Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Ryan, do you like Redondo? …
Ryan, do you like Redondo?
On January 6, 1999, Real Madrid faced Salamanca at home.
More than twenty children lined up in the player tunnel waiting for the players of the two teams to go on the court. Ryan Deli was among them. Today was the first time he was chosen as a caddy.
The team's big brother Hierro was the first to come down the stairs in the player's tunnel. When he passed by Leandri, he forced a huge smile and rubbed his head hard with his palm.
"Wow, Ryan, you're the caddy today. Do you want to go out with me?" Hierro was very happy to see Ryan.
"Brother Fernando, I wish you good luck in your football, but Franco has been looking forward to playing with you for a long time."
Leandri pointed at the little boy standing in the first position and he had never taken his eyes off Hierro since he came out. When he heard that Hierro wanted to change the caddy, tears welled up in his eyes.
Hierro shrugged at Leandri and went back to coax the child, patting him on the head gently and squatting down to ask him about his situation. The little boy recovered instantly, grinning at the old captain with admiration and excitement on his face.
Illgner also came out and greeted every caddy who came over with a smile.
Leandri looked at the 196cm tall German goalkeeper who was already standing. He lowered his head to adjust his gloves, clenched his palms and then released them to ensure that all his preparations were in place.
A few more players passed by him, but Leandri's eyes were still on Illgner. There was no way. The main goalkeeper of the first team had a huge appeal to the young goalkeeper who was still in youth training.
"Hello." A voice drew Leandri's attention back.
It's Redondo.
Redondo is now called "Prince" by Real Madrid fans.
Although he was not born in Real Madrid's youth training system, he blocked Real Madrid many times during his time in Tenerife, causing them to lose the league championship. He is a veritable "Real Madrid star".
After transferring to Real Madrid in 1994, Redondo used his elegant skills and strong body to change everyone's perception of the rough playing style of defensive midfielders, and completely conquered every head coach and picky Madrid.
This was the first time that Leandri had close contact with the "Prince" of Real Madrid.
Redondo cut his signature long hair after Argentina was eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of last year's World Cup.
Since Passarella took over as coach of Argentina in 1994, he issued a disgusting "hair-cutting order" in order to eliminate Maradona's influence in the team. Redondo, who was unwilling to succumb to this unreasonable demand, also "openly" lost his World Cup trip. It was not until Passarella was sacked that Redondo used his actions to tell the fans that he would always love his country. The conflict between him and Passarella was never about the length of hair.
Leandri came to his senses, responded immediately, and took the initiative to tell the other party his name. Since he truly integrated into this world, fell in love with football and Real Madrid, he was also impressed by Redondo's skills.
Redondo greeted them and stopped talking until the referee saw that both teams were gathered and was leading everyone to leave through the player tunnel before taking the next step.
"Let's go out." Redondo held out his hand.
Leandri stepped forward and held it. The large palms were slightly warm but not sticky, and the dry touch indicated that the "Prince" had done a simple cleanup after warming up.
This was the first time that Leandri stepped onto the Bernabeu lawn. When he saw his shadow appear in the Bernabeu, he felt a strong touch.
The land was calling him, and every blade of grass was greeting him warmly.
Leandri thought, he should stand here and fight!
His hands were shaking with excitement.
Redondo, who had been holding his hand, thought that it was Leandri's first time as a caddie and he was a little scared to appear in front of so many people. He lowered his head and said in a slow voice, "Don't be nervous, little Leandri. After the game is over, I will give you the jersey I wore today."
Although Redondo was not as enthusiastic as Hierro, he was relatively gentle towards the child, which calmed Ryan's violently beating heart.
Leandri watched the game on the sidelines as Real Madrid beat Salamanca 3-1 at home.
After the game, Redondo explained a few words to the opposing player who came to exchange jerseys. He looked around and accurately found Leandri's position. He gently took off the jersey and handed it to Leandri with bright eyes. Redondo touched his hair, smiled at him, said a few words to him and left.
Guti stood there stunned, then for some reason he walked up to Leandri.
"Let's have a deal." Guti looked at the little guy seriously.
Leandri looked at the puzzled Guti and asked, "What's wrong, Brother Jose?" He and Guti were quite familiar with each other because of Casillas.
"Who do you like in the first team? I'll get his jersey for you. I can also give you mine and Raul's jersey in exchange for the one you have." Guti felt that Leandri would definitely agree to this deal. Three for one, what a good deal!
Leandri was speechless, "Brother Raul's jersey has been replaced, and I want Mr. Redondo's jersey!"
Guti hurriedly stopped him, "I can come back and change him into someone else's jersey, why don't you just give me Redondo's jersey?"
Since Redondo joined Real Madrid, Guti has always regarded him as his idol, dressing like him and growing his hair long to imitate Redondo. Many people remember the news in the newspaper with the headline "Redondomania".
But in the end, Guti was hurt by his idol's words "Guti only has hair like him". Redondo was even unwilling to get close to him, saying that only Raul was the future of Real Madrid.
If it was a game against other teams, it would be fine. No matter how bad Guti is, he would not go and ask people "Give me Redondo's jersey". But Leandri is different. He is a familiar kid and he will not let him suffer any loss. They can talk it over.
Leandri: …
Guti continued to be distressed, "Fernando is the most suitable player for our Real Madrid, he should wear our white jersey! You see he is both elegant and tough on the field, balanced in offense and defense, he should play for Real Madrid, Real Madrid should have Fernando! But I still don't have his game version jersey, I really want to collect one."
Leandri opened his mouth hesitantly, "Brother Jose, do you regard Redondo as a meal replacement for Real Madrid?"
In the end, Leandri still didn't agree. After all, he still wanted to stay in Real Madrid in the future. In addition, given Guti's temper, if he really got the jersey, it might be spread all over the world. Once Redondo knew that Leandri gave his jersey to Guti, he would definitely be angry.
Life returned to a simple and orderly state. Leandri trained diligently in La Fabrica and developed tacit understanding with his friends. Occasionally, when there is a game, Eric can be seen on the sidelines without being invited.
No matter which team, the head coach will visit the youth training from time to time, pick out young players who look similar in appearance from the second team, and pull them out of the ground when the right opportunity arises. As for the younger ones, the head coach will also go to watch them play. The coaching career is so long that maybe he can wait until these young buds grow up and mature, and then be used by himself when he is not sure where he is now.
Hiddink brought Hierro, Redondo and Raul to La Fabrica. Since winning the Toyota Cup and being named the best player, Raul's status in the team has gradually risen, not to mention that Raul is a product of Real Madrid's youth training.
The four started from Castilla and observed each echelon one by one. Hiddink wrote a lot of information in his notebook. Players such as Pavon, Bravo and Ruben are all youth training products that are worth looking forward to.
"This kid is very talented." Hiddink pointed at Leandri who was practicing a side dive and asked the U12 coach for details.
“Leandri Perez Sandoval, who joined La Fabrica last year, is only eight years old, but has already established himself in the U12s.”
"So young? No wonder I didn't think his height stood out." Hiddink nodded and said to Hierro, "Is he the one you mentioned to me before you came?"
"He is Florentino's adopted child. He grew up in an orphanage before he started proper training at La Fabrica. He is growing up very fast." Hierro couldn't help but think of the scene when Ryan saved their penalty when the first-team visited the camp. The little guy is improving so fast.
Redondo didn't say anything, but he remembered that this familiar kid had been his caddy. He didn't expect that he was a famous young talent in the youth training.
After Leandri completed this set of side dives, he heard Hierro's voice calling him from the sidelines, and he ran over there without taking a rest.
Hiddink simply encouraged Leandri with a few words and then went to the other side of the field to observe the players. The child is still young and has a lot of training to do before he can grow into the first team.
Redondo and Hierro did not follow.
Hierro knew that Hiddink was coming to La Fabrica and wanted to come and see Leandri and take a few penalties with him. Redondo was pulled over by him.
"Is the training over? Did you do extra training today?" Hierro asked Leandri with a smile.
"It's over. The coach won't let me practice too much. He only lets me stay for half an hour longer every day and then he won't let me play football." Leandri answered honestly.
"You really shouldn't do too much training at your age. It's easy to overload your body." Redondo said.
Leandri was promoted to U12. In this echelon, his training intensity is already much higher than that of other children of the same age. If the intensity is increased further, it is very likely to affect the growth of his competitive level and even his physical development.
"Do you want to take another penalty kick?" Hierro asked him. It would be a simple penalty kick and neither he nor Redondo would need to change clothes.
Upon hearing this, Leandri was eager to try it out. He pulled the two of them back to the goal where he had just practiced side diving and put on his gloves again.
Hierro was the first to stand at the penalty spot and place the ball. When he saw Ryan made a ready gesture to him, he began to retreat.
Hierro kicked the ball with great force and it went straight to the upper right corner of the goal. Leandri jumped in the right direction, but the ball still brushed his fingertips and flew into the net.
Ryan Deli took the ball out of the net, Hierro took the ball and looked at the little boy who was facing a great enemy, "Hey Ryan, I'll kick with less force, you relax."
Hierro took another run-up and kicked the ball hard with his left foot. He made another powerful shot and the ball flew directly into the net. Leandri didn't even have time to save the ball!
Leandri was almost blown up by Hierro. Didn’t they agree not to use too much force? !
Hierro laughed at the look on his face. Although he was a defender on the field, he was indeed a penalty expert and rarely missed a penalty throughout his career.
"The last one."
Leandri perked up and watched Hierro's movements intently.
Hierro retreated nearly ten steps. With such a long run-up, he might have made another powerful shot.
Kick and shoot.
But this time, Leandri was not fooled. This spoon penalty was carefully observed and he made an accurate judgment and held it firmly in his arms.
Leandri held the ball and looked at Hierro with a smug look on his face.
Redondo and Hierro were almost dying of laughter at his little expression.
"Let me kick a few balls." Redondo was also ready to go on the field and kick a few balls.
Leandri lowered his body in front of the goal, with his hands slightly open, waiting for Redondo's next move.
Redondo took a step back, and seeing that Leandri was ready, he took a step forward and kicked the ball directly.
The football quickly drew an arc in the air.
Another spoon penalty!
It's a pity that Leandri didn't save the ball this time. He never expected that Redondo would kick the ball into the net as soon as Hierro stood on the penalty spot.
Redondo patiently took ten penalties, and the frustrated Leandri dug eight out of the net.
"Don't be too anxious, you are already very good. You will definitely be an excellent goalkeeper when you grow up." Redondo picked up the football and found a pen that was forgotten by some coach on the sidelines. He quickly signed his name and waited for Hierro to sign before handing the ball to Leandri.
After finishing this short extra training, Hierro and the other man were in a good mood as they accompanied Leandri to pack up. They waited until the car to pick him up appeared and said hello before leaving.
The person who came to pick up Leandri was Florentino, who got off work early today. He looked at the two figures walking towards the parking lot, and saw his little son who was holding the football and couldn't let it go, telling him how graceful Redondo's penalty kick was.
Florentino: "Ryan, do you like Mr. Redondo very much?"
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