While this Italian U-19 League final was taking place, Inter Milan's first-team head coach, Roberto Mancini, was preparing for Sunday's Serie A match against Atalanta.
Of course, even though Mancini was "busy with official duties" at Inter Milan's hotel in Bergamo, he did not miss the youth team's match.
When interviewed by reporters, Mancini extended his sincere congratulations to all members of the youth team:
"I want to congratulate the kids in the youth team, Vincenzo, his coaching staff, and all the staff of the youth team; they achieved a truly outstanding result."
"We look forward to welcoming them to the Meazza Stadium next Sunday, where we will celebrate our two championships together."
Inter Milan had already secured the Serie A title ahead of schedule this season, and next week's home match against Torino would be the first team's final game of the season.
Therefore, Mancini's invitation for the youth team to attend the match and celebrate the championship together also carried the meaning of passing on a legacy.
The next day, after training, Balotelli and Leo were walking and chatting with their training bags on their backs. As soon as they exited the training base gate, they were stopped by a fat man wearing sunglasses who was walking toward them.
"Mario Balotelli, hello. I'm an agent. May we get acquainted?"
Seeing who it was, Leo was a little surprised, while Balotelli frowned deeply.
He had finally managed to persuade Leo to go with him to Game Stop to buy some games; after all, he had just won a championship and wanted to reward himself.
But as soon as they left the base gate and before they could even set off, their plans were disrupted by this fat man who did not look like a good person.
Balotelli did not answer, only glancing at Leo beside him.
This caused the other party to show a hint of surprise; he had not expected Balotelli to have such a close relationship with Leo off the field.
"Mario, may I call you that? I can discuss the agent matters with your parents later. I actually just wanted to have a simple chat with you."
Balotelli remained unmoved.
"I'll listen to Leo."
Leo was not shy and extended his hand to shake the man's hand.
"Hello, Mr. Raiola. I'm Leo. I suppose the person next to me doesn't need an introduction; you must be here for him."
"Oh? You know me?"
"Of course. Who wouldn't know the famous Mr. Raiola? You are nedved and Ibrahimovic agent."
Leo replied with a smile, and Raiola smiled back.
"Mino just call me Mino. How about we find a place to sit down and chat?"
"Of course. It would be an honor."
Raiola could not help carefully observing this young man who interacted with him so calmly and gracefully, and he unconsciously became interested.
Clearly, Raiola's main target on this trip was Balotelli.
Compared to Balotelli, whose talent was obvious to the naked eye, Leo although the core midfielder of Inter Milan's youth team had not attracted Raiola's attention before.
However, after meeting him in person, Leo's maturity beyond his age made Raiola curious.
Perhaps this kid's potential was greater than expected.
They found a coffee shop at the intersection, and the three of them sat down.
"Ra… Mino, if I'm not mistaken, you want to sign Mario. But you already have big-name stars like Ibrahimović under you, and we're only sixteen we haven't even played a first-team match yet…"
Balotelli did not speak, so naturally Leo represented him in communicating with the other party, a habit that had formed at some point between them.
Raiola shook his head casually.
"Any player I'm interested in even if he isn't one now will definitely become a 'big-name star' in the future, as you put it!"
"I have that confidence!"
Leo turned to look at Balotelli, who was absorbed in drinking hot chocolate, not quite understanding where the other man's confidence came from.
"To be honest, I've had people observing Mario for quite some time. With his talent, I believe he'll be playing in Serie A soon.
And once he appears in the first team, it won't be so easy to sign him anymore. That's why I decided to move first and come here before other agents make their move."
Raiola explained his intentions frankly, which earned him some goodwill from the two youngsters.
Leo nodded. He also didn't think there was anything about two youth players that a big-name agent like Raiola would need to lie about.
"Then I'm happy for Mario, but as I said before, the specific contract matters may need to be discussed with his parents."
Balotelli was born in Palermo to an immigrant family from Ghana.
When Balotelli was two years old, he contracted a gastrointestinal illness. His biological parents, the Barwuah couple, were unable to care for him and were "forced" to abandon him at the hospital. A year later, Balotelli was finally adopted by a couple from Brescia, the Francescos, who cured his illness.
This past had always been what Balotelli was most reluctant to mention.
Balotelli was very sensitive about his identity as an "abandoned child." Coupled with his African background, he endured many slights and discrimination while training in the local youth football system in Brescia.
Out of a total of 250 young players, Balotelli was the only black one, and the pressure he faced was imaginable.
It was not until he joined Inter Milan, with Leo as his companion, that Balotelli finally became cheerful again.
Nevertheless, when it came to family, Balotelli still appeared unhappy.
An unhappy original family has a significant impact on a person, especially on a minor whose mind has not yet matured.
At this moment, however, Raiola waved his hand and stared at Leo with keen interest.
"The signing can wait. I want to talk about your situation."
"Me?"
"That's right. Before meeting you, I actually watched some footage of Inter Milan's youth team matches and training.
It's not that I didn't notice you at all, but how should I put it judging from the videos, your talent is indeed inferior to Mario's…"
Raiola had not finished speaking when Balotelli angrily interrupted him.
"Leo is the best! You can't say that about him!"
Leo quickly calmed Balotelli.
"He's not wrong. Don't get upset yet let him finish."
Seeing Leo regain control of the situation so quickly, the light in Raiola's eyes grew even sharper.
"And the scout I sent to observe Mario came to the same conclusion as me that your ceiling is, at most, a starting player for a mid-to-lower-table Serie A team."
Don't think this is bad; how many young players train diligently for over a decade, only to end up playing in lower-level leagues?
Not to mention the many who ultimately can't even make a living from professional football.
Raiola's and their judgment might be correct; without something special, this might indeed be the highest level Leo could reach.
Leo held back Balotelli, who still wanted to argue, and silently acknowledged Raiola's words.
"But today, after meeting you, my mind has changed!"
"I want to sign you. I want to see which is more important talent, or character!"
The renowned football agent Raiola stood up passionately, looking at Leo and Balotelli sitting across from him.