25 April 2019
Jordi was bent over the laptop on his desk. His black hair cascaded down to cover his face up to the tip of his nose. Jordi's face, illuminated by the natural light streaming in from the hotel window, was a sculptor's dream – perfectly symmetrical. The last year had seen Jordi fully mature into his striking appearance. Further, in a month's time, he had grown by 2" to a height of 5'9", his physique now tall and lean.
Tchaikovsky serenaded Jordi as he went through the subjects shortlisted for Year 2 of Bachillerato. Normally, he would've enrolled in the 2-year Spanish equivalent to high school next year when he turned 16, but Jordi had skipped a year. Now, he was sitting for his first year exams next month, near the end of May. Jordi looked over to the notes on his iPad. They included 7 different tabs for the subjects he took in his first year. To no one's surprise, Jordi chose the Humanities track.
Year 1
Mandatory: 1. Catalan Language & Literature, 2. Spanish Language & Literature, 3. Foreign Language (English), 4. Philosophy, 5. Physical Education,
Others: 6. Universal Literature, 7. Second Foreign Language (French)
The Spanish syllabus naturally focuses on languages, with the extra subject on Catalan in the Catalonia region. Thus, Jordi hardly needed to study for any of the three mandatory language courses or the Physical Education class. All that was left were Philosophy, Universal Literature, and French, subjects that Jordi excelled in. The subjects for next year mostly chose themselves. Jordi had to deliberate on one subject only.
Year 2
Mandatory: 1. Catalan Language & Literature, 2. Spanish Language & Literature, 3. Foreign Language (English), 4. History of Spain,
Others: 5. Second Foreign Language (French), 6. World History
Having finalized his list, Jordi carried the laptop over to the bed. His uncle would call any time now, and he had still not reviewed the document Uncle sent. The document contained all the interested clubs that had sent formal contract offers for him. Jordi was still on a training contract with La Masia, so the clubs did not have to approach Barcelona first.
Jordi was expectedly disinterested in even entertaining this discussion, but Alessandro coaxed him, and his mother scolded him into doing so. A flicker of surprise crossed Jordi's face when he opened the document carefully compiled by Uncle Ferran. It wasn't the numbers that moved him, but the belief in him that these numbers presented. Jordi could not believe that giants were willing to spend so much on him.
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*All the deals are just initial expressions of intent, and some contain bonuses I have not mentioned. Will discuss in detail on call.
PSG - €3,250 per week; 3+2 years; Start with PSG-B
Juventus - €3,000 per week; 3 years; First team
AC Milan - €3,000 per week; 2+1 years; First team
*English professional contracts are signed at 17, so the first year will be on scholarship.
Manchester City - €4,000 per week; 5 years; First team guaranteed by Pep
Arsenal - €3,000 per week; 4 years; Start with Arsenal youth team
Barcelona - €3,500 per week; 5 years; Promoted to Barca B
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"Reietó, what do you think? All the giants of Europe really want you, hunh?" Ferran wore a stupid grin as he rubbed his hands as a villain would.
"I don't understand, Uncle. Isn't this too much?" Jordi genuinely did not grasp the high numbers he read.
"Reietó, you always underestimate yourself. Their scouts have been following you for multiple seasons now. They have thought this out and—by the way, these are just the initial offers!"
"It doesn't matter, Uncle. We won't be negotiating with them anyway."
"Of course we will, Reietó! The offers will push up your contract when we sign with Barca."
Jordi gave a noncommittal shrug. With Barca, he did not care much about the contract details. That was for Uncle to sort out. Despite the rare call-ups to the first team in recent years, the Barca board had expressed its intent to sign a contract this summer. Sporting Director Èric Abidal was in constant contact with Uncle Ferran.
"Moving on, Alessandro came to discuss the contract with Adidas yesterday. Of course, there is no need to negotiate with him. He'll get you the best possible deal. We can officially sign in July."
Alessandro, now the Regional Head of the Iberia region, had signed Estel to a generous deal 3 months ago. Jordi assumed he would get the same terms from his friend at Adidas, basic product support with a stipend of €25,000 per year. Clearly, he was painfully unaware of the difference in the commercialization of male and female football.
"Your yearly stipend will be €80,000! He also suggested that they could increase it to €90,000 if you agree to regular shoots. Apparently, the marketing team values your looks and experience modelling for Claudia at Loewe. Heh, Alessandro used everything he could to improve your deal, didn't he?"
Jordi left his hotel room soon after the call ended. Coach Denis Silva had beckoned the team to the hotel's conference room. They were convening to discuss the UEFA Youth League semifinal against Chelsea tomorrow. Before leaving, Jordi sent a quick message, in fluent Italian, thanking Alessandro for working so hard on the deal.
Last year's Barcelona Juvenil A had defeated Chelsea in the finals to claim their second UEFA Youth League. This year, the Blues have only gotten stronger, with talent like Lamptey, Guehi, Maatsen, and Gallagher. Jordi had faced both Maatsen and Gallagher in his debut for Spain U16 last year and was aware of their quality.
The tactics decided for tomorrow's match did not shift from the ones Barca had followed all season, possession-based and focused on stability more than attack. However, Coach Silva placed special emphasis on controlling the midfield, which Chelsea would crowd with their 3-5-2 formation. As usual, Jordi sat near the back of the room, taking in every word the staff said. Of course, Jordi's current read, 'White Nights' by Dostoevsky, contained many tactics and instructions on the Chelsea youth team, most even more detailed and ingenious than the ones Coach Silva discussed.