Chapter 170 Post-Match

After Fino was put to the ground by his teammates, Buffon immediately stripped Fino of his number 1 goalkeeper jersey.

Fino was not given any chance to refuse or resist.

Fino had just struggled to get out of his jersey when Buffon gave him a big hug.

"Is your back better?" Fino smiled and rolled his eyes at Buffon. He didn't try to break free, afraid of aggravating Buffon's back injury.

Buffon grinned and kissed him: "Fini, it's such a shame I can't be on the final stage in person, but seeing you wearing my jersey makes that feeling a little less bad. This jersey belongs to both of us, and I'll definitely cherish it!"

Perhaps because he was so happy tonight, Fino responded to Buffon with a rare sincerity, raising his hand to ruffle Buffon's hair and patting his face.

"Gigi, I wish you a successful surgery. Please accompany me to a few more major competitions. I look forward to seeing you turn the tide on the final stage!"

Buffon's beautiful blue eyes immediately lit up.

He grabbed Fino's hand that was on his face, and was about to say something when the excited Ambrosini pulled it away.

Ambrosini doesn't care about his back. The World Cup is over, go get your surgery done. He should be out of action until before the European Championship, which would cause Juventus to drop out of the Champions League zone.

This was Ambrosini's first major championship title, and he never imagined that he would have the chance to lift the World Cup trophy at the end of his career. He gave Fino a big kiss on the cheek...

"Fini, my hero, I love you, my career is complete!" Ambrosini was so excited that he was incoherent.

Fino wiped his face; he was used to Ambrosini's enthusiasm.

He smiled and patted Ambrosini on the shoulder, then looked at Nesta standing beside him.

Nesta took off his jersey and solemnly handed it to Fino.

“Fini, you must be the child of Lady Luck. I did indeed make it to the finals healthy. I have no regrets in my national team career. As we agreed, this jersey belongs to you.”

Fino took Nesta's farewell match jersey and hugged him tightly.

“Sandro, I will cherish this jersey. It carries some of my most beautiful memories. On the field of the South Africa World Cup, I fought alongside the greatest active center-back, Alessandro Nesta.”

Nesta kissed his hair.

...

While waiting for the podium to be set up, Fino was carried and kissed like a trophy. Although all the players on the field were heroes, everyone knew who had saved Italy that night.

When his teammates finally dispersed and celebrated, Fino returned to the bench, put Nesta's jersey back in his backpack, draped his own jersey over his shoulder, and walked toward his dejected opponents.

He patted the shoulder of every Spanish player who passed by, whether they were from Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​or Sevilla... He didn't say anything; at that moment, all words were inadequate.

His target is Xabi Alonso.

Unlike his teammates who were either sitting or lying down, Alonso stood straight, his eyes devoid of joy or sorrow. He watched the jubilant Italy and the desperate Spain. Having witnessed the triumphs and defeats on the field, he began to look up at the starry sky.

Fino approached Alonso.

By this time, Alonso had regained his composure and turned to look at Fino.

Fino won, and won undeniably. It was a purely fair and uncontroversial match. Spain dominated for most of the game, but fate played a cruel trick. Peak Spain lost to a declining Italy, or rather, to Fino, who was unstoppable on both offense and defense.

“Fini, congratulations.” Alonso smiled. “I take back what I said. You didn’t miss the strongest Italy. With you, Italy is the strongest Italy.”

Fino offered no words of comfort. Putting himself in Fino's shoes, he would never have wanted to hear any consolation from the victor at that moment.

The Spanish man before me is strong; his fighting spirit will not be broken by a single defeat, and he does not need pity.

"Xavi, let's have a rematch at the European Championship two years from now!" Fino took his jersey off his shoulder and handed it to Alonso, along with a challenge letter.

"Alright! Let's settle this once and for all in two years!" Alonso's eyes blazed with fighting spirit.

He took off his jersey and handed it to Fino, exchanging his passionate Spanish red for Fino's calm Italian blue.

They didn't speak again, but just stared at each other in silence.

They had always been close friends who cherished each other, but at this moment, something different seemed to be sprouting in their eyes.

At that moment, the Italian assistant coach ran over and called Fino back to the locker room to change, as the awards ceremony was about to begin.

Before leaving, Fino went up and hugged Alonso.

On a winter night in South Africa, two warm chests were pressed tightly together.

At that moment, Fino heard a rapid heartbeat; he couldn't tell if it was Alonso's, his own, or both.

Alonso took a step back, smiled, and patted Fino on the shoulder, indicating that it was time for him to leave.

Fino forced himself to remain calm, draped the bright red Spanish jersey over his shoulders, and turned to return to the locker room.

Alonso gripped the blue Italian jersey tightly in his hand, gazing at Fino's retreating figure for a long time.

The departed youth seemed to be the darling of the Creator. On the court, he was a pillar that his teammates relied on; in life, he was a solid support for his friends.

He was upright, courageous, understanding, and gently protected all those he approved of.

He has a beautiful appearance and an indomitable spirit; he is the embodiment of perfection.

He is so powerful it's captivating.

...

When Cannavaro and Nesta lifted the World Cup trophy together on the podium, the whole of Italy erupted in celebration.

The deepening night did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Italians. Thousands of fans took to the streets, jumping and cheering to celebrate this hard-won victory.

Despite injuries to their midfield maestro and goalkeeper, they fought their way to defend their World Cup title, bringing the trophy back to Italy and earning the right to have a fifth star embroidered above their crest.

Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples... Squares across Italian cities were packed with celebrating crowds, fans wearing blue national team jerseys, waving Italian flags, and singing "Azzurro" at the top of their lungs...

When the plane carrying the players arrived at Rome airport, thousands of fans were already waiting there.

Cannavaro was the first to appear at the cabin door, raising the World Cup trophy high, which elicited the first huge cheer from the fans in the stadium.

As the players appeared one by one at the cabin door and descended the steps, the fans chanted their names.

When Fino, the last to arrive, appeared at the cabin door, the name "Cabrini" resounded through the sky, lingering for a long time.

From the moment he took on the core responsibility of organizing Italy and dragging them into the knockout stage, Fino carried Italy forward all the way. He was the one who made the sprints and breakthroughs, the one who scored the goals, the one who made the final defensive runs, and even the one who stood in front of the goal in the penalty shootout.

He is everywhere, he is omnipotent.

He not only helped Italy reach the podium, but also won the World Cup Golden Ball, Golden Boot, and Best Young Player awards, and was selected for the World Cup All-Star Team.

Apart from Casillas receiving the Golden Glove, Fino swept all the team and individual awards.

There's even a growing call in Italy that since Fino beat Casillas in the penalty shootout, why shouldn't the Golden Glove award be given to Fino?

Love makes people blind.

At just under 22 years old, Fino has won the support and admiration of all Italian fans. He is so young, he is so powerful, and he has become a new symbol of Italian football.

Government leaders received the team, floats paraded, celebratory banquets were held, and media interviews took place... The fervor of defending the World Cup title permeated Italy throughout the summer.

After the initial joy faded, Fino began to feel bored with the endless activities, but he couldn't escape them.

From the national team's perspective, he is the star player, representing the image of the Italian national team. He must attend a series of celebrations with the team, give interviews, and respond to the fans' love and support; this is his responsibility and obligation.

From the perspective of his management team, he cannot waste the current popularity. The management team has already taken the opportunity to sign several luxury brand endorsements. The advertising shooting time can be postponed, but he must make an appearance at the brand event.

Fino felt even busier than during the deadly schedule of the season, and in a fit of anger, he impulsively spent a fortune to buy a villa in Bellagio, a town on the shores of Lake Como.

The short trip he took to Lake Como with friends like Pirlo and Nesta during the season before he left Milan is one of his fondest memories of Milan.

At that time, he was captivated by the beautiful scenery of Lake Como and felt that this place was perfect for retirement.

Julia seemed extremely touched when he asked her to handle the villa's affairs.

"Great, you've finally learned how to spend money!"

Fino: ? ? ?

"Only when you have the desire to spend money can you have the motivation to make money! Don't think I haven't noticed that although you cooperate with my work, you don't like frequent business activities."

Other people's star athletes are all about luxury cars, beautiful women, mansions, parties, and yacht vacations, but this guy of mine is super worry-free. He lives a secluded life and doesn't spend much money. His current savings are enough for him to live on for several lifetimes. Moreover, for at least the next ten years, his annual salary alone will be over ten million.

Julia is truly afraid that one day, Fino will directly tell the management team not to give him any more commercial deals.

After hearing Julia's idea, Fino burst out laughing.

"How could that be? It's easy money, and it's not a hot potato. Besides, if I don't take on business deals, how much money do you guys make just from my annual salary and commission? I don't transfer jobs much anyway."

He patted Julia on the shoulder, reassuring her: "Don't worry, Julia, I do not like frequent business activities, but since we are partners, I will definitely cooperate fully with your work."

It wasn't until August 1st, when Real Madrid's summer training camp officially began, that Fino finally breathed a sigh of relief and was freed from his busy schedule.

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Author's note: Thank you everyone for your support! [cheering emojis]