16 February 2018
Years had gone by, and Jordi still felt great pride in wearing the FC Barcelona shirt. It was a pride in Blaugrana, in Senyera. Yet, donning the red shirt was unlike anything he had felt before. The shirt weighed more on Jordi's shoulders. It brought a pressure of representing his countrymen. Whereas before, Jordi had only ever played for himself and his club. Now, he played for Spain, which was little more than a concept to the 14-year-old; a concept that represented the many people who considered Spain their homeland.
Out of impulse, Jordi scanned the field. The English players, at first glance, seemed taller and stronger. Each stood their ground with an untamed self-confidence. They were also lined up in a 4-3-3, at least from their structure before kickoff. Jordi turned to scan his own team's positioning, not for the first time. This was his body's reaction to the pressure he felt.
England Starting XI
1, Arthur Okonkwo (GK)
2, Tino Livramento (RB)
4, Aji Alese (CB)
17, Hayden Roberts (CB)
22, Ian Maatsen (LB)
6, Conor Gallagher (CDM) [C]
8, Curtis Jones (CM)
20, Charlie Patino (CM)
11, Harvey Elliot (RW)
10, Morgan Rogers (ST)
15, Noni Madueke (LW)
Spain Starting XI
1, Alberto Sánchez (GK)
2, Iván Fresneda (RB)
3, Isma Armenteros (CB)
19, Alejandro Pérez (CB)
7, Alejandro Balde (LB) [C]
6, Jordi Lloret (CDM)
8, Pedro González (CM)
22, Arnau Puigmal (CM)
13, Fermín López (RW)
9, Pablo Moreno (ST)
10, Álex Baena (LW)
…
"FHWEE"
Pablo Moreno kicked the game off before Fermin sent a pass to Jordi. Jordi controlled the ball with his heel. The familiar touch grounded him as no comfort could. Different place, different players, different shirt, but it was the same old football, his football. Jordi rolled the ball in front of him and laid it off to Pedri on his left. He was ready to play the game he lived for.
…
The Spanish kept the majority of the possession in the opposition half but could not make any headway. The English were winning the physical duels and covered ground well. In the 6th minute, Pablo Moreno's tame header was caught by the English keeper and quickly thrown long to Madueke on the left wing.
With Spain's full backs up, England was in for a counterattack with Harvey Elliot running on the opposite flank. However, to Madueke's surprise, his flank was not empty. Rather, a red shirt was already about to reach the ball. Jordi Lloret had begun running wide the moment Okonkwo caught the ball.
Madueke, caught off guard, lunged in to get the ball. Jordi saw no better action and decided to rush between the ball and the #15. Madueke's left boot went through Jordi's left leg as both fell into a tangle. The whistle sounded as the referee ran over. Madueke had little time to collect himself before he was yellow-carded. Jordi, still suffering from the blunt pain, gingerly rose with Fermin's help.
Simon Rusk, the English coach, was caught off guard by the Spanish midfielder. First, the ability to anticipate the play. Then, the boy had the presence of mind to win a foul. Simon did not expect to come across such intelligence in a 16-year-old. He looked over to David Gordo. Many scouts from the major clubs were watching today. There was bound to be some noise amongst them.
…
With time, England started to lose their defensive discipline. Spain found more inroads, but England had threatened them with multiple counterattacks already. Upon Coach Gordo's instructions, Jordi stayed deeper in possession. This allowed him to better circulate the ball with more space and better angles. However, he was not able to conduct the play as he usually did.
Most gratifying for the Spanish team and staff was the understanding between Pedri and Jordi. Pedri walked into the cracks of the deep English block, and Jordi always found him. Their partnership left a deep impression on the spectators and scouts alike. It was this partnership that put Spain in the lead in the 31st minute.
31'
A distant shot from Moreno was blocked and cleared away. Alejandro collected the ball and quickly passed it to Jordi just 5 metres in front of him. Having already scanned before receiving the ball, Jordi knew that the English side was rushing out to create distance from their goal. The Spanish were tracking back with them to remain offside. Yet, there was one red shirt who jogged to stay onside but was ready to run back. Jordi, out of instinct, knew who it was.
Jordi received the ball on the half-turn and paused a moment to let the white shirts rush further out. Then, with his right foot, he chipped the ball to the edge of the box. Time slowed as the English players, the Spanish players, the coaches, and the scouts all followed the ball spinning in the air and fall to the lone red shirt in the expanse of green. A shame that he is offside… Wait, the flag did not go up!
Pedri watched the ball bounce in front of him. He trusted the weight of the pass and deemed it unnecessary to take a touch. The ball rolled on after the third bounce. The English keeper was off his line and closing Pedri down. In an Ozil-esque manner, with the inside of his left foot, Pedri chipped it over the falling keeper.
1-0!
Pedri jogged back and pointed at Jordi in the distance until he was swarmed by his teammates. Jordi joined in, ecstatic for Pedri's goal, not once marvelling at his own feat. The pair tightly hugged, as Jordi got pats and pulls congratulating him for the assist.
"Brother, how the hell did you even time that pass? This is even more monstrous than usual for you?" Balde's face held genuine intrigue, which amused Jordi to no end.
Álex Baena reached over for a pat, much lighter than the one Balde gave, "Jordi, you're a genius!" Similar sentiments were echoed by his other teammates, except for the goalscorer. A tale or a trick loses its magic when it is understood. Only Pedri, among these boys, could even approximate the extent of Jordi's genius. He could not wait for the Barcelona talks with Las Palmas to progress. Not only was Barcelona his boyhood club, but he had found a companion in football with whom he could reunite there.
"Jordi, I'm sure they'll open up now," Pedri leaned in.
"Yes, but their wings are technically sound. Just try to follow their captain's movements off the ball."
"The Gallagher guy? He sure can run."