Lisbon, Estádio do Restelo.
Scout Figurredo quickly approached the office of Technical Director Carlos, tapping twice on the door.
"Come in," came the familiar voice of Carlos.
Figurredo entered, crossed the room directly to the desk, and drew a crudely packaged VCD disc from his file bag, placing it carefully on the desk before Carlos.
"Boss, this was just sent over by Clube Atlético de Portugal."
Carlos glanced down at the disc, noting the label scrawled in thick black pen with the club name and the number 36.
"Is this about that young Chinese player again?" Carlos asked with a hint of curiosity.
A week earlier, Clube Atlético de Portugal had sent an initial report on a young player in their squad. Gorba, the head coach of the youth team, had praised the player in his scouting report, describing him as one of the most promising among his age group, with remarkable progression and notable talent—traits that made him worth keeping an eye on.
While C.F. Os Belenenses, commonly known as Belenenses, wasn't among the top clubs in Portugal, they still competed in the Primeira Liga, Portugal's top league. As the technical director, Carlos was accustomed to receiving player recommendations from scouts and agents alike, each one promoting their players with zeal and often elaborate language. His office shelves were lined with profiles, tapes, and discs of players, each one framed as the next big talent. Carlos had seen enough of these pitches to remain cautious, knowing many recommendations were often exaggerated.
So, when Clube Atlético de Portugal recommended this young player, Carlos had brushed it off as another attempt by a smaller club to gain exposure by overstating the abilities of one of their own. Still, their persistence over the past week—sending three reports on the same player—hinted at genuine interest.
"Yes, they played a game in Madeira yesterday against Marítimo B," Figurredo replied.
"He scored again?" Carlos asked, raising an eyebrow.
Figurredo nodded. "Yes."
"Gorba is certainly pushing for this one," Carlos remarked with a slight smile, recognizing the familiar tactics. "They're probably feeling a financial squeeze right now."
Figurredo shared a quiet smile, knowing this was a common strategy among smaller clubs.
"But I think this one's worth a closer look."
Carlos studied his scout's face. "And why is that?"
"This time, he scored with a volley in the penalty area. Technically, it wasn't the hardest shot, but…" Figurredo paused, choosing his words carefully. "The way he struck it reminded me a bit of Batistuta."
"Batigol?" Carlos's eyes widened, intrigued.
Figurredo nodded. "There was something in his form—strong, instinctual. Not an exact copy, but you can see a resemblance."
Carlos nodded thoughtfully. Young players often tried to mimic stars with similar styles, and Batistuta, with his powerful and direct playing style, was an icon for many. Players with strength and good technique often idolized him, hoping to emulate his shooting prowess.
"Wait—did you say it was a volley?" Carlos leaned forward, catching on.
"Yes," Figurredo confirmed. "The shot might've looked simple, but like the previous two goals, it was the kind of play that stands out in youth leagues."
Carlos looked down at the disc, considering it. "Alright, leave it here. I'll check it out when I have some time."
As Figurredo turned to leave, Carlos added, "Get in touch with Gorba. Let's arrange for a closer look—see if we can get someone at his next match."
Figurredo agreed, understanding the subtext. As a Primeira Liga club, Belenenses typically focused on established players. For now, this young player was just another talent in one of their satellite clubs, under observation yet low priority.
There was no rush; they had time to see if this young prospect would continue to impress.
...
...
Meanwhile, at the Estádio da Luz, just a few kilometers north of the Estádio do Restelo, in the administrative offices of Benfica, scout Abel Silva handed the same CD to Luís Filipe Vieira, the club's president, with Luís Feas, director of football operations, also present.
"This is a player video I just received from Clube Atlético de Portugal," Silva began. "They've got a young Chinese player named Su Dong this season. He just turned 17 and has scored three goals across the last two matches."
"Oh?" Vieira's eyebrows lifted, intrigued.
The mention of a Chinese player caught his attention. In recent years, Europe's football giants had shown a growing interest in developing their presence in Asia, especially China, where an immense, untapped market awaited.
As one of Portugal's top clubs, Benfica had experienced a rough patch in recent seasons but was keenly aware of the potential in appealing to Chinese fans. This player could be an entry point into that market.
Vieira slid the disc into the computer's CD drive, and a low-resolution video began to play on the screen, the image blurry but clear enough to make out the essentials.
"If I remember correctly, Clube Atlético de Portugal is partnered with Belenenses, right?" Vieira asked, glancing over at Silva.
"Yes, they've had a partnership for years now," Silva confirmed.
The two clubs had maintained a close relationship, with frequent exchanges. It wasn't unusual for players under Belenenses' umbrella to spend time on loan at Atlético de Portugal, allowing the smaller club to provide them with competitive game time while Belenenses continued their development.
Lisbon's "Big Three"—Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, and Belenenses—each had long-standing affiliations with smaller clubs throughout the city to support youth training. For instance, Benfica maintained a partnership with FT Benfica, Sporting Lisbon collaborated with Casa Pia, and Belenenses had a longstanding arrangement with Clube Atlético de Portugal.
Some clubs, like Amadora and Olhanense, had even forged ties with multiple major clubs, including Porto, Benfica, and Sporting Lisbon. These teams were well-regarded for their youth development programs and served as fertile grounds for young talent.
Of course, larger clubs didn't limit themselves to just one partner. Benfica, for instance, had various ties across Portugal, and while they didn't have an exclusive agreement with Clube Atlético de Portugal, they maintained close professional contacts with them.
Abel Silva, standing before Vieira, had come up through Benfica's own youth system and spent years with the first team before moving on to play briefly for Clube Atlético de Portugal last year, establishing strong connections within the organization.
Originally, Atlético de Portugal had looked to bring in Canelas through Silva's contacts, a move aimed at strengthening ties between the two clubs.
...
The two men watched the grainy footage, their focus entirely on the number 36 player. As they reached the moment he volleyed the ball to score the equalizer, Vieira's expression shifted, his interest visibly piqued.
"This shot is impressive," Vieira remarked, eyes still on the screen.
"Absolutely," Abel Silva agreed. "His positioning sense, his timing for the ball drop, and that footwork—he's got a touch of Batistuta in him, and it looks promising." Silva chuckled.
Vieira nodded thoughtfully. "Very interesting."
Benfica had been through significant upheaval the previous year. The club's presidential election saw businessman Manuel Vilarinho unseat the controversial João Vale e Azevedo, whose tenure had been marred by financial troubles and accusations of mismanagement. Fans knew Benfica's finances were strained, and they rallied behind Vilarinho's vision of restoring the club's stability and honor.
Upon taking office, Vilarinho made bold changes. One of his first acts was parting ways with José Mourinho, the young and ambitious coach who had just led Benfica to a memorable 3-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the Lisbon derby. Despite Mourinho's success, Vilarinho's focus was on reshaping the club from the ground up, even if that meant making tough calls.
Benfica's financial state was grimmer than anyone outside the club realized. Vilarinho knew that the club's future lay in nurturing young talent and rebuilding with a fresh, long-term strategy. Last season's sixth-place finish was disappointing, but it marked the start of a new era—a foundation upon which to build.
This renewed focus on young talent became all the more intense as Benfica watched Sporting Lisbon excel at developing stars like Quaresma, Marcelino, and a young prodigy named Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, in particular, was the talk of the town.
Rumors were circulating that Sporting's technical director had discussed Ronaldo with Carlos Freitas, a key figure in the national team setup. They wanted Ronaldo in the national youth team. "Quaresma may be in the spotlight now, but mark my words—Cristiano Ronaldo is the future of Portuguese football for the next decade," the director had reportedly said.
Vieira, privy to this insider information, was among the few aware of the scale of Ronaldo's potential.
Benfica's concern was clear: while they were in a rebuilding phase, Sporting Lisbon was on the rise, producing top-tier talent that could shape Portuguese football's future. This intensified Vieira's mission to secure promising young players.
"Abel," Vieira said, breaking his silence, "get in touch with Clube Atlético de Portugal immediately. We need to be at their next match to see this player in action."
He paused, considering the urgency of the situation, then added, "And move fast. Don't give the competition any chance to catch wind of this."
Abel Silva nodded, fully understanding the stakes. In this race, Benfica wasn't only competing with Belenenses; other clubs were watching closely too.
...
...
Su Dong had no idea that his recent performances had drawn Benfica's attention; he continued his routine as usual.
The team had returned to Lisbon from the Madeira Islands overnight, and early the next morning, Su Dong was up on time for training, heading to the Eduardo VII Park Stadium. He wasn't alone—Cristiano, anticipating Su Dong's dedication, was already there. Together, they threw themselves into an intense training session on the indoor pitch within the park.
After a grueling few hours, they took a break on the sidelines, catching their breath.
Su Dong handed Cristiano a bottle of Barbarian Cow, an energy drink he'd purchased through his training system's store. He twisted off his own bottle cap and drank deeply. The drink was effective, quickening his physical recovery during rest, allowing him to train harder and longer.
Cristiano, however, seemed distracted, his gaze distant.
"What's going on?" Su Dong asked, noticing his friend's preoccupation. "Is something bothering you?"
Cristiano let out a long sigh, nodding. "Yeah… I've got some issues."
Su Dong assumed it was another family matter and immediately thought of Cristiano's struggles with his brother's addiction. He wanted to be supportive but didn't know what he could do. So, he kept quiet, waiting for Cristiano to elaborate.
For a while, Cristiano remained silent. Then, as he neared the bottom of his drink, he spoke up, his tone edged with frustration.
"I want to change my agent."
Su Dong raised his eyebrows. Changing an agent was both significant and complicated. A player's career often hinged on an agent's connections and influence, particularly when they'd signed multiple contracts on the player's behalf. Players like Ronaldo Nazário, Su Dong's idol, were tied to agents who had managed their careers for years, often leaving little room for negotiation on the player's end. Another example was Anelka, who had faced notorious conflicts after falling under the control of his two brothers, both agents, which led to career instability and feelings of exploitation.
Yet, in other cases, switching agents was straightforward, especially if the player wasn't tied into a binding contract. For Su Dong, an expired agreement had allowed him to part ways easily when his former agent lost interest.
"So, why are you thinking of changing?" Su Dong asked, curious. "Isn't your agent José Veiga?"
José Veiga was one of the most influential agents in European football. His crowning achievement was orchestrating Figo's historic transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid, a deal that shook the football world. Although rumors circulated about various behind-the-scenes dealings, Veiga was a master negotiator, a high-profile figure with powerful connections. In Portuguese football, he was almost untouchable, representing top-tier players and maintaining close ties with major clubs.
In fact, Sporting Lisbon's three rising stars—Quaresma, Marcelino, and Cristiano himself—were all under Veiga's agency. Su Dong had even thought that if he ever needed representation in the future, he could turn to Veiga's company through Cristiano's introduction. Of course, Veiga himself would be out of reach, but any agent within his firm would be well-connected.
So, hearing that Cristiano wanted to switch agents came as a surprise.
"Veiga's considered the best in Portugal and one of the top agents in Europe," Su Dong said, puzzled.
Cristiano nodded, his expression troubled. "Yeah, but I don't think he cares about me."
Su Dong stayed silent, sensing that Cristiano just needed to get things off his chest.
"Look," Cristiano began, "Marcelino and Quaresma are also his clients, and they're both in the first team at Sporting. But here I am, still with the youth squad. I asked him if he could push the club for me to get promoted. Instead of making any effort, he just brushed me off, saying I was too young."
Cristiano's frustration deepened as he continued. "Then, a few days ago, there was an issue with my family, and I needed some money. I told Veiga I was interested in renewing my contract with Sporting, but I wasn't satisfied with the current terms. I'm over sixteen now—I should be negotiating a better deal. I told him I wanted to talk to the club, but he didn't care at all."
It was evident that Cristiano's dissatisfaction with Veiga had been simmering for some time. Veiga was known for his demanding schedule and high-profile dealings; it was even rumored that Sporting's chairman needed an appointment to meet with him. For an agent like Veiga, clients like Quaresma, already dubbed "Figo II" in the press, were a priority, while lesser-known young talents often slipped through the cracks.
"So, have you thought about who you might go to instead?" Su Dong asked, genuinely concerned.
Cristiano nodded, "Yeah, someone recently approached me. He used to work alongside Feigel, a Brazilian broker, but now he's on his own and has started his own agency. He has his own network, though his reputation isn't exactly spotless."
"But doing this will put you on José Veiga's bad side," Su Dong cautioned.
Everyone in Portuguese football knew Veiga's influence. A powerhouse agent, he commanded respect from the presidents of Portugal's top three clubs and managed the careers of many Portuguese players abroad, making his agency the most profitable in Portuguese football. Some even claimed he earned more than certain clubs.
Crossing someone like Veiga usually came with a steep price.
Cristiano nodded, his face somber. He was aware of the risks but had been grappling with this decision for a while.
Su Dong considered his friend's situation. "Look, if you need cash for something urgent, I don't have much, but you're welcome to what I've got."
Cristiano's expression softened as he nodded in gratitude. "Thanks, brother."
He paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "It's for my dad. He's been drinking himself into oblivion every day, and it's only getting worse. I want my sister to bring him here to Lisbon to see a doctor."
Su Dong remembered the scene vividly—Cristiano's father passed out in the living room, a memory from a recent visit.
"You saw that, didn't you?" Cristiano asked, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
Su Dong nodded. "It made me want to get him to a hospital."
"My mom told me he wasn't always this way. She married him because he was hardworking and dependable, someone she felt safe with. But after he returned from his military service in Africa, everything changed."
Su Dong, who had only ever known peace, couldn't fully grasp the impact of war. But he could imagine the toll it had taken on Cristiano's father and the strain it placed on his family.
Cristiano's voice trembled as he continued. "People still joke about how he missed my baptism because he was drinking," he said, managing a small smile. "But you know, the first gift he ever gave me was a football for my birthday. He never said it, but I know he loves watching me play."
Cristiano's eyes grew distant as he recalled his childhood. "When I was competing at the youth level, he never let his drinking affect him showing up for me. Rain or shine, he was always there, right on time."
He paused, his voice softer. "He'd stand outside the field, behind the fence, just watching. Whenever I played well, he'd smile. In those moments, he seemed like his old self—sober, happy, proud."
Cristiano's eyes misted over, and he glanced away, clearly not used to sharing this part of his life with anyone. But today, he confided in Su Dong.
"My mom loves him deeply, but she's had her share of hardship too. Her own mother died young, and after years of being mistreated by her stepmother, she was sent to an orphanage. She escaped that life, thinking she'd found security when she met my dad. But things didn't turn out the way she'd hoped."
Cristiano continued, his tone growing heavier. "They were poor, and life was tough. She already had three kids, and when she found out she was pregnant with me, she thought about ending the pregnancy more than once. Someone told her drinking boiled dark beer would do the trick, so she tried it. She ended up fainting."
He sighed, a bitter smile forming. "She went through so much just to keep us all going."
Su Dong listened, moved by the glimpse into Cristiano's life. It was clear how much Cristiano's family had sacrificed for him, and he began to understand the intense drive that pushed his friend to succeed.
"My sister and brother left school early so my second sister and I could stay in school. My sister got a job as a waitress in the tourist district, and my brother worked in an aluminum factory, then a paint shop. He had a rough time there, always getting bullied. That's when he started hanging out with friends who he thought could make him stronger."
Cristiano looked at Su Dong, gauging his reaction. "You've been to Santo António. You've seen what it's like?"
Su Dong nodded, his expression serious. He had seen the challenges firsthand.
"People call Madeira a paradise," Cristiano continued, his tone bitter. "But for us, it's more like a prison."
He paused, looking away. "Growing up, we were told there were two kinds of people here. Some live and die in Madeira, never wanting to leave. The others can't wait to escape, to make something of themselves on the mainland or beyond."
Cristiano's eyes grew fierce. "I don't just want to be a professional footballer. I want to make real money. I want to buy my mom a house in Madeira, somewhere in the tourist district. That's her biggest dream, to have a place of her own."
He clenched his fists, his resolve clear. "My brother wants to start a paint company and hire all the guys who were mistreated with him. My second sister dreams of recording an album—she's always believed she has a talent for singing. And as for my eldest sister… she doesn't even dare to dream."
Su Dong nodded in understanding. Seeing Cristiano's family's hardships had shown him that they had placed all their hopes on him. Cristiano himself seemed acutely aware of the responsibility he carried, a weight that drove him to work tirelessly.
"Now you see why I want to replace José Veiga," Cristiano concluded, his voice firm. "He'll never care about these dreams. To him, they're just minor details. But to me, they're everything."
Su Dong grasped how determined Cristiano was. His friend was willing to risk crossing a powerful agent to protect his family's future.
"Take it one step at a time," Su Dong said, placing a reassuring hand on Cristiano's shoulder. "Your dad's health comes first. I still have some money set aside—use it if you need to."
Cristiano nodded, his gratitude clear. Despite only knowing each other a few months, the two shared a bond as though they'd been friends for years.
"If we start thanking each other, we'll be here all day," Su Dong joked, smiling. "Let's get back to training. If we're good enough, our chances will come. Look at Quaresma—one big game against Porto, and he was a star."
Cristiano sighed, gathering his resolve as he got up, pointing at Su Dong with a challenging grin. "Today, I'll make sure you're the one crawling home!"