Chapter 145 "How did you know it was Paul who drove it..."
From the moment Fino stepped into the locker room, everyone there could feel his good mood.
Fino looks so different today than usual.
Because of his exquisitely handsome features, Fino, when expressionless, gives off an aura of unapproachability. Of course, this is all superficial; those who have truly spent time with Fino can feel his sincerity, friendliness, gentleness, and tolerance.
At this moment, Fino exuded a different aura. His eyes were smiling, bright and captivating, like a peacock spreading its tail feathers, freely radiating his charm. His eyes sparkled with eager anticipation, and even his casual, light glances seemed to have hooks, making it impossible to look away.
Hmm, so alluring.
Guti leaned in, hooked her arm around Fino's neck, and teased, "Beautiful lady, why are you in such a good mood today?"
"José!" Fino turned to look at him, as if she had finally spotted her target, and asked excitedly, "Have you had breakfast? Maldini's breakfasts are especially delicious!"
Guti knew that Maldini had come to Madrid and was staying at Fino's house.
Spanish tabloids are that fast; in just half a day, photos and videos were already online.
"What, did you bring me breakfast?" Guti smirked, revealing a playboy-like, roguish smile. "Do you love me that much that you brought me the breakfast Maldini made for you?"
Fino shook her head: "I didn't bring you any. I just wanted to tell you that Maldini made me breakfast, and it was especially delicious."
Guti silently withdrew his hand.
Just then, Kaka walked in and greeted Fino, "Good morning, Fino!"
“Ciao, Richie,” Fino replied immediately, “How did you know Paul drove me to training?”
Kaka: ? ? ?
Who asked you? I just said good morning!
Before Kaka could even open his mouth, Pepe walked past them, and Fino quickly patted Pepe's arm.
"Pepe, you are such a smart and insightful man! A pillar of Real Madrid's defense, you will definitely become the future leader of the defense." Fino's eyes were full of praise.
Peipei scratched her head and grinned憨厚ly. Although she didn't know why, who wouldn't like to hear praise?
"Why?" Ramos walked over, indignant. Why wasn't Sese praised as the future leader of the defense?
Fino looked at Ramos with a serious expression: "Because he wears number 3! That's Maldini's number!"
Fino's expression seemed to say: How can you not even know this? Read more books, you illiterate!
Ramos: ? ? ?
I have no problem with you praising Maldini; he is indeed great. But what kind of logic is it that whoever wears number 3 is the leader of the defense?
"I see," Peipei's smile vanished instantly.
Am I just a tool for you to hype up Maldini? You don't care about my performance at all; you only see that I'm wearing number 3!
At this moment, Raul walked into the locker room, saw a large crowd gathered there, and came over as well.
Upon seeing Raul, Fino's eyes lit up. "Great, a captain has arrived."
He waved to Raul, but before he could speak, Alonso silenced him.
Alonso put his arm around Fino from behind with one hand and covered his mouth with the other to prevent him from creating another random teammate.
Alonso looked apologetically at Guti, Kaká, Pepe, and Ramos, and said helplessly, "The child is still young. It's understandable that he's excited when people from his hometown come to visit him after he's left home. Please be understanding!"
Guti gave Fino's hair a hard tug, then turned to the others and said, "It's getting late, we should head to the training ground."
Everyone followed Guti and left the locker room one after another.
Kaka kept looking back as he walked, completely baffled as to why Alonso could so naturally and skillfully smooth things over for Fino. It was as if he were Fino's closest person, even though he was Fino's best friend.
After everyone had left, Alonso released Fino.
Fino was still very excited. He turned around and hugged Alonso's neck with both hands: "Xavi, do you have any plans to buy a car recently? I recommend Ferrari. The one Maldini gave me is very good."
Alonso felt like he'd been hit too.
"You keep talking about Maldini, do you like him that much?" Alonso ruffled his hair and asked softly.
Fino nodded emphatically, tilted his head to look into Alonso's eyes, and said candidly with a happy smile, "He is the best captain in the world, the greatest leader, and the most respectable elder. Xavi, he loves me, and I am so happy."
This was the first time Fino had openly expressed his feelings for Maldini, and he felt that Alonso understood him.
Fino's eyes seemed to reflect a dazzling galaxy. Alonso kissed his forehead tenderly: "Of course he loves you, Fino. You deserve everyone's love."
Maldini spent a total of 12 days in Madrid.
During those 12 days, his relationship with Fino was peaceful and warm. He prepared breakfast for Fino every day and took him to the Real Madrid training center for training, just like any father who cherishes his child.
He even acted as a parent, organizing Fino's 21st birthday party and inviting all the Real Madrid players.
Maldini didn't board a plane back to Milan until just before Real Madrid's Champions League group stage match against AC Milan.
“Fini, you’re going back to Milan for Christmas. Adriano and your brothers miss you a lot.”
Fino nodded and hugged Maldini tightly.
During these 12 days, Spanish media captured numerous images of Maldini picking up Fino, taking him to the supermarket, and walking with him, and of course, fabricated rumors without hesitation:
"Daddy Takes Charge: Milan Legend Re-enters the Domestic Service Industry"
"Love in Madrid: Two Generations of Italian Superstars Star in a Handsome Sugar Dad and a Charming Sugar Baby"
Maldini offered a Ferrari to Bocabrini to make him smile.
Milan regrets selling Cabrini; Maldini personally travels to Madrid to lobby against it.
Real Madrid dressing room infighting escalates; Cabrini invokes Maldini's support.
Pellegrini's position is unstable; Maldini has been confirmed as Real Madrid's next manager.
...
Fino simply laughed it off, and Maldini made no response.
The Western media hype lasted for a long time, and the heat of the matter gradually dissipated in late November.
In the 12th round of La Liga, the Spanish El Clásico is about to begin, with Real Madrid traveling to Catalonia to challenge Barcelona.
Three days ago, in the Champions League group stage match against Zurich, Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been away from the field for 45 days, finally recovered from his injury and made his first El Clásico since joining Real Madrid.
In the past 11 league rounds, Real Madrid has won 10 and lost 1, accumulating 30 points and temporarily ranking first in the standings, while Barcelona has won 8 and drawn 3, accumulating 27 points and ranking second.
Despite Real Madrid's higher ranking on the league table, they have consistently been at a disadvantage in social media discourse.
Barcelona's concept of "beautiful football" and "artistic football" is deeply ingrained in people's minds, while Real Madrid is often associated with "superstar individual performances" and "a disorganized mess"...
At 7 p.m. on November 28, the highly anticipated match officially kicked off at Camp Nou.
After careful consideration, Pellegrini selected the 4-2-3-1 formation from among the many formations he had tried this season.
Casillas remained the undisputed starting goalkeeper, while Ramos, Pepe, Albiol, and Arbeloa formed the front line, and the two full-backs also had the task of pushing forward to cooperate with the two wingers in the attack.
Lass Diarra and Alonso partnered in the defensive midfield, responsible for sweeping up interceptions and transitioning between attack and defense. Kaká played as the attacking midfielder, cooperating with Alonso to organize attacks and make breakthroughs through the middle. Marcelo and Ronaldo were responsible for the two flanks, while Fino played as the lone striker at the front.
Pellegrini's purpose is obvious.
In last month's Champions League group stage, Rubin Kazan from the Russian Premier League used a 4-2-3-1 formation to upset Barcelona, shocking the world with their underdog victory.
Pellegrini's successful attempt to replicate the Kazan ruby.
Fino, however, had reservations.
He had carefully studied the match in which Barcelona lost to Rubin Kazan. Rubin Kazan's victory was not entirely due to their formation, but rather to their tenacious fighting spirit, tireless running, extreme defense, and strict tactical discipline in making up for the gap in strength and technique.
He witnessed last season's Champions League final, where Ancelotti also prioritized a solid defense, using Flamini to mark Iniesta and cut off Barcelona's midfield and attack connections. After securing a solid defense, he then looked for opportunities to counter-attack.
And Real Madrid's defense...
Fino shook his head; it was as clear as a sieve.
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have a large number of Spanish internationals. The Spanish national team has performed very well in recent years, which is inseparable from the harmonious relationships within the teams. The players of Real Madrid and Barcelona have a very good relationship in private.
In the players' tunnel, the Spaniards from both teams were chatting together, and Cristiano Ronaldo also exchanged a few words with his former Manchester United teammate, Gerard Piqué.
Fino and Messi made eye contact and nodded to each other again, just like before last season's Champions League final.
The Ballon d'Or competition has entered its final stage, with the awards ceremony just days away. Fino and Messi are both considered favorites to win.
2009 was a year without major tournaments, and Fino, as the core player of the Champions League and Serie A double champions and a double Golden Boot winner, had basically secured the Ballon d'Or for this year.
But the media always needs to hype things up, so Messi, who won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, was brought up.
This Spanish El Clásico naturally became a warm-up for the Ballon d'Or race.
Just then, a tall man swaggered over and blocked Fino's view.
Fino looked up and saw it was Ibrahimovic, Nesta's somewhat dim-witted die-hard fan, who had also moved from Serie A to La Liga this season.
"Ciao, Cabrini, are you happy to see Zlatan?"
Fino's lips twitched slightly. That ghost just won't go away!
But now that Ibrahimovic was expressing friendliness, he couldn't ignore him, so he casually exchanged a few pleasantries: "Ciao, Zlatan, it's great to play against you in La Liga. It seems you've adapted well to life here in Barcelona."
“No, no, no, Fino, you should say that the people of Barcelona have finally had the honor of enjoying life with Zlatan.” Ibrahimovic shook his head, his eyes full of confidence.
Fino's lips twitched, and she felt extremely regretful.
Pirlo had told him long ago not to listen to idiots, how could he have forgotten?
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Author's note: Thank you everyone for your support! [cheering emojis]
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