Chương 7: M O T I V A T I O N

Since then two weeks had passed. I was slowly starting to settle in. The players were good, the air was nice, the game was more fulfilling than before and the girls that lusted after me had increased exponentially.

Perks of becoming a professional footballer.

It was early morning. Probably close to 4 am. I drove my Audi and arrived at the training ground. Parking my car in the basement, I took the stairs to the locker room, while doing some warm-up.

Upon reaching the locker room, I removed my sweatpants and banyan, changing into my official Barcelona jersey.

Number 12.

We are still in a running season, the numbers were assigned long back hence I could only choose those that were not assigned to anyone. The options being- 12, 13, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, and 35.

Technically speaking, I should not even be able to join the squad but somehow they passed me as an academy player that got promoted and is now allowed.

At first, I wanted magical numbers such as 7, 9, and 10... but then again they were taken by

Dembélé, Lewandoski, and Ansu Fati. Doubt, I would even get them seeing how I have never played in a league match.

I could have opted for number 13 but Xavi went ballistic, saying that I would bring doom to the entire team despite me wanting to choose it so I could prove to the world how great I am.

Even with number 13, I am the best.

However... I agreed with Xavi and chose number 12, it was not as if I had a choice. What...if... number 13 brought doom?

Plus number 12 is a magical number too. Many legends have once worn it, including Oliver Giroud... Thierry Henry... Marcelo...

I was not dissatisfied at all. Maybe one day I will get to wear some of the most legendary numbers, 7, 9, and 10.

I looked at the ground. It was dark, very dark. Switching on the lights, I walked up to the field and began to do a few warm-up exercises.

Stretching, pushups, jumping jacks, squats, sprints. Most of the were calisthenics and cardio in nature.

After I was done I practiced on my ball control. I still remember how I failed the bottle test of Xavi. This means that I still am not perfect. That is not something I can accept.

Perfection is necessary. That day, I barged into the locker room and declared to Lewandoski that I will be the best.

I should do my best to live up to my words.

It's a new age and the legends are still in the game. It is my best chance to make a name for myself.

Shaking my head, I did a few high jumps before glancing at the football near my feet. It was high quality, not one that I could ever lay my hands upon.

The grass was finely cut unlike back home where I played on mud and the artificial turf. My shoes were better than ever before, donning the Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly 9. The same that Ronaldo wears... and this was just one of the studs I had in my new closet.

I remember sleeping with all my expensive studs. It was one of the best sleep I ever had. Haa. I shook my head with a smile that soon crumbled.

The day after tomorrow is an official match. A Copa Del Ray Semi-Final. Barcelona VS Real Madrid. An El-Classico.

I do not know if Xavi will put me in. I do not have experience and I doubt he would put me right into an El Classico and semi. One of the most celebrated matches in any league.

I am a little scared. If Xavi does put me in... will I be able to perform well? A sigh escaped my mouth. There is no point in being nervous and thinking about the future.

I have played amazingly in training and practice matches with Barca players. They are some of the best players in the world. I single-handedly destroyed Barca Team B... if I can not even play well in a real match... it would be the biggest joke of the century.

A smirk formed on my visage. I should not pussy out but rather stick my dick in pussies instead and make them cum out of the hole.

Yes... with that, I kicked the ball and it curved beautifully, falling into the right pocket.

'Goal.'

It was a long day. I practiced from 4 am to 6 am. Then I went home and took a cold shower, wrote my diary, meditated... drank a protein shake while watching a few personalized clips sent to me by Xavi to see my flaws and how I could improve them.

Then I got dressed and left for the training ground again, upon reaching I ate a personalized breakfast made by the Barca Chef as instructed by the nutritionist at 8 am. After that, I met the rest of the players and headed to the gym while the doctors did a few medical tests and have group analysis sessions.

Then we had group training until 2:00 pm after which we cooled ourselves with foam rollers and other such equipment.

Lunch at 12:30, then individual training until 4 pm after which we were free to head home.

"Before you all leave... I believe you all know the protocol. For those that do not know..." Xavi eyed me.

"We do not train a day before the match and focus more on recovery and warm up. So tomorrow there will be no footy training, you do not need to come for the full day, I believe all of you need rest and gain energy for the day after."

"I will now announce the squad list for the match."

"Goalkeepers: 1. Marc-André ter Stegen, 13. Iñaki Peña, 36. Arnau Tenas

Defenders: 4. Ronald Araujo, 17. Marcos Alonso, 18. Jordi Alba, 23. Jules Kounde, 24. Eric García, 28. Alejandro Balde, 21. Frenkie De Jong

Midfielders: 5. Sergio Busquets, 19. Franck Kessie, 20. Sergi Roberto, 29. Marc Casadó, 30. Gavi, 32. Pablo Torre.

Forwards: 9. Robert Lewandowski, 10. Ansu Fati, 11. Ferran Torres, 22. Raphinha, 12. Bobby Storm."

"Pedri will sit this one out due to injury. Anyways, bye-bye. I repeat whatever you do tomorrow, do it carefully... do not do something that will jeopardize our chances the day after. We are a team and a single player with misconduct is a blow. Respect the club and your comrades!

Do Not Party! Do Not Drink Alcohol... Do Not Do Drugs! Do your best to rest. Bye-bye now. You guys still need to come for pre-day training which is very light and breakfast. Lunch and Dinner will be delivered to your house."