"Hi Gu, how are you?"
Abu took the initiative to walk in front of Gu Ran and extended his hand with a smile.
Gu Ran quickly shook hands with Abramovich and said calmly, "Hello, Mr. Abramovich, it's an honor to meet you here."
Abramovich is a top billionaire!
Abramovich's current publicly available assets are $22 billion - that is, he can buy at least 110 Southampton clubs.
This is only the property that can be made public. There will be even more gray areas that cannot be made public.
In comparison, Linda's husband Henry's assets are only 2 billion US dollars, which is just a fraction of Abramovich's public assets and can only buy 10 Southampton clubs.
At the same time, Abramovich is also the only top billionaire who is truly passionate about football.
Most football tycoons treat football as half hobby and half business, but Abramovich really does not rely on the club to make money. He just pays for whoever he likes. As for whether the club can make a profit, Abramovich never cares. That is what NO cares about.
Ordinary football tycoons rarely come to charity dinners attended by players in person, but Abramovich comes whenever he wants and doesn't care about the difference in net worth at all.
Of course, this is also because Mendes is very capable. If it were an ordinary agent, it would be impossible to call Abramovich directly and put together such a high-profile team in such a short time.
What a pity... Abu is really miserable twelve years later.
However, Gu Ran was really excited to be able to see Abramovich in his heyday as a League One player.
This charity dinner was truly attended by many big names!
This wave will definitely increase one's invisible value a lot!
Abramovich smiled and said, "Marina showed me your video highlights. I was really impressed by your overhead kicks and world-class goals! How about it? Are you interested in coming to Chelsea? I know that those ruthless guys at Southampton deliberately set your release clause at 50 million pounds, but as long as you give me the nod, I can pay you 50 million pounds at any time."
Old Les next to him turned pale.
Manchester City general manager Gary Cook next to him also seemed to have something to say.
In fact, in terms of financial resources, Manchester City’s current boss Mansour and the Abu Dhabi consortium behind him are far richer than Abu.
But the problem is that Mansour is not as hands-on as Abramovich, and compared to Abramovich, Mansour's behavior is more like an investment.
Abramovich can directly decide to offer a minimum buyout clause of 50 million, but Gary Cook needs to report and ask for instructions first.
Therefore, no matter how arrogant Gary Cook is, he is just a fox borrowing the power of another tiger to bully others. He dare not say a word in front of Abramovich.
Now, all the bigwigs around Gu Ran were sweating, fearing that Gu Ran would get impulsive and agree directly.
Gu Ran smiled calmly and experiencedly, "Thank you Mr. Abramovich for your kindness, but I feel that my strength is not good enough to match Chelsea now. I still need to gain more experience in the English League One. When I have gained enough experience, I will definitely give Mr. Abramovich my reply first."
Abu was also a smart man. Of course he understood what Gu Ran meant and knew that Gu Ran had given him a way out. So Abu patted Gu Ran's strong shoulders with a smile and said, "Okay! Then it's settled! You are still so young, we have plenty of time, don't we? During this period, if you need anything, just tell Marina. Marina -"
Sister NO left Linda aside and walked over with a smile, "Boss, I'm here."
Abu said: "From now on, you will be fully responsible for signing Gu Ran to Chelsea. No matter what Gu Ran asks for, you can make the decision directly without asking me."
"Okay, boss." Sister NO's eyes became extremely hot as she looked at Gu Ran. Abu's words were like an imperial edict. Now that she had the imperial edict, Sister NO could open her mind and work hard.
The atmosphere in the entire banquet hall has reached a point where it is turbulent.
The three waves of VIPs obviously came to compete for Gu Ran.
Victoria, who was standing behind Gu Ran, was shocked and shocked again.
This was truly the top social scene in the football world, but Gu Ran was able to handle it calmly and didn't seem panicky at all.
Victoria originally thought that Gu Ran was just a "little brother", but she didn't expect that Gu Ran was so big...
No wonder he doesn’t even smile at me.
It turns out that you think I’m not famous enough…
A self-deprecating smile appeared on Victoria's face.
Just when Victoria felt that she was just a small shrimp not worthy of being at the table, two more people walked into the banquet hall, talking and laughing.
Victoria's eyes lit up immediately! The visitors were none other than Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton of Manchester United!
Isn’t this equivalent to someone coming from your mother’s side?
Victoria immediately pushed aside the people blocking her way and walked happily to Ferguson and Charlton with a cat-like gait.
"Hi! Alex! Bobby! You guys are here too!"
"Oh, Victoria?" Ferguson happily hugged Victoria as if she was his own daughter.
Although Ferguson was like a terrifying hair dryer in front of the players, he was like a loving father to the players' families.
Even though Beckham is no longer a Manchester United player, Ferguson still treats Victoria as his own daughter.
Ferguson praised: "Oh my Victoria, you have gone dark again recently."
Victoria hugged Ferguson happily, "Thank you Alex, your face still looks so rosy."
Victoria is committed to tanning. Praising Victoria's tan is equivalent to praising Victoria's beauty. Victoria is naturally very happy.
Charlton also stepped forward and gave Victoria a warm hug. "Victoria, how are you doing recently? How are the children at home?"
"Great, Bobby. I didn't expect you to be here." Victoria said with great joy, "Come, let me introduce you to my good brother, Gu Ran."
Ferguson and Charlton both widened their eyes in surprise.
They came here just for Gu Ran! They were just worrying about how to approach Gu Ran. They were so high-ranking, they couldn't just use their reputation to get close to him, right? Unexpectedly, Victoria had such a close relationship with Gu Ran!
This is really... a good sign! Victoria walked Ferguson and Charlton to the crowd and introduced them proudly: "Gu, this is Sir Alex Ferguson, and this is Sir Bob Charlton. They are both our Manchester United's meritorious legends - I think you should know them."
The other bigwigs present were all in awe when they saw that even Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Charlton were present in person.
——In terms of financial resources, Ferguson and Charlton are indeed not as good as Abramovich.
However, if they are to leave their names in history, Ferguson and Charlton will definitely be more famous than businessman Abramovich.
Ferguson and Charlton's influence on the entire football world cannot be measured by money.
This is the real status.
There is no need to say much about Ferguson, he is the legend of Manchester United Red Devils. In a sense, Ferguson is Manchester United and Manchester United is Ferguson.
And Bobby Charlton is even more legendary.
Ferguson was only the coach of Manchester United, but Charlton had been playing football for Manchester United since he was a child. He started as an amateur player for Manchester United, became a professional youth player, and from the youth team became a legendary star of Manchester United's main force "Busby Babes", and finally became a senior member of the Manchester United board of directors.
The so-called Busby Babes refer to all the main players of Manchester United in the 1956/57 season. The average age of Manchester United's main players at that time was 22 years old. They were the youngest and most combative of all European clubs at that time. The Busby Babes did not disappoint everyone. Under the leadership of Bobby Charlton and Duncan Edwards, Manchester United successfully defended the English Premier League championship that season.
Why is Charlton more legendary than Ferguson? It is not just because their generation of "Busby Babes" won the top league championship for two consecutive years, but because of the famous Munich air crash in football history and the passionate reconstruction afterwards.
On February 6, 1958, the "Lord Polly" plane carrying the Manchester United team crashed on the snowy runway at Munich Airport in West Germany after failing to take off on the third time. 23 of the 44 passengers and crew members on board were killed, including 8 Manchester United players and 3 club staff.
It also includes Duncan Edwards, who was hailed as England's rising star at the time.
Bobby Charlton was thrown out of the cabin by the blast of the plane explosion, was in a coma for several days and nights, and lost half of his hair in just one week.
The air crash dealt an irreparable blow to Manchester United, which was on the rise.
Nearly half of the main players were killed and most of the remaining players were seriously injured.
Seeing their former teammates buried in the grave, many surviving players suffered mental breakdowns and chose to retire with pain.
Manchester United has also suffered the most serious crisis in its history. Without its players, the club is on the verge of collapse and disbanding.
But Bobby Charlton did not give in. Under the pressure of tremendous physical and mental pain, he stood up tenaciously. He and two other teammates swore in front of the grave of their dead teammates that they must rebuild a stronger Manchester United.
Other clubs in England also provided support to Manchester United. They temporarily lent their players to Manchester United free of charge so that Manchester United could put together the necessary lineup for the game.
In this way, under the leadership of Bobby Charlton, a Manchester United team covered with patches of major clubs returned to the field.
At that moment, countless fans shed tears! Even the fans of the sworn enemy stood up and gave a round of applause to the Manchester United team!
Manchester United survived the heavy blow, and in 1963, under the leadership of Charlton, they once again won the FA Cup and the league runner-up!
This is the true Manchester United spirit, never give in, never say die! Sir Bobby Charlton is a true Red Devil!
Sadly...
The Red Devils, who couldn't even be defeated by the Munich air crash, will really become a joke if they can't get rid of the Jewish financial tycoons.
With respect and regret in his heart, Gu Ran took the lead and shook Sir Charlton's hand with both hands, "Hello, Sir Charlton, it is a great honor to meet a true legend here."
Charlton smiled and said: "Gu, you are great. I haven't seen a goal that makes my blood boil for a long time. I really hope to see you put on the Red Devils' jersey and stand on the top of Old Trafford in my lifetime."
The Jazz was very eloquent and he invited Gu Ran to join him right away.
Coach Ferguson next to him also said with a smile: "Gu, I have a disciple named Dong Fangzhuo, but unfortunately he was injured and couldn't play. This is my regret, and I really hope to make up for this regret with you."
All the other bigwigs present became nervous, including Abu. They were all worried that Gu Ran would agree to it in a fit of impulsiveness.
You know, these are the two most powerful legendary old men in English football!
It should be the first time that two legendary old men have condescended to attend the Vanity Fair dinner together! Gu Ran hurriedly said politely: "Thank you for your kindness, Sirs, but I feel that my strength is not enough and I am not worthy of Manchester United now. I still need to gain more experience in the English League One. When I have enough experience, I will definitely give an answer to Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Charlton first."
Abramovich: Good! Good trick! But, this word... sounds familiar! Sir Alex Ferguson laughed, "Okay, Gu, I look forward to that day coming soon."
At this time, the organizer Mendes ran over with a red face, "Hi, everyone is here! I'm glad that everyone can come to this charity dinner! Gu, I think you have communicated with all the big guys, right?"
Gu Ran smiled and said, "Yes, Mendes. I am really honored to meet all the industry leaders and football legends."
Mendes grinned and said, "I didn't expect that I would be so arrogant. The invitations I sent out have all been responded to by the big guys. So, everyone, please take your seats. The waiters will lead you. Our charity dinner is about to begin. When the banquet begins, there will be a popular young star singing to liven up the atmosphere. But please forgive me now. I have to borrow Gu for a while. See you later."
As he spoke, Mendes pulled Gu Ran's arm and walked to another corner of the banquet hall.
The big guys also smiled at each other and took their seats under the guidance of the waiters - a very strange balance was maintained between the big guys, and this strange balance would be maintained as long as Gu Ran did not show any tendency to transfer.
Mendes said excitedly: "Gu, this charity dinner is really great!"
Gu Ran: ...
Mendes quickly added: "I'm not saying that I'm great, I mean, God, I didn't expect that these old guys would come to my invitation! I thought it would be good if at most one would come! Unexpectedly, not only Abramovich came in person, but even extremely noble old guys like Ferguson and Charlton came! This is not my credit. I know that I have some face in the football world because of my relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho, but at today's charity dinner, these celebrities and bigwigs are obviously here for you - you are simply my treasure! Your influence is beyond my imagination! It is really a super cost-effective deal for Restift to sign you!"
Gu Ran said unhappily, "Mendez, I have no objection to you organizing a charity dinner to help me raise my profile, but how can you have some Internet trolls out there? I feel ashamed myself."
Mendes was stunned. "What? What water army? You mean those fans at the door? Oh no! Gu! I can swear on Chris's reputation that I didn't find water army for you! Okay, I admit that I found some reporters who can say good things about us, but I really didn't find water army!"
Gu Ran was severely shocked, "What? You didn't look for them? So those fans who were fighting... well, they are indeed my real fans."
Gu Ran suddenly felt a little amused, but he felt relieved in his heart.
Mendes took Gu Ran by the hand and said, "I will take you to meet the sponsors I invited. They are all our potential clients in the future. As your status improves, I plan to let you take on some international endorsement advertisements."
Gu Ran frowned and said, "Mendez, you know I hate advertising."
Abbey Clancy, whom I met during my last commercial, still harasses me every day by sending me photos of her.
Mendes smiled and said, "Do you like making money?"
Gu Ran sighed, "I don't really like it either."
Mendes smiled and said, "Then treat it as paying off your debt. If I don't allow you to take on more international endorsements, participate in more high-paying talk shows, and improve your ability to monetize your stardom, when will you be able to pay off the 100 million pounds of advance payment?"
Damn, this really hits me right in the heart.
Gu Ran could only helplessly say: "Okay, but I only sell my art and not my body."
Mendes laughed and said, "Gu, you are really humorous. We are a serious agency and we don't do pimping. But...if you change your mind, I can help you find a female sponsor."
Gu Ran quickly said, "What I mean is that I can accept international endorsement advertisements, but the decision is mys. If I don't want to accept it, you can't force me."
Mendes thought for a moment and said, "Of course, as long as you are willing to take the job, you have the final say on who to take."
Gu Ran frowned and hissed, "Why do I always feel like I'm selling myself..."
"Hahaha, did I just say you're funny? Oh, I have to say it again!"
As they were talking, the two of them walked into a group of sponsors holding wine glasses.
After Mendes introduced Gu Ran to everyone, he went to greet other distinguished guests.
Advertisers surrounded Gu Ran and introduced themselves to him one by one.
Among them, there are companies from Qingyang, Hilton Hotels, Armani, Nike, KFCBES Bank, Castrol, Audi, Samsung, Suzuki...
"Mr. Gu Ran, your image and temperament are really great, especially your hair quality is really perfect. I wonder if you have used our Clear shampoo?"
"Mr. Gu Ran, I noticed that your suit is very ordinary, it's a no-name brand. How can it match your temperament? If you sign a contract with us, we at Armani are willing to provide you with suits for life!"
"Mr. Gu Ran, a future superstar like you must have a pair of sneakers tailored specifically for your feet. If you sign a contract with us, we at Nike are willing to serve you!"
"Mr. Gu Ran, if you sign a contract with us, we can provide you with an Audi coupe."
"Mr. Gu Ran, if you sign a contract with us, we can provide your Audi coupe with lifetime lubricants."
"Mr. Gu Ran, Samsung phones are currently the best-selling phones. If you are willing to endorse Samsung for us, we can consider giving you one."
"Mr. Gu Ran, Suzuki Motor..."
Gu Ran just smiled politely before, but when he heard about Samsung mobile phones, he couldn't hold it anymore. When he heard about Suzuki cars, his face turned cold and he said, "Sorry, I won't endorse your products."
Samsung's sponsor and Suzuki's sponsor immediately asked in unison: "Why?"
Gu Ran said coldly: "There is no reason, just treat it as prejudice."
——Fuck, I’m a star now, can I still spoil you?
The sponsor representatives of Samsung and Suzuki were completely dumbfounded. They had no idea what was going on and were slapped twice in the face by Gu Ran, leaving them with no face at all.
Gu Ran then said, "I'm sorry, everyone. I'm going to go out for some fresh air. You guys can continue chatting first."
After saying that, Gu Ran turned around and walked away from these advertising sponsors.
The representative of Samsung's sponsor said angrily: "Isn't this Chinese guy too arrogant? We are the financial sponsors! How dare he talk to us like this! No one should cooperate with him!"
The representative of Suzuki's sponsor was also indignant and said, "That's right! This guy is so arrogant just playing in English Football League One. What will happen in the future? No one should cooperate with such an arrogant guy! Don't buy his face during the charity auction later!"
Other sponsors also nodded and verbally stated that they would not buy Gu Ran’s charity auction items.
Gu Ran didn't care at all.
Advertising endorsements are completely supported by fame.
As your fame grows, advertisers will naturally become more respectful, and the fees for advertising endorsements will naturally become higher.
We have just started in English Football League One, so there is no need to rush about advertising endorsements.
As for paying off the debt, there is no rush. Aren’t there still 3 years left?
If he can't earn hundreds of millions of pounds in three years, how can he be qualified to compete with Messi and Ronaldo for the Golden Ball in the future?
After leaving those advertising sponsors, Gu Ran was not in a hurry to return to the bigwigs in the football world.
First of all, sister-in-law Victoria was enough to make Gu Ran's scalp tingle, and now there are Linda and Sister NO.
Why are you going back so early? To join the Shura Field?
It’s better to find a place where there is no one and take a good breath.
——This is the celebrity world, and although Gu Ran is already a well-known star, he is really not used to this kind of occasion.
In Gu Ran's heart, he really just wanted to play football quietly.
Just as Gu Ran walked out of the back door of the banquet hall and entered a quiet guest room corridor, he suddenly heard bursts of intense gasping from a girl in a room at the end of the corridor.
What the hell?
Who is this? This voice is quite nice!
Gu Ran immediately perked up.
…
(End of this chapter)