Many of Sporting de Gijón's players had been called up by various national teams. The team's First Team did not have enough players, so Li Ang had to transfer a number of players from the reserve team to barely gather enough players for training.
Two players had to be mentioned here: Juan and Rouben. These two unlucky players had been sent to the reserve team by Li Ang more than a year ago because of trouble. They were still wasting time in the reserve team. Juan still had two years left on his contract with Sporting de Gijón, while Rouben still had one year left on his contract with Sporting de Gijón. Based on the current situation, before their contracts expired or before Li Ang left Sporting de Gijón, these two players could only stay in the reserve team.
"What's wrong with Franck?"
The next day, when the team was training, assistant coach Scott Terry saw that Ribéry was obviously not in a good mood and his condition was a little low.
"He looks a little depressed," Banderas also said.
Li Ang shook his head. He knew that Ribéry was in a bad mood. Or rather, he had suffered a blow.
Many of the team's players had been selected for their respective national teams. With Ribéry's current role and condition in Sporting de Gijón, there should be a place for him in the French national team.
However, it was a pity that the French national team manager Domenech's latest list of players to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers in Germany did not include Ribéry's name.
Previously, Domenech had gone to El Molinon to watch Sporting de Gijón's game to observe Ribéry. There were also calls in France for Ribéry to be called up to the French national team. However, Ribéry was still not selected for the national team list this time.
This was why Ribéry was so depressed.
*****
In Li Ang's memory, in the original history, Ribéry's career did not start smoothly. After moving from club to club, he finally gained a foothold in Marseille. Ribéry's national team career did not start until 2006. Before the World Cup, Ribéry was selected by Domenech because of his outstanding performance in the French Ligue 1. Ribéry made his debut for the national team in a 1-0 victory over Mexico in the Gaul Roosters. He was then successfully selected for the French national team list for the World Cup in Germany and assisted Zidane to reach the final.
Now, because of Li Ang's appreciation and importance, Ribéry's career had a fantastic development. As a newly promoted team, Sporting de Gijón was now ranked second in La Liga. As a player that Li Ang valued, Ribéry played a very important role in Sporting de Gijón's offensive system. So far this season, Ribéry had scored 15 goals for Sporting de Gijón in various competitions. For a player who had previously played in a lower level league in France, such performance could be considered miraculous.
Li Ang had previously thought that with Ribéry's current performance, it was inevitable that he would be selected for the French national team. However, for some unknown reason, Domenech had not given Ribéry a chance until now.
Li Ang had never been very fond of Domenech. There were many strange stories about the French national team manager. Previously, Domenech's selection of players had been controversial. It was rumored that Domenech had a blacklist. Frey, Pires, Sylvester and others were all on the list. Then the rumor that spread was that according to astrology, the constellations of the people on the blacklist were all in conflict with Domenech's. According to the Western interpretation of astrology, Aquarius was the easiest to be influenced by Scorpio. This also caused the French Scorpio players to be ostracized by Domenech.
This was not nonsense. Later, Domenech himself even admitted that astrology had an impact on the results of the game.
It was really difficult to respect a manager who completely relied on his personal preferences and even superstitions when selecting players.
However, Li Ang still thought that Domenech would give Ribéry a chance sooner or later. In fact, in the original history, Domenech could be considered as half a talent scout for Ribéry. It took a lot of courage to choose to bring Ribéry, who was still unknown at the time, to the World Cup in Germany. Therefore, Li Ang's judgment was that Ribéry had a place to play in Domenech's tactical system. Domenech still appreciated Ribéry.
*****
Therefore, after the day's training, Li Ang asked Ribéry to stay. He wanted to have a good talk with this somewhat absent-minded guy.
"Frank, do you have so little confidence in yourself?" Li Ang asked with his hair down.
"Ah, boss, what?" Ribéry, who was a little absent-minded, asked in surprise.
"Or, do you have no confidence in my judgment?" Li Ang continued to question.
Poor Ribéry. He had been absent-minded before. Now that he was suddenly questioned by Li Ang, he was a little confused.
"Boss, I don't understand …"
"I said that you would have a great future at Sporting Gihon," Li Ang said. "Is that how it is now?"
"Yes, boss. Thank you …"
Li Ang waved his hand and interrupted the guy's thanks. "I also said that you would enter the French national team and become a great player. Don't you believe in my judgment? "
"Of course not." Ribéry finally understood what the coach was talking about. "But …"
"No buts." Li Ang said very seriously. "If I were the French national team manager, you would have entered the national team a long time ago. My judgment is not wrong. Although I don't know why Domenech did not recruit you to the national team this time, I believe that you will enter the French national team sooner or later."
*****
"Boss, thank you." Ribéry was moved. He thought that Li Ang had specially come to comfort him.
"Don't think that I'm comforting you." Li Ang said. "I know your ability best. The French national team needs you. If Domenech wants to make a difference in the World Cup in Germany, he will need your help."
Ribéry opened his mouth wide. He did not expect the coach to speak so highly of him.
"The French national team needs a key to open the door to scoring goals, and you are that key." Li Ang patted Ribéry's shoulder and said earnestly, "Franck, you have to have confidence in yourself."
"And what you have to do now is to perform your best in training and games. You have to tell everyone, including Domenech, that the French national team's best offensive genius is here!"
Hearing these words, Ribéry's heart was filled with warmth. Li Ang was his talent scout. He gave him a great stage that he did not dare to imagine before. And these words moved the French lad even more. He could deeply feel the coach's trust and appreciation for him. This also made Ribéry feel a little ashamed. It was wrong of him to be depressed. If Li Ang said that he could do it, then he could really do it. How could he doubt the boss' judgment?!
"Boss, I know what to do. Don't worry." Ribéry said as he patted his chest.
Li Ang saw that his words were effective and was naturally very happy. A confident and motivated Ribéry was extremely important to Sporting de Gijón.
"Very good. Don't think too much." Li Ang said as he winked. "Maybe when you wake up, you will suddenly receive a call from Domenech."
Ribéry laughed in embarrassment when he heard Li Ang's teasing words.
*****
Seeing that Ribéry's mood had returned to normal and he left, Li Ang also breathed a sigh of relief.
Then the next morning, Li Ang received a call from Ribéry early in the morning. The French youth was inexplicably excited as he shouted into the phone, "Boss, are you a god?"
Before the 2006 World Cup Qualifier between France and Switzerland in Germany, the French team's Liverpool striker Cisse withdrew during training due to an injury. Domenech had to temporarily transfer a player to the national team. This time, he chose Sporting de Gijón's French youth, Franck Ribéry … Then, Ribéry received a call from Domenech …
PS: I'm typing at a snail's pace. Forgive me, forgive me. Asking for a monthly ticket. Thank you everyone. Everyone is very supportive. Very supportive! Thank you, thank you.
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