Sunday morning brought a media earthquake that changed everything. Luca's phone had buzzed incessantly since 6 AM with notifications, missed calls, and messages from numbers he didn't recognize. But it wasn't until he walked to the corner newsstand and saw the front page of Corriere dello Sport that he understood the magnitude of what had happened.
**"THE PHOENIX OF NAPLES: From Street Struggles to Hat-trick Hero"**
Giulio Marchetti's article dominated the sports section, accompanied by action photos from yesterday's match and a sidebar featuring his goal statistics. But more than the coverage itself, it was the tone that struck him—respectful, inspirational, focused on transformation rather than criminality.
The piece painted him as exactly what they'd hoped for: a young man who'd overcome difficult circumstances through dedication to football, supported by excellent coaching and personal determination. His criminal associations were mentioned but contextualized as desperate choices made during family crisis, now firmly in the past.
[Media Response Analysis: Overwhelmingly Positive. Public Narrative Successfully Established. Warning: Increased attention brings new pressures and expectations.]
By 9 AM, his social media followers had increased by 15,000. Three different television sports shows had called the academy requesting interviews. Most concerning, his phone showed seven missed calls from Marco Benedetti.
Elena met him at their usual café, her expression mixing excitement with apprehension as she spread multiple newspapers across the small table. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tuttosport, even national papers had picked up elements of Marchetti's story.
"This is bigger than we expected," she said, studying coverage that ranged from sports analysis to human interest features. "Your hat-trick yesterday couldn't have been better timed—it validates everything Marchetti wrote about your transformation."
"What about the calls from Marco?" Luca asked, showing her his phone's call log.
Elena's expression darkened. "He's probably not happy that you chose independent media management instead of his foundation proposal. The article establishes your public story without any connection to his organization."
They discussed strategy while reviewing the coverage, but their conversation was interrupted by Luca's phone ringing. This time, he recognized the number—Coach Marotta.
"Luca, we need to talk. Can you come to the academy immediately? Something's developed that requires immediate attention."
The tone suggested urgency beyond normal post-match analysis. Within thirty minutes, Luca was sitting in Marotta's office, facing not just his coach but also the academy director and a man in an expensive suit who introduced himself as Roberto Mancini, youth development coordinator for the Italian Football Federation.
"Your performances have attracted attention at the highest levels," Mancini began without preamble. "We're considering you for the Italy Under-17 squad for next month's tournament in Germany."
The words hit like lightning. Italy Under-17—representing his country at international level, competing against the best young players in Europe. Six months ago, he'd been an academy dropout. Now he was being considered for national team selection.
"What would that involve?" Luca asked, his voice carefully controlled despite the internal excitement.
"Training camp in Rome next week, evaluation against other candidates, potential selection for a tournament that attracts scouts from every major European club." Mancini studied his reaction. "But we need to discuss some concerns that have been raised."
The shift in tone suggested this wasn't just about football ability.
"Your background has been investigated as part of our standard screening process. We understand you had associations with criminal elements before returning to football." Mancini's voice remained neutral, professional. "While we appreciate personal transformation stories, we need assurance that those associations are completely severed."
Elena leaned forward slightly. "Luca's development over the past months has been exemplary. His focus is entirely on football now."
"We believe that," Mancini replied, "but representing Italy requires the highest standards of conduct on and off the pitch. Any ongoing connections to criminal activities would be incompatible with national team selection."
The conversation continued for another twenty minutes, covering expectations, responsibilities, and the timeline for final decisions. But Luca's mind was processing implications beyond international football—Marco's reaction to being publicly bypassed, the increased scrutiny that came with national team consideration, the reality that success brought visibility he couldn't always control.
After Mancini departed, Coach Marotta remained behind for private conversation.
"This is an incredible opportunity," he said, "but it also raises the stakes considerably. National team players face scrutiny that club players can avoid. Every aspect of your life becomes public interest."
"I understand."
"Do you? Because representing Italy means your past associations will be investigated more thoroughly than any journalist could manage. If there are secrets you haven't shared, now is the time to address them."
The warning was gentle but clear—international football brought governmental background checks, detailed security screenings, the kind of investigation that could expose secrets no amount of media management could protect.
Walking home through Naples' afternoon streets, Luca reflected on how quickly success could become its own form of pressure. The boy who'd sought anonymity after his rebirth was now facing national attention, international scrutiny, opportunities that exceeded his wildest dreams alongside risks he'd never imagined.
His phone buzzed with another call from Marco. This time, he answered.
"Congratulations," Marco's voice carried undertones that suggested the conversation would be more complex than simple celebration. "National team consideration is impressive. We should meet tonight—there are developments we need to discuss."
The tone made clear this wasn't a request.
"Same place as before?" Luca asked.
"No. Somewhere more private. I'll text you the address."
As the call ended, Luca understood that his media success had escalated his situation with Marco rather than resolving it. The criminal leader who'd been willing to negotiate collaborative solutions now faced a former associate whose independent success threatened the control he'd expected to maintain.
Tonight would determine whether his transformation from street criminal to international prospect could survive contact with the life he'd tried so hard to leave behind.