"So, Jordi, how are you feeling?" Dr. Clara from the Geneva University Hospital sat down on the stool in front of Jordi.
"Better," Jordi could not find it in himself to give a more detailed answer.
"So, the results from this morning are out. As expected, your hamstring has a severe Grade 2 rupture, almost bordering on Grade 3. You have grown quickly recently, which has placed a lot of stress on your hamstring. The consistent stress has caused micro-damage to build up over the season."
"What does that mean for Jordi, doctor?" Ferran spoke up.
"I recommend immediate surgery, as early as possible. While this is not a career-threatening injury, usually, Jordi is only 15 and growing. At his age, we should not take any risks and fix it while the tissue is fresh. A conservative treatment could work, but the possibility of preserving a youngster's ceiling is lower, especially given the size of the rupture."
"Oh… so, what are the next steps?" Ferran exchanged a look with Jordi.
"The earlier the surgery, the better. Dr. Aroyo has already received the reports. They will monitor your swelling and should send you for surgery in a week's time, maximum 10 days. Don't worry, Jordi. The surgery is routine, and your hamstring will be like new."
"Thank you, doctor." Jordi managed a polite smile.
…
The conversation with Dr. Clara looped in Jordi's head. He was both confused and scared. A look at his uncle confirmed the gravity of the situation and further scared him. 10 minutes ago, they had walked out of the Barcelona offices. Not a word had been spoken between the two since then. Ferran focused ahead, refusing to meet his nephew's eyes. He felt both concern and inadequacy after today's meeting. The anger inside of him was chipping away at his spine, fluttering into a deep anxiety. What else could he possibly do? He had tried everything he could.
Two days ago, Jordi and Uncle Ferran sat down with Dr. Aroyo, Coach Silva, and Sporting Director Eric Abidal. However, having gone in expecting the board to schedule Jordi's surgery, they were caught completely off guard by the club's stance. Abidal, backed by Dr. Aroya, was insistent on a conservative treatment.
After the meeting, Uncle Ferran had a long conversation with Alessandro Rinaldi, who immediately arranged a visit with the renowned surgeon, Ramon Cugat, at Hospital Quirónsalud Barcelona. Ramon Cugat, who had treated many sports personnel, echoed Dr. Clara's words and suggested immediate surgery. Equipped with a qualified opinion, Ferran led Jordi back to the Cuitat Esportivo Johan Gamper today.
This time, they only met Eric Abidal. Ferran, in delicate detail, laid out the entire case and plea to opt for surgery. Abidal, however, was steadfast. All Jordi required was conservative recovery, and he would be back to his best self. Rather, Abidal steered the conversation to a contract renewal. Once Ferran realized that further arguing was of no use, he and Jordi were quick to leave.
A disappointed Jordi returned home and locked himself in his room. He did not wish to listen to any consolation right now. He messaged his old La Masia head, Mister Alexanko, and shut his phone off. Jordi did not ask for anything. The message was just an update, nothing else. What could he even ask for? He did not yet understand what was happening. Jordi was hurt and lost. Yet, for the first time in his life, he could not escape with a football at his feet. He could hardly walk without crutches. So, Jordi went to the only other place that could comfort him, Llibreria de Fantasia.
…
Cuitat Esportiva Johan Gamper
That same evening, President Bartomeu, Sporting Director Abidal, and Coach Denis Silva sat in an extravagant meeting room. Coach Silva had just joined in for the last topic of discussion: Jordi Lloret.
"Misters, I can't tell you how many times Mister Alexanko has called me." Coach Silva ran a hand across his face. José Alexanko was currently the scouting director at Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa. However, the moment he received Jordi's text, he had not stopped calling Coach Silva. Even Eric Abidal had received a couple of calls.
"Mister Alexanko should focus on the club that has employed him, eh?" Bartomeu chuckled.
"Sir, what's the harm in going for a surgery? It would cost us €20,000, maybe €25,000. With his talent, it is only right." Abidal was earnest in his appeal to the president.
"Eric, precisely because of his talent, we cannot let him get surgery. City, PSG, Arsenal, they are all interested in him. The boy is foolishly in love with the club. So, we quickly sign him to a contract." Bartomeu placed a hand on Abidal's arm on the table before continuing, "If he gets surgery, there is no knowing when he'll come back or how good a player will come back. The market buzz around him will fizzle out. A conservative treatment and we can sell him for a great profit after he signs a contract."
"Mister, you may be underestimating his talent. Jordi is a generational prodigy—" Coach Silva's timid rebuttal was interrupted by Bartomeu's laugh.
"Haha, Mister Silva, you are naïve. He is an asset, a lucrative asset, but an asset nonetheless. The priority is to ensure his market keeps on trusting the asset. Only then can we realize a profit. That is how you run a club now, Mister Silva." Bartomeu turned to Abidal, "Eric, quickly negotiate a contract with his agent. Try to reassure the kid. Conservative treatment is the right thing for him. God knows it is the right thing for us, hehe." With a self-indulging laugh, Josep Bartomeu got up and walked out of an ordinary meeting that dictated the fate of a boy. The same ordinary meeting that would be listed as one of the worst crimes of his presidency.
…
Pretoria, South Africa
The sky was tinged in the orange of the setting sun. The wind washed over the windows of the Mamelodi Sundowns complex. As the call ended, José Alexanko closed his eyes and slipped further in his chair. A deep sigh escaped the lifelong culer. What had his club come to? The greatest talent of La Masia since Lionel Messi, and… and… and this is how they treat him?
José Alexanko recalled the great Johan Cruyff's message about Jordi many years ago – "Treasure him, accommodate him, and never disappoint him." Alexanko could only lower his head in shame. His Barcelona had let Jordi Lloret down. His Barcelona had let Johan Cruyff down.