I Am Scouted by Real Madrid-Chapter 412 - 57: The Fall of the Sleeping Skin

"Fernando has his eyes on him!"

"Our Lion King, he’s the strongest!"

"Chen at 18 is still just a kid, he’ll fear our Lion King!"

Athletic Bilbao’s fans chatted away in the stands, completely forgetting how embarrassed their Lion King was when he first faced the young Chen Zhong.

But it’s not surprising.

After all, many fans only play the role of loyal "followers" when you’re at your peak, and when you’re on a decline or growing, they’re busy cheering for someone else!

Chen Zhong glanced at Fernando Llorente out of the corner of his eye.

When they first met, Chen Zhong was 16, Fernando Llorente was 23, back then Chen Zhong had just joined the first team shortly, and Fernando Llorente was just gaining the coach’s trust.

Now, Chen Zhong is 18, Fernando Llorente is 25, Chen Zhong is the captain of Real Madrid, and Fernando Llorente is already recognized as the "Basque Lion King."

In this stadium, he’s an absolute star.

The power contained in his body is hard to match in the football world.

Yes, compared to his slightly slimmer appearance at their first encounter, Fernando Llorente now sports a full beard, with a robust musculature, and when they engage, Chen Zhong can clearly feel the formidable strength emanating from him.

Fernando Llorente at 25 is entering the peak of his career!

"If it’s Fernando, he definitely can!" Athletic Bilbao’s player preparing to take the corner looked at Fernando Llorente, who was raising his right arm high, a hint of determination flashing in their eyes.

In some ways, Fernando Llorente and Chen Zhong share similar fates, both rising to prominence and quickly becoming forces to be reckoned with within their teams, being "watched over" by the older teammates.

The only difference is that Chen Zhong’s rise was much faster than Fernando Llorente’s.

"They’ll pass it to me!" Fernando Llorente looked at Chen Zhong and said, "But you? Little shorty! Do you think you’re strong?"

Fernando Llorente’s height reached 194CM and his weight is nearly 100 kg, whereas Chen Zhong’s height is only 190CM, and some stats even show 189CM, with a weight of only 85 kg, the two are simply not contestants of the same "tier."

"Hah!" Chen Zhong gave Fernando Llorente a deep look, never in his life had anyone called him short!!! This damn Fernando Llorente has no idea how damaging being called short, fast, and low can be to a man: "At least I’m better than you, are you going to stay at Athletic Bilbao until you retire?"

Fernando Llorente pursed his lips without speaking. He has feelings for Athletic Bilbao, but when ideals conflict with reality, does he truly want to remain here as a "Basque Lion King" or venture into broader horizons, he himself doesn’t know!

"Corner kick taken!"

"It’s looking for Fernando Llorente!"

"The Basque Lion King leapt high..."

"But Chen Zhong evidently disrupted his performance!"

"Headed high!"

Fernando Llorente landed on the ground, turning to look at Chen Zhong, suddenly realizing he’d made a huge mistake, which was why did he have to provoke Chen Zhong.

As a defensive player, Chen Zhong doesn’t need to head the ball out, he just needs to interfere with Fernando Llorente enough so he can’t aim it properly for a threatening shot!

Chen Zhong looked at Fernando Llorente, who seemed to have come to his senses, and tapped his own head with his right hand, as if saying, "Brother, has your muscle grown into your brain?"

Athletic Bilbao fans in the stands were disappointed to see Fernando Llorente not getting the ball in, but seeing him overpower Chen Zhong brought joy to their faces again!

"Haha, I knew Fernando was definitely stronger than Chen!"

"That’s our Basque Lion King!"

"It’d be perfect if he could score a beautiful header over Chen’s head!"

...

They’ve completely forgotten two or three years ago when Chen Zhong overpowered Fernando Llorente, now feeling everything is possible!

Athletic Bilbao’s offense surged like a tide while Real Madrid’s players seemed somewhat unfocused. In the 2nd minute, Pirlo was fiercely tackled to the ground by Athletic Bilbao players in front.

The ball quickly moved from Athletic Bilbao’s backfield to outside Real Madrid’s penalty area, Fernando Llorente, under Chen Zhong’s interference, made a powerful long shot.

The ball went flying high onto the stand.

"Damn it!" Fernando Llorente glanced at Chen Zhong: "Can’t you move away?"

"Haha." Chen Zhong said to the somewhat impatient Fernando Llorente, "Aren’t you the one who wanted to cozy up to me?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

In this match, Athletic Bilbao clearly focused their offensive strategy on Fernando Llorente, attempting to penetrate Real Madrid’s defense by utilizing Fernando Llorente’s tall stature and strength, but judging by the current situation, the effect isn’t all that outstanding.

"Athletic Bilbao’s continuous attacks."