" Hello young man, how would you like to be promoted to the first team?"
The question hung in the air for a while. The head coach and Valverde had smiles on their faces. Taking a moment to compose myself I said, " I would like it very much."
Smiling, Valverde said, " Good. I have seen your capabilities from the videos of training sessions and drills that has been sent to me. You have that talent and you can smell the goals. I will not say that you will get to play a lot of matches, not right now. But you will be on the bench. You will get games and if you impress me enough on the big stage , You might make it to the first team."
"It doesn't matter. If I get to play Laliga, it's better to play there than in the lower leagues. Playing ten matches there is better than playing in a division where I can easily dominate. So yes, I will take you up on your offer."
" Very well , here's the initial contract, take a look. Your contract will be updated with your performance."
Taking the paper I read through the contract. $ 5000 per week, $1000 for goal bonus and $500 for assists. Valid for 3 years. It was not something extravagant, but I knew it would change after a couple of games.
"Very well, I will accept this for now, it's bound to change soon so it doesn't matter." I said
" Good. But do not get arrogant, La Liga is a different ball game. See you tomorrow at Camp Nou."
FLASHBACK END
And that is how I a 16 years old boy was on the sidelines of Barcelona, coming off as a substitute for Luis Suarez. Running on to the pitch I went straight towards Real Madrid's goal. Suarez's foul had earned us a free kick. Messi the designated free kick taker was on the ball. The Madrid defender's created a wall in front of him. I knew Messi was going to shoot. But the angle was tight. If he did not get the right curl and height the ball would go straight out of bounds.
With the whistle of the referee Messi step up and took the short. The ball was precise and hit with pinpoint accuracy but unfortunately the ball did not dip enough full stop it hit the side war and rebounded straight into the penalty box. Navas, the goalkeeper try to save it but was unable to reach and now was in the bottom right corner on the ground. Carvajal, was standing on the left side of the goalline to act as a sweeper. The ball came straight towards the no man's land but I was there to pick it up. Without waiting for it to bounce I planted my right food on the ground and take to the ball hard with the instep of my life. The ball rock it of my laces and when streets into the top right corner of the goal. The two players of the gold line to unmooving as the ball deposited itself into the goal.
3-1 53rd min.
Commentary box
"That was wonderful volley from the 16 year old debutant. 13 seconds on the pitch and he has already scored his first career goal for Barcelona. Barcelona still two goals down but now they will believe. Do you think they can make a come back Rob?"
"Sensational work with the 16 year old. Barcelona my fancy the chances of a come back it will be difficult because this is no ordinary team but real Madrid one of the best teams in the current world but it is not impossible. Barcelona still has Messi Iniesta Busquets and now the 16 year old Alex .Magic often happens on the football pitch but the question is will we see that today or will real Madrid hold on to this two goal advantage."
"The players are not celebrating that much because they know that the job is still not over but you can see that look of hunger in the rise they have awake and their price of the catalonia and a ready to take on real Madrid."
The Barcelona fans could not be kept quiet. They cheered for the team and hoped for a miracle. And the miracle came in the 58th minute. Busquets pick up a loose ball from Modric and passed the bond to Messi. I saw the play and run towards the Madrid goal. Lifting my hand I asked for the ball from Messi. They were two defenders in front of me but it didn't matter at that moment.
Messi looked at me and decided to put his faith in me. He kick the ball with his left foot in a precise Arc towards me. When the ball came near me the defenders were in front of me so I did the best thing I could conjure that moment.
Commentary box
"Alex calls for the wall and Messi delivers but will he be able to collect it amidst the pressure of the two defenders closing in on him. Let's see what it does."
"Yes let's see and here comes a ball. Oh my world that's outrageous from a 16 years. He stepped over between the defenders and used the heel of his right foot to receive the ball and flick it over the defenders heads, passing them altogether. The defenders left to wonder what just happened. "
" Only the goalkeeper to beat now. Navas comes out of his line to cut off the angles. Will he be able to block the shot."
" No he can't . Cheeky from the youngster. Using a simple heel to heel flick to pass the ball from within the keepers legs to shoot into an empty goal post."
"The Madrid defence has been torn apart by the 16 year old twice in 5 minutes. The backline of Madrid are in shambles and Navas is on the ground covering his face in shame of being outwitted by such a young talent. Sensational football and presence of mind with the calmness to produce magic. The game is back on real Madrid leads with 3 -2 the momentum is with Barcelona now."
"Look at the place celebrating Rob. They know the they can come right back into the game with a single more goal and they know just how impressive that goal just now was full stop even Messi acknowledges this young lad, patting his back."
The game is back on. The referee restarted the game and real Madrid try to keep the ball in possession and not give it up to avoid conceding another goal. But fate had other plans. In the 78th minute, Alba won the ball from Benzema by a clean tackle, passing the ball to Rakatic. The Croatian looked up and saw me in the middle of the field. Receiving the pass, I dribbled forward towards the left side of the field. Carvajal came to stop me but a simple roulette was enough to get past him. A few more steps and I saw Messi near the defenders. Just as Varane came to defend me I used the outside of my right foot to pass the ball towards Messi. Fortunately Messi got rid Pepe and kicked the ball cleanly with his left foot. The ball rocketed into the bottom right corner for the third goal.
Pointing towards me Messi sprinted at me to celebrate the goal. The soon joined to celebrate as a team. Even Valverde and the subs came on to celebrate. Back in the Barca goal Ter Stegen pumped his fist into the air and shouted at the Barca fans. The voice of the 7000 Barcelona fans grew and grew. Real Madrid were shell shocked. Both players on the pitch and fans on the stands.
Commentary box
"Clinical finish from Messi and brilliant passing from Alex. This is really a dream debut for this young lad. Playing against real Madrid one the best teams in the world scoring a brace and providing an assist with still 10 minutes to go and win the game."
"Exactly the calib of the pass was magnificent. Only handful of players of today is generation can produce passes of such quality. This is a future star in the making I assure you."
"Yes I quite agree with you in that regard. This lad is sensational and this is just the beginning of a great player.".
The match restarted with Real Madrid. It went on to 3-3 till the 91st minute where Benzema won a free kick just outside the penalty area. Ronaldo lined up to take the shot.
When the Referee gave the signal he ran and kicked the ball with full force. But unfortunately it hit the head of Mascherano and went straight to the feet of Inesta. Lokking up he saw me in the centre of the pitch starting my run towards the opponents goal. With perfect precision he passed the ball to me.
Receiving the ball cleanly there were 3 defenders infront of me. Varane, Pepe and Marcelo. I did not slow down and continued to charge through. Shifting my balance to the left I fake a step and went passed Varane. Just as I was about to take my next step Pepe came to challenge me. Without panic. I dragged the ball back with my left foot and flicked it from between his legs with my right. Going past Pepe there was only Marcelo in front of me. Without wasting a second, I used the simplest of La Querta to go past him. I was still 30 meters from the goal, but I decided to take the shot. Flicking the ball forward into the free space I ran upto it kicked it hard with my right foot diagonally towards the top left corner.
Navas read that and shifter his weight to his right foot to jump. But just as the ball was going to reach the goal, it changed its trajectory and curved in the opposite way. Navas could only watch the ball enter the goal without being able to do anything.
Commentary box
" My world what a brilliant strike. 30 meters out of the goal line and he shoots a curved shot right in the top right corner. The goalkeeper reads it wrong and is caught ballwatching. "
"The sheer audacity to kick the ball from there on his first game. Now that's something. I don't recon myself having that nerve or courage in my first game. Did you Stweart?"
" Absolutely not. The calmness and composure shown by this young mn is nothing short of extraordinary. Insane hitting and goal. What a debut. Hattrick and an assit. We have got a future superstar on our hands, I tell you. "
" You can see it on their faces. None of the Barcelona players thought he was going to hit it from there. The shock is quiet present there. "
" And don't forget he just dribbled past three players before that. This young sensation has torn apart this defence again and again. Barcelona better watch out, the offer that are going to come in for this boy would be endless. "
" Barcelona fans might even be thankful to Ramos for injuring Suarez. Otherwise we would not have been able to witness this match. The dramma, the excitement, the goals and the sheer pressure. Today's match has reminded us of that night in Istanbul. The first Classico of the season and its the best one in recent years as far as I can recall.And Alex, he simply is the best youngster I have seen ever."
" Yes, although this was his first match, we can all see the presence he brings on the pitch. Everytime he is in control of the ball, Barcelona have scored. Take a bow. Alexzandro Da Silva."
Barcelona 4 - 3 Real Madrid.
The referee restarted the match only to blow the final whistle with the kick of the ball. The first Classico of the season was over and Barcelona have made a statement
Final Scoreline
Real Madrid 3- 4 Barcelona
Ronaldo(20',32')
Benzema(41')
Alexzandro(53'58'90+1')
Messi(78')