Leaving Barcelona
"Loan me to play in the Bundesliga?"
Enrique came out of the office just before the end of the training match, his face stern.
As soon as he came out, he found Lin and directly informed him of the club's arrangement.
"Yes, I and the rest of the coaching staff are in agreement that you need high-level matches to grow faster!" Enrique said gravely.
"The first team currently doesn't have a spot for you, so we can only loan you to play in another league."
Perhaps feeling that the explanation wasn't convincing enough, he added, "The position in the youth team is also precious. We need to continue promoting new young players from the academy for training."
"You know, this is our long-standing tradition at Barcelona. We prioritize youth training more than any other club!"
Lin naturally didn't believe his nonsense.
Russell had just joined the youth team, and now Enrique wanted to loan him out.
If there wasn't something fishy about this, he'd write his name backward.
However, Lin didn't oppose Enrique's arrangement.
Enrique was right about Lin needing high-level matches to continue improving his skills.
The recent training matches had proven that, after obtaining attributes similar to peak Messi, matches at the youth team level no longer had much training value for him.
If he didn't want his skills to stagnate or even regress, he needed to play top-level matches as soon as possible.
The Bundesliga's schedule is less hectic and values the protection and development of young players, making it suitable for young talents to train.
So, Lin was quite satisfied with this arrangement.
However, he wouldn't easily let Enrique's plan succeed.
So, he deliberately spoke up, "I'm doing quite well at Barcelona. I'm not going anywhere!"
Upon hearing this, Enrique immediately became anxious.
Russell had ordered him to send Lin away, and he had already assured Russell that he would handle this matter properly.
If Lin refused the loan at this point, it would be difficult for him.
So, wearing a stern look, he threatened, "This is the club's decision. If you don't agree, we have the right to terminate our contract with you!"
Facing Enrique's threat, Lin wasn't afraid at all and asked, "Mr. Enrique, is this the club's decision or your personal choice?"
"Of course, it's the club's decision!"
"Oh, is it? My father just resigned, and the club is already backstabbing him. Is that how it is?"
"If it really is, I can go back and convey the club's intentions to my father!"
"Of course not, the club definitely wouldn't mean that, your father is a meritorious coach of the team, and the club surely wouldn't do something so despicable!"
Nervously, Enrique explained.
"Really? If it's not the club's intention, is it your personal decision, then?"
Enrique felt things weren't going well. Seeing amusement in Lin's eyes, he felt a sense of being duped.
This backstabbing news isn't good, especially when it concerns someone like Guardiola's family. Once it leaks out, the media and the fans would make a big fuss.
Guardiola's standing at Barcelona is far superior to his, and many people believe that Guardiola's temporary departure will eventually see his return.
If the fans learn that a youth team coach mistreated a legendary figure, and if it ends up infuriating Guardiola, leading to Guardiola not returning, the Barcelona fans would be fuming!
Even if he explained that it was the club's decision and Russell's order, it wouldn't matter.
He might even offend Russell and would come down hard on him.
Thinking of this, Enrique began to sweat on his forehead. For the first time, he felt challenged by a 16-year-old.
"Cough, cough, this isn't an order, it's just my personal suggestion. You shouldn't misunderstand. Let's not bother Coach Guardiola about this. He must be tired and needs rest..."
Enrique had to back down. He couldn't be forceful.
The consequences of being forceful were right in front of him, and he couldn't bear that responsibility.
Seeing Enrique's defeated look, Lin felt relieved and then said with a smile, "Well, thank you for the suggestion, Coach. Actually, I also think it's a good idea to play high-level matches on loan!"
"Ah?" Enrique couldn't quite understand.
Lin had just vehemently expressed his desire to stay in Barcelona, and now he had changed his mind? Enrique was puzzled and didn't understand what was going on in Lin's mind.
"I personally agree to the loan, but, you see, this is a significant matter. I'm still young and can't make decisions alone, so I need to discuss it with my father and get his opinion. What do you think, Coach?"
Enrique started getting flustered again, "No, no, it's not necessary. You can stay in Barcelona. We shouldn't trouble Coach Guardiola with such a small matter. Let's just forget about what happened earlier!"
He was afraid that Lin would hold a grudge and report him to Guardiola.
So, he tried his best to stop Lin.
But once Lin had decided on something, how could it be easily changed?
"How can that be? It's rare that you, Coach, have made such a good suggestion, and I should thank you. How about this? I'm young and worry that I might not explain this clearly when I go back, leading to a misunderstanding. Why don't you go personally and explain your arrangement to my father?"
Lin emphasized the words 'misunderstanding,' and Enrique indeed became flustered.
"No, no, it's okay, I have something else to do. I won't go," he said. He was starting to regret why he had provoked such a stubborn young man.
He wouldn't go to Guardiola's house to tell Guardiola that the club had ousted his adopted son. He wasn't foolish. He couldn't bear to mock Guardiola like that!
After saying this, he turned and ran, not daring to continue chatting with Lin.
Talking further, and his heart condition would act up!
As he watched Enrique run away, Lin shrugged and thought, "He can't stand running away?"
He shook his head, went back to the changing room, took a shower, changed his clothes, packed his things, and left the training ground.
From that moment, he cut off all ties with La Masia Academy and Barcelona Club.