CHAPTER 435: TODAY’S AGENDA

Richard definitely had no intention of changing anything about this so-called Super League idea. He wasn’t particularly invested in it—just curious about the whole affair. So, when the invitation eventually came knocking at his door, of course he said yes.

However, after listening to what was being discussed, he quickly grew bored. In the end, he didn’t say a single word about the proposal. After all, this meeting was merely an "exploratory discussion," and it was destined to go nowhere.

Supposedly, several major corporate sponsors—most notably Adidas, Telepiù, Canal+, and Sky Italia—were expected to be involved. But since Adidas was now under Richard’s control after acquiring it from Tapie, he decided to withdraw Adidas’ participation from the controversial event.

Thankfully, no one dared to bring up the reason why Adidas had withdrawn from the project. Perhaps the elites in the room were too proud to mention it, and for that, Richard was quietly grateful. Still, just because he chose not to participate didn’t mean he did nothing.

Richard sent a text message: "They’re demanding a bigger share of UEFA’s growing broadcasting and sponsorship profits."

In fact, while the meeting was still ongoing, Richard decided to return a favor to Lennart Johansson, who had allowed him onto the pitch during the Champions League final. To him, this so-called "future of football" talk was complete nonsense. At the end of the day, it all came down to money. The club owners wanted freedom over kit deals and sponsorships, while the sponsors sought exclusive partnerships and event branding.

As the meeting was about to conclude, Richard sent one final message: "If you promise to reform the Champions League to satisfy the big clubs, they’ll probably back off—for now. But if they stay stubborn, warn them that any breakaway league would lead to bans from domestic competitions and international play."

’Hopefully, this will help you become UEFA President,’ Richard thought as he put his phone away. With that matter settled, it was finally time to sit back and enjoy the World Cup.

The 1998 FIFA World Cup was in full swing in France. For the first time, the tournament featured 32 teams instead of 24, promising more excitement, memorable matches, and dramatic upsets. Fans around the world were glued to their screens as legendary players showcased their talent on the grandest stage.

Yet, for England, the World Cup quickly became a source of frustration and heartbreak. Even before the tournament had concluded, the nation found itself engulfed in anger, disappointment, and a search for someone to blame.

The defining moment came in the Round of 16 clash against Argentina. In a critical moment, David Beckham, then only 23 and emerging as one of England’s brightest stars, was sent off in the 47th minute after a heated clash with Diego Simeone. England, now down to 10 men, were vulnerable, and Argentina seized the opportunity, scoring both of their goals during Beckham’s absence.

Despite the setback, England showed resilience, managing to draw level and force a penalty shootout. But in the end, they fell 4–3 in penalties, bringing their World Cup campaign to a bitter close.

Beckham’s red card triggered a storm of criticism. He became the focus of abusive letters, relentless media scrutiny, and public outrage. Overnight, a rising star became a national scapegoat, his talent overshadowed by one moment of misfortune.

After the match, Beckham went straight to the United States, while the British media’s criticism of him continued to escalate. Even when France decisively defeated Brazil to win the final, the media’s condemnation of Beckham showed no signs of stopping.

Richard had enjoyed his time in France, but as soon as the World Cup concluded, so did his holiday. Before returning to Manchester, however, he made sure to congratulate Zidane, Makélélé, Henry, and Pires, and to console Ronaldo and the others. The topic of Beckham inevitably came up.

"Nope," Richard shook his head when asked about it.

Before the tournament even began, the British media had been buzzing about a new generation of English football stars—players who could make their mark on the world stage. Names like Emile Heskey, Paul Scholes, and Michael Owen were highlighted as rising talents. But when the tournament ended, public opinion shifted, and Beckham became the focal point of England’s crushing defeat.

"If you’re asking about that red card," Richard said, "I see no issue. Beckham did retaliate, and the referee’s decision was entirely justified."

Makélélé, curious, interjected, "How do you view Diego Simeone’s exaggerated fall?"

Richard considered for a moment before replying, "That has nothing to do with what Simeone did. The nature of Beckham’s foul was clearly a red card offense. Think of it like being mugged on the street—I might only get a scrape, but if I scream in pain, am I wrong? Exaggerating the injury doesn’t change the fact that I was attacked."

"So, should Beckham be held fully accountable for England’s defeat?"

Richard chuckled, shaking his head. "I don’t think so. You know, the media can be so strange. When he didn’t play in the group stages, everyone blamed Hoddle for not giving him a chance. Then he plays, makes a mistake, and suddenly he’s the scapegoat. Every club has a coach and eleven players on the pitch; winning isn’t solely about one player, and losing isn’t either. No one should take all the blame. It’s the same here with you all. When you’re here, I’ll make sure to protect you at all costs. That’s my promise to you. Of course, on the pitch it’s a different story—but off it, I’ve got your back."

Some nodded thoughtfully, while others remained silent, unsure of how to respond to what Richard had said.

"There are rumors that Beckham will leave England this summer," Zidane said suddenly, surprising everyone.

"Impossible!"

However, that remark got an unexpected response from Richard. Sensing every eye turning toward him, he cleared his throat.

"I mean, that’s impossible. Ferguson won’t let him go, and I believe staying at Manchester United is the best thing for his growth and development. But first, let’s end the discussion on Beckham," Richard said, glancing toward the restaurant door as three men entered.

"All right, lads. Enjoy your holiday, and I expect you to come back fit and ready. But before that, let me introduce you to someone," Richard said, standing to greet them.

First, he embraced his dear friend Fay Loan, who now served as Vice CEO at Rover Group, after Maddox Auto was dissolved and its brands—Austin, Morris, Triumph, Wolseley, and MG—were sold to the Phoenix Consortium. With the remaining brands, Rover could now focus entirely on Rover and Mini.

Richard smiled warmly at Fay. "Good to see you. How have you been?"

Fay’s eyes narrowed in mock scolding, worry still evident. "I’m supposed to be the one asking that. I hear you’ve been running yourself ragged. You know you need to take care of your body," he said, especially mindful of Richard’s previous injuries.

After greeting Fay, Richard turned to the other two men: Alan Mulally, CEO of Rover Group, and Robert Louis-Dreyfus, CEO of Adidas.

"Now, before you head off on your holiday, let me properly introduce you. You probably already know Fay, since she’s often been to the dormitory. But these two are new faces. This is Alan, CEO of Rover Group, and Robert, CEO of Adidas."

The players nodded as they approached the three, though they looked somewhat confused by the unexpected visit.

The first to speak was Alan Mulally of Rover Group. "First of all, congratulations on winning the Premier League and the Champions League. Your performances this season have been outstanding."

He paused, letting the words sink in, before continuing with a proud smile. "To celebrate your achievements—and to show our appreciation—we at Rover want to give each of you a brand-new Range Rover. Fully customized, with your name and number engraved, as a token of recognition for your hard work and dedication."

The players’ eyes widened in surprise. Richard stepped forward, clapping his hands lightly. "You heard him, lads. This isn’t just about the cars—it’s about recognizing your commitment and excellence on the pitch. And trust me, the story behind this gift is just as special as the car itself."

Mulally smiled again. "Consider it both a reward and a celebration of the incredible season you’ve had. And of course, Robert here from Adidas has a few surprises of his own for you as well."

Robert Louis-Dreyfus stepped forward, a warm smile on his face. "And now, from Adidas, we wanted to celebrate your achievements in a way that suits champions like you."

He gestured to a table behind him, where several boxes were opened to reveal prototype, limited-edition Adidas Predator boots. "These are custom-made for each of you, designed to commemorate your Premier League and Champions League victories. Every pair is engraved with your name and squad number, and the kits are from our newest line, specially tailored for performance and comfort."

The players’ eyes widened again, some even laughing in disbelief.

"This... is insane!" Capdevilla muttered.

Robert continued, "We want you to wear these on the pitch as a reminder—not just of your victories, but of the hard work, discipline, and teamwork that got you here. And, of course, we hope they inspire even greater achievements in the seasons to come."

Of course, not everyone agreed with the decision. Many criticized the sudden halt of Rover 100 production, seeing it as costly and disruptive, while others praised Richard for prioritizing safety and brand integrity over short-term profits. Still, Richard’s decision forced Mulally to think creatively about how to regain public trust and reposition Rover as a premium, reliable brand.

That’s when Richard came up with a bold idea: where would be the best place to market the car to reach every audience that traditional ads couldn’t touch?

Not only would it provide high-profile exposure, but gifting the cars to the players also tied emotion and achievement to both parties. Rover could showcase its attention to detail and premium craftsmanship, reinforcing the brand’s image after the Rover 100 fiasco.

As for Adidas, the timing couldn’t have been better. The brand had just released its newest innovation — the Predator Accelerator.

And really, who better to promote a football boot than the players themselves?

Richard saw the perfect opportunity. Instead of relying on flashy commercials or staged photo shoots, he believed that authenticity sold best.

"Ronaldo, come here."

The Brazilian star looked up in surprise. The room quieted slightly as all eyes turned toward him. Though taken aback, he rose from his seat and walked over to where Richard stood.

"For our global superstar of the tournament," Richard began with a small smile, "I think this one deserves something a little different."

Behind him, Dreyfus’s assistant stepped forward carrying a black velvet case embossed with the silver Adidas logo. Inside lay a special pair of boots — midnight black streaked with deep gold, and along the heel, in delicate engraving, were the letters: "R9."

With four goals and three assists, Ronaldo had led Brazil all the way to the final. Even though they didn’t win the championship, this was still his tournament — his fire, his brilliance, his redemption.

Richard then turned and presented another pair — white with royal blue accents, elegant yet powerful. Inside the collar was the phrase "Maître du Jeu" — Master of the Game.

Zidane chuckled softly, shaking his head as he accepted them. "If I wear these," he said, half-joking, "I might have to score three next time."

Richard grinned. "Then consider it a challenge."

After that, Richard presented the rest of the boots to all the Manchester City players — each pair personalized, each a symbol of recognition and pride.