Chapter 168: Targeting the Third Strongest in La Liga

After entering the second congested stretch of the season, Mallorca appeared far more composed and confident.

Although they let a two-goal lead slip in the first half against Sevilla in the eighth round of the league, allowing their opponents to equalize, what followed was a remarkable winning streak.

In the fourth round of the Champions League group stage, Mallorca delivered a decisive 3-0 victory at home against Schalke 04. Their technical superiority was on full display as they dominated midfield and relentlessly launched attacks. Through well-timed runs from deep, they caught their opponents off guard. Ronaldinho, Motta, and Rufete each found the back of the net, securing a crucial win. This result put Mallorca firmly at the top of the group, while Arsenal dealt Panathinaikos a second consecutive defeat, ranking second with nine points. Panathinaikos remained third with four points, and Schalke sat at the bottom with zero. With just one more point needed from the next match, Mallorca was virtually guaranteed to advance.

In the ninth round of La Liga, Mallorca once again dominated at home, thrashing bottom-placed Rayo Vallecano 4-0, with Eto'o and Luque both scoring twice.

Next up was a crucial Champions League clash: an away game against Arsenal.

Mallorca had ten points, Arsenal had nine, and Panathinaikos trailed with just four. A simple draw between Mallorca and Arsenal would see both teams advance to the next round. Logically, Arsenal should have welcomed a peaceful result. However, José knew better—after failing to avenge their previous defeat in Spain, Arsenal would be eager to settle the score at Highbury. Moreover, securing the top spot in the group was still important to them.

But José wasn't interested in wasting excessive energy on this match. He was never the kind of manager who cared about pride over practicality. At Highbury, Mallorca once again forced Arsenal to relive the frustration they had experienced a year ago—facing a rock-solid defensive setup with no way through.

José even left Luque on the bench, deploying Ronaldinho and Eto'o up front while lining up four defensive midfielders—Kaladze, García, Motta, and Márquez—across the middle. This setup created an impenetrable barrier in front of the penalty area, allowing the two tall center-backs behind them to maximize their defensive strengths. Arsenal tried every trick in the book but couldn't break Mallorca's defensive line. At the same time, they remained wary of Mallorca's quick counterattacks. By the 75th minute, Wenger had seen enough—he substituted Henry and Bergkamp for Wiltord and Jeffers, essentially conceding the fight for victory. After all, Arsenal had their own league battles to worry about.

José simply smiled—after all, even if you wanted a peaceful resolution, you still needed the strength to make it happen.

Securing qualification with a game to spare sent the entire island of Mallorca into celebration. Within the club, the mood was just as jubilant—progressing to the next stage meant more broadcasting revenue, match bonuses, and other financial rewards.

"Conservatively speaking, we might make over 20 million dollars in profit this season," Alemany said with a satisfied grin. "That's a lot of money. How do you plan to spend it?"

"Reinvest it, of course," José replied with a chuckle. "I'm not handing out dividends."

"If we don't distribute dividends again this year, Grande's patience is going to run out," Alemany remarked. "His company is trying to secure some major contracts on the island, but early-stage investments in these projects are hefty. Unlike me, he doesn't have the same local connections. Without enough capital to show the regional council, he won't get anywhere."

José simply smiled without commenting. Favoritism in business existed everywhere. While Mallorca was a city of immigrants, there was still a distinction between old settlers and newcomers. While no overt discrimination existed, when it came to bidding for major projects, the difference was undeniable.

"By the way, Dad, if we were to build a new stadium, where do you think would be the best location?" José suddenly asked.

"A new stadium?" Alemany paused before nodding. "Well, Son Moix is starting to feel a bit small. Our matches are selling out every game, and we're losing a significant amount of potential ticket revenue. But, José, building a large stadium isn't cheap—you're looking at at least 100 million."

"No matter what, we have to do it," José said firmly. "A club's true lifeline is owning its own stadium. With that, our overall valuation increases, and we gain a stable revenue stream rather than relying on player sales to stay afloat. Right now, Mallorca is undergoing major development, meaning there will be fewer bureaucratic obstacles. If we wait, construction costs—land, materials—will only rise. In five years, we must have our new stadium!"

"Do you have a specific location in mind?" Alemany asked.

José grabbed a map of Mallorca from the desk and pointed. "East of the airport, below the Ross Mountains. It's relatively remote, meaning developers aren't particularly interested. We can acquire a large plot at a lower cost. The land there is rocky and unsuitable for farming, so laying the stadium's foundation will be cheaper. Plus, since it's an undeveloped area, we'll have more space. I don't just want a stadium—I want an entire entertainment district surrounding it. Bars, fan shops, museums, lounges, sports facilities… We can operate these ourselves or lease them out for rental income.

"Think about it, Dad. Once our stadium becomes a landmark, we won't just profit from matchday tickets. The bars and shops will generate consistent revenue. Even on non-matchdays, tourists can visit the stadium. What's the entry fee? 100 pesetas? 200 pesetas? Even at such a low price, the stadium will always be there, so why not make money off it? Plus, the more visitors we attract, the more valuable advertising space around the stadium will become. Big brands won't hesitate to invest in billboards there."

Alemany, a seasoned businessman, immediately recognized the massive opportunity.

Even if each revenue stream seemed small on its own, their combined, long-term sustainability was incredibly attractive. This would secure the club's financial future.

"But building such a massive stadium won't come cheap," Alemany pointed out.

"My estimate is around 200 million dollars," José admitted. "My biggest challenge right now is drafting a budget plan. Toni Silva is great at managing finances, but stadium construction isn't his expertise. Still, there's no rush. Stadium projects require careful planning."

"If we're looking at 200 million, we're at least 50 million short," Alemany calculated.

"Probably more," José added. "I also want to buy out Grande's shares, which will cost around 20 million. Mallorca's valuation has increased significantly, and so has the worth of his stake. That's why he's been holding onto it. But if we don't distribute dividends again, he'll be forced to sell.

"As for the funding gap, we'll take out loans and pay them off over time. No major project is ever built entirely with upfront capital. Taking out loans isn't a burden—it's an opportunity."

José was confident in his approach. Arsenal had taken the same route when building their stadium. Their location—Northwest London—was among the most expensive places in the world, inflating construction costs to 500 million pounds. That debt weighed on them for years.

Mallorca was a different story. Labor, land, and materials were cheaper. Even with a 100-million-dollar loan, repaying it wouldn't be an insurmountable challenge. And unlike Wenger, who struggled in the transfer market after 2004, José had the advantage of knowing which players would become future stars. He could keep selling talent while steadily strengthening the squad.

Once the debt was paid off, there would be no need to sell players. That would be the moment Mallorca transitioned from a selling club to a true football powerhouse.

The road ahead was long, but José felt nothing but excitement. A clear goal and an unwavering determination to achieve it—that was what fueled him.

His mission? To transform a small island club into a global football giant.

"La Liga's elite? Real Madrid and Barcelona—won't it get lonely at the top? Then let my team join the fight and keep you company!"