My Footballing Legend

In an office belonging to São Paulo FC, Mauro Pérez sat across the desk from Marcos Antonio, the Director of Youth Development. Papers were splayed out across the desk. They had been negotiating for the better part of the afternoon, exchanging information, calculations, clauses, and hesitancies for what felt was an eternity.

Finally, Mauro sat back in the chair, put his pen down, and shook hands with Marcos, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. 

"We have a verbal agreement," Marcos said. "You've got the first option for Carlos Henrique. Initial fee of €400,000, with additional incentives based on appearances. Twenty percent sell-on. But make sure you speak with the player and his family before completing the deal."

Mauro nodded. The look on his face remained static, though it might not have been obvious by his measured response, he was satisfied. "We'll do that tonight."

A staff member led Mauro outside to a tiny locker room, where Casemiro was in a simple training kit, with his boots dangling from his hand. He stood when Mauro walked in—tall, already had a broad shoulders—just an ordinary kid with a serious look in his face. He wore the expression of player who wasn't particularly flashy, and didn't smile much.

But he held his head high.

"Carlos," Mauro said, reaching out to shake his hand. "I'm Mauro Pérez, sporting director of CD Tenerife."

Casemiro shook his hand. "Nice to meet you sir."

"I'll be quick," Mauro said switching to fluent Portuguese. "The club has given us permission to speak. We want to offer you a professional contract - modest, but a real one. A first-team environment. Professional football in the top division in Spain."

Casemiro didn't respond straight away. He sat on the bench, and stared at his hands.

"My mum works two jobs," he said in a low voice. "My sister looks after the little ones. Sometimes we miss meals. I don't care about the cars, or being famous. But if it means a good home, food on the table... and if we can get them here to the island with me, I will come."

Mauro looked at him for a moment, and gave a slow nod. "We can arrange that. A modest apartment close to the stadium. We will include family accommodation as part of the offer. You will be supported."

Casemiro's eyes darted. The guard didn't fall all the way down—but something breathed into his shoulders.

"I'll do everything to show I am worthy," he said.

Mauro smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's all we want."

A little way across the city, night had fallen.

Back at the family home, Neymar was sitting on the edge of his bed, rolling a ball over his feet and thinking hard. Across the room, Neymar's father paced and read through the printed-up synopsis of Tenerife's offer. Their contract was bare, their salary limited. But it offered something else—something rarely offered to a boy so inexperienced.

"You think he was serious?" Neymar's father asked finally. "This? 'We'll build the team around you'..."

Neymar moved his head slowly back and forth. "He didn't talk like the others. He didn't talk to you about Ferraris or commercials. He even did this without charming you."

"That's because he knows he has nothing to offer."

"No," Neymar said, almost whispering. "It's because he thinks something is possible when really he knows it probably isn't."

He dropped the ball once, and caught it with heel.

"I could wait. Ajax. Milan. Somewhere bigger. But if I go there, I'm just another talent, one of many. If I go to Tenerife, I'll mean something from the first day."

His father looked at him, and then sat down beside him on the bed.

"I grew up thinking Europe was everything,' the older Neymar said. "I wanted the cloth of Real Madrid. Milan. Flamengo, too. But I also know what it is to be just a name in someone else's dream."

He paused.

"If this coach believe in you that much, and you believe in him, I'm not going to stop you."

Neymar looked up.

"He's not sure it'll work," the boy said. "But he's going to try. That's enough for me."

After that there was no reason to debate.