Chapter 714: If You Truly Wish to Lift the Champions League Trophy Once More

"I truly didn't expect you to make a special trip here."

On the second-floor balcony, Tang Ye and Cristiano Ronaldo sat facing each other.

GG Bond's modest mansion was welcoming Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time.

This was a very special guest.

"Haha, actually, not really."

Cristiano Ronaldo pursed his lips: "My wife and children wanted to come to Manchester for a trip... so you know, I could stop by on the way, especially since we didn't reach any conclusion over the phone."

"Actually, I don't really like using the phone either."

Cristiano Ronaldo added another sentence.

Over the past week, aside from playing a friendly match against Napoli and preparing for the upcoming Premier League season, Tang Ye had been maintaining communication with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese man kept bringing up his transition from time to time.

Cristiano Ronaldo told Tang Ye that after joining Juventus from Real Madrid, he had been on the path of transformation, gradually shifting from a winger to a center forward.

"Complete Center Forward," Cristiano Ronaldo emphasized the phrase with heavy stress when mentioning it.

But how to put it, Tang Ye wasn't really interested in Cristiano Ronaldo's career journey, yet he didn't want to dampen the Portuguese man's desire to share, so he forced himself to keep the conversation going.

Everyone says Cristiano Ronaldo has low emotional intelligence, but Cristiano Ronaldo absolutely never expected that Tang Ye was at roughly the same level as him.

The two chatted for a long time on WhatsApp, yet in the end, Tang Ye simply couldn't grasp the main point.

Cristiano Ronaldo had endured seven hard days in Italy before finally deciding to fly over.

"Hmm... actually, I also had a call with Ten Hag."

Cristiano Ronaldo began speaking: "It was about the matter of compatibility."

"I only just realized that I actually fit quite well with the current Manchester United; my technical characteristics happen to cover the needs of Manchester United's center forward. You should know this better than me, right, Tom? I've always felt you have a better understanding of football tactics than others; midfielders are all like this—many midfielders like to become head coaches after retiring."

"Well... I don't really want to be a coach."

Tang Ye smiled bitterly.

At this moment, Zhou Ye brought fruit for the two of them.

"Thank you."

Cristiano Ronaldo nodded in acknowledgment to Zhou Ye, then immediately shifted his gaze back to Tang Ye: "Don't you think there's a coincidence in all this?"

"Hmm? What coincidence?"

"I left a club, stayed away for ten years, and now suddenly I discover that I perfectly fit that club's lineup!"

Cristiano Ronaldo shrugged: "Erik called me; actually, it was only after that call that I discovered this matter. At the time, I found it very interesting. Haha, because in my heart, I have always been part of Manchester United, so gaining the recognition of Manchester United's modern coach still makes me very happy."

"Of course, a transfer isn't that simple; I can't join Manchester United just because the lineup fits, because Juventus needs me as well."

"Under these circumstances, I cannot return to Manchester United to fulfill the fans' expectations, because I simultaneously bear the pressure from Juventus."

Cristiano Ronaldo appeared somewhat helpless, while Tang Ye remained silent for a long time.

Why had Tang Ye remained silent all along?

Was it because he hadn't reacted yet?

Of course not.

Actually, during their phone conversation, Tang Ye had already figured it out.

But Tang Ye had been avoiding the topic because he simply couldn't determine whether Cristiano Ronaldo's return would be good or bad for Manchester United.

Cristiano Ronaldo's explanation was not yet finished.

"If it were a few years ago, right after I left Real Madrid, and if Manchester United had proposed my return back then, I would have agreed without hesitation. But now it's not so good, because I am under certain constraints."

"..."

After speaking, Cristiano Ronaldo fell silent for a while, his eyes constantly observing Tang Ye's facial expressions.

Yet Tang Ye merely nodded, hesitating and making no move.

"What do you think?"

"Oh, I... I think there's truly no way around constraints like that; we need to accept the pressure from the club and the fans, otherwise we wouldn't be good professional players."

"Haha! I like that sentence of yours!"

Cristiano Ronaldo gave Tang Ye a thumbs-up.

Then the air fell silent again.

"..."

Neither of the two was particularly skilled at conversation, so occasionally the chat would stall.

Especially on Tang Ye's side.

When chatting with Dembélé or Rodri, he could always crack a joke or bring up topics unrelated to football.

But that didn't work with Cristiano Ronaldo.

On one hand, the age gap between him and Cristiano Ronaldo was too large, leaving little common ground; on the other hand, from Tang Ye's perspective, his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo was actually slightly awkward.

From friends to coldness, and then to a gradual warming of relations.

The entire process felt inexplicable to Tang Ye; this was not how a normal friendship develops.

"So then..."

Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Cristiano Ronaldo gently clenched his left fist, veins bulging on the surface of his forearm, as if engaging in some internal struggle.

Ahem!

"We indeed need to bear the pressure from the club, but sometimes the club doesn't act so perfectly."

Cristiano Ronaldo revealed a little secret to Tang Ye.

Juventus owed him tens of millions of euros in unpaid salary!

"What?"

Hearing for the first time that a top-tier player was owed back wages, Tang Ye widened his eyes: "Didn't you ask them for it?"

"I did, but there are financial problems; Juventus cannot pay me."

Cristiano Ronaldo curled his lip: "Under normal circumstances, of course I would be willing to bear the club's pressure, but now, as you know, they cannot even pay me my regular salary. The team keeps changing coaches, and every new coach keeps making me play defense."

"He makes me play defense—how am I supposed to play defense? I've already switched to center forward!"

"And! Fuck, I score forty goals in a season, yet they still refuse to build the team around me. We had clearly agreed on this!"

"What the hell am I supposed to do about this!?"

"Hey, hey, hey!"

He quickly stood up as well, signaling for Cristiano Ronaldo to calm down.

He had never experienced Cristiano Ronaldo's situation, so he did not understand why the Portuguese man's emotions were so agitated.

"Calm down, calm down, Cristiano; I know how painful this is for you, but you need to calm down."

"This matter will be resolved."

"..."

"Mm, thanks!"

Cristiano Ronaldo extended his hand and fist-bumped Tang Ye.

Seeing that Tang Ye did not know what to say, Cristiano Ronaldo continued his unfinished topic.

"So... actually, leaving under these circumstances is the best choice for me. Originally, I should not have left Juventus, and originally, it was impossible for me to return to Manchester United."

"But now, even if I don't want to return to Manchester United, I have no choice; both the Juventus and Manchester United managements are pushing this matter forward."

"Then... what are your thoughts?"

Tang Ye lifted his head, looking into Cristiano Ronaldo's eyes.

"I have already told you my situation; since things are like this, I am certainly willing."

"Mm... many fans are saying I will snatch your captain's position; that is complete bullshit, okay!"

After speaking, Cristiano Ronaldo slapped the table and said in a feigned angry tone: "I was never captain during my time at Real Madrid, nor was I ever captain during my previous stint at Manchester United. How could I possibly snatch your position? Don't you think that is extremely ridiculous? Haha."