The Little Prince of the Field

Saturday, a day before our 16th match of the league, Las Palmas against Mirandes. 

A vibration rises from the bottom of the chair with a rattling sound as the plane lands on a runway covered in grass. 

Small airports are nice because you don't have to wait to collect your luggage. 

Players descended the plane through the stairs while chatting and crossed the runway with earphones plugged in. 

The bus waiting outside made a sound and urged the players. 

After a while, the bus carrying the team departed for the hotel. 

We passed the alley as we watched the scenery of Miranda de Ebro through the window. 

It was a small town in the north. 

The buildings were similar in height to those buildings of Gran Canaria. 

The bus stopped in front of ‘Hotel Sercotel Ciudad de Miranda'. 

I walk up the stairs after being assigned the 4th floor as my accommodation. 

It was not my style to wait for the elevator along with the players. 

When I opened the door, the interior decorations were all red – From the linens on the bed to the paintings on the walls. 

While I was walking around to the bathroom after roughly throwing the bag on the bed, someone opened the door and entered the room with a creaking sound. 

It was Castro.

"what?"

“What what? I will also be staying here.” 

“Why are we two sharing? It's never been like this before.” 

“No, there are two beds in this room. So if you don’t like it, ask the coach to change your room.” 

I muttered a little inwardly and showed my displeasure, but in the end, said nothing. 

Castro, who had unloaded a trunk full of luggage, took out his clothes and shoes and organized them. 

What if Castro snores a lot?

The possibility of adversely affecting my physical condition should be blocked in the early stages. 

I'll keep an eye on it and if there's a problem, I'll have to talk to coach Juan immediately. 

“Aren’t you going to unpack your luggage?” 

“There is no luggage.” 

“What about your clothes?” 

“In the bag.” 

Seeing the school bag placed on the bed, Castro frowned and gave advice. 

“Even if the only thing you have to do is get on a plane for three hours, you still have to keep the habit of using the usual item as everyone.” 

"Usual item as everyone? What is that?" 

"Deodorant." 

When I got the answer, I realized why the players always carry their luggage with them. 

People here sweat a lot. 

They carry three times as many socks and underwear as normal people do. 

“Which bed do you want to use?” 

"I like the bed on the left side, but what if Castro snores? I can't sleep with an animal. I may have to change rooms. My physical condition is important." 

“I won’t…I will be careful so that I don’t turn into a real beast.” 

Watching Castro's small growling, I sat on the bed. 

When I get out of the bathroom after a quick wash, the hour hand starts to point to 7 PM. 

"Let's go and eat.” 

I took out my personal lunch box and shook it in front of Castro. 

In principle, I eat only what I bring a day before the game. 

It is unacceptable not to be able to play due to an upset stomach. 

“Is that a designated diet?” 

"yes. Coach Juan prepared it. Didn't you get one, Castro?" 

“I got one. Ha, so that was the reason why Juan always called my name at the end of every session.” 

With a slightly tired expression on his face, Castro clicked his tongue. 

“Why did Juan call your name?” 

“He made a fuss about eating like you and showed how you were able to balance your body as you want. It has become famous among the players, didn’t you know? Besides, it’s gotten worse since you came back from injury. I'm guessing you would have come back sooner or later whether you followed your diet or not." 

“Well, I guess that’s true.” 

I looked behind Castro's back as he left the room while shaking his head, soon the door was closed with a loud sound. 

What, isn't it basic for a professional player to work hard like this? 

I almost felt a little offended, but that's all right. 

Because today is the eve of the game, as carbohydrates filled the lunch box, a high-calorie party awaited me. 

I played music on the Bluetooth speaker and forgot about my lunch box. 

There is a side dish of meat seasoned with white rice. 

Pickled radish was also included, but it didn't taste like kimchi. 

Is it a jade tea? 

It took me less than 30 minutes to finish the meal. 

I simply washed the lunch box in the bathroom and enjoyed the feeling of satiety that slowly rose from the bottom of my stomach. 

On the day before the game, there is nothing to do except roll around in bed or glance at the tactical papers given to me by the Manager. 

As I got tired from boredom, I started looking around the alley outside on the terrace, and that’s when I heard the sound of the door opening. 

In the chilly weather, the raindrops that started to fall little by little wet the tiles of the footpath in the alley where the hotel is located. 

Castro, who was fiddling with his cell phone in bed, asked me a question as I entered fearing that I might catch a cold.

“Are you confident about the game tomorrow?” 

“To some extent.” 

"You said you'd help me with a pass. When will you give it to me?” 

“It’s an unfair promise. It was you, who couldn't get into the position, what does it have to do with me?” 

The beast showed its head as the conversation heated up, but Castro, who soon regained his sanity, told me the story as if he had become a news reporter.

“Pedri and Rodriguez were excited. The article said that the Manchester City and Barcelona scouts were coming to watch the match tomorrow. Did you know?” 

“I heard it while talking to the agent.” 

“There has been something that was bugging me these days, can I ask just a few questions?” 

"It doesn't matter, ask whatever you want, because if I don't like it, I won't give you an answer." 

“Did you even get a formal offer?” 

Instead of answering, I nodded. 

It wasn't something we could talk about, the day before the match, but it wasn't something I couldn't answer either. 

“There are a lot of things I want to ask, but they all cross the line. Well, have you made up your mind?” 

“No, it’s complicated.” 

“I guess so.” 

“Have you been transferred a lot?” 

“Yeah. I have been going around a lot. Deportivo, Huesca, etc. The place where I stayed the longest was Betis, but I also went to the Super League in China for a while. I can even talk in Chinese.”

I guess I shouldn't judge a person carelessly, based on the first impression. 

I could feel the difference in experience. 

As we were talking, I wanted to ease my worries a little bit by asking for advice. 

The thought of being able to listen to good advice and the hesitation of ending up being made fun of clashed again and again in my mind. 

“How was China?” 

"The record came out well. But I couldn't adjust to my daily life there, and my family didn't come with me, so I couldn't hold on any longer and canceled my contract in the middle. That was in 2017, and I think I learned a lot of things outside of soccer." 

“…………”

"I didn't mean to tell you this for you to listen. Do not misunderstand me. My playing career is short, and I'm not going to beg you to stay in Las Palmas while you feel sorry for me." 

"There is no use in begging." 

Avoiding Castro's fierce gaze, I climbed onto the bed and sat down. 

Castro raised his upper body and sat at the edge of his bed. 

It may have been a bit rude, but I can't help but get nervous before I talk about my worries. 

“I don't know. Since I'm a minor, my dad also has to go to the place I'm moving to. I don't want him to go and live in another place because of me. He says it's fine… but this problem always weighs on my heart." 

“………..”

"I don't mind renewing the contract but the owner had been rude to my agent. Well, it's something similar to an argument. The agent also says it's okay, but I don't like it." 

“What about release?” 

“I don’t like the idea of ​​making a promise to work a few years from now. I think it's the best option right now, but I think I'll regret it later. In fact, I keep on examining each option one by one, And the bottom line is that I am an idiot. I can't make a decision and I just keep getting worried, and the process continues like a loop.” 

At my words, Castro giggled and laughed, ignoring what I had to say. 

I didn’t understand what was funny. 

I was indeed full of worries, but is that enough to make him laugh?”

"Sorry. I didn't mean to laugh at you. You take care of yourself like an experienced player, but hearing you, I thought you were still a young player. Are you offended?" 

"…I am not that young." 

Castro wiped the smile from his lips and stood up straight.

"If you don't like all three… How about Las Palmas? Are you satisfied here?" 

“To some extent. I am learning a lot.” 

“Okay, then don’t make a decision right away. I think it would be good to watch a little more. It's not you who should be in a hurry, it's the team that wants to take you. Leave your worries alone. If there is an offer that you cannot refuse, then it will not be too late to answer it.” 

“Even Uncle Bari told me to think about it slowly.” 

“Are you talking about the agent?” 

“Yes.” 

“Okay, it’s okay for now. Don’t let that trouble you because you are still young, being young is really a big weapon. It guarantees the fact that you still have enough time to show a better side of yourself in the future.” 

Castro stared at the air for a moment, then spoke in a low voice with some hesitation. 

"But later, if at some point in the future comes a time when you must leave, at that time, don't hesitate." 

“How do I know when to leave?” 

“You will find out naturally.” 

It was a vague statement. 

Castro smiled bitterly at my puzzled expression and added a few words.

"When you have nothing to learn from the team, when you're hesitating to explore the world outside of football. When your goals start to disappear or become unattainable. When you get older and realize your limits. These are the signs.” 

“……” 

“Forget it. It was just my useless babbling.” 

I don't know what to say. 

I wanted to have a serious conversation, not a heavy atmosphere. 

Castro looked sad. 

"Hey, kid. Don't look at me like that. I'm not dead yet." 

"…I think you’re half dead." 

Castro choked hearing my reply. 

⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩

Nov 18 2019 Estádio Municipal de Anduva. 

The stadium is nestled amidst lush grass. 

It looked so small that when I first got off the bus, I wondered if the bus had dropped us off in the two-story factory building by mistake. 

I did not know that La Liga would take place in a small stadium with a capacity of 5,000 seats. 

In the midst of the crowd's murmur, I exchanged light chatter with Pedri to get prepared for shooting practice. 

Narvaez and Pedri, who were scheduled to start, along with me formed a group. 

In front of the goal, Vales stood in place of Martinez, who suffered a minor injury in the previous match. 

The condition of the grass is not bad. 

Pedri's shot hits Vales' fingertips. 

Next, Juan Narvaez, the ball went straight into the net with a pop sound. 

It looked very good. 

“Narvaez, nice shot.” 

“Si.” 

Next, it was my turn. 

Near the penalty box, to the top left of the goal. 

I pushed the ball straight through with the instep of my foot, just like Narvaez had kicked it. 

Vales reaches out for the ball, but it's a little late to stop the ball that was flying in a straight line. 

There was the sound of the net waving. It feels good to strike the ball with my foot. 

I feel like I can do whatever I want. 

The second shot is rotated so that it bends inward from outside the goal. 

The destination is the same. 

The ball bends sharply inward. 

The trajectory of the well-kicked shot seemed to cut through the space. 

Valles couldn't stop it. 

“I’m in good shape today.” 

"okay. Scouts will love it.” 

"Shut up." 

I bruised the playful Pedri and concentrated on my training again. 

Third shot. 

Strikes the center of the soccer ball dropped by the coach. 

Well done. 

The ball that seemed to leave the goal loses moderate speed and sinks downward. 

Again, it fell on the upper left corner of the goal. It was the same location. 

"what?" 

“I feel very good today.” 

"…Since when did you use your left foot like that?”

(To be Continued )

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