Qin Xiong and Alonso had dinner at a popular local Spanish restaurant in Liverpool in the evening. Alonso was a regular there, and the owner and waiters were familiar with him.
This reminded Qin Xiong of the restaurant he frequented when he played for Arsenal in North London. He had not visited his old friend Huck when he returned to England.
The two men ordered the dishes, and Alonso, who would have a low-key poetic air in his life, looked a little melancholy.
Qin Xiong tried to find a topic to break the awkward atmosphere, so he said, "It's a pity that Liverpool did not win the league title last season. I hope we can work together in the new season and rewrite the history of Liverpool's Premier League title."
Alonso snapped out of his daze. He stared at Qin Xiong and whispered, "This afternoon, the club's CEO, Wilcot, talked to me. He told me clearly that the club will not allow me to transfer to Real Madrid, but I want to leave."
Qin Xiong asked curiously, "Why? Don't tell me you miss Spain like Arbeloa? Do you think about it day and night to realize your childhood dream? "
In fact, Qin Xiong was a little tired of Real Madrid's attitude: it was as if the best players in the world should be born to play for Real Madrid.
So when he joined Real Madrid, he never said that Real Madrid was his dream.
His dream was to be a champion and to be glorious, not to define a certain club as his home.
Alonso shook his head calmly and said, "I started out in Real Madrid, a team in the Basque Country. Real Madrid is good, but it has not reached the height of my dream since I was born. I can only say that I don't want to stay in Liverpool anymore! "
Qin Xiong was stunned. From the day's training, he observed that the atmosphere of the team was very good. He also could not understand the situation of Alonso being isolated or rejected by the team. Why could Alonso not stay?
Without waiting for Qin Xiong to ask, Alonso continued, "Qin Xiong, you're a smart man, but I'm not a fool. Why did you join Liverpool? It's not because Liverpool is your best choice. It could even be said that it's the last choice among your many choices. Instead, it's your relationship with the club's owner that no one knows about, as well as the benefits and dealings between you and the club's owner. Just like how you can refuse the temptation of Real Madrid's £200,000 weekly salary, Manchester City's and Chelsea's £250,000 weekly salary, Liverpool's Chinese owner must have offered you more. What you've received is definitely not as simple as a £150,000 weekly salary on the surface."
Qin Xiong was speechless. In fact, many people could see the relationship between interests. However, it was not worthwhile for onlookers to expose this layer of window paper. What was the use?
Qin Xiong sighed and said, "I don't understand what you mean by telling me this, just like I don't understand the purpose of this dinner."
The waiter brought the dishes they ordered. Alonso picked up the cutlery and motioned to Qin Xiong to start eating dinner together.
After eating some food, Alonso stared at Qin Xiong again and said sincerely, "When I was still at Real Sociedad, you were already the European champion. You wrote the legend of the youth team at Ajax. When I came to Liverpool, you fought side by side with Henry at Arsenal and carried the Arsenal Factory. You also achieved two years of brilliant results for the Arsenal Factory. When Liverpool did not win the Premier League for three years in a row, you created a legendary achievement at the Bernabéu.
Qin Xiong, we used to be opponents, and only opponents know each other better. Maybe I'm the only one who has the right to say this. I can see your strength, and I can understand how intense the chemistry you've had with the team when you came to Liverpool.
The team has top players like Fernando, Steven, Sami, and so on. With you and me, Liverpool looks like they have been reborn. Your arrival has given Liverpool the ambition and confidence to fight for all the titles! "
Qin Xiong was even more confused when he heard this. Alonso understood better than anyone else and analyzed it thoroughly. Why was he so determined to leave?
Qin Xiong said, "If you really think so, then please stay!"
Alonso shook his head and said, "I don't want to. There is only one reason!"
Qin Xiong looked serious and said in a deep voice, "What is it?"
Alonso slowly said a name.
"Rafa Benítez!"
Qin Xiong was stunned and asked, "What did he do that you can't stand?"
Alonso smiled casually without the slightest bit of grievance or anger. He spoke indifferently.
He said calmly, "When I was named the best player of the game and helped the team win, I was lectured by him for a few passing mistakes in the game. I could stand it. He is too perfectionist!
When I was seriously injured in the previous season and didn't perform well after recovering, he made a big fuss about bringing in Gareth Barry and put pressure on me. I could stand it because I could see it as motivation. In the end, I proved myself.
But when my daughter was sick and needed me, her father, by her side, he mercilessly refused my leave. Sorry, I couldn't stand it anymore!
Not every Liverpool player can regard football as more important than life and death.
Not every Liverpool player wants to treat himself as a real member of the army and put the battle first.
I am a living person. I am my wife's husband and my daughter's father. When they need me, I should be there for them even if the world floods!
Yes, maybe in the eyes of many people, a little girl's illness is not worth mentioning compared to a top league football game. But that is the view of others. I can't do it. I love my family. This is not my sacrifice. It is what I want to do from the bottom of my heart. No matter how big the matter is, it is not as important as my family!
So, sorry, Benítez is in Liverpool. I will leave!
Because I can't imagine if there's a next time when my family needs me and I'm banned from going home by Benítez, I won't explode even more violently. Although that's not my style of doing things, I can foresee that if that day comes, the world will see a different Xabi Alonso. "
Qin Xiong stared at Alonso in a daze. Every word the other side said was like thunder in his mind.
If it was a big deal, it was a conflict between career and family. If it was a small deal, it was nothing more than Benítez not knowing the ways of the world.
But when it came to the person involved, Alonso's feelings were the most important.
Qin Xiong realized the essence of Alonso's transfer application. It was not that wearing the Real Madrid shirt was a huge temptation for him. After all, his success at Liverpool was obvious to all. The 2005 Champions League title was an epic miracle. His belief in the Red Army had not disappeared.
But this might be more troublesome than his longing for Spain.
How could the irreconcilable contradiction between the general and the general be resolved?
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