Top of the big era

The next day, I went to the Bernabeu to watch the game.

A Champions League group match for Real Madrid.

It was not convenient for Zhou Buqi to be with the girls in the women's team, so he contacted Real Madrid Chairman Florentino, and was not surprised to be invited to the podium.

Once upon a time, Manchester United and Real Madrid broke up over the issue of Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer. Ferguson angrily said that he would not sell a single hair to Real Madrid.

Later, Zhou Buqi took over Manchester United, and Florentino Perez became the chairman of Real Madrid. The two largest clubs in the world quickly entered the honeymoon period.

Real Madrid introduced Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, and Manchester United also bought Robben and Marcelo from Real Madrid.

This summer, Real Madrid once planned to make another big purchase, bringing in Gareth Bale from Manchester United, but was urgently stopped by Zhou Buqi. Florentino did not force it and agreed to wait for another year.

Zhou Buqi likes to deal with Florentino because he is a wealthy Spanish man who owns the largest construction company in Europe.

This is much better than the calculations of many club owners.

Moreover, this person is extremely ambitious and wants to change the current status quo of European football. This is akin to Zhou Buqi.

It's just that their focus is completely different.

Zhou Buqi is taking a trick, taking the route of technology changing football, and slowly influencing European football in a subtle way, a bit like boiling a frog in warm water.

Florentino is different. He doesn't understand technology. He worked in politics in his early years and later in business, and he is very capable. He wants to change football from the institutional level, and even wants to completely untie football.

Just like the NBA.

FIBA has no control over the NBA. The NBA has no control over what regulations FIBA ​​promulgates and what requirements it puts forward. The NBA has its own set of order and gameplay.

The same cannot be said for football, where there is a strict hierarchy.

There is the league above the clubs, the Football Association above the league, UEFA above the Football Association, and the World Football Federation above UEFA. It is a bureaucratic system with power distribution.

Florentino wants to push Europe's wealthy clubs to unite and resist "tyranny" together, create a European Super League on his own, and get rid of the blood-sucking bugs that are attached to the wealthy teams.

This is so difficult.

This is not in line with European values.

While watching the game, Florentino mentioned this idea. Zhou Buqi was very embarrassed and felt that it was not too unrealistic and almost impossible to succeed.

This idea came up 20 years ago. At that time, it was led and promoted by Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister, media tycoon, and AC Milan club president.

I tried it over and over again, but couldn't get it done at all.

Zhou Buqi said bluntly: "Sports is the epitome of society, and American sports show American values. Hard work and getting rich, more work, more rewards, are the values ​​​​of the American dream. Europe here is egalitarianism, a high-welfare society, and wealth comes from wealth. They peel off people's skin to help the poor. This is true for sports, and it's the same for football. Rich clubs deserve to be divided up."

Florentino nodded, "It's okay for wealthy clubs to transfer part of their profits to small and medium-sized clubs and grassroots clubs. This is the support of the European football system. The most important thing is to bypass the control of UEFA's bureaucratic system. . If it is bypassed, the football industry can explode into the revenue-generating capacity of the world's largest sport."

Zhou Buqi felt helpless, "It's a pity that I'm not European."

Florentino sighed, "The Premier League turned around and regained its vitality only after it broke away from the Football Association. Only after La Liga broke away from the Spanish Football Association did it truly become the top league in Europe. In the same way, the European League can only break away from the Spanish Football Association." Only UEFA can show the value of European football."

"It's difficult to manage the separation."

Zhou Buqi shook his head, a similar experience was the same as in domestic football. Everyone knows that separation is good for the development of football, but once separated, for some people, it means losing control.

Whether it is the World Football Federation or UEFA, they are both places where power is highly concentrated.

Florentino fell silent.

Of course he knew it was difficult.

European giants have been working on this matter privately for 20 years, but there has been no movement, especially the strong opposition from German football, which has a huge say.

German football has a "50+1" policy, which results in German clubs being in the hands of "footballers".

These people just want to rely on football to eat and drink their whole life, and they are quite satisfied with maintaining the status quo.

"Changing the world" is a typical American elite value.

This is not the case in Europe. The mainstream trend of thought is to take care of every tiny individual. "One general succeeds and ten thousand bones wither" is a completely derogatory term in the increasingly left-wing European system.

Just like e-commerce.

European countries are curbing the development of e-commerce because they are worried that it will affect the livelihood of many small retail stores.

Another example is that when Spotify's plan to build a headquarters in Stockholm was made public, it encountered strong opposition from local people and labor unions, and then the plan fell through.

Spotify has built its headquarters there, and it has become famous... but it will inevitably lead to an increase in prices in the surrounding areas, which will affect the lives of surrounding residents. They are not willing to be the bones of others after their success.

Zhou Buqi said with a smile: "Football must change, but there is no need to be so anxious to attack head-on. Slowly operating in a roundabout way is also an option. Ziweixing Digital Media is on the one hand to help clubs with their digital transformation. .Real Madrid seems to be a bit slow in this regard."

Florentino said: "It doesn't matter. Real Madrid can advance the cooperation with Ziweixing Digital Media later."

Zhou Buqi smiled and said: "In business, two companies with in-depth strategic cooperation often have friendly exchanges of team visits. Historically speaking, Real Madrid and Manchester United are best friends."

This is really true.

Decades ago, Manchester United suffered a plane crash in which nearly the entire team was killed.

At that time, the Spanish club Real Madrid provided the greatest help to Manchester United.

Mr. Bernabeu, then chairman of Real Madrid, also intended to loan the star and the world's number one star Di Stefano to Manchester United to attract popularity and sell tickets for Manchester United. It was a pity that the transfer could not be completed due to visa issues.

But the historical connection between the two clubs was thus forged.

Florentino has a businessman's mentality, which is very similar to Zhou Buqi. He said happily: "Of course, Real Madrid and Manchester United can establish a long-term and effective diversified cooperation."

Zhou Buqi said bluntly: "How about player loan?"

"Lease?"

Florentino was slightly startled.

Zhou Buqi said: "The team's attraction mainly comes from the stars. In fact, there is another point, which is the freshness. Every year in the transfer window, thousands of fans will pay attention to it for a long time and be full of expectations. However, many core players are He is the cornerstone of the team and is difficult to trade in the transfer market."

Florentino vaguely understood what he meant, "You mean...rent? Lend each other's core players?"

Zhou Buqi said: "Real Madrid is a great club. I believe that every Manchester United player is interested in playing for Real Madrid for a period of time. Similarly, Manchester United is not bad at all. Ronaldo has left Manchester United for three seasons. If Let him return to Manchester United on loan for a season to resolve the friction caused with Manchester United fans during the transfer period. I believe he will be willing."

"Too bold."

Florentino was startled by such a whimsical proposal.

This completely changes the transfer tradition in European football.

Zhou Buqi said with a smile: "At least it can bring about certain changes in the stagnant European football world. For example, next season, Real Madrid will rent Ronaldo and Benzema to Manchester United, and Manchester United will rent Rooney and Bale to Real Madrid for a The exploration of the season can bring great freshness. Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema are still Real Madrid players, so Real Madrid fans will pay attention to their performance at Manchester United, thus driving consumption; Manchester United fans will also continue to pay attention to Rooney and Bale. If you perform at Real Madrid, you will be able to purchase Real Madrid-related products. The fan groups of both parties are integrated to create revenue for both clubs."

"A genius idea." Florentino praised, this idea is really out of the ordinary, "However, changes in core players will inevitably have an impact on the team's performance."

Zhou Buqi said: "There must always be a balance between business and competition. I'm thinking that if Real Madrid's entire core lineup is leased to Manchester United, and Manchester United's core lineup is leased to Real Madrid... it would be equivalent to Real Madrid playing in the Premier League. , Manchester United is going to play in La Liga, how interesting will it be? How topical and marketable will it be? Not enough to cause a sensation in the entire football world?"

Florentino was horrified.

I thought I was sharp enough in wanting to bring about changes in European football. Unexpectedly, this boss Zhou has more innovative thinking. This is a nuclear bomb!

The risk is too great!

There is a language barrier, a different culture, and a different football style.

If these people play for a few more seasons, Real Madrid can still dominate the Premier League, and Manchester United can also compete with Barcelona in La Liga. However, it is only a temporary secondment for one season. Due to the unfamiliarity in all aspects, accidents are easy to happen, and he may not even be able to enter the Champions League.

The suggestion of team exchange is really bold.

almost impossible.

Football and basketball are different.

There are only 5 basketball players, the venue is so small, and the execution of tactics is simple. Football is much more complicated. Many players come to a new environment and may need a season to adapt to find their form.

If Real Madrid and Manchester United do this, they will take huge competitive risks, and they may both become the laughing stock of European football.

Florentino didn't dare to agree, "You'd better sell Gareth Bale to me, as you promised."

Zhou Buqi said: "As long as the negotiations in Brazil go smoothly. By the way, your construction company will be responsible for the repair work on my private island. The speed is too slow and I am very dissatisfied."

Watched a game at the Bernabeu.

Zhou Buqi snickered inwardly.

In terms of stadium atmosphere, Old Trafford is better.

The Spaniards are too lazy to cheer for the team, unlike the British at Old Trafford, who feel like they are boiling throughout the game.

Watching the Premier League live is more shocking.