By the time they returned to Madrid, it was already evening.
Having received the news long ago, Xabi Alonso had finished his afternoon training and was already waiting at Yang Yang's home.
He had recently bought a house in La Moraleja and sold his luxury home in central Madrid, becoming Yang Yang's neighbor. The reason was simple enough: it was closer and more convenient to Valdebebas.
Yang Yang returned to Madrid with Zidane.
The two of them discussed the events at the Elite Coaches Summit the entire way. Zidane gave Yang Yang's decision to yield the center position during the group photo a great deal of approval, because Yang Yang was still too young.
Professional footballers were supposed to have spirit and pride, but when it came down to it, professional football still placed some importance on seniority.
Yang Yang was certainly qualified to sit in the center, but Ancelotti was one of the people who had recognized his talent, as well as a world-class manager. If seniority was taken into account, Yang Yang sitting in the center would inevitably seem somewhat presumptuous.
By giving up the position instead, once the media and newspapers reported it the next day, it would not affect Yang Yang in the slightest. It might even further boost his reputation, while also improving his standing in the professional coaching world.
Not becoming arrogant in victory or discouraged in defeat—that kind of bearing was the most well-liked.
In truth, Yang Yang himself had not thought that much about it. He had simply acted according to the simple values of a Chinese person. He respected senior figures such as Ancelotti, Lucescu, and Zidane. Since they were present, there was no way he could sit in the center.
Besides, what would sitting there have changed? It was only