Christmas was a big week for us as a family. My dad and mom both take their week off during this time. We spend it in various church related activities, be it volunteering for decorations, preparing food, organising events, it is always busy.
In my past life, I never did anything like this as a family. So the first time experiencing it here made me very emotional. I have so much to be thankful for.
"You know mamãe, I don't say it enough but I am really really lucky to be born as your son. I wouldn't have it any other way. I appreciate everything you do for us and know this, I will pay it back thousand fold."
"You will never have to worry about a single thing ever once I go to Milan. Neither will papai. It will be up to you guys if you continue to work, but I would make sure that everything is taken care of. Forever. Love you mamãe"
She got emotional, I got emotional, some tears were came out, someone must have cut and onion or something.
Even though we were on a break till after the new years, I was going to the training ground in the evenings. But this week, I took the time off.
My father surprised us by letting us know that we are going on a 4 day vacation to the Caribbean. It was so awesome. I always wanted to travel in my past life. And within 6 months of being here, I am going on an international trip.
We landed in Jamaica and it was a drastic change. The culture difference, the weather, the food, everything was a new experience for us. This was 1997, so tourism was not yet as commercialised as it was in the future. So, we had a blast experiencing new things. We went to beaches, joined dance parties, ate all the food we could and all in all just had the best time of our lives. The tropical fruits were sensational.
For 4 days, I forgot everything about football, tried my hand at Cricket which is a big game in the West Indies, I think I got the hang of it. The rules were a bit confusing at first, but the game was pretty simple.
We hung out with some young guys who were athletes apparently. And they were practicing in the sand on the beach. This must be why all the Jamaican champions are so fast. Apart from the genetics, the conditions in which they practice, it brings out the best out of them. I participated in a couple of beach races as well, I came in the top 5 because my pace was nothing to scoff at. Even they looked surprised. This was such a nice change of pace for us.
Everything was not great though. My father booked an all inclusive beach resort which was a blessing in disguise for us. Because once we came here, we were told about security issues. Apparently, there is an ongoing issue between tourists and locals, because of the class disparity. So, we were asked not to venture too much into the actual local culture and meet many local people. It was all curated by the resort and even the athletes at the beach and the cricket games were all planned for tourists.
Even though my mom and I had a blast enjoying the local food, Digão got food poisoning on the last day. The rest of us were fine, but he had issues. All in all,
we had a fun time over there and came back relaxed!
Immediately after coming back my parents rejoined work, and we were busy with school and training. Digão recovered well. He had troubles for only a week.
Two days after we came back, the fab 4 were called to the U20 training area. Coach Alfonso handled the U20 training. I don't know how having three different coaches in 6months would affect me. Coach Joao and coach Martinez had such different approaches to coaching and football. Coach Martinez wants to focus on solid foundations, he gives us freedom, but he expects us to do what was discussed first. Coach Joao gave players the freedom to express themselves. It could also be because of the level. At U15, systems and all don't matter as much. We learn the basics and try to develop skills.
Now, coming to the U20 team, I wasn't nervous. I am very good with the ball and I will take it one step at a time.
"Welcome guys, I am coach Alfonso. I have been a coach for U20 for 2 years now. My job with you guys is to make sure that you are game ready at all times and to make sure you are playing at a level that's worthy of a call up to the first team. My standards will be pretty high. I do get reports about whom to watch out for at lower levels and I did watch a couple of matches of yours. But, that doesn't mean anything.
If you're here, you're going to start with a clean slate. I don't care about the feedback from coach Martinez or coach Joao or how high they think of you guys. I will watch and decide now, here. Your performances at U17 level should be left at the door from now on. They helped you come here, but that's it. You need to prove it to us, the coaches and the team, that you deserve a spot at this table.
We will break you down and build you back up. By the end of these three months, you will be different players. We will enhance what is already good in you, and add strategy and tactics on top of that. I want 100% from all of you guys. There is no coasting. If we find you lacking, we kick you out. Understood?"
We did not respond immediately, and he said "I asked, is that understood?"
"Yes, coach!"
"Good. Go and collect your schedules for the next 3 months from John at the table. This will be different to your usual ones, more hours of practice and more training and matches. Make your necessary arrangements. Today I won't put you through the grinder, but be prepared for tomorrow."
We started with usual drills. Running, passing, dribbling. The only difference is that the pace is much quicker here. People are also very efficient, they're very skillful and everybody is very tall and strong. Physicality might be a problem for normal 16 year olds. But, I had advantages working for me. My pace and dribbling are at a level that could be considered very much above the levels of these players. My skills on the ball would translate to this level easily. I am not worried about that.
I just need to work with the others and develop chemistry. I need to observe team plays and learn how each member plays. Only then could my passing be effective. Making solo runs is all fun and good, but it won't win me matches.
The next 4 days passed by in the blink of an eye. We were tested daily. First we had sprint tests to check our speed, with the ball and without the ball. I was the second fastest out of all the members. The other guy was our forward, Adriano. He was quicker. With the ball, I came first. I was able to beat everyone. I was the better dribbler as well. That raised a few eyebrows, since I was the youngest of the group. I was 178cm tall. I was at an ideal height for being an AM or even a winger. I am not taking anything from the past for granted. I knew that Kaká was 186cm in the past. So, if I grow up to be that, fine. If not, that is also fine.
Passing drills were up next. We were asked to complete the pass to a runner when under pressure, with touches, without touches, long balls, short balls, everything. We were like lab rats for them. They poked and prodded us. Diego and I did really well. To my surprise, I didn't miss many passes. I was able to complete almost 92-93% of my attempted passes. That was more than good enough in my eyes.
Then came the sweet part. We had a 5v5 match. With all the newcomers, Moraes, Diego, Oscar and I on one side and the U20 starters on the other side. They thought that they could bully us. We showed them the errors of their ways. We had great chemistry working for us. We didn't need to shout or stay in one place to figure out what to do, we would pass, move, receive the pass and move into space instinctively. At all times, I knew where Diego and Oscar were and where they would be. And Moraes was a beast in the midfield. He put in the defensive work and won us the ball. We dominated the practice. We knew that we surprised them. We knew that it wouldn't be allowed to repeat again.
We could see some sour faces when we beat them 3-2. They immediately demanded a rematch and we obliged them. The coaches wanted to see how they would adjust now that they have seen us play together and for them to learn not to underestimate us. The second time around, they went full physical and dominated us. We still managed to score two, but they overpowered us and scored 4.
But one thing was for sure after the practice, every single one of us impressed them. The team, and the coaches. We made a point, that we are here to stay and if they make a mistake, we would be ready to pounce. I spoke to the others and let them know that we will be starting from the bench initially no matter what. And slowly they would integrate us. So I asked them to have patience and to wait for the opportunity and not get frustrated if someone else gets called first, or they don't get called at all. It is odd for a 16 year old to be lecturing the 18 year olds, but they listen to me because they have seen me train and play. So, they know that I am right.
We waited!
Paulista starts in March. But, before that we had an unofficial Copa. This is a knockout tournament among the youth teams just like the real deal. This starts at the end of this month and will go on till March.
I went home after practice and my father called me to talk.
"Kaká, you have saved everything you made in the past 7 months. We either put it in savings or we spend it on the camera like you wanted. What do you want to do?"
I thought about it. It was 28000R$. With the bonuses and some of my expenses removed, I had about 30000$USD (1998 conversion rate) sitting in my account. That is a lot. I did not expect to sign such a lucrative contract. It didn't register in my mind, I was comparing the modern day amount, but for a 16 year old, 30000$USD in 7months is huge! I didn't even have any sponsorship deals or anything.
What to do, what to do.
I made a quick decision, I wanted 10000$USD each to be put into my parent's accounts. That would leave me with 10000$. I wanted to buy a canon camera. The latest model would come soon and it would help immensely with shooting my performances. I am soon to make my debut. I could feel it, so I would use it to buy recording equipment. I would buy some shoes, dresses and all as well. But 10000$ is a lot for a kid.
I told him that I would still be earning and that this expenditure is fine. I would save later on. Investments and all would come once I am 18. Till then, I want to spoil my parents, and spoil myself. A lot of people would scoff at this. They would tell me to be safe and save money. But fuck that! This is my second life. I want to live it to the fullest and I want my parents to be happy from the get go. I know that I will soon be earning millions. So, this is nothing.
I didn't leave room for discussion. 20000$ would be theirs to do as they wish. 10000$ would be used for camera equipment, archival costs, and buying some new shiny things for myself. I should probably get some new shoes and things for Digão as well.
Neither of my parents were happy with this attitude of mine, but they let me go for now. I know that they would be secretly saving those 20000$. I would need to discuss this later on with them. And explain my point of view clearly. At this time I might seem reckless to them. But, I didn't want to extend a pointless discussion now, I just wanted to rest and prepare for the match tomorrow.
January 20,1998
Today is the day. My second promotion. 6 months ago I was in U15 and now playing for U20. I would be on the bench for the first match in the copa.
Only Diego and I made it to the bench. Moraes and Oscar couldn't break through. The reason was simple, the current quality in the deep midfield and strikers is very high. But, Diego and I are picked as the playmakers. We are better than the current options, but we need to bide our time. We aren't going to immediately start matches, we would be eased in and we will have our chances to impress.
These games are knockout matches, so they are not taking risks from the get go.
Contrary to my expectations, the game was dead slow. Both teams sat deep and were playing the safest football possible. I do not understand this. At U20 level, people should be allowed to risk it a bit and try to play exciting football. Both teams went for the defensive approach. I could see that the technical skills are very good, I mean these are Brazilians, but come on!! Every single play could be better. I could feel that Diego felt the same. Both of us were very attack oriented. We wouldn't mind losing the ball 8 times, if it means that the 9th pass would be a goal. We just need that one good pass, one goal.
It was 0-0 at half time. We were disappointed. But, the team was happy that they did not allow a single shot on target from them. I did not like that. We should be worried about not beating their defense and scoring. Not happy about letting them not score. Yes, defense wins matches and a good defense is needed to win leagues. But come on!!! We need goals.
The half team talk was very routine, no subs were made and they were asked to up the tempo a bit but be cautious. They were instructed to play close range passes, not allow them in our half and to close them down.
60 minutes passed by and we could see that the players were getting tired. Their conditioning is not the greatest. I have seen it in practice. It could be because it was after a 6 week break, but not everyone was in good shape. This worked out for us. Because, in the 64th minute, both Diego and I got the nod.
I asked the coach if I had permission to attack more. He raised his eyebrows, thought for a while and said, yes, but not to take unnecessary risks. I was ecstatic. It is not a risk if it works out in the end.
I told Diego that we had permission, and to give it our all. He was ready as well. You could see it in one's eyes. He was super focused. Throughout the match, we have been discussing the runs we would make and the passes we would make. So, the moment we were on, the change was instantaneous. He was cutting across their defense, his off the ball movement was good. Oscar's is better in my opinion, but Diego has been working on it.
These past few weeks my focus has been on finishing and I knew that if I get a chance from the edge of the box I would go for it.
Our tempo changed because of the two subs. Me and him were attempting more forward passes and asking more of our players. We were asking them to go forward, make runs into the space and we would find them. They were still holding back because the attack wouldn't go anywhere. But, it will come.
It was the 76th minute and the chance we were looking for came. I received the ball on the right, and instead of passing, I ran with the ball along the side line. Their defenders did not put in a tackle and were just tracking back, a big mistake. I changed direction immediately and cut in using my left foot. They didn't expect me to be equally good on my left. This is where Diego came in, he made the perfect run to intercept me, we played a quick 1-2 and he put in a through ball for me. I was in the box towards the edge, took one touch on my left and curled a shot towards the far post. The ball had a beautiful curve on it and the keeper could only touch the ball with his finger tips, but couldn't stop it or push it away. It rippled the net.
GOAL.
1-0. Number 22, Kaká!
I took off running towards my parents and just shrugged my shoulders in front of the camera to say "what else did you expect?"
My teammates found me and we celebrated the goal. I caught hold of Diego, touched our foreheads and thanked him. That connection with a player is so important, and it is paying dividends.
The coaching staff were happy as well.
It was my turn to return the favor to Diego, so in the 85th minute, I dribbled past 3 players in the middle, which allowed Diego to make a great run in the middle, I found him by completely dismissing the back line, he received the pass at the edge of the box, weaved through three players and let out a powerful shot along the ground. It hit the goal post but trickled inside. GOAL!
2-0.
Both the subs were running a riot. At this rate, we should begin a custom celebration. A special handshake or something. Like Cristiano had with Marcelo.
Our defense was really good though, and we didn't let any of their attacks pass, so the score stayed like that till the end.
1 goal, 1 assist. 26 minutes. Same for Diego.
We have skipped levels but we were still the same old menaces.
Let the storm rage on! It is time for the U20 team to feel the heat.
Author's Notes:
I will focus a bit more on the U20 level matches and MC's progress.
A little more focus would be on his training regimen and stat improvement.
Let me know what you think.