern’s league rivals occupied the places behind them, with Hoffenheim and Berlin Hertha among the strongest teams in a competitive season.
• Bayern prepared to host Dortmund, where Su Dong would present his World Footballer of the Year trophy in a stadium ceremony.
• Pepe and Marcelo teased Su Dong about rewarding the team, and Su Dong joked with them before agreeing to cover a team dinner at a high-end restaurant in Munich.

Bayern fell behind to Dortmund early despite dominating the first half, while Su Dong struggled to score and repeatedly set up chances that his teammates failed to convert. At halftime, Dortmund still led 1–0, and Su Dong remained frustrated by his poor luck.

• Valdes scored for Dortmund after Şahin's through pass exploited Demi's slip just 1 minute and 26 seconds into the match.
• Su Dong scored from Robben's chip, but the assistant referee ruled him offside and disallowed the goal.
• Su Dong headed at goal four times in quick succession, but Weidenfeller saved or the ball went wide.
• Su Dong shifted into a supporting role and created chances for Robben, who failed to control or finish either pass.
• In the 44th minute, Su Dong chested down Schweinsteiger's long pass and set up Ribéry, but Weidenfeller stopped the one-on-one shot, leaving Dortmund ahead at halftime.