When Real Madrid returned to Madrid from Manchester overnight, more than a hundred fans had gathered at Capital Airport to welcome them, along with over a dozen media outlets that had come specifically to follow and interview them. They welcomed the Real Madrid players like victorious heroes returning from battle.
The club had previously asked Yang Yang's sponsor Armani to tailor a suit uniform for the team. Thus, when the Real Madrid party appeared at Capital Airport, they were all wearing crisp black suits with white shirts and leather shoes, dragging their luggage behind them. They looked exceptionally dashing, drawing the attention—and even screams—of the fans and passing travelers at the scene.
Among the crowd, Yang Yang was undoubtedly the center of attention.
Starting from the Round of 16, Yang Yang had scored in every match. Against Lyon, he scored once in each leg. Against Tottenham Hotspur, he scored five goals across the two matches. Now, against Manchester United in the semifinals, he had scored a brace in both legs and provided one assist.
Such a record and such scoring efficiency had once again made Yang Yang incredibly popular.
In the other match, played a day before Real Madrid's, Barcelona had thrashed Schalke 04 4–1 at home. Messi had scored his twelfth Champions League goal of the season, putting him one ahead of Yang Yang.
The two teams had both reached the Champions League Final, and the clash between their two elite marksmen was undoubtedly the most suspenseful attraction of the final.
What was surprising was that Messi's twelve goals had come starting from the Champions League Group Stage, while Yang Yang's eleven had all come in the knockout rounds. Having scored eleven goals in six knockout matches so far, Yang Yang's scoring efficiency and momentum were equally astonishing.
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