Chapitre 72: Chapter 72
After the game, the players walked back to the locker room in pairs and small groups, their voices a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction. Yang Yang, however, encountered his agent, Mino Raiola, at the corner of the player tunnel.
"Hey, Yang, your performance tonight was nothing short of spectacular!" Raiola greeted him with a wide grin, his arms outstretched for an enthusiastic embrace. He pulled Yang Yang into a firm hug, his laughter echoing through the tunnel.
"I'm telling you, with the way you played tonight, you'll be all over the major European media by tomorrow morning. The whole football world will be talking about you, and your value is going to skyrocket—at least another five million euros, if not more!"
Yang Yang, still catching his breath from the match, was taken aback by Raiola's sudden appearance. However, when his agent mentioned his market value, he quickly reminded him, "I have no plans to leave Ajax for the time being."
Raiola nodded, his expression understanding. "I know, I know. But value isn't just about transfers—it's about respect, influence, and leverage. Don't worry, I'll never push you to do something you don't want to do. My job is to serve you, to handle all the off-field distractions so you can focus on what you do best—playing the game you love."
Yang Yang felt reassured by Raiola's words, and he expressed his gratitude with a nod.
As the two continued their conversation, Ibrahimović, who had been walking alongside them, couldn't help but notice the Italian agent's attention was entirely focused on Yang Yang. The Swedish striker's jealousy began to bubble to the surface.
"I say, Mino, don't you have anything to say to me?" Ibrahimović asked, feigning a casual tone but clearly seeking some recognition.
"What do you want me to say?" Raiola replied, playing along with mock confusion.
"I scored twice tonight! Twice! In the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, against Arsenal! That's worth mentioning, don't you think?" Ibrahimović gestured animatedly, flashing two fingers as if to underscore his accomplishment, his face expectant for praise.
But Raiola wasn't going to let him off that easily. "Those two goals? They were thanks to Yang Yang. One was a direct assist, the other an indirect one. You were just in the right place at the right time, picking up the scraps in front of goal. And you think that deserves praise?"
It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over Ibrahimović. His face fell, and he nearly exploded with frustration. "But I also set up one of his goals!"
"Come on, that was all Yang Yang's skill—such a difficult shot to pull off, and he nailed it," Raiola shot back.
"But I'm the man of the match!" Ibrahimović argued, his voice rising in indignation.
"And I think that's unfair to Yang Yang," Raiola retorted, his tone stern. "He was the real star out there tonight. Those judges must have been watching a different game if they didn't see that."
Ibrahimović, feeling more wronged with each passing moment, pointed at Raiola in disbelief before turning to Yang Yang, who was trying to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Finally, unable to bear the teasing any longer, the Swedish striker stormed off, leaving the two behind.
As Ibrahimović's figure disappeared down the tunnel, Yang Yang shook his head, a wry smile on his lips. "Did you really have to be that harsh with him?"
"You know how he is. If you praise him too much, his ego will swell, and he'll start slacking off. He had a good game, but the real test is the next one, and the one after that. He needs to stay focused," Raiola explained seriously.
Yang Yang nodded, acknowledging that Raiola's analysis was spot-on.
Ibrahimović's desire for a transfer had become increasingly apparent, and Ajax's willingness to let him go was no secret. The Swedish striker was in the shop window, so to speak, needing to perform at his best to attract interest from Europe's top clubs. The better he played, the higher his value, and the better his position would be at his future club.
This wasn't just true for Ibrahimović—players like Trabelsi and Van der Vaart were also in similar situations. Rumor had it that their contracts included clauses allowing them to move to one of Europe's top leagues in the summer, provided a club was willing to pay a substantial transfer fee.
"By the way, I have to leave shortly. Van Gaal will likely come looking for you soon. If he asks about the contract, just tell him you don't know anything," Raiola said with a knowing smile.
Yang Yang frowned. "Why?"
"Negotiation strategy," Raiola replied, his chubby face lighting up with a sly grin. "Remember what I told you before—focus on your game, and leave everything else to me. I'll make sure Ajax offers you a contract beyond your wildest dreams and ensures they do everything possible to nurture your talent."
Yang Yang thought it over. He wasn't well-versed in the art of negotiation, but he trusted Raiola's expertise. If Raiola said it was necessary, then it likely was. With that in mind, he nodded in agreement.
…
…
Sure enough, Raiola's prediction came true.
When the team returned from the Amsterdam Arena to De Toekomst, Ajax's training complex, technical director Louis van Gaal was waiting. After addressing the team, congratulating them on their performance, and encouraging them to keep pushing forward, he sought out Yang Yang for a private conversation.
The first thing Van Gaal asked was about Raiola. "I heard from the staff that he came to watch your game tonight?"
"Yes," Yang Yang confirmed. "I ran into him in the players' tunnel after the match, but he said he had something urgent to attend to and left quickly."
Van Gaal's frown deepened. The idea that Raiola had been in Amsterdam yet deliberately avoided meeting with him irritated the experienced director. It was clear the agent was playing hardball, looking to maximize Yang Yang's value by driving up the stakes.
"Did he mention anything about the contract renewal?" Van Gaal probed further.
"No," Yang Yang replied honestly. "He just told me to focus on my game."
This response took Van Gaal by surprise. He hadn't expected Raiola to give such advice, which suggested that Yang Yang was likely unaware of the details of the ongoing contract negotiations.
In the world of European football, everything had become highly professionalized over decades of development. Agents, in particular, played a crucial role in the industry, often walking a fine line between representing their clients' best interests and negotiating hard with clubs to secure the best deals. Raiola was no different, although his influence at Ajax was particularly notable, given that he represented four key players: Ibrahimović, Maxwell, Vermaelen, and Yang Yang.
Van Gaal, who had observed Raiola closely over several months, knew the agent to be fiercely protective of his clients, always working to ensure their interests were safeguarded. As a friend of Yang Yang, Van Gaal appreciated this trait. But as Ajax's technical director, he found Raiola's tactics frustrating and difficult to manage.
"Is something wrong?" Yang Yang asked, noticing the older man's sigh.
Van Gaal considered his response for a moment before shaking his head. "No, nothing's wrong. Raiola is right—just keep focusing on your football. We'll handle the rest."
Van Gaal decided against dragging Yang Yang into the complexities of contract negotiations. It wasn't fair to burden a young player with such matters, especially when his primary focus should be on his development and performance on the pitch.
"By the way, you played exceptionally well tonight, especially that left-footed cross to Ibrahimović. It was a pleasant surprise," Van Gaal added, changing the subject with a smile.
Yang Yang grinned, "It's all thanks to your advice. You kept telling me to work on my left foot, so I made sure to practice hard."
Van Gaal nodded, deeply impressed by Yang Yang's dedication. The young player's work ethic was exceptional, and it was clear that his determination to improve was driven by an inner strength and discipline that set him apart.
"You mustn't get complacent with your current success," Van Gaal cautioned. "Remember, you're still a substitute, albeit an important one. There are two reasons you've been so effective. First, opponents aren't yet familiar with you. They don't know your tendencies. Second, the team has been using you in a way that maximizes your strengths."
"I understand," Yang Yang said, fully aware of the wisdom in Van Gaal's words.
"Moving forward, you need to focus on two key areas," Van Gaal continued, his tone turning serious.
"I'm listening," Yang Yang replied, eager to absorb any advice.
"First, you must continue to refine and enhance your current strengths. These are the foundation of your place in the first team and will be the basis for your success in the professional leagues for years to come."
Yang Yang nodded in agreement, knowing that both Van Gaal and Zax, in his Dream training system, had been emphasizing the same points.
"Second," Van Gaal said, "you need to address your weaknesses as quickly as possible. Your first touch, for example, is crucial. As you move up to higher levels of competition, any flaws in your game will become more apparent, and opponents will study and exploit them."
"And there's another thing—your change of pace. Whether you're dribbling at high speed or not, there's a lack of rhythm in your play. This is a significant issue for an attacking player. You should work hard to develop this aspect of your game."
Yang Yang listened intently, admiring Van Gaal's insight and expertise. He nodded earnestly, committing the advice to memory.
"Remember, Yang Yang," Van Gaal concluded, "for a seventeen-year-old, having one exceptional skill is great. But if you want to progress, to prove yourself on bigger stages, you must become a more complete player. You need to be unpredictable, difficult to contain."
"As you grow older, as your reputation increases, and as your role in the team becomes more prominent, the expectations on you will rise. No one will care that you're still young when you're twenty—they'll only care about your performance. You can't afford to stand still; you have to keep moving forward."
Yang Yang understood the gravity of Van Gaal's words. In his mind, he likened it to the Chinese proverb: "Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back."
Van Gaal didn't say much more. After offering a few more words of encouragement, he patted Yang Yang on the shoulder, signaling the end of their conversation, and walked away, leaving the young player to reflect on the guidance he had just received.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone