Football giants

Chapter 542
Southampton is located in the southernmost part of England and has the warmest climate in the UK. Snow is rare, but there is a lot of rain.

In February, the sea breeze blowing from the Solent Strait brought a wet and chilly atmosphere, covering the window glass with a hazy mist. Sitting in the warm room and looking out, it seemed like a fantasy world.

Varane sat in front of the desk under the window, turned on the LED reading light, and opened a thick textbook in front of him.

After coming to Southampton, he did not suspend his studies like other professional players.

The Saints also respect the players' personal choices very much, and at the same time strongly support the players to continue their studies.

Because they believe that professional football is becoming more and more refined and meticulous, and a good cultural level can help players better adapt to this change in professional football, and at the same time, it can also help players take better care of themselves.

Therefore, after Varane came to Southampton, he entered the best school in Southampton for further studies.

And Southampton's professional player and status as the main defense force also made Varane a star student in the school. Fans asked him for autographs wherever he went, and he received several love letters from his female classmates almost every day.

This made the little French boy who had just begun to fall in love laugh every time he recalled it.

Even recently, his performance was terrible and he was criticized and criticized by many media and reporters, but his classmates still gave him support and encouragement.

But what moved him most was the affirmation from the team.

Just this afternoon, the head coach Bielsa called him to the office, talked for half an hour, and told him that Master Huan had personally made a decision, and Southampton would sign a new contract with him.

What does this represent, needless to say!
Signing a new contract means promotion and salary increase!
Thinking of this, Varane's heart is warm in this cold winter night.

"Master Huan and the team have treated me so well, I have to work harder, come on, Rafael!"

Varane muttered to himself to cheer himself up, and he almost tied a white turban on his head with two words written on it, must win!
Just when he turned his eyes back to the textbook on the desk and was about to concentrate on reading, there was a vibrating sound from the phone on the desk. When he picked it up, it turned out to be an unfamiliar name.

"Who is it? It's so late and you're still calling?"

Varane muttered something, but since someone called, let's answer it.

"Hi, hello, is this Raphael?" A man's voice came from the phone.

"Yes, hello, who are you?" Varane asked.

"Have you forgotten? I am Zinedine."

"Zinedine?" Varane's mind was confused for a while, as if he was familiar with it, but he couldn't remember it.

who is this?

"Yes, it's me. Please forgive my presumptuousness, but I do have something very important to talk to you about. Do you have time to talk on the phone?" asked the person who claimed to be Zinedine on the phone.

Varane snorted, "Sorry, I'm studying and don't have time!"

He couldn't remember who Zinedine was at all, and his tone was naturally not very good.

There are too many scammers these days, and there are countless people who call to scam.

It's funny to say that the guy on the phone who called himself Zinedine couldn't remember who he was at all, but why did he act as if he was very familiar with him? Couldn't it be a scam?

"Oh, I'm not kidding you, it's really important, it's about you, and I just need a few minutes."

Varane curled his lips, "Oh, well, let's talk."

Even if he is a liar, he is also a very sincere liar, just listen to what he has to say.

"I am very pleased to inform you that I have solemnly recommended you to Real Madrid. They are very interested in you and entrusted me to negotiate with you on behalf of Real Madrid."

royal house Madrid?
Varane has naturally heard of this team, the world's top giants team.

But Real Madrid took a fancy to him?
Still entrusting a guy who I don't know at all to talk to me?

What's more, calling so late?
what's the situation?
Isn't this the most common trick used by phone scammers?

Damn, do you think I'm one of those 80-[-]-year-old grandpas and aunts?

Am I so easy to cheat?
How should I put it, I am also a top student, a top student, okay?
Thinking of this, Varane suppressed the annoyance in his heart, and really wanted to see what tricks he was playing.

"By the way, Rafael, I want to ask you a question, what do you think of Real Madrid?"

"Very good, a hall-level team that almost all professional players in the world dream of playing for!"

"Well, you're right!" The person on the phone smiled and nodded.

"I want to tell you, Rafael, now, you have a chance to join Real Madrid, wear a white jersey, and play at the Bernabéu Stadium!" Hearing the tone, it seemed to be telling an extremely lofty dream.

But Varane asked suddenly, "How much does that cost?"

The other party seemed completely unaware that such a noble and elegant dream would be related to vulgar money?

"What did you say?"

"I mean, how much will I have to pay you if I want to play for Real Madrid?"

The person on the other side of the phone was stunned for a full two or three seconds before faltering, "You...you..."

"Leave yours alone, Mr. Liar, I will not be fooled!"

After finishing speaking, he laughed with a smug smile, as if he was very satisfied with seeing through the tricks of phone fraud.

"Me? A liar?" The person on the other end of the phone was almost going crazy.

"You call me a liar? Zidane has played football all my life, and I have never been misunderstood so much. You call me a liar?"

"Zidane?" Varane was stunned.

Only then did he suddenly realize!
is not that right?

Zidane's name is Zinedine Zidane!
Oh my god, the idol of the French players, he called me, but I thought he was a phone scam?

Oh Mecca, the world is crazy!

"Sorry, Mr. Zidane, I misunderstood, there have been a lot of phone scams in the UK recently, so..."

Zidane on the phone is full of depression. He has always been hopeless and disadvantaged after giving his name. When will he be regarded as a liar? I am dizzy!
But he didn't bother with anything more, but instead started to produce evidence to win Varane's trust.

For example, he is Varane's mobile phone number obtained from the French national team.

"Raphael, you should believe it now, right?"

"Well, believe it, believe it!" Varane immediately nodded with a smile.

Zidane, that is his idol since he was a child, can he not be happy?

"Then what do you think about joining Real Madrid?"

As soon as Zidane asked this question, Varane's smiling face suddenly froze.

Move to Real Madrid?

"We are all very optimistic about your strength, and we all know that your recent situation in the Premier League is not ideal. Real Madrid has agreed to the plan to introduce you. As long as you nod, you don't have to do anything. They will send someone to negotiate with Southampton."

Varane was silent, staring blankly at the front, the window glass covered with mist.

He seemed to see his reflection in the glass.

Joining Real Madrid?
It would be a lie to say that I am not moved at all!

How many professional players in the world can face the invitation of Real Madrid without being overwhelmed?

But after the initial heartbeat, he soon became calm and rational again.

Is going to Real Madrid really better than staying at Southampton?

Can the chairman of Real Madrid care and take care of himself like Master Huan?
Varane shook his head vigorously, he knew very well that this was impossible!

"Why don't you talk?" Zidane was a little surprised.

"Maybe, I can give you more time and let you have a good talk with your family and agent."

Unexpectedly, Varane shook his head lightly, "No, thank you, Zinedine."

"Ok?"

"I think, I decided to renew my contract with Southampton!"

"Why?" Zidane couldn't help being a little surprised.

In this world, is there anyone who can refuse an invitation from Real Madrid?
"There is no reason, maybe there will be opportunities in the future, I also hope to play for Real Madrid, but at least for now, and in the next few years, I hope to stay in Southampton, because everything here makes me feel...impeccable!"

Impeccable?

Zidane found that he couldn't say anything more.

Although the outside media and reporters have repeatedly criticized Varane, it sounds like Southampton seems to be very optimistic about the young central defender and intends to renew his contract. This is undoubtedly the greatest encouragement and affirmation that a club can give.

Comparing my heart to my heart, even if I am a player, I will definitely choose to stay!

"Okay, I understand!" Zidane is not the kind of person who likes to pester, and immediately expressed his opinion with a smile.

"That's also very good. I hope to continue to see your wonderful performance in Southampton. At the same time, I also hope that you understand that we are friends. If you need help, you can call me at any time."

"Well, thank you, Zinedine!"

"You're welcome!"

After chatting for a while, the two hung up the phone.

But a few days later, when Zidane was interviewed by the Spanish media, he took the initiative to bring up this matter with a smile, and called Varane a school bully with a smile. As a result, this title caught up with Varane.

On the other hand, the contract renewal negotiations between Southampton and Varane went extremely smoothly.

After Yang Huan had stated that he would do his best to renew the contract of Varane, the future defensive core, and Varane's willingness to renew the contract was very positive, the two parties basically negotiated the terms of the contract as soon as they contacted.

The rest of the details were also settled in the next two or three days.

After the negotiation, Southampton immediately held a press conference and solemnly announced the renewal of Varane's contract for five years.

This is also greatly appreciated by Saints fans. Varane's strength and potential are beyond doubt. At best, he has been in a poor state recently, but the future is still bright.

At the press conference for the renewal of the contract between the two parties, Varane also expressed his gratitude to the club and Master Huan, and reiterated that he will not leave Southampton and will only play for the Saints.

This statement also allowed him to once again win the appreciation of the fans.

And on the weekend, after entering February, we ushered in the fifth round of No. 20 in the Premier League. Southampton challenged Wigan Athletic in an away game.

The latter is currently ranked No. 18 in the Premier League this season and has fallen into the relegation zone.

As a result, Southampton showed no mercy. Bielsa's team broke Wigan Athletic [-]-[-] in the away game with Ibrahimovic's brace, Neymar and Gareth Bale's goals.

After the game, Ibrahimovic won the best of the game.

Toni Kroos, who has been in hot form recently, still performed eye-catchingly. The double midfielder combination formed with Modric once again helped Southampton win the opponent.

But Varane didn't even make the squad for the game.

Because, when Bielsa gave him the request, he devoted himself to preparing for the game against Manchester City!

This is a key battle related to Southampton's further progress in the league standings.

Sitting at St. Mary's Stadium again, there is no reason for the Saints not to win!
(End of this chapter)