The All-Around Center Forward

"Beautiful! That was brilliant play!"

Raúl excitedly ran toward Suker.

Vermaelen didn't see it clearly, but Raúl had a perfect view.

While running, Suker subtly stepped on the ball—not only did this perfectly set up Raúl, but it also dragged Vermaelen away, creating just the space Raúl needed to shoot.

For a veteran like Raúl, that kind of opportunity was just too easy to capitalize on.

At the same time, Raúl couldn't help but marvel at Suker's individual brilliance.

He had faced him before as an opponent and seen what Suker could do.

But playing alongside him now brought a whole new appreciation.

Just that one moment—stopping and changing direction—required a high level of technique and confidence.

Suker not only pulled it off but followed it up with another slick move that left Alex Song completely lost.

Suker had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes, and Real Madrid had already pulled one goal back.

This was an incredible morale boost for the team.

The rest of the squad rushed up to celebrate with Raúl and Suker.

Xabi Alonso patted Suker on the shoulder and gave a big thumbs-up.

"That first touch was insane!"

It was an instinctive, deceptive move done in a flash—any defensive midfielder would have fallen for it.

What's more, Suker had perfectly controlled Alonso's long pass—a delight for any midfielder.

It felt like Alonso had painted a portrait, and Suker had added the soul with the finishing touch.

Not even Torres, during their time together at Liverpool, had ever given Alonso that same sense of satisfaction.

Alonso finally understood why AC Milan loved their 'dog-fetching-frisbee' tactics so much.

But this? This wasn't a dog...

This was a lion. The king of beasts.

"Brilliant!"

Pellegrini pumped his fist with excitement.

Suker was as dominant as ever—his individual quality was electrifying.

Now Pellegrini's challenge was figuring out how to incorporate that talent into the system.

He wanted to build a team that let Suker shine like at peak-era AC Milan, where he had unmatched control over games.

But no matter what, this offensive juggernaut now belonged to Real Madrid and to Pellegrini.

With such a key player in his hands, he had every reason to be thrilled.

Higuaín, meanwhile, stood with his mouth slightly open.

Suker's control had stunned him.

Even at close range—with physical contact—Suker's touch was so clean, and the follow-up moves even cleaner.

The confidence and technique shook Higuaín to his core.

He still wanted to compete with Suker.

He was Argentina's prodigy forward.

He didn't believe he was worse than Suker.

But that last play had made him doubt himself.

Clench!

Higuaín tightened his fists and gritted his teeth.

It wasn't time to admit defeat yet.

There was a long future ahead, and he would keep fighting.

"Huuu~~"

Wenger let out a long sigh.

He rubbed his forehead.That goal left him feeling bitter.

Was there anything wrong with Alex Song's defense?

No!

He timed the challenge well and made the right decision.

But… this is what happens when there's a gap in ability.

Still, Wenger remained patient.

He didn't believe Arsenal would lose to Real Madrid—not even in a friendly.

Madrid's chemistry wasn't there yet.

And just as he expected, in the minutes that followed, Arsenal continued to dominate possession.

Their intense high pressing limited Madrid's midfield, and without passing support, Suker couldn't showcase his full power.

"Sub at the 55th minute. We're switching formations!"

Pellegrini shouted instructions.

He turned to Suker:

"You'll play attacking midfield. We're going 4-3-1-2."

No need for lengthy explanations—the players understood their roles just by hearing the formation.

Suker nodded.

"Want me to help relieve the midfield?"

Pellegrini hesitated for a second, then said:

"If needed, coordinate with them more."

Halftime ended, and both sides returned to the pitch.

No substitutions were made yet.

Despite being a friendly, this was a rare chance to test their strongest lineups.

Both teams had agreed to make large-scale changes at the 55-minute mark.

With only 10 minutes left, the tempo picked up sharply.

Both sides were stacked with technical players.

For Madrid, Suker, Guti, Alonso, and Raúl could all handle the ball well under pressure.

Suker especially was constantly helping move the ball out of danger zones.

As an attacking midfielder, his range of movement grew, and Madrid's passing became more stable.

At one point, Guti, under intense pressure, hastily passed to Suker.

Suddenly, three Arsenal players surrounded him.

"Watch out!"

Guti warned, but it was too late.

Next second, he watched in awe as Suker pulled off a sequence of quick touches and footwork, using a pull-back and flick combo—like a "rainbow turn"—to escape the trap and pass the ball safely.

"Oh my God…"

Guti's face contorted in stunned amazement.

Suker immediately darted into space again.

Alex Song charged again.

But this time, Suker didn't go to receive the ball.

Instead, he waited… and at the last second, let the ball nutmeg Song, sliding directly to Raúl.

Another Arsenal press broken effortlessly.

Raúl returned the ball, then turned to look at Suker—his eyes filled with admiration.

He hadn't looked at a teammate like that since Zidane.

Suker wasn't running aimlessly.

As he moved laterally, he constantly observed teammates' positioning.

Then suddenly—

"Benzema! Make the run inside! What are you waiting for?!" Suker shouted.

Benzema froze.

He realized he'd been slowing the tempo.

As Suker made another decisive forward run, his eyes widened threateningly—like he'd punch him if he didn't move.

Frightened, Benzema nodded quickly.

Through continuous passing between Suker, Alonso, and Guti, Real Madrid began to gain control of midfield.

Then—Suker received the ball and turned sharply.

Benzema made a diagonal run.

Guti pushed forward on the left, dragging Sagna into the box.Raúl shifted wide on the right.

The Arsenal defenders focused intently on Suker, trying to read his intentions.

Then—

Suker passed the ball… to an empty space on the left.

Everyone paused.

"Was that… a bad pass?"

Suddenly, a figure sprinted from deep—

Marcelo arrived on the left edge of the penalty area!

"Take it to the line!"

Suker dropped back behind Marcelo to cover his position.

Marcelo obeyed, sprinting toward the end line.

Sagna followed closely, but—

"Beat him!"

Suker yelled.

Marcelo instinctively cut in with the ball.

He was a Brazilian, a technical fullback, and he had the skills.

And Sagna was heavy-footed with slow turning!

Marcelo's quick feet shined—he blew past Sagna along the end line.

"Watch the cut-back!"

Arsenal's defense fell into chaos.

Marcelo looked up, then tapped the ball back toward the penalty arc.

Right there—

Suker arrived, locked and loaded for a shot.

"Perfect pass!"

BOOM!

Suker struck it cleanly.

"Beautiful!"

The shot skimmed across the ground, slipped through Vermaelen's legs, and flew toward the left post.

Ding!Swish!

It hit the post and ricocheted into the net.

53rd minute – Suker scores.

"What a pass!"

Suker rushed to Marcelo and gave him a big bear hug.

Marcelo looked stunned.

His mouth slightly open, lips curled in joy, eyes full of curiosity.

He kept glancing back at Suker, wide-eyed and glowing.

That play—from Suker's pass to his movement—had unlocked Marcelo's full potential.

Marcelo couldn't tell if Suker was just lucky…But it felt like Suker truly understood him.

That goal tied it 2–2 at the 53rd minute.

After going down by two goals, Real Madrid had equalized, thanks entirely to Suker's influence.

Immediately after the goal, both teams began large-scale substitutions.

The main squad trial was over—Now it was time for the reserves to get their minutes.