Chapter 161 28-year-old Kaka is finishing...
Five hours later, the result of another Round of 16 match—a South American derby between Brazil and Chile—was announced: Brazil defeated Chile 3-0. Italy's quarter-final opponent has been determined: South American powerhouse Brazil.
Brazil is a formidable opponent for Italy.
Before the start of the World Cup quarter-finals, Brazil had risen to first place in the odds of winning the title on Bet365's official website, followed by Spain and Argentina. Germany and Italy had the same odds, tied for fourth place, while Uruguay, Ghana, and Paraguay were not favored.
For Fino, he will reunite with his teammate Kaká on the field.
During the South Africa World Cup, Fino and Kaká kept in touch, and they would always find a moment to chat after matches or during training breaks.
Fino was always worried about Kaká's physical condition, but as the competition progressed to the knockout stage, Kaká's injury became a topic that Fino cared about but could not bring up.
Because Italy and Brazil are in the same half of the draw, if both teams advance from the Round of 16, they will inevitably meet in the quarterfinals. Asking about Kaká's physical condition at this point would seem like spying on their opponents, so Fino couldn't bring it up.
From Milan to Real Madrid, Fino has always stood by Kaká. They are a perfect team, contributing many brilliant goals and exciting matches together.
This was the first time they had stood on opposite sides, and Fino was somewhat expectant.
The outside world also has high expectations for this match.
In the Round of 16, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal has already been sent home by Spain. This Italy vs. Brazil match will be a battle between the two remaining Ballon d'Or winners of this World Cup.
Of course, to be precise, there is another Ballon d'Or winner in the Italian team, Fabio Cannavaro, but due to his age and position, he has not been involved in this comparison.
Both are handsome, both have immeasurable commercial value, both bear the deep imprint of Milan, both are Real Madrid superstars, both are Ballon d'Or winners, and even after Fino dropped back, their on-field positions and roles were highly similar...
The match between Italy and Brazil was more like a fateful contest between Fino and Kaká.
This made this match the most watched of the World Cup quarterfinals, overshadowing the other three matches: Uruguay vs. Ghana, Paraguay vs. Spain, and Germany vs. Argentina.
...
When the final Round of 16 match between Spain and Portugal was decided, Fino sent comforting text messages to Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, and also sent congratulatory text messages to the Real Madrid players in the Spanish national team.
Alonso called immediately.
Fino was somewhat surprised. Alonso should be busy replying to various messages at this time, so how could he have time to make a phone call?
He glanced at Pirlo and Nesta, who were playing a game, left the room, and went out into the hallway before answering the phone.
Good evening, Harvey!
A commotion could be heard coming from the locker room, and Fino even heard Ramos screaming. But gradually, the sounds faded into the distance, eventually ending in silence.
Fino guessed that Alonso had come out of the locker room.
“Good evening, Finney!” Alonso’s voice came from the other end of the phone.
Did I disturb your celebration?
“Your message is never a bother,” Alonso chuckled.
"Congratulations on reaching the World Cup quarterfinals. Paraguay is a good opponent. I wish you all the best in advancing to the semifinals."
Of the eight teams that have reached the World Cup quarterfinals, Paraguay is considered the weakest, unlike Italy, which will face Brazil, the team with the best odds of winning the title.
Once they advance past the quarterfinals and into the semifinals, the situation for both teams will change again. Italy will face the winner between Uruguay and Ghana, while Spain will play either Germany or Argentina.
"And you? The match between Italy and Brazil is getting a lot of hype. How are you feeling right now?" Alonso leaned against the wall in the corridor, a smile playing on his lips as he teased, "Are you happy to be able to meet your good friend Kaká in the match, or sad that one of you will fall before the semi-finals?"
“Of course I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never faced Ricci before, and I’d love to play against the five-time world champions Brazil.” Fino’s tone was full of anticipation.
“Sounds very confident.” Alonso switched to his other ear to listen to the phone.
"Of course, with Pirlo and Nesta back, we have nothing to fear, even if we lose Buffon."
"You think so highly of Pirlo? I'm a little jealous, Finney..." Alonso raised an eyebrow and said something that was half-joking.
"Not again?" Fino laughed. "You're not even the same type of player, why do you keep comparing yourself to Andrea?"
At this moment, the Spanish assistant coach came out of the locker room and called Alonso back.
Alonso had no choice but to say goodbye to Fino.
"Fino, sorry, I have to hang up. Best of luck in defeating Brazil and continuing to win. See you in the World Cup final!"
Spain was not drawn into the same half of the bracket as Italy, meaning Alonso and Fino are destined to meet only in the World Cup final.
“Okay, it’s a deal!” Fino nodded in agreement. “I also look forward to facing Spain at their peak!”
...
On July 2, the highly anticipated match between Italy and Brazil finally kicked off at the Mandela Bay Stadium.
Italy continued with the same lineup as in their previous match against the Netherlands, still using the Christmas tree formation. The only change in the starting lineup was the replacement of Camoranesi, who was somewhat tired after starting consecutive matches, with Pepe replacing him.
Marchetti guarded the goal, with Zambrotta, Nesta, Chiellini, and Criscito forming the front defense. De Rossi, Pirlo, and Gattuso partnered in midfield, Fino and Pepe played as the two attacking midfielders, and Di Natale was the lone striker.
Brazil fielded a lineup close to a 4-2-3-1, with Inter Milan's starting goalkeeper Cesar guarding the goal, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, and Bastos lined up to protect the goal, Gilberto and Melo as the double pivot, Kaká as the attacking midfielder, Alves replacing the injured Elano at right-back, forming the wings with Robinho, and Fabiano leading the attack.
Kaka has a very heavy task in this match, as he needs to organize the attack, control the pace of the game, break through the middle, and distribute the ball. His role is similar to that of Fino in the third group stage match against Slovakia.
This Brazilian team is too reliant on Kaká, which is why Kaká has to continue running on the field despite the pain.
Many players in the Brazilian national team play in Serie A. Cesar, Maicon, and Lucio are Inter Milan players, Juan plays for Roma, and Melo and Chiellini are teammates at Juventus. This match can be described as a familiar one.
As the players entered the field, they greeted each other in a friendly manner.
Kaka grinned, showing his pearly white teeth, and embraced the Milanese player from the Italian team.
After greeting her, Kaka covered her mouth and said to Fino, "Fino, I kept my promise."
His groin pain was getting worse and worse, and he was also experiencing discomfort in his left knee, which greatly affected his performance in the game.
Facing defending champions Italy in the quarterfinals, the Brazilian national team coaching staff is also anxious. In the past two days, they have been emphasizing Kaká's core responsibility and encouraging him to make greater sacrifices for the national team.
Kaka understood what they meant; they hoped to maintain his competitive form by administering pain-relieving injections.
Kaka directly rejected the coaching staff's request. He was willing to sacrifice everything for the national team, but he could not take the pain-relieving injection.
"I swore on the Bible that I would not take painkillers for the World Cup, and I cannot lie to God."
The coaching staff was incredulous after running into a snag with Kaka, who usually gets everything he wants.
They certainly didn't suspect Kaka was lying; Kaka was a devout Christian, but why would he make such a vow for no reason? It was too strange!
"Because it's something I promised someone, I have to do it," Kaka solemnly replied after the coaching staff raised the question.
"Is it Cabrini?" One of the smart people on the coaching staff immediately thought of a candidate: Kaká's best friend was Fino.
"That's not important. What's important is that I'm willing to give everything for the national team. I can play with an injury, but I can't lie to God. So, I'm sorry!"
Kaka certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to expose Fino, who is the attacking core of Brazil's next opponent, Italy. Exposing Fino at this time would only cause trouble for him.
Kaka knew that Fino was doing this for him, so of course he wouldn't betray Fino.
The coaching staff cannot force a player to take a pain-relieving injection, something that could potentially impact their career. They can only offer encouragement and support, but the player must ultimately make the decision.
Kaka refused decisively, and they had no other choice but to give him a protein injection before the match to boost his immunity in the short term. As for whether it was effective, it was better than nothing.
Fino reached out and ruffled Kaka's hair. He was pleased that Kaka had kept his promise and had not done anything that would seriously jeopardize his career.
Kaka affectionately nuzzled Fino's hand, then hugged Fino and rested her head on Fino's shoulder.
He was actually very grateful to Fino for "forcing" him to swear an oath to the Bible.
Didn't he know how serious the consequences of getting injections were? But he carried too much on his shoulders. Under the triple pressure of the coaching staff, his father, and public opinion in Brazil, the shackles of responsibility tightly bound him, forcing him to make sacrifices time and time again.
So he was prepared before the World Cup to die on the field in South Africa, even if it meant his own death.
Fino gave him a reason to breathe from his bondage, a chance to free himself from his shackles—he could not deceive God.
Nesta grabbed Kaká by the back of his collar and pulled him off Fino's shoulder.
"What's going on? Finney went to Spain for a year and became more mature and stable, while you went for a year and are still so childish? Finney could be your older brother!"
“It’s okay, I’m willing to spoil him.” Fino’s voice was gentle and indulgent.
He slapped Nesta's hand away, pulled Kaká back into his arms, wrapped one arm around Kaká's back, and pressed Kaká's head against his shoulder with the other.
Fino understood how Kaka was feeling; 28-year-old Kaka was going through his second childbirth.
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Author's Note: Thank you everyone for your support! [cat paw emoji]
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