Thomas Müller was drenched in sweat, leaning on his knees and gasping for breath.
"Lu, seriously... you played brilliantly today."
After 45 minutes of intense scrimmage, they still had to do 100 push-ups.
Thomas Müller was almost exhausted.
That's right, Bayern Munich's main A-team, the starting lineup of the treble winners, actually lost to Bayern's B-team!
But a bet is a bet, and since they agreed to 100 push-ups, the A-team members could only grit their teeth and finish them.
Robben, Ribéry, Lahm, Neuer, and other superstars trembled as they completed 100, then flopped onto the grass, completely worn out...
Thomas Müller was still able to stand up and walk over to Lu Xiao to congratulate him.
The most unexpected reason for losing to the B-team was Lu Xiao.
Both goals were scored by Lu Xiao!
The first goal: a shooting feint, a back-heel stop that bounced the ball over the defender, followed by a turn and a clean volley.
The second goal: the B-team counter-attacked.
Facing a 60-meter long pass, Lu Xiao actually stopped and dribbled the ball in one fluid motion just outside the box!
He effortlessly cushioned the ball with his toe, then nutmegged Boateng, dribbling past him to enter the box and score a one-on-one goal, completing his brace.
To be honest, both goals were very stylish.
Thomas Müller never would have imagined that the slightly green junior he once knew had grown so rapidly!
It was simply unbelievable!
If Lu Xiao's talent was this high, there was no reason for Bayern Munich to let him go!
If Thomas Müller were a Bayern executive, he would definitely spare no effort to keep Lu Xiao.
"You played really well. How about I try to persuade Guardiola again to keep you in the first team?"
As a Bayern veteran and a core player who came through their own youth system, Thomas Müller's words should carry some weight, and he might even be able to convince Rummenigge.
"Thank you, Thomas. But regarding my future, I still need to plan carefully."
"Alright, if possible, I hope to be your teammate."
It seemed Lu Xiao had his own ideas, and Thomas Müller couldn't force him.
The key was also to consider head coach Guardiola.
Did Coach Guardiola want Lu Xiao to stay?
...
"What do you think?"
"He really has talent. I think we can offer him a professional contract."
"Hmm, no rush. Our coaching staff will discuss it further."
"Alright."
Lu Xiao's performance just now made Guardiola's eyes light up.
His ball control was simply divine!
A name immediately popped into Guardiola's mind—Ronaldinho!
That's right!
Lu Xiao's ball control, dribbling, and the elegant way he handled the ball were very similar to "the Football Magician," the World Player of the Year, and Ballon d'Or winner, Ronaldinho.
It was just a pity that Ronaldinho's form declined a bit too quickly, his peak period fleeting.
If Ronaldinho had maintained his professionalism, gone to fewer nightclubs, and consistently trained...
Perhaps the world would still be Ronaldinho's, with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo having to wait their turn.
Seeing Lu Xiao, Guardiola couldn't help but want to develop him, to make him the next Ronaldinho.
However...
One scrimmage was not enough to draw conclusions.
Long-term observation was needed to truly assess a player's potential.
Bayern Munich's transfer and personnel authority was not entirely in Guardiola's hands either.
The final decision still needed the approval of Football Director Matthias Sammer, and Sammer, in turn, answered to Rummenigge.
The retention or departure of any player required careful discussion between Guardiola and the management.
According to the procedures of a big club, it would take at least about a week to get a result.
Guardiola mused,
Anyway, Lu Xiao had nowhere else to go, so he might as well let him stay at the first-team base for a few more days and try out with the team.
It was impossible for another team to poach him, right?
He was just a 16-year-old Chinese player, how could that happen?
Guardiola shook his head and turned to leave the training ground.
...
After the training session, the Bayern Munich players returned to the changing room in small groups.
The first-team players all had their own cliques.
Only Lu Xiao was left behind, temporarily unattended.
During his time training at Bayern, Lu Xiao wasn't very familiar with them; at most, he had a better relationship with Thomas Müller.
"Hey! Young man!"
"Hey! Over here, over here!!"
Lu Xiao initially didn't pay attention, thinking it was fans shouting from outside the field.
He turned his head and saw someone waving at him.
"Me?"
Lu Xiao pointed to his nose.
"That's right!! It's you!"
This was strange; he was just a young player from the youth academy. There was no way fans would be interested in him...
Drawing closer, he saw it was a middle-aged man, about 40 years old, wearing a fishing vest and a fishing hat... a fishing enthusiast?
No, it was a scout from another team.
The DSLR camera slung over his shoulder, the small notebook in his chest pocket, and the camcorder in his hand were all clear signs.
There was only one truth!
Lu Xiao hadn't watched Conan for so many years for nothing.
He approached with curiosity to see what was going on.
"Sir?"
"Hello, I saw your excellent performance just now and wanted to talk to you... I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Jens Weiler, a scout for Leverkusen."
As he spoke, the middle-aged man...
"Leverkusen?"
"That's right, the one you're thinking of."
Oh!
Lu Xiao was half right.
This scout's accent was clearly from western Germany, a North Rhine-Westphalian accent.
Compared to the heavier guttural Munich accent, the Rhine accent was relatively softer, closer to standard German.
Lu Xiao, who had lived in Belgium and Germany for 16 years, could hear it very clearly.
Near the Rhine region, there were 2. Bundesliga and 3. Liga Teams like Rot-Weiss Essen and Köln.
Lu Xiao initially thought it was a team from a lower League, and it would be normal for them to poach a 16-year-old.
Leverkusen surprised him; they were a strong Bundesliga team!
Their performance was relatively stable every year, hovering between 3rd and 6th place in the upper half of the League, occasionally making an appearance in the Champions League.
Last season, Leverkusen finished 3rd, securing a Champions League spot.
This was definitely very attractive to players!
"Excuse me, sir, how much longer do you have on your youth contract with Bayern?"
Scout Jens Weiler subconsciously assumed Lu Xiao was from Bayern's youth academy.
Seeing that Lu Xiao seemed interested, he planned to redouble his efforts to poach him.
Based on Lu Xiao's performance just now, there was no need for further words; bringing him to Leverkusen would be absolutely the right move!
"My contract has already expired; I'm a free agent now."
"That's great! If time permits, I can take you back to our base this afternoon."
"That fast?"
Lu Xiao subconsciously glanced at the business card in his hand, afraid the other party was a fake, specifically trying to trick people into a secluded place for nefarious purposes.
"If you're worried, you can check the official Leverkusen website; my information is displayed in the staff directory."
"I believe you. Let's go this afternoon!"
Lu Xiao was not one to procrastinate.
Since he had nowhere else to go, why not go to Leverkusen and see!
"Great! My social media accounts and phone number are on the back. We can talk more later."
Jens Weiler was very happy.
He had a hunch that this time, he had hit the jackpot!
A jackpot comparable to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo!
Lu Xiao was equally excited.
After being disgusted by Erik ten Hag, he had completely lost his enchantment with Bayern.
With Guardiola coming to Bayern, he likely wouldn't have much chance to shine, and staying in the first team would most likely mean warming the bench.
Better to go out and explore!
Back in the changing room, Lu Xiao briefly told Thomas Müller about the matter.
The 'Raumdeuter' had helped him a lot, and Lu Xiao was truly grateful to him.
"Ah? I thought you could stay in the first team."
"I want to go out and make a name for myself. If I get the chance, we'll probably be enemies."
"Leverkusen is a good team. They don't have many forwards this season, so you definitely have enough opportunities... Go for it!"
"When we meet, I won't go easy on you."
"Hahaha, then you'll have to give it your all. We are the Bundesliga champions, after all."
The two shook hands.
Their next handshake would likely be on the Bundesliga pitch!