"You should count yourself lucky. This is the mildest kind of fracture. In a sense, it does not even qualify as a true fracture."
"But you will still need two to three weeks to recover. To be safe, you will not be able to play in the first group-stage match."
"Do not worry. Our first opponent is the weakest team in the group."
As soon as he reported to the Spanish national team, Leo Lin underwent an examination by the team's chief physician.
"But judging from the report provided by Liverpool's medical staff, how are you recovering so quickly?"
The Spanish chief physician, Dici, was astonished. Leo Lin's recovery speed appeared to be two or even three times that of an average person.
Dici had encountered a player like this before.
Years ago, he treated Roberto Baggio for a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
At the time, Dici had estimated a recovery period of six months.
However, from surgery to getting out of bed, and then to running at full speed, Baggio took only 38 days.
Dici would never forget the sight of Baggio running on the 38th day. Goosebumps spread across his arms instantly.
For a medical expert, such a recovery was so extraordinary that it even made Dici question whether Baggio had turned into something inhuman.
There was another medical case that shook the entire field of sports medicine and led to widespread scrutiny of existing rehabilitation systems.
NBA player Russell Westbrook suffered a severe hand fracture, far more serious than Leo Lin's current minor fracture.
At the time, his personal team doctor estimated a recovery period of around three months. Yet just 20 days later, Westbrook was already back on the court playing normally.
Yes, only 20 days.
And now, Leo Lin was displaying a similarly terrifying rate of recovery.
Dici did not know why, but Leo Lin could vaguely sense it.
He could clearly feel his arm healing at an astonishing speed, and he suspected the system was playing a role.
Leo Lin had always felt that his system did not just provide skills and templates. It also seemed to nurture his body to a certain extent.
On June 15, all players arrived at the training base. In fact, only the Spanish players who had participated in the Champions League arrived last. The rest had already gathered earlier to prepare for the upcoming World Cup.
The attention of the entire world was focused on this quadrennial football spectacle. The host nation, Russia, had built and renovated numerous top-tier modern stadiums for the tournament.
Eleven cities. Twelve magnificent stadiums, all ready to welcome fans from around the world.
Luzhniki Stadium, the venue for the opening ceremony and the final.
Saint Petersburg Stadium, one of the semifinal venues.
Spartak Stadium, one of the Round of 16 venues.
Volgograd Arena, Mordovia Arena, Kazan Arena by the Kazan River...
Twelve great battlegrounds, waiting for the arrival of every warrior.
Just as all teams were intensifying their preparations, shocking news broke out of nowhere.
Marca front-page headline: "Zidane Announces Resignation as Real Madrid Manager. Spain Coach Lopetegui to Take Over After the World Cup!"
As soon as the news broke, the Spanish Football Federation was furious.
They had been the last to find out. At such a critical moment, Lopetegui publicly announced that he would step down after the World Cup, completely throwing Spain's plans into chaos.
After privately negotiating with Real Madrid, Lopetegui unilaterally agreed to take over the club and replace Zidane. From start to finish, neither Lopetegui nor Real Madrid informed the Spanish Football Federation at any point before reaching an agreement.
The federation had been kept entirely in the dark until Marca obtained the exclusive scoop and published it on their front page.
Yes, the news had even been sold as an exclusive to Marca. The Spanish Football Federation only learned about it at the very end.
With the World Cup about to begin, such an announcement inevitably unsettled fans.
If Lopetegui had already secured his next job, would he truly give everything for Spain in this tournament?
After all, when someone already has their next position lined up, it is far easier to coast through the remaining time than to push themselves to the limit.
And without the pressure of results, while one might feel more relaxed, it can also dull the hunger for victory.
What angered Spanish fans the most was Lopetegui's behavior of chasing a better opportunity while still holding onto his current role. He had found a richer prize and cast aside what he already had.
The Spanish Fans Association immediately issued a statement, calling Lopetegui a liar and declaring that they would no longer support the national team under his leadership.
Spanish Football Federation President Rubiales immediately convened an emergency meeting.
"This is unacceptable!"
"Let him continue leading Spain through the World Cup?"
"What does he take us for. A backup option? Something disposable?"
"He did not even inform us about taking the Real Madrid job. He announced it himself first!"
Rubiales was furious.
"I did not call this emergency meeting to discuss."
"I am here to inform you."
"We are changing the head coach immediately!"
"I have already contacted the legend Hierro. He will lead Spain in our World Cup campaign!"
Rubiales was livid. He ordered Lopetegui and his coaching staff to pack their belongings and leave the Spanish training base immediately.
Spanish legend Hierro, a Real Madrid icon and a versatile player across defense and midfield, possessed extensive experience in major tournaments.
Upon receiving the call, Hierro accepted without hesitation. For the sake of his national team, he could not refuse.
At the same time, Hierro reached out to three close friends. In the end, a legendary four-man Spanish coaching team was formed.
Head coach Hierro. Assistant coaches Barcelona legend Xavi, Real Madrid legend Raúl, and Barcelona legend David Villa.
The four quickly assembled, rushed to the Spanish training base, and officially took charge of preparations for the World Cup.
The news spread like wildfire. Even with four Spanish legends in charge, media outlets and fans remained pessimistic about Spain's prospects.
In pre-tournament fan polls, Spain's chances of winning the title dropped to fourteenth place. Drawn in the same group as Portugal and Morocco, as many as 19 percent of neutral fans believed Spain would not even make it out of the group stage.
Derek Rae sighed in a special segment.
"Spain. Time is not on their side."
"A last-minute change of coach is a major tactical taboo."