"You don't wait for permission when greatness is your inheritance."
August 2021 – Milanello, Two Weeks Before the Campionato Nazionale U17 Kickoff
The rhythm of preseason had settled.
Enzo had found his lungs, his touches were sharper, and his confidence began to pulse through the squad. Even the senior boys had started passing to him without a second thought — always a sign of respect in elite youth football.
But something still held him back from the starting XI.
Lorenzo Cattaneo. The captain. The golden boy. A striker with clean technique, tactical discipline… and a growing distaste for Enzo's presence.
Coach Baldini rotated Enzo in training.
Started him in friendlies.
Praised him just enough to keep him hungry — but not enough to give him the keys.
"You're almost there," the assistant coach whispered once.
"But almost doesn't start on Sunday."
A Challenge Behind Closed Doors
It was a Friday. Training ended early. The squad split into two sides for an 11v11 internal match.
Enzo was on the "B Team" — the backups.
Lorenzo led the "A Team."
Coach Baldini called out:
"No instructions. Just ball. We're watching."
Enzo felt the weight. This wasn't a scrimmage. This was trial by fire.
The Game That Changed Everything
The first 20 minutes were rough.
Enzo touched the ball four times. Lost it twice. One of the centre-backs bullied him off a pass and barked, "Not a kid's game anymore."
But something switched in the 25th minute.
Enzo dropped deeper — into the half-spaces — and began to pull the strings.
A cheeky flick over a midfielder's head.
A threaded through-ball that nutmegged Lorenzo and put his winger 1v1.
Then… a goal.
Enzo feinted left, exploded right, accelerated past a defender and scooped the ball Ronaldinho-style over the keeper.
Silence.
Then scattered applause from the staff watching on the touchline.
Baldini's Final Test
At halftime, Baldini pulled Enzo aside.
"Nice tricks. But here's what I want—mark Lorenzo man-to-man second half."
Enzo blinked. "But I'm—"
"You want to start? Earn it on both sides."
So he did.
For 30 minutes, Enzo chased, pressed, tackled. Lorenzo got no touches. No rhythm. At one point, the older forward shoved him. Enzo shoved back.
"You're just a hype balloon," Lorenzo hissed.
Enzo grinned.
"Then why can't you pop me?"
After the Game – The Decision
The players sat on the pitch, exhausted.
Coach Baldini stood in front of them.
"The league starts in two weeks. We'll announce the starting XI Monday."
He looked directly at Enzo.
"Some walls were broken today. Some places earned."
And then he walked away.
Sunday – Surprise Knock
Enzo's family was visiting for the weekend. They were just cutting cake for Luca's 24th birthday when Enzo's phone lit up.
📩 Baldini: Come to my office. Now.
Baldini sat behind his desk, flipping through tactical sheets.
"You're in."
Enzo blinked.
"You'll start on the left wing. You'll be the youngest starter in the league. You'll also have a target on your back."
He leaned forward.
"Every full-back will kick you. Every ref will be slow to blow the whistle. But if you survive… you'll be unstoppable."
Then Baldini held out his hand.
"Welcome to the eleven."
Enzo shook it.
"I won't survive, Coach."
"Oh?"
"I'll shine."
.
.
.
.
Monday morning. The official team sheet was pinned on the bulletin board.
GK – Russo
RB – Andretti
CB – Marino
CB – Sforza
LB – Cardone
CM – Baggio
CM – Deluchi
8. LW – ENZO SKY VITO
ST – Lorenzo Cattaneo
RW – Mendez
CAM – Valente
The room buzzed. Some players congratulated him. Some didn't.
Lorenzo walked up behind him, reading the sheet.
"You've got the spot, Alien. Don't lose it."
Enzo turned, winked, and whispered:
"I'm just getting started."