The All-Around Center Forward

"Ever since you came here, you've been targeting me. I won't say anything about that, but you made us hate Barcelona, hate our National Team teammates. We lost the 2012 European Cup, and you have a lot to do with that."

"What a ridiculous idea. What does your losing the European Cup have to do with me? You guys played terribly yourselves!"

"If you hadn't incited conflict between us, would we have had internal strife?"

"That's because you couldn't control your own emotions. I'm just a club coach. I don't care about your National Team's problems. As long as it benefits Real Madrid, I'll do it!"

"Is that why you made us hate Barcelona?"

"I never said 'hate'? I just told you to maintain your fighting spirit, to make you understand who your enemy is."

"What's the difference from hate? I am the club captain, and also the National Team captain. I have a responsibility to do this!"

"But don't forget, you are also the club captain. If you can't do it, then don't!"

"You don't have that right!"

"No! I have that right! In the upcoming matches, I won't let you play again!"

Casillas sneered, "Look! You're already targeting me?"

"Targeting?" Mourinho sneered, "Foolish! I am punishing you. You don't even know how much trouble you've caused!"

"I have seen many great leaders, but you are definitely not one! Don't use your narrow perspective to judge right from wrong; you are not qualified!"

Casillas trembled with anger; he couldn't argue with Mourinho.

Florentino and Suker watched the two arguing fiercely, and for a moment, they were at a loss.

After a moment, Florentino slowly spoke, "Gentlemen, I hope you calm down."

Hearing Florentino speak, the two stopped arguing but still glared at each other with animosity.

Looking at their expressions, Suker understood that this conflict could not be resolved.

Indeed, Mourinho said, "Starting from the next match, I will not let him play. This is a punishment!"

Florentino was about to speak when Mourinho continued, "You said that the first team is under my charge. As the Head Coach, I should have the right to decide who plays!"

Florentino fell silent.

He really couldn't break this rule, after all, it was a rule he himself had set. Breaking it would be like slapping himself in the face.

"I understand!" Florentino sighed.

Casillas, on the side, sneered, "Do you think I'm afraid of you? Just you wait!"

Florentino sighed, "Dismiss the team. Both of you go home. The first team will have a day off tomorrow!"

Having just experienced this fierce conflict, it also had a significant impact on the players.

The day off was a further delay, buying time to see if there was any hope for reconciliation, and also giving the players some time to relax.

Mourinho had no objections; he also knew that this incident did not look good.

The two left one after another, and Suker also stood up directly.

"Where are you going?"

Florentino spoke.

Suker pointed to the door, "I'm leaving too. Why would I stay?"

Florentino looked at Suker, "What are you thinking?"

Suker was puzzled, "Does it matter? It's none of my business!"

Florentino sighed. As an important faction in the Real Madrid locker room, Suker's involvement would be more conducive to easing the conflict or advancing the matter.

Florentino turned and gave his secretary a look.

The latter drew all the curtains in the meeting room, then opened the door and walked out, standing directly at the entrance.

Inside the entire meeting room, only Suker and Florentino remained.

"There's no one here. We don't need to play guessing games anymore. What do you think I should do to make it better?"

Suker: "I don't know. You need to make that decision!"

"Iker or Mourinho?" Florentino asked directly.

Suker didn't even lift his head, casually saying, "Iker!"

Florentino sighed, "It seems we should prepare for it!"

Xavi's statement further publicized the internal conflict within Real Madrid.

This also made fans and many others understand the problems with some of Mourinho's decisions.

If Casillas had said this, it might have been considered slandering the Head Coach, having a bad impact, and even getting him into trouble.

But when Xavi said it, it was different!

People would think, would ponder.

And at this time, those groups who wanted to drive Mourinho out of Spain would also start to exert pressure.

Suker raised his hand, "I don't know anything. I'm going home."

Florentino looked at Suker, who was unyielding, and could only nod in understanding.

Suker also drove home.

When he arrived at his villa, he found his house full of people.

Almost all the Real Madrid first-team regulars were gathered, of course, Casillas had not come.

"How was it handled?"

"What's the result?"

Ramos and Srna were the first to come over and ask.

Suker shook his head, "I don't know! I just heard about it too."

"Nonsense! I saw you go into the office building with Mr. Perez!" Pepe said.

Suker looked at everyone and sighed, "Don't ask anymore. You'll find out soon enough. Asking won't help!"

Why know so much?

They are all bothersome things; it's better to play the current matches well.

At the same time, at Casillas's home, he sat restlessly on the sofa, rubbing his hair.

This day was truly awful!

What angered him most was that Suker did not help him.

Florentino also chose to remain silent.

This made him extremely furious.

He didn't know why these people had no intention of getting rid of Mourinho.

This guy was a big problem!

Casillas walked to the dining table, picked up a glass of cold water, and took a sip, once again suppressing the indignation in his heart.

Returning to the sofa, he turned on the TV.

On the TV, there was a live interview program, and the invited guest was his girlfriend, Sara!

Casillas was about to lean back into the sofa chair, but the next second, he suddenly widened his eyes.

He looked at his unrestrained girlfriend on the TV, his expression changing dramatically!

At the Spanish TV station, on the "Football! Goal!" program.

Under the Host's guidance, Sara proudly lifted her chin and said:

"That's right, this is the truth. In fact, ever since Mourinho arrived, he has been suppressing Iker, and he has said more than once that he is Real Madrid's biggest problem. If Mourinho is here, Real Madrid will lose Iker and Ramos!"

"Suker? Well, I won't comment on his performance in matches, but in everyday life, he is a weak and selfish person. As someone with great influence in the locker room, he was almost completely absent during this turmoil. He did not play any positive role, and Iker also said that he is very selfish!"

Sara's revelations were more explosive than the last, making the Host somewhat afraid to ask further questions.

Can this really be said?

Mourinho aside, Suker has people protecting him in Spain!

However, he was also secretly excited, this would definitely become the biggest scoop currently.

That night, newspapers everywhere printed like crazy.

Sara's words, she almost became Casillas's mouthpiece, revealing one bombshell after another.

"Casillas: Suker is Selfish and Weak!"

"Casillas Once Said Mourinho is a Big Problem!"

"Real Madrid Internal Conflict Explodes!"

Looking at these reports, Casillas's face turned pale.

This time, he had really messed up!

Casillas sat on the sofa, holding his head.

He had a huge fight with Sara, and she packed her bags and left.

If it were in the past, Casillas would have softened and chased after her, but this time, he had no time to think about such things.

He was doomed!

Ring, ring!

His phone rang.

Casillas turned to look.

It was Florentino's call.

Casillas's face grew even paler.

What had to come, came.

"Mr. Perez!" Casillas said nervously.

"Get over here!" Florentino seemed to be suppressing immense anger, squeezing out each word through clenched teeth.

"Now! Immediately! Right now!"

Florentino's estate.

In the night, Casillas walked into the estate, his heart filled with extreme trepidation.

His big-mouthed girlfriend's few revelations had directly pushed him to be an enemy of the team.

He had offended too many people at once.

If he had only talked about Mourinho, it would have been fine, but why did she have to bring Suker into it?

Suker was the key figure maintaining the balance in the locker room, but with this, what would Suker think?

Casillas's mind was in a mess. He walked into the estate and, led by the secretary, went directly to the study.

Knocking, he entered the room.

Casillas saw Florentino and Suker sitting on the sofa.

Suker's expression was indifferent; he merely glanced at Casillas, but the latter lowered his head, somewhat afraid to meet his gaze.

The study was a bit cold, not in atmosphere, but due to the air conditioning being set very low.

Yet, despite this, Florentino was still fanning himself, hot.

He was truly enraged!

"Iker! You've disappointed me too much!"

After Casillas sat down, Florentino's expression turned stern: "I've already said that woman is a heap of trouble, and you're still with her. Can you still say she's speaking up for you now?"

Suker added, "A brain is a good thing, but she doesn't seem to have one!"

Casillas remained silent.

In such meetings, Suker had always been very quiet, the one who didn't speak.

But now, he had actively interjected, and from his words, his resentment was considerable.

"Sorry, Suker, she didn't mean that!" Casillas sighed, turning to Suker.

Suker waved his hand: "I don't know if she meant that. What do you mean?"

Suker's direct question left Casillas somewhat at a loss for words.

Suker is selfish?

That's right!

He had said such things, but the Real Madrid players all knew this.

However, knowing is one thing; saying it publicly is another.

As for weakness, that was Casillas's complaint overheard by Sara.

Florentino: "This is no longer that woman's problem; she merely relayed those words. Ultimately, you must bear these responsibilities."

At this point, Florentino said, "Iker, how do you plan to take responsibility?"

Casillas was bitter; he didn't know!

His mind was a mess right now!

Florentino was also frustrated, and this time, Casillas's actions had completely enraged him.

It even made him consider clearing Casillas out.

Casillas's personality had always been arrogant, and his influence at the club was significant. He had also been insincere on multiple occasions before.

And this time, although he didn't mention Real Madrid, he affected Suker.

Whether intentional or not, this had angered Florentino.

One must know, Suker is Florentino's biggest asset!

To affect Suker is to slap Florentino's face!

The severity of this incident lies in the fact that it wasn't just a slap, but a series of slaps.

Combined with previous issues, Florentino was naturally furious.

Most crucially, the eruption of this problem directly ruined their previous plan.

The original intention was to use Casillas to drive out Mourinho, leveraging Xavi's public conflict this time to stir up hype and smoothly remove the Portuguese.

Only in this way would they have a chance to get rid of this Head Coach with nine titles.

But now, with Casillas's actions, the core of the problem has changed.

It has become a power struggle between Casillas and Mourinho.

At this point, removing Mourinho would make it seem like Real Madrid is biased towards its own people, leading to the awkward situation where a Head Coach with nine titles cannot establish himself at Real Madrid.

Once such a thing is brought about, will any renowned Head Coaches dare to come to Real Madrid in the future?

At that time, Mourinho would become a cautionary tale for them!

The plan was ruined!

Moreover, Mourinho could further 'blackmail' them using this incident.

Just at noon, Mourinho called Florentino to discuss the issue of sending Casillas away.

Florentino did not express his stance!

At the very least, Casillas could not be removed in this manner.

Once the Portuguese succeeded!

The next step would be directly targeting 'transfer authority'.

"Idiot!"

Bang!

Florentino angrily pounded the table, his eyes glaring at Casillas, seething with rage.

Suker also sighed slightly.

What should have ended with Casillas's forced resignation has now moved towards a more complicated direction.

Even Sara's revelation directly gave Mourinho the upper hand.

How was this speaking up for Casillas?

This was as if she wished her boyfriend would die sooner!

Suker was certain that even if this matter passed, Casillas was finished.

Given Florentino's personality, he would inevitably purge Casillas.

However, their immediate priority was Mourinho.

How to get rid of a Head Coach with nine titles?

Suker also had a headache.

In the original timeline, Xavi revealed the problem, and the conflict between Mourinho and Casillas completely erupted. Public opinion fermented, and the points of conflict were all on Mourinho. It could be said that Mourinho bore the blame, and ultimately, Casillas and Ramos, among others, directly went to Florentino's estate to force him out, driving Mourinho away.

But now, Sara's revelation directly distributed the points of conflict to Casillas.

Before, it was solely Mourinho's problem.

Now, both Mourinho and Casillas have problems.

As a result, using Casillas to drive out Mourinho would not work; this would largely damage Real Madrid's reputation, an act of ruining their brand.

Suker looked at Florentino, whose face was unpredictable.

The most anxious one now was Florentino.

Based on the 'transfer authority' issue, Mourinho would only become more aggressive until Florentino could no longer bear it.

If the problem remained unresolved and continued like this, Florentino would truly have to hand over the transfer authority.

Suker stroked his chin, pondering.

In fact, he had always kept out of this incident, precisely because he feared such a situation would occur.

After all, his 'butterfly effect' was a bit too strong, and the direction of the events was uncertain.

Suker also kept a trick up his sleeve.

Suker sided with Florentino.

But Mourinho also needed him; even if Mourinho truly won, he wouldn't touch him.

After all, Suker's value was above this.

It was merely a matter of pretending to be a subservient for a while and getting through it.

He had pretended to be subservient before; he used to do it all the time.

But for Suker, the only crucial issue was a rapid transition!

That's right.

Suker could not let the situation persist, with Real Madrid in turmoil for several seasons; everything would be too late then.

His foundation was still about matches and honors.

One season of turmoil was the absolute limit; if it went beyond that, Suker would truly quit.

At that time, if they still hadn't handled it, Suker would truly prepare to leave.

"Go! All of you, go!"

Florentino took a deep breath, actually waving his hand directly, signaling the two to leave.

Suker looked over with some surprise.

No scolding!

A scolding would at least give himself an explanation.

If you don't scold, then I'll force Casillas to apologize publicly.

But Florentino still waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

Casillas walked out somewhat dazed. By the time he came to his senses and wanted to talk to Suker, Suker had already driven away.

Watching the red taillights disappear down the street, Casillas sighed, "I've offended everyone!"

He felt everything was terrible!

On the other side, in Florentino's estate, the secretary handed over a blood pressure medication.

Florentino took it with water.

After taking the medicine, he slowly exhaled, his eyes gradually turning cold.

"How should we handle this incident?" the secretary asked.

Florentino waved his hand: "No need to bother, let it ferment naturally."

The secretary frowned: "This will affect our image!"

"It doesn't matter, I'll deal with it as soon as possible!" Florentino's eyes remained cold, and he turned his head, saying: "How much time is left on Iker's contract?"

"Two more years!" the secretary said.

Florentino: "Find the media to continue hyping their conflict, preferably packaging them as the root cause of dressing room turmoil!"

The secretary was suddenly startled.

"Are you going to—"

Florentino exhaled: "Go find Westerlo tomorrow!"

Westerlo, a highly respected former Head Coach of Real Madrid's B team, now retired.

At the same time, he was also Casillas's mentor!

"Let Westerlo persuade Iker to actively seek a transfer." Florentino narrowed his eyes: "I don't want to personally send off my own child!"

This time, Florentino had made up his mind.

Since an extra problem had appeared, he would kick both problems out.