14 August 2017
At a 15-minute walk from the La Masia dorms, stood a rustic and vibrant café, Petit Café Brasil. The place, old and ordinary, was distinguished by its warm atmosphere. The cardboard cutout of Neymar Jr. outside the entrance was also quite striking. The far corner of the café was occupied by a group of 5 teenagers, all of them in their purple training kits.
"Come on, Jordi. Why are you watching such a useless game?"
Alejandro Balde quipped. Jordi, however, ignored the question, something Balde was quite used to. He did not turn away from his phone, which played the Madrid vs. Bayern quarter final 2nd leg. The yellow pencil furiously scribbled in the margins of the thick copy of 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
"What would you know, Hunh? You can't even figure out the stuff he writes on his books." Gavi rose out of his seat. Again, this was something Balde was used to.
"Ah yes. Jordi's very own bodyguard is here to fight." Ansu Fati joined in, eliciting a lazy laugh from Eric Garcia.
Before Gavi could get physical, Eric nudged Jordi out of his usual episode, "Come on, brother. We would get it if you were watching the Remontada or even the UCL final. Why are you watching this random quarter final?"
"It was a robbery anyway. Those offsides and the penalty calls, GOD!" Gavi huffed.
"This was the first game in the UCL that Madrid played a 4-3-1-2 formation." A sip of coffee marked the end of Jordi's concise explanation.
"Jordi, you will definitely be called up for the U16 or U15. My agent told me that they will be announcing the squads this week. Eric turned towards Jordi.
"Should've happened a long time ago. I don't understand how that Miranda was called up before you!" Gavi made an impassioned speech.
"Agreed." Balde was never one to miss out on giving his opinion. Fati wanted to push back out of instinct, but internally agreed with Gavi.
Eric had managed to catch Jordi's attention. 'The Count of Monte Cristo' was closed, pencil bookmarking the page Jordi was on. The phone was placed back in Jordi's pocket. The concept of representing Spain was entirely different to his footballing aspirations. Wearing the red shirt, to Jordi, was a matter of pride. It was inheriting the noble burden of representing his countrymen.
Jordi looked towards Eric with a curious glint in his eyes. Eric had played a friendly for Spain U16 at the beginning of the year. Estel had also played a half for Spain U16 last month. While she had narrated the entire experience in detail, that was the women's team. Eric, on the other hand, had lived through what Jordi was aiming for.
"Uncle heard some news as well. He is expecting a call today or tomorrow."
"Yeah, usually the supervisors at La Masia are the first to know. They'll probably call Uncle Ferran."
"Ansu, what's the update on your citizenship? Have you decided who you want to represent?" Jordi turned the group's attention towards Fati, who was sneaking in a spoonful of Eric's ice cream.
"My dad says that we should have Spanish citizenship in a year or two. If we get it, I'll choose Spain. Some people from Guinea-Bissau met with father to recruit me, but we have not given a response yet."
…
Jordi and Eric returned to their room around 6 PM. After Sergi left, Señor Tito had made arrangements for Eric to become roommates with Jordi. As Jordi fell into his bed, Eric came up and sat down near Jordi's feet.
"What's wrong, Eric? You've been off since yesterday. Something happened while you were home, right?" Jordi sat up to face Eric
"Jordi, I might be… I mean, I am leaving soon." Eric's gaze rested on his lap.
"Brother, don't tell me you're taking a long vacation. Regular training will start soon and—"
"No, Jordi. I am leaving. I am leaving Barcelona."
Eric finally turned towards Jordi, who blankly stared back. It comforted Eric, knowing that Jordi was reacting as he had expected him to. The bad news was that he expected things to get worse from this point onwards.
"Jordi, I am going to join Manchester City's academy next month. I talked to Mikel Arteta and Brian Marwood there. Jordi, they have a whole pathway planned out for me, man."
Why was Jordi still quiet? Shouldn't he be berating Eric by now? Somehow, Eric was a lot more uncomfortable with this silence.
"Jordi, you know how the board is here. No one from La Masia gets any chances nowadays. There is no clarity, brother. At City, I already know my role and my future. I will play for City's first team in a year's time!"
"You have already decided?"
"Yes, everything happened so fast. The decision was made over the weekend."
"Oh."
"Come on, Jordi. Don't be like this."
"Eric, what about our dream? Wasn't the dream always to play for Barca?"
"Who says the dream is over? Maybe one day I'll return. You know how Piqué and Cesc returned. If I do well for myself at City, Barca might want me back."
"That is very rare."
"No rarer than a La Masia kid getting to the first team right now."
"Hmm."
Eric sighed at Jordi's non-response. Knowing his friend well, Eric left to give Jordi some space.
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Jordi: Eric is leaving
Jordi: He is joining City's academy
Estel: What? Really??
Jordi: Yes
Estel: Wow!
Jordi: What is he thinking? How do I convince him not to go?
Estel: Jordi, maybe his decision might be the logical one. I know that is hard to hear, but the boys at La Masia haven't had a decent pathway for some time now.
Estel: City would do Eric a lot of good
Estel: Especially for his future
Jordi: I just can't believe it
Estel: I'm guessing you left him high and dry after he broke the news to you?
Jordi: Maybe…
Estel: Go back and congratulate him, Ombreta. You are his friend.
Jordi: Ok
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