I usually love the rain. The current overcast weather, however, is just adding to my anxiety. Uncle Ferran has put the AC on full, which is making me even more uncomfortable. My mother bought a silver 2007 Ford Focus for the entire family at my uncle's wedding. Uncle is now taking me to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in that car. I would've preferred his scooter, but Mama said no because it was about to rain. It makes no sense because I will be spending the whole day outside anyway, but I didn't argue. Mama was, somehow, even more anxious than I am.
"Reietó, this is it. You are really good, I promise you. Just play your natural game, and they will see what the whole El Raval has come to know."
I just hummed in response, still staring out the passenger window. I know I'm good, but not as good as my uncle believes me to be. My strengths lie in my vision and my understanding of the entire game.
My weaknesses, on the other hand, are basically everything else. More specifically, my speed and strength are only slightly above average. Amongst my physical traits, only my stamina is a redeeming factor. I do not tire out, even working twice as hard as my teammates.
However, my technique is where I really have to hide in embarrassment. I am bad, like really bad, at dribbling. When it comes to shooting and longer passes, my accuracy is decent, but my power leaves much to be desired.
I might not be the technical player La Masia makes, but I hope they give me a chance. I will work really hard.
…
"Go on, Reietó. Believe in yourself. You are much better than you think you are." Uncle Ferran patted me on my back before pushing me towards the assistant. We had already signed up for the camp, and the woman at the booth had just marked my name.
The assistant smiled at me and started walking ahead. I quickly followed, trying to ignore the gravity in my stomach. I was mesmerised watching the large fields and buildings from behind the dense trees. We soon arrived at a hallway inside a one-story building.
The assistant checked in with a stout man sitting on a stool in the doorway. The stout man perused the list, nodded his head, and looked my way, "The field is through that door, son. You can mingle, make friends there. Camp will start soon, campeón."
I smiled at both of them and walked out.
…
Álex García had been a culé his whole life. He was part of La Masia himself, even playing three games for the main team. Some time after his playing career ended, Álex returned to his childhood club as the Head of Scouting. He loved this job because he understood and resonated with the FC Barcelona values and identity. He hoped to help his club by finding and nurturing talent who represent La Masia and Blaugrana just like the now-famous 1987 generation.
With a coffee in his hand and a spring in his step, Álex walked up into the stands and found a well-hidden seat near the top corner. The camp instructors were about to enter the field to begin warm-up. Álex was here early to take a look at the youngest of the crop participating this summer. He planned to progress up the age bracket throughout the day. As he sipped his black coffee, he spotted a peculiar boy from above the rim of his cup.
Álex was here early to take a look at the youngest of the crop participating this summer. He planned to progress up the age bracket throughout the day. As he sipped his black coffee, he spotted a peculiar boy from above the rim of his cup.
The boy stood out both for his looks and his presence. With tousled black hair, blue eyes, and sharp features, it was clear that the kid would grow up to be strikingly handsome. However, a sense of shyness and solitude surrounded him, which somewhat veiled his attractiveness. The other children were in groups, most of them validating their nervousness with each other. This boy, however, was seated on a ball about 5 to 6 feet away from anyone else. His nervousness was clear for Álex to see, but there was a remarkable acceptance of it, hinting at a maturity not found at this age.
Álex García made a separate column on his notepad and wrote down the "67" printed on the boy's training bib. He once again scanned the field and stood up to walk over to the other age groups.
…
The summer camp officially began with a light warm-up. We took a lap of the field and did some easy stretches. As soon as the warm-up ended, I took one of the many loose balls and kept it under my feet. The football at my feet made everything right.
The exercises that followed were not very difficult. We did technical drills to practice ball control, passing, and dribbling. We then played 7v7 possession-based games on small divisions of the field. They were my favourite as I could play my football during those games.
Outside of the possession-based games, it was clear that many other children were better than me at pretty much everything. I was always above the median, but hardly ever near the top. This was, of course, outside of the short sprints that tested speed and stamina. While I did not stand out with my speed, I had the most short sprints amongst the entire cohort of 75. My pride was short-lived as a strength test came soon after.
Regardless, I enjoyed myself. It did not escape me that this was all for my dream to make this place my home.
…
The camp instructors had mostly just observed today. Near noon, they said some encouraging words and left. Attendents then came and escorted us to different dressing rooms to change. I walked next to a tall boy with dark brown hair and a perpetual grin. He was eight years old and played as a centre back. He was reserved and preferred to talk about football only, so we hit it off well. After a short break and a change of clothes, we were taken to a canteen for lunch.
After lunch came the most wonderful discovery of my life. We were taken to a large auditorium where the head instructor gave a slideshow on some very basic football formations and tactics. We were then divided into groups of 15 before the various instructors dived deeper into tactics and the features of in-possession and out-of-possession football.
I was smiling the stupid smile of a parched traveller who had come across a companion. While everything discussed was very simple and nothing new, it was the first time the concepts in my head were clearly defined and put into words for me. I still preferred the abstractness that came with my thoughts; however, I revelled in the realization that I had found similar company.