Chapter 140 "Paul, I want to tell you something..."

After the first round of La Liga, it's international break, and Italy will play two World Cup qualifiers: an away game against Georgia and a home game against Bulgaria.

Fino happily packed his bags and returned to Italy, where he met Pirlo, Gattuso, and Zambrotta again at the Coverciano training base.

Actually, it hadn't been long since they last met; only half a summer had passed.

Moreover, Fino and Pirlo often met during the summer break. When Fino flew from Milan to Madrid, Pirlo even went to see him off at the airport, which was only about 20 days ago.

The feeling is different when you're not in the same club, or even the same league. The distance makes time seem to stretch out even longer, and when Fino saw his Milan teammates again, it felt like a lifetime had passed.

Fino excitedly hugged Pirlo and the others, and was then hugged, patted on the head, and kissed on the cheek by each of them.

Gattuso said in a harsh voice, "Has anyone bullied you at Real Madrid? If so, tell me, and I won't let him off the hook during the Champions League group stage!"

The draw for the 2009/10 Champions League group stage has been completed. Defending champions AC Milan and Real Madrid have been drawn into Group C, along with Marseille and Zurich.

This is a favorable draw. Marseille and Zurich are not particularly strong teams, and barring any surprises, Real Madrid and Milan should advance together.

But UEFA's sinister intentions are obvious. Fino and Kaká's transfers and subsequent falling out with their former club AC Milan is a great publicity stunt, which will surely generate buzz for the group stage.

Upon hearing Gattuso's words, Fino was both touched and amused. Was he going to publicly humiliate his new teammate right in front of him?

He patted Gattuso on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Rino, I'm doing great at Real Madrid, and I have Ricci with me!"

"What good is Richie? It's good enough that he doesn't hug you and cry."

Zambrotta crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at Gattuso.

"I told you Rino was worrying too much. Fini went to Real Madrid with the honors of a double champion and a double Golden Boot winner. He's not some nobody. If you want to bully him, you'd better think twice before you try!"

“He’s never left Milan. The kid’s first transfer is abroad. How can I not worry? Besides, is Real Madrid a good place?” Gattuso exclaimed.

Zambrotta rolled his eyes again; Gattuso's fatherly gaze was a bit too much.

"Don't be so blind, okay? You said it yourself: Finny has been corrupted by Andrea, he's full of tricks, who can bully him? It's good enough if he doesn't bully others."

Pirlo, who was mentioned, didn't say anything, but just held Fino's hand until they finished talking, so he could take Fino back to his room.

At this moment, the Juventus team came over in a grand manner and greeted Fino and the others. Juventus had a total of 7 players selected for this training camp.

Despite Fino's dismissive gaze, Buffon cupped Fino's cheeks with both hands and gave him several quick kisses on the face.

Buffon's hand was large and strong, and Fino couldn't break free at all. He could only reluctantly let Buffon kiss him until he didn't want to open his eyes, hoping it was just his imagination.

Pirlo nudged Buffon: "That's enough, Gigi!"

"Fini, I miss you so much. How are you doing in Spain?" Buffon grinned, revealing his white teeth.

Fino patted him on the shoulder without saying anything, and then turned to look at the national team captain, Cannavaro.

This season, Cannavaro returned to Juventus after leaving Real Madrid, and he seemed to be in a good mood, at least he didn't look so dejected during the summer training camp.

Fino said to Cannavaro meaningfully, "Fabio, you're free now, aren't you?"

Cannavaro immediately understood and burst into laughter.

During his three years at Real Madrid, Cannavaro felt like he had endured all the hardships of his life.

Real Madrid's full-backs don't defend at all; they all seem to have the mindset of strikers. Once they push forward, they're nowhere to be seen. I often have to run to the flanks to cover for them. The defensive midfielders don't provide enough protection for the defense either; there are just too many balls that I have to handle.

Exhausted from his work, Cannavaro felt himself aging at lightning speed, especially in his final year, when he was clearly struggling against speedsters like Messi and Torres.

Whenever Real Madrid loses a match, their defense is bombarded with criticism. The World Cup-winning captain was so overwhelmed by the criticism that he could only lament how a Ballon d'Or winner had ended up like this.

Fortunately, he has finally left the team that ruined his reputation.

He's 36 now, but that's okay. 36 is the perfect age to make his mark in the world. Center-backs have long careers. Maldini played center-back until he was 41 after switching from left-back!

He has promised Lippi that if he plays in another World Cup, he will definitely be able to regain the face he lost at Real Madrid!

Thinking of this, Cannavaro remembered Casillas, who was still suffering at Real Madrid. Both of them were victims of Real Madrid's defense, and Cannavaro and Casillas had always had a good relationship.

I can run, but Casillas can't.

He hesitated for a moment, then said to Fino, "Igor has had a tough time, so please try to take care of him as much as possible if it's convenient!"

Fino almost laughed when he heard this. Casillas is a true Real Madrid player, the Real Madrid captain after Raul. Does he need a Milan player like me to take care of him?

Is Cannavaro perhaps driven to the brink of insanity by the ordeal at Real Madrid?

After finishing her social activities, Fino followed Pirlo back to his room.

As Pirlo helped Fino make the bed, he asked, "I watched your game against Deportivo. You played very well, but Real Madrid looked awkward."

"Real Madrid has undergone a major overhaul this season. Their formation and tactics are still being refined, which will give Mr. Pellegrini a lot of headaches."

Pirlo didn't press further, as it involved Real Madrid's formation and tactics, and it wasn't appropriate to continue the discussion.

He changed the subject: "What happened with that penalty kick?"

It's only the first match, and Ronaldo has already taken the penalty won by Raul, and now he's trying to steal it from Fino. Pirlo can't help but worry that Ronaldo might bully Fino. After all, Ronaldo has a very flamboyant personality, while Fino is kind and friendly…

“Don’t worry, Andrea.” After making the bed, Fino walked to the other side of the bed and hugged Pirlo. “We’ve agreed to a fair competition for the penalty shootout order, and I’ll win.”

Pirlo smiled and patted his hair: "Of course, you are my student."

Fino took out a duvet cover from her bag, shook it, and started putting it on.

"What's the atmosphere like in the locker room now that Paul and Carlos have left?"

"Everyone gets along well, but as we thought in the summer, Galliani holds all the power, and Leonardo is just a yes-man he placed in the locker room. It's impossible for him to mediate for the players like Paulo and Carlo did." Pirlo walked over, pinching the corners of the blankets, and continued, "Before the season started, Galliani initiated the veterans' contract extension with reduced salaries. Massimo and Lino, as captains, took the lead in signing, and Pippo also signed. Samuel, Seedorf, and I didn't sign."

Despite being forced to stay in the summer, Pirlo has made up his mind to leave Milan in the future. He has two years left on his contract with Milan and will transfer freely after that. He will not sign any conditional contract with Milan during that period.

"What about Ronaldinho and Flamini?" Fino asked again.

“They’re not included in this round of pay cuts and contract renewals,” Pirlo replied, smoothing out the wrinkles in the duvet cover. Then, he added casually, “Oh, by the way, after Rino’s pay cut, Flamini’s salary is about twice his.”

Well, well, Italians really are all scoundrels.

Fino gave a forced smile, but said nothing.

...

On September 5, in the seventh group stage match of the World Cup qualifiers, Italy defeated Georgia 2-0 away from home. Fino scored twice, helping Italy win the match.

Then, in the home game against Bulgaria on September 9, Fino scored again, and Italy won two consecutive games during this international break.

In the home game against Bulgaria, AC Milan players such as Maldini, Inzaghi, Nesta, and Ambrosini were present in the stands. Partly to support their national teams, and partly to catch a glimpse of Fino.

After the game, they went onto the field and greeted Fino.

Maldini inquired in detail about Fino's situation in Madrid, fearing that the child might have been mistreated. Fino, of course, only spoke highly of him, just like any child working away from home who doesn't want to worry their family.

Fino wasn't exactly lying. Based on his current observations, Real Madrid's problems lie in their lineup and tactics, but their teammates are quite easy to get along with.

Whether it was the Spanish contingent led by Raul or other foreign players who spoke Spanish or Portuguese, everyone was very friendly. As the only Italian player in the locker room, I didn't feel ostracized.

Maldini ruffled Fino's hair and said softly, "That's good."

Fino gave Maldini a big hug and buried his face in Maldini's neck.

He appreciated Maldini's care, which made him feel loved by an elder.

Maldini burst out laughing: "You were always so serious when you were young, how come you've learned to be so cute and playful after joining Real Madrid?"

Seeing this scene of "filial piety between father and son," a hint of conflict flashed in Inzaghi's eyes.

He had promised Fino that he would keep the secret, but at this moment, he suddenly had the urge to tell Maldini.

Italians are generally attached to their homes, but Fino had no home.

Fino's life has been too bitter. He has no memories of his family and can only place his longing and attachment to the role of his father on Maldini. He also has to try his best to hide this longing and attachment, not revealing it in the slightest, so as not to cause trouble for Maldini.

He's so sensible it breaks your heart.

He even paid the price for this longing and attachment by being purged by Galliani.

Inzaghi was increasingly wavering. He felt that Maldini should know about Fino's unspoken feelings. Based on his understanding of Maldini, he believed that Maldini would reciprocate with more love after knowing, which might make Fino feel happier.

As the national team players returned to the locker room, about to leave the stadium and return to Milan, he finally made up his mind and called out to Maldini.

"Paul, there's something I want to tell you."

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Author's note: Thank you everyone for your support~ [hugs]