"The purpose of this full-squad meeting is to prepare for the upcoming European Championship."
"Although the European Championship qualifiers aren't over yet, we need to start preparing ahead of time."
"After winning the World Cup, the fans' expectations of us became far too high. Before the last World Cup began, the fans ranked our chances of winning only ninth among all participating teams."
"But this European Championship hasn't even started yet, and the fans are already predicting that we have the highest chance of winning. More than half of them even believe we're the favorites to lift the trophy."
After the match against Barcelona, Leo Lin and Hierro rushed together to the meeting venue. As part of their preparations for the European Championship, Spain would be holding a full national team meeting.
Because so many players had only recently been called up, Hierro felt it was necessary to hold a mobilization meeting and make these young newcomers understand exactly what the European Championship meant.
"So at this meeting, you, Sergio Ramos, and Rodri, who has just been named the team's third captain, will all speak. We need to make our minimum target for this European Championship clear, and the whole purpose of this meeting is to focus on how we're going to reach that target."
On the plane, Hierro told Leo Lin everything he needed to prepare.
Rodri had never dreamed that not only would he be selected for the national team, he would become the team's third captain so quickly, behind only Sergio Ramos and Leo Lin.
He was shocked, but it was also connected to Spain's complete squad overhaul.
In the European Championship squad list Hierro had currently drafted, 60% of the players were newcomers who had either never been called up before or had only been called up once or twice.
Hierro and the coaching staff had also made it clear that veterans like Busquets could no longer be used as starters in the next European Championship. Otherwise, Spain's results would definitely suffer.
Because of that, focusing on developing young players had become an extremely important task.
After arriving in Spain, Rodri and Leo Lin rested at the hotel that night, and many of the young players came over to chat.
Gayà was the most active. He stayed in Leo Lin's room and had no intention of leaving.
The young Real Sociedad winger Oyarzabal, Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea, and several others were all in Leo Lin's room. De Gea even started a livestream to interact with Spanish fans.
Although Leo Lin played for Liverpool and De Gea played for Manchester United, the two had a very good relationship in private. Leo Lin had always admired De Gea's Goalkeeper Save ability.
"There's a comment here for the captain. Lin, who do you think is stronger, Alisson or De Gea?"
Gayà's eyes were sharp, and he quickly caught an interesting comment.
At any other time, Leo Lin would have said Alisson without hesitation, because Alisson was his teammate.
But right now, De Gea was sitting right beside him, looking at him with an incredibly affectionate gaze. That gaze carried such burning hope that it was obvious he wanted Leo Lin to pick him.
No matter how hard-hearted Leo Lin was, faced with that look and that expression from De Gea, he definitely could not say Alisson's name without feeling guilty.
"Well, I think they're both very strong goalkeepers. But if I really have to say who's stronger, then it has to be me."
"You definitely haven't seen me play in goal. Maybe one day I'll take Alisson's spot at the club, then take De Gea's spot with Spain, and put both of them under my feet!"
Gayà burst out laughing. Only after reading the comment did he realize it might have been a little inappropriate, but he had not expected Leo Lin to defuse the question so easily.
Defender Hermoso and Barcelona midfielder Roberto were also sitting beside Leo Lin. Roberto was the team's fourth captain. Hierro had originally only planned to choose three captains, but he felt Roberto was suitable as well.
The players kept gathering in Leo Lin's room, and everyone chatted happily until Hierro led the coaching staff over and called them all out.
Spain's coaching staff was also being officially restructured. Of the original members, only Hierro, Xavi, and Zubizarreta remained. The fourth new coach would be announced at this meeting.
He was another football legend, Rijkaard.
When Rijkaard appeared, the Spanish players were a little surprised. After all, he was the only member of this coaching staff who was not Spanish.
But Hierro had put in a great deal of effort to bring Rijkaard in. He hoped Rijkaard could help improve the understanding between Spain's Defensive Midfielders and defenders.
The meeting officially began, and Leo Lin and the other captains sat in the front row.
Rijkaard first introduced himself, hoping to integrate into the team as quickly as possible.
"Hello, everyone. I'm very happy to have received the invitation from the Spanish Football Association and to officially join the coaching staff."
"In the future, I'll serve as the midfield and defense coach. I'll work to improve the coordination between the midfield and back line, and I hope we can work well together going forward."
Rijkaard kept his words brief and direct. Leo Lin led the applause, very happy to see the team's coaching staff strengthened further.
Next, Hierro began announcing the players' minimum target for the upcoming European Championship. Originally, he had wanted to set the minimum target at the quarterfinals, but because the fans' expectations for the reigning World Cup champions were simply too high, Hierro raised the target to the semifinals.
"I don't want to put pressure on any of you, but I want you to understand this. Our mission at the next European Championship is to reach the semifinals. At the very least, we must make the final four!"
"To achieve that goal, I need you to show a more grounded attitude toward training at your clubs. You still have more than a year to grow."
"I can't guarantee that all of you will be selected for the next European Championship squad. The strong survive. That has always been the way of the football world."
"So be ready. If you want to play in the European Championship, if you want to win the European Championship, then show me your growth!"
"Now, let's invite the members of the new captaincy group to speak. Through the speeches of these four captains, you'll understand exactly what you need to do over the next year or so."
"Two of these four captains have won the World Cup, and one of them was even the best player at the last World Cup!"
Sergio Ramos and the other three walked onto the stage. First to speak was first captain Sergio Ramos, and his speech was simple.
"Winning the European Championship is no easier than winning the World Cup. There are many strong football teams in Europe, so you must grow as quickly as possible. The best way to do that is to fight for more playing time at your clubs."
"In a top-level tournament like this, we need elite members. We don't need players who are just along for the ride."
"Every member of the first team, whether you start or sit on the bench, has to be clear on one thing. You must be good enough to be called an elite player."
"Only then will you be qualified to represent this team at the European Championship!"
...
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