Starting With Real Madrid

Three years had passed since Gao Shen found himself in this world, and he was feeling the ever-deepening effects of the butterfly effect.

This "catfish" had stirred up massive changes, including the development of the Brazilian central defender standing before him: David Luiz.

Gao Shen vividly remembered that when he first started coaching Napoli, he had jokingly suggested David Luiz grow a big, fluffy afro. David Luiz, intrigued by the idea, actually grew one, thinking it would be fun.

At its peak, his hair was so long and wild that he looked like a lion, and the hairstyle became his trademark.

However, things changed. Gao Shen vaguely recalled that after a draw against Inter Milan away last season, he had harshly criticized David Luiz and even threatened to sell him. That incident prompted David Luiz to cut his hair short.

At first, it was just a little trim, but over time, the hair got shorter and shorter.

Now, it was neatly cropped.

Initially, Gao Shen had thought David Luiz would only become stronger if he stuck with the iconic afro. But over time, he realized that the shorter the hair, the more composed and reliable David Luiz seemed to become.

Gao Shen's trust and reliance on David Luiz were evident to everyone.

As long as David Luiz wasn't injured or unfit, he was almost always a starter. Gao Shen had publicly declared on multiple occasions that David Luiz embodied his ideal of the perfect modern central defender.

But the prerequisite was that David Luiz needed to remain calm and focused at all times.

Few players earned such high praise from Gao Shen.

With such trust came meticulous coaching and development. Playing in the physically demanding and tactically rigorous Serie A helped David Luiz improve rapidly. His defensive abilities became more solid with each passing season, though he still occasionally had lapses in concentration.

Gao Shen often teased him for this and even scolded him on occasion. But David Luiz, ever cheerful and optimistic, would laugh it off and never take it to heart.

This time, however, was different.

Napoli was preparing for the Champions League knockout stages, and David Luiz would have to face Drogba.

Bonucci's weakness in one-on-one defending made David Luiz's role even more critical.

…

"Three years ago, around this time, I took over a Real Madrid squad full of superstars."

Gao Shen pulled two chairs over and sat at the doorway of his office, gazing at the training field in the distance as he began chatting with David Luiz.

This was his signature style, initiating casual yet meaningful conversations in unexpected settings.

"Back then, Real Madrid was a mess, even though they had the most star-studded squad in the world."

"Our current assistant coach, Zidane, was still playing at that time. There was Ronaldo, Raul, Roberto Carlos, Beckham, Guti… Robinho, and many others. Every position was stacked with stars."

"On paper, that team should have been unstoppable. But in reality, they were performing terribly. They were ten points behind Barcelona in the league, had lost to Arsenal at home in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, and were humiliated by Zaragoza in the Copa del Rey. The entire situation looked hopeless…"

David Luiz was familiar with this story.

It was a well-known piece of football history, often revisited by the media when discussing Gao Shen's achievements.

But Gao Shen wasn't bringing this up to brag.

"Tell me, why do you think Real Madrid was so bad at the time?" Gao Shen suddenly asked.

David Luiz instinctively wanted to reply: "Because of the superstar strategy, and because many of the players were aging…"

But he caught himself. Something didn't feel right.

If that were the sole reason, how had Real Madrid's fortunes turned around so dramatically after Gao Shen took over? After all, those same superstars had played pivotal roles in winning a league and Champions League double under Gao Shen.

Puzzled, David Luiz shook his head, waiting for Gao Shen to explain.

Gao Shen smiled knowingly. "You're overthinking it."

"Boss, with you around, I don't need to think too much. I just listen to whatever you say." David Luiz grinned.

Gao Shen rolled his eyes. "If you'd really been listening to me all along, you wouldn't still be making the same mistakes."

He sighed. But deep down, Gao Shen understood that David Luiz's issues stemmed from his personality and habits.

"You know, back when Cristiano Ronaldo was at Sporting Lisbon, he wasn't considered the most talented player. In Portugal, there were others with more natural ability—like Quaresma, for example. Quaresma was so highly regarded that he moved to Barcelona early in his career."

"I still remember how dangerous Quaresma was on the right wing. His dribbling was sharper than Ronaldo's, and his outside-foot shot was a real weapon. But despite all that, it wasn't until 2003 that Ronaldo caught Ferguson's attention."

David Luiz listened intently. He knew there was a deeper message behind Gao Shen's words.

"Back then, Ronaldo's biggest flaw was that his play was too flashy, too chaotic, and too inconsistent. In the Premier League, though, defenders don't play nice. To help Ronaldo overcome this, Ferguson had defenders hound him relentlessly in training, tackling him hard until he learned to adapt."

"Quaresma had similar issues, but he didn't have a coach like Ferguson to guide him. After failing at Barcelona, he returned to the Portuguese league—his comfort zone. Meanwhile, Ronaldo had the courage to change, adapt to the Premier League, and make himself stronger."

David Luiz began to grasp what Gao Shen was trying to tell him.

He wasn't fully there yet, but the message was starting to sink in.

"I once had dinner with Vicente del Bosque, the former Real Madrid coach who now manages Spain's national team. He told me that the Real Madrid team I coached was the best he'd seen in years, even better than the ones he managed."

"Del Bosque won two Champions League titles with Real Madrid. But he said it was never just about the stars like Raul, Zidane, or Figo. It was also about players like McManaman, Solari, and Makelele. They were just as critical to the team's success."

Gao Shen paused, giving David Luiz time to process his words.

After a moment, he continued.

"The reason Real Madrid transformed under my management wasn't just tactics or individual brilliance. It was because every player was willing to change and sacrifice for the team's collective success."

"The reason Ronaldo thrived at Manchester United and became one of the world's best was because he changed himself and subdued his natural tendencies. Meanwhile, Quaresma, despite his greater natural talent, failed because he refused to change."

"Del Bosque's two Champions League wins weren't just about the stars. They were about the entire team working as one. In football, there's a term for that: unity."

Gao Shen's tone was calm and measured, but his words struck a chord. David Luiz felt his blood boiling with determination.

He finally understood the lesson Gao Shen was trying to impart.

"I've spoken with many great managers—Ferguson, Ancelotti, Sacchi, Capello, Lippi. From our conversations, and my own experiences, I've realized one thing."

"Superstars aren't the most important factor in football. Neither is pure talent. Not even a renowned coach is the most important."

"The truly great teams, those that dominate their eras all have one thing in common. They're made up of players who are willing to give their all for the team's goals. Players who can suppress their egos, overcome their flaws, and dedicate themselves fully to the collective."

Gao Shen paused again, watching as David Luiz's expression shifted.

The Brazilian finally understood.

"David, when I asked Robinho to dribble less, many questioned me. When I asked Ronaldo to track back and defend, I faced criticism. When I implemented a defensive counterattacking system at Real Madrid, the doubters never stopped."

"But Ronaldo won his only Champions League title under me. Beckham finally lifted a trophy at Real Madrid. Robinho played some of his best football during my time there."

"Remember this, David: championships belong to the team. Any player who aspires to be the best must first integrate into their team and serve it wholeheartedly."

David Luiz felt a surge of gratitude and determination.

He had been just another unknown player in Brazil. But in Naples, it was Gao Shen's trust and guidance that had elevated him to where he was today.

And now, Gao Shen was raising the bar.

This wasn't just about following orders. It was about transformation controlling his impulses, reshaping his habits, and putting the team above all else.

It was a daunting challenge, but David Luiz was ready.

"Boss, I understand. Don't worry, I'll give it my all and meet your expectations. I won't let you down!" David Luiz stood up and solemnly vowed.

Gao Shen looked at him, nodded, and said, "I believe in you."