Two days before June arrived, the five major European leagues finally came to an end.
In La Liga, Barcelona lifted the title with 87 points, finishing 11 points ahead of Atlético Madrid and 19 clear of Real Madrid.
Messi finished top of the scoring charts with 36 league goals, while Benzema came second, carrying most of Madrid's attacking burden through a difficult season.
As for Real Madrid's former coach, Santiago Solari, he had already been dismissed in March, with Zidane returning for his second spell in charge.
Unfortunately, Real Madrid had dropped far too many points early in the season, and even Zidane's famous touch of "football magic" could not drag them back into the title race against Barcelona and Atlético.
At least they managed to keep their Champions League qualification.
That meant they would have another chance to chase the big European trophy next season.
In Serie A, Juventus won the league title without much surprise, but Cristiano Ronaldo still drew plenty of attention.
He failed to maintain his usual frightening scoring efficiency, ending the campaign with 21 goals and finishing fourth in the scoring charts.
The Capocannoniere went instead to Sampdoria's Fabio Quagliarella.
The old fox was two years older than Cristiano Ronaldo, yet somehow still scored 26 league goals, although nine of them came from penalties.
In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich nearly slipped, finishing only two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund.
One of the biggest stories of the season was Jadon Sancho, who had performed brilliantly after breaking into Dortmund's first team in 2017.
This season, he delivered 13 goals and 18 assists, and naturally, that kind of output attracted attention from several top clubs.
After Dortmund's final league match against Borussia Mönchengladbach, a reporter asked Sancho a question that had been floating around football media for a while.
"Both you and Jeremy Ling came through Manchester academies, and both of you started as wide players on opposite flanks. Some fans have even started calling you 'Little Jeremy Ling.' What do you think about that nickname?"
Sancho smiled.
"Manchester United is a great club, and Ling is an outstanding player. A lot of young players look up to him, myself included."
He paused, then added with a grin, "And honestly, I like the nickname. I want to become like Ling, helping my team win trophies while proving my own value along the way."
Then he looked into the camera and joked, "Maybe we'll become teammates one day. I've heard the food at Manchester United's cafeteria is pretty good. I'd like to try it sometime."
The clip spread quickly.
📱 @BVBWatch ✔
Jadon Sancho asked about being called "Little Jeremy Ling": "I like the nickname." Interesting words from one of Europe's brightest young talents. 👀
| ↳ 📱 @UnitedFront7
| Reply: Ling, call the transfer department right now. Don't let this one get away.
| ↳ 📱 @DortmundYouthLab
| Reply: You lot already have half a squad of attackers. Let him eat properly in Dortmund first.
| ↳ 📱 @CafeteriaScout
| Reply: Sancho choosing clubs based on the canteen. Proper football heritage.
📱 @LingEraDaily ✔
Sancho openly admiring Ling is crazy when you remember they're both products of Manchester's academy scene. Imagine them on the same team one day. 🔴⚡
| ↳ 📱 @MahrezLeftFoot
| Reply: United already have Mahrez in his prime and Lingard on the bench. Where is Sancho even playing?
| ↳ 📱 @FutureBallonDorTalk
| Reply: Talent like Sancho doesn't stay available forever. You sign him first and figure out the rest later.
Many people tagged Ling under the video, urging him to push Manchester United's transfer department into action.
Young attacking talents were rare, and a winger like Sancho would not stay outside the reach of Europe's superclubs for long.
Ling almost laughed when he saw the comments.
Sancho really did seem to have an obsession with cafeterias.
But Manchester United were not short on attacking options right now.
Mahrez was still in his prime, Lingard could rotate in when needed, and the squad already had enough forward depth to survive the season.
There was no need to go through all the trouble of signing Sancho.
Let the "Cafeteria King" keep growing at Dortmund for now.
There was not much drama in Ligue 1 either.
PSG did not stumble this time and comfortably secured the league title.
Fresh from winning the World Cup, Mbappé also claimed the scoring crown with 27 goals, beating Lacazette, while his market value soared to 190 million euros.
During this period, Ling also opened the FA Cup champion's reward from the system.
A platinum treasure chest.
[Van Persie "Volley" Module!]
There was an old joke in football: Van Persie did not need to control the ball.
Watch his goal compilations, and you would quickly notice that many of his most beautiful finishes involved almost no first touch at all. He adjusted in an extremely short window and struck the ball directly, producing a high-quality shot before the defender or goalkeeper had fully reacted.
It looked effortless, but it was anything but simple.
Footwork, posture, timing, power, contact point — all of it mattered.
A volley was not just a swing of the leg. It was a decision made before the ball arrived, a small act of prediction, balance, and instinct.
And instinct was the hardest part to teach.
Football was beautiful not only because of carefully calculated tactics, but also because of those sudden flashes of inspiration that seemed to come from nowhere.
Perhaps even Van Persie himself could not fully explain how he did it.
After all, in front of absolute talent, rules had a habit of bending.
Ling practised ten extra sets of volleys that very day.
But mechanical, non-contact training could not truly recreate the feeling.
No empty training pitch could reproduce the chaos of a match, the defender closing in, the goalkeeper shifting his weight, the crowd roaring, the ball dropping at an awkward height.
Perhaps that kind of inspiration could only spark under real pressure.
...
Evening.
Carrington Training Ground.
"Is this our second time going to the Wanda Metropolitano?" Mahrez asked, leaning against his locker in the changing room.
"Yeah," Maguire said with a mischievous grin. "Last time was during the Champions League group stage. We practically turned the Wanda into a library."
Everyone knew that the tension between Atlético Madrid and Manchester United was not limited to the football itself.
After all, in the long history of the sport, there had not been many matches that ended with a full-blown brawl after the final whistle.
"Will the Atlético fans boo us?" De Gea suddenly asked.
"Doesn't matter," Ling said, interlocking his fingers behind his head. "It's not like we haven't been booed before."
He was not too worried about the atmosphere. Hostile stadiums were part of football, and if anything, they usually made him sharper.
What concerned him more was United's defensive structure.
Because Kanté had already played for Chelsea in Europe that season, he could not appear for Manchester United in the Champions League final.
That single absence immediately weakened United's midfield and defensive strength by a significant level.
In the FA Cup final against Manchester City, if Kanté had not delivered such an outstanding performance, United might never have lifted the trophy at Wembley.
Mourinho and the coaching staff had prepared in advance, of course.
Over the past few days, they had spent plenty of time discussing tactical solutions with the players.
But theory was one thing.
A Champions League final against Manchester City was another.
Ling was still a little worried.
"I heard City have prepared some secret weapon," David Luiz said, his eyes lighting up with gossip.
"Ling, since you're so close to Guardiola's daughter, anything you can share?"
"What could there be?" Ling snapped back. "You think I'd ask about their tactics? That's espionage."
Not only did he not know, but even if he did, he would not say it.
Some lines could not be crossed.
"Relax, I'm joking," David Luiz said with a laugh.
Then his tone became more serious. "But you should still be careful. We've beaten City so many times this season, and most of those wins came from your goals. Your future father-in-law must have some feelings about that. Better prepare yourself."
At this, Maguire's eyes suddenly brightened.
"Ling, since you saved my sister last time, Daisy wants to invite you to dinner and thank you properly in person. I was wondering if—"
"Everyone on the team went to the police station that night," Ling interrupted before Maguire could finish. "If she wants to invite someone to dinner, she should invite everyone. Inviting only one person wouldn't be appropriate."
Then he glanced at De Gea.
"Right, David?"
De Gea immediately understood and nodded quickly.
"Exactly. If she's inviting people, she should invite the whole team. And Harry should be the one paying."
"I know a great restaurant in Madrid," Lingard joined in at once. "A little expensive, but Harry's salary should survive."
The dressing room immediately came alive with teasing, and Maguire could only sigh in defeat.
Ling quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Leaving aside the fact that he already had a girlfriend, Daisy's face really did resemble Maguire's far too much.
Just thinking about it made him feel like he could not possibly develop any interest, even with his eyes closed.
Of course, that was not a judgment on appearance.
Absolutely not.
After enough time had passed, Mourinho walked into the dressing room and waved his hand.
"Let's go, lads. Madrid is waiting. Final match of the season."
...
Manchester was roughly 1,230 kilometres from Madrid.
Manchester City had money to burn, and with Etihad Airways among their sponsors, they travelled for matches in private jets as naturally as most people took taxis.
Manchester United's American owners were much more careful with money.
Still, they were not going to make the first team take a regular flight before a Champions League final.
Chartering a private jet was not a problem.
Ling even briefly considered buying one himself. It would certainly make travel much more convenient, no matter where he wanted to go.
But the thing was simply too expensive.
He sat by the window, watching the ground fall away beneath him until the clouds swallowed the view.
His phone suddenly buzzed.
📱 Jorge Mendes: Florentino Pérez reached out to me. He wants to meet you after the match.
Ling glanced at the message and turned off his phone without a second thought.
Mendes had a good relationship with Real Madrid.
Pepe, Marcelo, Cristiano Ronaldo — several major transfers had been connected to him in one way or another.
When Florentino came knocking, Mendes could not easily pretend he had not heard it. There was always a certain amount of social obligation in football.
But Ling had no relationship with Florentino.
So he felt no pressure at all.
Unfortunately, the news somehow leaked, and the Spanish media quickly began building a story around it.
According to them, Manchester United's number 7 was simply following tradition: once he had won enough in England, he would eventually join Real Madrid, just like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo before him.
The idea immediately excited Madridistas.
Some Real Madrid fans even organized themselves to go to the airport, ready to welcome their "future player" in advance.
📰 MARCA: Florentino Eyes the New King of Old Trafford — Could Jeremy Ling Be Madrid's Next Galáctico?
📰 AS: From Beckham to Cristiano to Ling? Real Madrid Dream of Another Manchester United No. 7
📰 Madrid Sports: White Shirts Gather at Barajas Airport — Madridistas Prepare Welcome for United's Captain
📰 Manchester Evening News: United Fans Furious as Spanish Media Push Jeremy Ling-to-Madrid Narrative Before Champions League Final
📰 Sky Sports: Mendes Message Sparks Transfer Storm — Real Madrid Interest in Ling Dominates Final Build-Up
A little over two hours later, the plane descended from the sky and landed at Barajas Airport.
Ling stepped out wearing a dark suit and sunglasses, only to be almost startled by the scene waiting outside.
'What the hell?'
Behind the barriers, a fan was holding up a Real Madrid shirt with "LING — 7" printed on the back.
The truly ridiculous part was that the fan tried to slip it onto him!
What was this supposed to be?
A Barcelona-style trick? Put the shirt on him once, and suddenly he belonged to you?
The Manchester United fans nearby were not having it.
Ling was someone they had watched grow from the academy to the first team, from a promising youngster into the iconic number 7, from a teenager with talent into a captain carrying responsibility.
Bang, bang, bang!
In the blink of an eye, the Real Madrid fan disappeared into a wave of United supporters.
The Madrid fans on the outer edge were not happy either.
Two groups of supporters who had no real history with each other suddenly erupted into a fierce clash.
"Go, go, go!"
Security hurried the Manchester United players onto the team bus, almost forgetting Mourinho at the back.
Only after the bus had pulled away did the crowd gradually begin to settle down.
Inside the bus, Maguire patted his chest with lingering fear.
"Bloody hell, Spanish fans are insane. Thank God that didn't involve us."
Then he turned toward Ling in the back row.
"Ling, you're not leaving, are you?"
"Leaving my ass," Ling replied lazily. "I'm the boss at United, earning top wages with a squad full of loyal teammates. Why would I go to Real Madrid just to play second fiddle?"
Mahrez grinned and gave him a look.
"Ling, don't take this the wrong way, but by age, you're actually the youngest here."
"Whatever."
Ling scoffed.
If they really went by actual age, he would be the oldest one on the bus.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Mourinho gave the players a few instructions, then allowed them to rest.
Training was scheduled for the following day.
...
The pre-final training sessions were held at the Wanda Metropolitano.
When the players from both teams met again, there was no obvious tension. Instead, they greeted one another with handshakes and hugs.
Perhaps that was the strange camaraderie between men.
A fight side by side, even once, could forge a bond of its own.
Of course, there was not much conversation beyond that. Their loyalties were still different, and in three days, they would be enemies again.
The Champions League trophy.
The big-eared cup.
The symbol of the very peak of European football, the dream every club chased and only one could lift each year.
No one would give it up.
No one would step aside.
For that trophy, both teams would give every last ounce of strength they had.
The sun rose and set, repeating the cycle three times.
...
At last, the day of the Champions League final arrived.
June 1, 2019.
The 64th Champions League final was about to begin.
Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Fans from every corner of the world packed the stadium to bursting.
Red and blue dominated the stands, and at first glance, the place felt less like Madrid and more like Manchester had been lifted from England and dropped into the Spanish capital.
Before the players of either team had even arrived, football legends were already appearing one after another.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Wenger, Zidane, Allegri, and several other famous managers were caught by the cameras as they entered the stadium.
Naturally, reporters rushed to ask for their thoughts on the final.
🎙️ Sir Alex Ferguson:
"Manchester United will not lose. Manchester City will not win."
🎙️ Arsène Wenger:
"Both teams have the quality to become champions. Arsenal's coach next season? Sorry, I don't know either."
🎙️ Zinedine Zidane:
"Will Ling come to Real Madrid? The best club in the world should always want the best players. If Ling wants more honours and more championships, there is no reason to refuse a great club."
🎙️ Massimiliano Allegri:
"Cristiano Ronaldo gives us the confidence to win every competition. Next season, I will prove that statement true."
Their comments immediately added more fuel to the fire.
📰 MARCA: Zidane Opens the Door: "The Best Club Should Have the Best Players" — Madrid Dream of Ling Grows Louder
📰 AS: Ferguson Sends Final Warning to City: "United Will Not Lose"
📰 Manchester Evening News: Sir Alex Backs United Before All-Manchester Champions League Final
📰 La Gazzetta dello Sport: Allegri Defiant: Juventus and Ronaldo Ready to Strike Back Next Season
📱 @UCLFinalWatch ✔
Sir Alex just said "United will not lose, City will not win." That's a prophecy. 🔴
| ↳ 📱 @CityzensBlueMoon
| Reply: Every time that man speaks before a derby, I feel my blood pressure rise.
| ↳ 📱 @OldTraffordFaithful
| Reply: The boss has spoken. Pack it up.
📱 @MadridistaCentral ✔
Zidane talking about Ling and Real Madrid before a Champions League final hosted in Madrid? Florentino is cooking something. ⚪
| ↳ 📱 @UnitedNo7Era
| Reply: Keep dreaming. He already said he's the boss at United.
| ↳ 📱 @GalacticoMarket
| Reply: Beckham said similar things. Cristiano said similar things. Madrid waits.
📱 @NeutralTactico ✔
This final has everything: United's sextuple chase, City's revenge mission, Guardiola vs Mourinho, Ling transfer rumours, and Sir Alex dropping one-line curses on live TV.
| ↳ 📱 @FootballScripted
| Reply: Writers went too far this season. Needs nerfing.
The atmosphere around the Wanda Metropolitano grew thicker with every passing minute.
The final had not even kicked off yet, but the storylines were already colliding.
United wanted the sextuple.
City wanted revenge.
Guardiola wanted the Champions League.
Mourinho wanted one more masterpiece of survival and cruelty.
And Jeremy Ling, Manchester United's number 7, walked into Madrid with the whole football world watching!