Godfather Of Champions

There had not been any further developments with the matter of Ribéry’s new contract since Twain’s brutal rejection of Heiderscheid’s bid that day. Twain’s suppressed his anger and anxiety in rushing back to Nottingham to deal with this mess, so that he could complete his commentary job for BBC 5. Feeling furious, his words became more vicious. As a result, the poor Germans were severely ridiculed by Twain in the commentator’s box due to their poor performance in the final.

During this time, there had been more and more news in the media about Real Madrid’s pursuit of Ribéry and Cristiano Ronaldo. Like Ronaldo, Real Madrid was very good at using all the factors available to pave the way for their transfer campaign, and public opinion was a very important tool.

Twain saw Heiderscheid again, but it was only in the newspapers and television news.

Wearing sunglasses under the bright sunshine of Madrid, Spain, he enigmatically told the reporters that he had only come to Spain for a holiday.

Only a fool would believe that he was really here on holiday.

Sure enough, a few days later, he came forward to voluntarily accept an interview from <Marca> and talked about Real Madrid’s pursuit of Ribéry.

“… Yes, I know Real Madrid is interested in Franck. To be honest, although Franck and I both want to continue to stay at Nottingham Forest since he became famous in that team, there is no player in the world who can remained unmoved when faced with an invitation from Real Madrid… You know what I mean? That’s what I mean. Real Madrid is the best club in the twentieth century. It is the dream of many professional players to play in a team like that…”

The meaning of his remarks could not be clearer. He admitted that he had been in contact with Real Madrid, and also implied that Ribéry wanted to join Real Madrid.

Seeing this news, Twain could not sit still any longer. Before flying back to the United Kingdom from Austria, he hastened to call Ribéry at the airport.

“Franck, I think we should talk alone.”

Ribéry was on holiday to soothe his “injured heart” from the UEFA European Championship. His French team returned home during the group stage. The UEFA Champions League’s Player of the Year and European Footballer of the Year ended his bid for the national team honor early, which was a blow to him.

“But, boss… I’m on vacation now…” Ribéry’s voice wavered. Yes, it “wavered” like a signal lamp in the wind and rain. Sometimes it was clear and sometimes it was indistinct.

“I can go to you. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you money for the air ticket. Ha ha!” Twain tried his best to make his voice sound normal and even deliberately make a joke. He asked, “Where are you currently on vacation?”

The other end of the line was silent for a moment, and Ribéry’s voice came again, “Mallorca.”

This name stumped Twain a little. He was not keen on travel and someone who was familiar with all the tourist attractions in the world. But even he knew which country the name of this place belonged to. Mallorca, which translated to “Mǎ luò kǎ” in China, was also the name of a La Liga team.

So that means Ribéry is in Spain?

At this time, under such a context and this place … Twain could not help thinking there was more to this.

“Then I’ll go look for you.” Twain made the decision that some things could only be made clear in person and face-to-face communication also helped Twain know what Ribéry really thought. If he wanted to convince someone, it was more effective to communicate in person than to talk over the phone.

This time, Ribéry was silent for a long while and then he said, “Boss, you have been busy for more than a month. It’s better for you to take a break first …”

Twain smiled, “I’m not busy at all. Admonishing people on TV is not considered busy. Besides, Mallorca is a well-known tourist spot. It’s just nice that I can take a break where you are.”

This time Ribéry no longer had any reason to refuse.

“Well, boss, since you’re coming, I’ll pick you up at the airport.”

※※※

When the UEFA European Championship came to an end, Twain did not go straight back to England with Motson and the others. Instead, he booked a direct flight from Austria to Mallorca, Spain. Then he bought a few brightly colored print short-sleeved shirts as well as shorts and a straw hat from a local shop. After he wore the ensemble head-to-toe, he looked like a tourist on vacation.

When he appeared at the airport in this outfit, the British reporters who had planned to follow BBC television back were surprised.

“Isn’t the team going to re-group, Mr. Twain? Where are you heading off to?”

“Going on a holiday to rest and relax!” Twain said with a smile.

“Can I ask you where you’re going?”

“Spain!” Twain winked at the reporter who asked the question.

※※※

“Franck!” Heiderscheid’s voice sounded a little flustered and exasperated on the phone. “How can you agree to meet with Twain?”

“Bruno, you’re making this hard for me to do this. He insisted on coming. What can I do?” Ribéry was in a bad mood too. He had been hard pressed recently by the transfer matter. Though he was here on a holiday, he had a frown on every day. He had turned a blind eye to the beautiful scenery and people in front of him. How could he be in the mood? It was actually Bruno’s idea to hide him here from Twain and leave everything to him to handle. All he had do to was wait.

“Simply refuse him!”

“Impossible!” The two men’s voices were raised, “I know the boss’s character well. The more you refuse, the more he wants to come. He will definitely do what he believes.”

“Then just shed all pretense of cordiality…”

“Haven’t you figured the situation out, Bruno? I’m his player, and I’m to go head to head against him? Don’t you know how he treats the people with whom he has fallen out with?”

“Franck, you’re the one who hasn’t figured out the situation. You must be a little tougher. You’re going to wear the white jersey next season, and you still care how he treats the traitors?”

The last remark roused Ribéry, who dazedly held the phone for a moment. “Bruno, I trust you to deal with Real Madrid. But I still think I have to the boss no matter what. I have no reason to turn him down, and I don’t want to fall out with him. After all, who gave me the chance to become the Franck Ribéry that I am now when I was in dire straits?”

Ribéry resolutely finished this sentence and hung up.

Over there, Heiderscheid looked at the phone in his hand and indignantly scolded, Idiot! All my efforts will be in vain when he meets him! Who do you think Tony Twain is, Franck?”

※※※

In the bright sunshine of the Iberian Peninsula, Ribéry smiled and took the small suitcase from Twain.

“Spain is a really nice place, much better weather than the damn British weather.” Dunn looked up at the clear blue sky. He wore sunglasses and was not afraid of the bright sunshine piercing his eyes. “You’re really know how to pick a place, Franck.”

He made a seemingly innocent remark which sounded intentional to the listener. In fact, the remark was made intentionally, and he wanted the listener to catch his meaning too.

As expected, Ribéry just smiled and did not continue this subject.

Seeing his own trusted player, Twain’s previously agitated heart finally calmed down a little. He knew that if Ribéry was determined not to see him, then this matter would be dangerous. As long as Ribéry was willing to meet him, there was room to turn things around.

In the hired car to the hotel where he was staying, Twain and Ribéry sat side by side in the back. A Spanish pop song was playing on the radio in the car, but neither of them spoke first.

The atmosphere was really uncomfortable.

It was Twain who spoke up first. After all, he was here to solve the problem, and not really to roam free with Ribéry in Mallorca.

“Should I console you first, Franck?”

“Huh?”

“The France team at this UEFA European Championship…” In the final match of the group stage between France and Italy, Twain was the guest pundit. At that time, he berated the French team and only let go of two people. One is Benzema and the other was Ribéry.

Ribéry’s performance spoke for itself. When almost everyone gave up, only he still ran ceaselessly, broke through, passed the balls, and shot… for the chance to breach the goal. In his four years at Nottingham Forest, Twain’s style had long been etched in his bones. He would not give up right till the end of the game. The “Nottingham Forest style” of never conceding in the face of adversity had also become Ribéry style.

Unfortunately, however powerful a player was, he was still only one person. Football was played by a team. His efforts appeared to be even more striking and heart-wrenching against the contrast of ten other cowardly and incompetent players. In the end, Ribéry did not bring victory to the national team and the France national team, the highly anticipated favorite to win the title, return home from the group stage.

The game ended and the Italians caroused. They survive by the skin of their teeth and advanced from the group. The French players were dejected. But who had noticed the anger in Ribéry’s eyes?

Hearing Twain mention this incident, Ribéry smiled, “Hey, the game is over. I don’t want to think about it anymore. How can such a good thing happen in the world? I can’t win all the championship titles alone. I’m already very satisfied…. with this season. As a professional footballer, I have won all the club honors I can get.”

Twain glanced at Ribéry ahead.

After that, the two men did not speak again until the car arrived at the destination.

※※※

In the room, Twain watched the attendant leave and close the door before he was finally able to speak the words bottled in his heart.

“Franck, you don’t really think I’m here for a holiday, do you?”

Ribéry smiled and said, “You’re very much dressed the part.”

“I just don’t want the following conversation to be too serious … I know what you’re doing here, and I also know what your agent is doing.” Twain’s expression still unknowingly became serious. “I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

“My? I…” Silent for a while and as if he had made a big decision, Ribéry continued, “Boss, do you want to hear the truth or the lie?”

“Who wants to hear a lie?” Tell the truth.” Twain waved his hands.

“Honestly, I’ve always the pay package was a little low…”

“If it’s about a pay rise, you can just bring it up. The club is not unreasonable….”

“But, boss… um, let me be honest. I think with the current financial situation of the club; it may not meet my requirements.”

Twain did not speak and Ribéry did not continued at this point. The two men looked at each other in this way.

“Well, let’s put this mess aside and take me out to eat. I’m hungry.” Twain rubbed his stomach and smiled at Ribéry, “It’s your treat.”

Ribéry also smiled, “No problem.”

※※※

Twain did not really intend to have a holiday in this picturesque tourist destination. Where was he going to find the luxury of time? He decided to fly back to England the next day. He still had a lot of matters waiting for him.

“It’s really a short vacation.” In the room with his packed bag—there was actually nothing much to pack. There was only a few sets of clothes in a small suitcase and nothing else. Twain did not even buy any travel souvenirs—Ribéry looked at the suitcase on the bed and commented.

Twain stood on the terrace outside the door, looking out over the clear blue sky.

“The sky is really blue here. Spain is really attractive as compared to Britain…”

“Boss, if you like it, you can buy a villa here and come here every summer.” Ribéry pretended not to catch Twain’s meaning in his remarks.

“It’s not going to work if I really live here long term, Franck.” Twain snapped out of his reverie and replied with a smile, “When it’s stormy, the currently calm sea will not be fun. Beautiful things are short-lived. I’m still going to advise you to stay in Nottingham.”

“I didn’t say I was going, boss…”

“But in the eyes of the media outside, you’re infinitely close to Real Madrid, aren’t you?” On this day, Twain paid attention to the local Spanish newspapers. Although he could not read Spanish, Ribéry’s picture and name were recognizable. After Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer rapidly progressed in the direction of a “farce”, Franck Ribéry’s emergence rekindled the Real Madrid fans and Spaniards.

“As long as the club can meet my salary requirements, I will immediately renew my contract with the club.”

Twain smiled. The words sounded more like a blank check. “Can you tell me how much will be appropriate?”

This time, Ribéry hesitated and passed the buck to his agent, “You need to talk to Bruno about this, Boss. He’s fully in charge of this.”

Hearing this remark, Twain nodded hard.

“You should know what your agent had contacted me about, right? Then, you must already know how that went, don’t you?”

Ribéry nodded wordlessly.

“One hundred and fifty thousand.” Twain sighed, “I thought it was just an excuse and a cover created by Heiderscheid for your successful transfer to force us to accept the reality that you have to transfer. But…it seems to be true now.” He shrugged and continued, “You should know the current financial situation of the club. We really can’t offer such a high price to renew the contract. In order to build that… the new stadium, I have to tighten the purse strings to get by, pick up bargains on the transfer market, negotiate with the other parties several times for a euro… I really, really, hope you understand the club’s situation.

He said it very sincerely, and he could not doubt that he had his ulterior motives for saying so. Ribéry continued to remain silent.

“I hate to say this, but I hope you can think about it. A team like Real Madrid is not where you want to be. Only Nottingham Forest is your home. Do you hate your teammates, coaches, and the fans?”

“No, boss. I don’t hate anyone.” Ribéry shook his head and said, “I think my four seasons at Nottingham Forest have been the most enjoyable since I became a professional footballer. Until now, I still can’t believe sometimes that Franck Ribéry, who was on the verge of losing his job in Boulogne, would one day lift up the Champions League trophy. What’s more, twice in a row.”

“Then why do you have to leave?”

“Boss, I didn’t say I had to leave. But I hope to get paid in a way that is proportional to what I give.”

“We offered you a new contract, but your agent threw it in the trash without even looking at it. Then he pointed it back at me and told me: ‘The club is not sincere!’” Twain raised his voice, “I admit that it is simply not possible for the club to renew your contract at a rate of one hundred and fifty thousand a week. But can you consider the difficulties of the club and make a few concessions? Your agent is dead set on one hundred and fifty thousand. There’s no such negotiation in the world, and I even think he’s deliberately threatening me…”

Ribéry hurriedly waved his hands and said, “Boss, please believe me. Between Real Madrid and Nottingham Forest, I definitely choose the latter… Of course, as long as the conditions are right.”

Twain glanced at him and said, “You’re telling the truth. There are some things I’ve always wanted to say to you, but I don’t know if it’s appropriate to say that. The Nottingham Forest fans adore you; your teammates love you and you’re very popular in the team. We have just won the Champions League title for two seasons in a row and the Premier League title last season. In every aspect, the team and you are on the rise. We stay together and can win a lot more championship titles. You can get more out of this in the future by sacrificing a little financial benefit now. I really don’t understand what’s the use of a transfer to Real Madrid, or a weekly salary of one hundred and fifty thousand? There’s only a difference of thirty thousand between one hundred and twenty thousand and one hundred and fifty thousand. You’re not really short of thirty thousand… What’s the point of getting more for your weekly salary? Without honor, you will soon be forgotten. Unless you can keep winning and obtaining victories, it’s no use sitting on the bench for two hundred thousand a week. Do you get what I mean, Franck? Often times, honor is far more important than money.”

Ribéry was quiet.

Twain raised his wrist to look at his watch, “I’ve got to go, there’s still a bunch of things waiting for me in Nottingham. You continue your vacation here…”

“No, boss. In fact, I can actually follow…”

He waved his hands and said, “I said I’d give an extra week off for the players who participated in the UEFA European Championship, so you should take the full week off. If you don’t rest well and your body has any condition, then you’re going to suffer when the season starts. The body is more important than anything else. You have a good time here and relax. The sea and sky in Spain are really blue!” He patted Ribéry on the shoulder and lifted the small suitcase from the bed. Then he put on his straw hat and left the vacation spot, Mallorca, Spain, under the blue sky.