Chapter 88 Preparation for Portuguese Super League Copyright?

"Director, according to the backstage data, the number of people who bought the UEFA Youth League matches has now reached 6, and we have made a net profit of more than 20!"

In the Sina Sports office, Deputy Director Zheng Tao was extremely excited. He had thought that Fu Gaoyuan's purchase of the UEFA broadcasting rights would only result in losses and no profits, but now he has made more than 20 yuan after just two games.

Although the number of real-time online users has reached as high as 12, many of these people are free users who are trying the program for one minute. The only users who can really make money for Sina Sports are those who buy out the games or become platform members.

No matter what, money is made, and if the momentum continues, if Porto U19 reaches the final, Sina Sports can at least get 50 in broadcasting fees.

By then, all that awaits Fu Gaoyuan and the others will be a pay raise!
At this time, Fu Gaoyuan was sitting on the sofa drinking tea. There was a notebook on the coffee table. The Excel spreadsheet on it showed the background data of Sina Sports Football Channel: "20? More than that, many people have directly opened annual memberships for Sina Sports. Conservatively speaking, we have made about 31 now."

What Fu Gaoyuan said was correct. Before, there were many fans who set flags in the live broadcast room, saying that they would become platform members as long as Jiang Yuan scored a goal or made an assist. Some of them were just bragging, but the vast majority of fans still kept their promises and became platform members after the game.

This makes the already wealthy Sina Sports even richer.

"31?"

Zheng Tao was obviously surprised when he heard this data. According to the annual fee of Sina Sports of 199, there must be at least four or five hundred people who have opened annual memberships for Jiang Yuan. In China where free membership is prevalent, this data can be said to be very shocking.

"call--"

Fu Gaoyuan closed his laptop, lay on the sofa, smoked a cigarette, and said calmly: "We still need to do some processing later. Xiao Zheng, remember what I say next."

Hearing Fu Gaoyuan say this, Zheng Tao hurried to the table to get paper and pen, and sat on the sofa to prepare to record what the director said.

"The UEFA broadcast will be like this for now. The price of 6 yuan per game should not change. We need this to attract more users. But I need you to write a document and submit it to the higher-ups."

"What kind of documents?"

Zheng Tao was a little surprised. Wasn't it right for him to just lie on the sofa and wait for a pay raise?

But what Fu Gaoyuan said next shocked Zheng Tao: "I want Sina to open a special football section and set up a special football channel membership. In the future, the annual fee of the platform will not be entitled to watch live football broadcasts."

"If you want to watch football broadcasts, you must purchase the matches at a unit price of 6 yuan, or open a special Sina Sports football membership. As for the monthly and annual fees, I will consider it later. You write this document first and submit it to see what the above reaction is..."

Zheng Tao frowned and said, "Director, this is indeed a good idea, but the problem is that the only match that Sina Sports can broadcast right now is the European Youth League. For other Chinese Super League and Chinese League One matches, not many fans will buy in!"

Fu Gaoyuan exhaled a puff of smoke and continued, "That's why I asked you to write this document. I still have things to do..."

"?"

"I'm going to Portugal to find out about the broadcasting rights for the Portuguese Super League. We will work together and try to get these things done before the start of the next season of the Portuguese Super League."

……

At 19 o'clock in the morning on the second day after playing against Anderlecht U8, Jiang Yuan was having breakfast in the cafeteria of Gaya Training Center and was surprised to find Quaresma sitting in the corner.

Jiang Yuan thought about it and decided to eat by himself. However, Quaresma saw him and took his plate and sat down opposite Jiang Yuan.

"Jiang, I heard you scored a hat trick in the European Youth League? Congratulations!"

Quaresma took a sip of nut milk. He had almost finished eating. Jiang Yuan happened to come to the cafeteria at this time and naturally wanted to chat with this U19 hero.

Jiang Yuan blushed a little after receiving the compliment, and said modestly: "Mr. Ricardo, if it were you, you would probably be able to score 5 goals."

"Hahaha, don't say that. If I play for the U19 team, I really can't see that I can score more goals than you. You know Jiang, I can't run fast now."

Quaresma reached out and patted his thigh. The fierce tattoo on the front of his thigh could not hide his aging muscles.

Jiang Yuan chewed his buttered bread and replied: "What's that, Mr. Ricardo? Your football skills are much better than ours. You are over 30 years old, that's true, but you can still score goals, that's also true."

"Haha, Jiang, I feel very comfortable chatting with you"

Quaresma happily drank the nut milk.

Jiang Yuan suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Mr. Ricardo, why did you come to the base for breakfast today?"

"I got up a little early today, Minho was not open, and I felt sad that I couldn't have the caramel muffins."

Quaresma looked a little frustrated.

Jiang Yuan took a sip of orange juice and asked, "Then why don't you go to the breakfast shop across the street? A piece of buttered bread, a glass of juice, and two egg tarts are only 2 Euros!"

"Bread and egg tarts? I might as well come to the base to eat them!"

Quaresma pointed at Jiang Yuan's plate, on which lay half a piece of buttered bread and a steaming egg tart.

“That’s right…”

Jiang Yuan suddenly realized that Quaresma was right. Since it was just bread and egg tarts, it would be better to eat them directly at the base.

With this calculation, it seems that I am the one who is being taken advantage of?
"Let's not talk about this, Jiang, I ran into that Asian guy again on my way home last night."

Quaresma suddenly mentioned it and Jiang Yuan nodded. If nothing unexpected happened, the Asian man Quaresma was talking about was Gao He.

Since Gao He's first visit, he has come to the Gaya training center every week to pick up a box of the freshest Mimosa pure milk in the store.

In fact, Jiang Yuan felt embarrassed to drink the milk that Gao He sent him every day and he refused many times, but there was nothing he could do because Gao He insisted on giving it to him. Now Gao He’s visit every Monday night has become a part of Jiang Yuan’s life in Porto.

"Ricardo, can you do me a favor?"

Jiang Yuan suddenly said.

"Jiang, are you having any trouble?"

Quaresma is not a stingy person. If Jiang Yuan really has something to do, he will certainly help.

Jiang Yuan shook his head: "It's not difficult. I mean, if you want to go shopping in the supermarket in the future, can you give priority to that CSM?"

"What kind of request is that? Oh, that store is owned by that Asian guy, right? I see! Then I will only buy things from that supermarket from now on!"

Quaresma patted his chest and assured him. He thought it was a big deal. It turned out that Jiang Yuan just wanted to support the business of his Chinese compatriot. How could Quaresma not help with such a small matter?
"I was wondering why you can always drink milk that is fresher than the one provided at the training base. Turns out you have an acquaintance who runs a large supermarket!"

Quaresma laughed. He had discovered a month and a half ago that the milk Jiang Yuan drank during meals was always three days fresher than the milk other people had!
Just then, Lopetegui suddenly walked into the cafeteria.

"Jiang, come to my studio. I have something to discuss with you."

"?"

"What did you do?" Quaresma asked the man sitting opposite him puzzledly.

"I do not know……"

Jiang Yuan answered while stuffing the egg tarts on the plate into his mouth.

"Haha, don't choke, maybe Hu Lun wants to praise your performance in the European Youth League!"

……

Lopetegui brought Jiang Yuan to the office and motioned for Jiang Yuan to sit down.

"Mr. Hullen, is there anything I can do for you?"

Lopetegui shook his head. “I just want to know. We received a lot of transfer requests from your country. You should know that, right?”

Jiang Yuan nodded and did not deny what Lopetegui said: "It's clear, Visen told me the first time."

Wisen is the transfer manager of Porto, and Jiang Yuan has only known him for a short time. The reason they know each other is naturally because Jiang Yuan has received transfer applications from many Chinese Super League teams.

"Yes, you do know that, but Vissen told me that you didn't even look at those transfer applications. Can I know why?"

Lopetegui was just curious. After all, Jiang Yuan's behavior was indeed a bit inhumane. Normally, players without agents would look at the transfer applications themselves, but Jiang Yuan, on the other hand, accepted them but didn't look at them.

Jiang Yuan spread his hands, curled his lips, and explained: "I don't think the conditions they offer can satisfy me."

"Haha, kid, do you know that there is a team in your hometown that is willing to offer you three times your current salary? Are you tempted now?"

Jiang Yuan still shook his head: "Mr. Hu Lun, you misunderstood me. The conditions I mentioned refer to the training conditions, not the salary and bonuses. What I need most now is improvement. Now only the training base in Porto can meet my requirements."

"Oh, and Benfica..."

Jiang Yuan thought of the unlucky Charles. It was thanks to the Benfica scout that Jiang Yuan was able to get a new contract.

"Haha, Jiang, tell me the truth, did you change your age?"

Lopetegui raised his eyebrows at Jiang Yuan.

"Mr. Hullen, do I look old?"

Jiang Yuan was speechless.

"No, it's just that when I talk to you, I always feel that you are not like a 16-year-old child. Many adult players don't have the same mentality as you."

Lopetegui was right. Jiang Yuan did not act like a child in either what he said or what he did, especially when he used Charles to give himself a raise, which was simply outrageous.

"Of course I'm not a child, so Mr. Hullen...can I attend the next Champions League game?"

Jiang Yuan asked tentatively. Participating in the Champions League has always been his goal, but until now Lopetegui has not intended to put him on the European war list.

Perhaps it was because Lopetegui felt that Jiang Yuan's small-scale football skills or technical and tactical execution had some flaws, which resulted in Jiang Yuan having to sit on the bench with a football in his arms, like a ball boy, whenever the first team participated in the Champions League.

As expected, upon hearing Jiang Yuan's request, Lopetegui rejected it outright: "Jiang, I don't mean to look down on you. I admit that you have talent..."

"Mr. Hu Lun, my heart is not as fragile as you think. You can tell me directly."

Lopetegui touched his nose and replied somewhat awkwardly: "To tell you the truth, you are not strong enough to participate in the Champions League now. This is a fact. Jiang, I am sorry..."

Unexpectedly, after hearing Lopetegui's rejection, Jiang Yuan did not act too sad. Instead, he blinked his eyes and even looked a little happy?

"Ok?"

Lopetegui frowned, suddenly realized something, and exclaimed: "Asshole, you already knew what I would say, right? Then why are you asking me?"

Jiang Yuan waved his hands repeatedly: "Mr. Hu Lun, I just want your personal confirmation. Of course I know that I am not qualified for the Champions League now. I have seen it clearly on the bench. The difference between the Champions League and the Portuguese Super League is still very obvious. My current strength can only be barely regarded as a qualified substitute."

When it comes to the game, Lopetegui has a lot to talk about. He opened the notebook beside him and asked, "Jiang, do you know why you are not as good as Jackson in the left winger position?"

Captain Jackson Martinez can be said to be the absolute main force of Porto's first team. Even when Jiang Yuan comes on as a substitute, he sometimes has to play as a right winger, because Martinez on the left is so important.

Jiang Yuan lowered his head and thought seriously for a while. Lopetegui asked, "Well, have you figured it out?"

"I don't understand... maybe I can start as well?"

"..."

Lopetegui was stunned for a moment, then lay back in his chair: "Jiang, you are thinking about the Champions League and starting at the same time. You are only 16 years old. Even 26-year-old players are not as anxious as you!"

Hearing Lopetegui's complaints, Jiang Yuan's cheeks turned slightly red, and he replied awkwardly: "Mr. Hu Lun, I also have my own difficulties."

Hearing this, Lopetegui raised his eyebrows: "Difficulties? What difficulties can a 16-year-old child like you have?"

"Mr. Hu Lun, I am different from the other young players in the team. The countries they come from are all football powers. One more or one less talented player is of no concern to those countries, because there are so many young stars in these countries..."

"But I'm different. I'm the only one from my country playing in the Portuguese Super League. Thousands or even tens of thousands of people are watching my games. I don't want to disappoint them. I want to get stronger faster..."

After listening carefully to what the Chinese guy in front of him said, Lopetegui sighed: "Ah... Sorry, Jiang, I really didn't consider these things..."

Lopetegui feels extremely guilty now. It turns out there is a reason why Jiang Yuan trains so hard. Countless fans across the country place their hopes on him. This feeling can only be understood by those who have experienced it.

"Jiang, does your country have other talented young players besides you?"

Jiang Yuan thought for a moment and replied, "According to our standards, there are many talented players; but if you look at it from your standards, Mr. Hu Lun, I'm sorry, there are none."

"..."

When the bloody reality lay before him, Lopetegui realized the helplessness of a small football nation.

"Jiang, I apologize to you for what I said before..."

"Mr. Hullen, I'm used to it. Compared to this, I want to hear you explain why I'm not as good as Jackson. You know, it's very important for me to understand the gap between me and the starting players."

……

(End of this chapter)