Chapter 1 Brazil, São Paulo

"Alright, that's the end of today's training. Everyone can go home!" The assistant coach's whistle signaled the end of the day's training session.

Kaka, drenched in sweat, walked from the training field towards the locker room, but met an old friend at the door.

"Hey! Kaka!"

Hearing someone call him, Kaka turned around and exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Leonardo? What are you doing here?"

The visitor was none other than Leonardo, the former Brazilian national team player and AC Milan midfielder. He winked at Kaka, "I have good news for you, but before that, you need to take a shower. Being covered in sweat is not comfortable, haha!"

Kaka took off his training uniform sheepishly, "Okay, wait for me outside for a while." After saying that, he went into the locker room to shower and change.

Leonardo and Kaka met in São Paulo. At that time, Leonardo, who was about to retire, returned to Brazil and briefly played for São Paulo. Kaka happened to join São Paulo at that time. Both of them had similar family backgrounds, belonging to the middle class and believing in Christianity. In addition, they were both handsome, so their relationship was naturally closer than others. Whether in matches or in daily training, Leonardo gave Kaka, this young man, a lot of help, allowing him to avoid many detours.

The sound of water gurgled. Kaka didn't know what good news Leonardo had to tell him. The senior had signed with AC Milan again this season. He should be in Milan, Italy. What was he doing back in Brazil?

Half an hour later, Kaka changed into a clean set of clothes and sat with Leonardo in a coffee shop across from the club.

"It's like this," Leonardo stirred the coffee in his cup with a spoon, the aroma spreading everywhere. "You all know that I returned to Milan this season and signed a contract with AC Milan."

Kaka nodded, "I saw you holding the Milan jersey at the press conference on TV."

"Haha! Don't you think I'm crazy? Going back to the Italian league to play football at such an old age?"

Kaka didn't answer the question directly, "To be honest, I was really surprised when I heard the news that you joined AC Milan. But I think you must have your reasons for going back."

"You're very smart." Leonardo took a sip of coffee, "Ah! I always think that Brazilian coffee is the most delicious in the world, and the coffee in this coffee shop across from the club is the most delicious in all of Brazil! Tsk tsk!"

"That's because you're used to it," Kaka said with a smile.

"Yeah! I've been drinking coffee here since I started my career, until I later transferred to Milan... Kaka, tell me, what kind of club do you think AC Milan is?"

Kaka thought for a while, "A great club."

"Great, hmm. If you were to play for Milan, would you be willing?"

"I... Ah? Mr., are you saying..." Kaka was a little surprised.

"Hehe, everyone thinks I'm crazy, going to Italy to embarrass myself at such an old age. But have you seen me play in any matches? Actually, me going to Milan as a player is just a facade. The club uses this move to express a concept, to link Milan and Brazilian football more closely. My main responsibility is to travel between Milan and Brazil to discover new talents for the club. I showed them the tapes of your matches in Brazil." Leonardo stopped stirring the coffee and looked at Kaka.

"Them?"

"The chairman of the Milan board of directors, the club manager, the coaching staff."

Kaka's eyes widened.

"They are all optimistic about you, so this time I came to convey a message to you: AC Milan hopes to sign you." Leonardo finally revealed the purpose of his trip.

Join AC Milan? Kaka was stunned. AC Milan actually took the initiative to come to him! A year and a half ago, when he and his father went door-to-door to find Brazilian teams for tryouts, he never thought that he would have today: AC Milan wants to sign him!

"Is... Is this news real? Ah, I'm not doubting you, it's just too sudden, unbelievable, I can't believe it..." Kaka was a little incoherent.

"I have a personal letter here from Milan Chairman Mr. Berlusconi to the Chairman of São Paulo, saying that he hopes to sign your club's player Kaka. Want to see it?"

Kaka quickly waved his hand, "I believe you."

"Then are there any other concerns now? Kaka."

"I, I think I must discuss it with my parents, this is a big deal. And my agent..."

"Your agent, I will talk to him when you agree. I believe he wouldn't want to give up this opportunity, right? I'll be waiting for your news in this place tomorrow. By the way, say hello to your family for me." Leonardo lowered his head and took a sip of coffee.

"Won't you come to my house for dinner? My parents, and little Digão all want to see you again."

"Hehe!" Leonardo looked around the small coffee shop, "The coffee here is really too delicious, I want to drink a few more cups." He stretched and leaned comfortably on the back of his chair. "Go back, it will make your parents worry if you're late."

In fact, Kaka's parents were already worried. Kaka usually went home after training. Kaka lived very close to the Morumbi Stadium, only fifteen minutes away on foot. But today, half an hour had passed, and Kaka still hadn't returned home.

Just as his father was about to go looking for him, Kaka entered the house.

"Oh? You're back?" Mom was about to put a coat on Dad when she heard the door open and found it was Kaka.

"Yeah, I met Mr. Leonardo." Kaka replied as he changed his shoes, "We talked for a while, so I came back late."

Father straightened up and looked at Kaka, then turned around and walked back. Mom handed the coat to Dad and walked to the dining room, "It's good that you're back, everyone was worried. The food is cold, I'll heat it up..."

"Mom, I want to play for AC Milan."

Mom turned her head and looked at her son in surprise, "Where?"

Father, mother, and younger brother Digão, the family sat around the dining table, the food on the table was still cold, and Mom hadn't had time to heat it up.

"Did you promise Mr. Leonardo?" Father asked Kaka across the table.

Kaka shook his head, "I said I need to discuss this with you."

Father nodded in approval. He was Chinese, although he married and had children in Brazil and had Brazilian citizenship, he was still very traditional at heart. Major family matters should be decided by him, the head of the family. "What are your thoughts?"

"I want to go to Milan." Kaka replied decisively.

"Leenny, I know you want to go to a bigger and better place. But São Paulo took you in and nurtured you when you first returned to Brazil. It wouldn't be good for you to leave after only playing for them for one season. You are still young, I think you should train in the country for a few more years before going out." Father lit a cigarette and said to Kaka. In Brazil, it is normal for a person to have one or even several nicknames. Many people like to be called by their nicknames instead of their real names. For example, the world-renowned Pelé is a nickname, and his real name has long been forgotten... But Kaka's father didn't like this. He believed that the surname was inherited from his ancestors, and the name was part of the inherited bloodline. Therefore, although the name "Kaka" had become a household name, he still called his son "Leenny."

"Dad, it's precisely because I'm still young that I need to go out even more! When I get old, people won't want me!" As soon as Kaka heard his father's tone, he knew that he was going to arrange a path for him again, which was what he hated the most.

"I know, you haven't been playing well in the recent games, you're in a bad mood, and you want to change the environment. But in many cases, you must persevere..."

"Dad! My poor performance has nothing to do with my condition. It's because the coach insists on making me play as a striker. It's okay to play as a guest sometimes, but I don't like playing as a striker for five consecutive games! I told the coach, but he said Fabiano was injured and he thought I was the most suitable. But my favorite position is attacking midfielder. Dad, you always like to arrange the road for me, every step I take has to be taught by you! But I'm not young anymore, I'm already twenty years old, don't I have the right to choose?"

"You do, but society is sinister, and the choices you make may not be right. Parents naturally have to take care of their children."

The two spoke excitedly, both directly using Chinese. Younger brother Digão could only understand simple Chinese, and they were speaking too fast, so he couldn't hear anything clearly, "Mom, what are brother and dad talking about?"

Mom patted Digão's head, "It's nothing, they're discussing whether to eat barbecue or Chinese food tonight."

"At least I will never regret the choice I made to go to China alone! I have the ability to distinguish right from wrong, and even if there are mistakes, they are the necessary price for my growth! Dad, dare you say that you have never made a mistake or stumbled?"

Kaka's rhetorical question stumped his father. He didn't say anything for a long time, and the room was frighteningly quiet for a while. After a long time, Father sighed, "Like father, like son! Simone, go heat up the dishes, let's eat."

Seeing that his father didn't answer his question, nor did he say whether he supported him going abroad, Kaka said, "Dad..."

Father waved his hand to interrupt him, "Accompany me to the garden to admire the moon after dinner."

Kaka looked at his father suspiciously, and didn't say anything else, so he had to wait for dinner to be served.

Except for Digão, who was still mischievous as always and never ate a proper meal, Kaka and his father didn't speak.

Kaka was thinking about that matter, and didn't feel anything about what he was eating. He ate a few mouthfuls of food and got up, "I'm full." Then he walked to the garden and sat on a chair to wait for his father.

Kaka looked up at the sky. Today's moon was not round or bright, and had no aesthetic value. He really didn't understand why his father wanted to say he wanted to admire the moon.

"The weather is good today, and tomorrow will be a good day too."

Kaka turned around and saw his father standing behind him, also looking up at the sky.

"Dad, that matter..."

"Hehe, let me think, I left my old home in Shandong when I was eighteen and wandered around because I was dissatisfied with my parents arranging everything for me and imposing their will on me. When I was twenty-one, I came to Brazil. It seems that you are really worthy of being my son, the same temper!" Father sat down next to Kaka.

"Then, since you also feel this way, why are you still trying to stop me?"

"Son, do you know how much hardship I suffered after leaving my hometown? The country's situation was not good at that time, and I didn't want to go home - that would mean admitting defeat - hey! Youth, how naive!" Father chuckled, "Later I came to Brazil with a group of people, worked as a farmer for landowners, mined gold, and also ran a Chinese restaurant for a while, but it was very unsuccessful, so I had to start all over again. Son, do you know how difficult it is for a Chinese person to make a living in a foreign country without speaking the language! It is precisely because of my willfulness that I have suffered so much, that I hope my children will not repeat my mistakes!"

"But haven't you succeeded now? You have your own manor and your own factory."

"That's because your old man is stubborn! When the business was losing money, the creditors asked for money every day, and none of my former friends could be found. At that time, I felt that God was against me. I just didn't believe in evil! So I went back to work as a farmer, mined, and did odd jobs... Then I met your mother, and we worked together for decades through thick and thin before we finally became somewhat successful." Father spoke with great enthusiasm, perhaps reminiscing about the old days of starting a business.

"Then in your most difficult times, did you regret it?" Kaka seemed to be fascinated too.

"Regret? That's for sure! But is regret useful? Can I go back? I have to carry it alone no matter how hard or tired I am! So, son, do you understand why Dad wants to arrange everything for you? Which parents don't want their children to live better than them? Hope their children won't suffer? Hope..."

Kaka smiled, "Dad, I still decided to go to Milan, I won't wait a few more years. This is the path I chose myself, just like you left your hometown and came to Brazil. Maybe I will encounter many difficulties, but I will not turn back."

"Why?"

"Because I am your son, Dad! I have the same blood flowing in my veins as you."

Father looked at Kaka, his son had really grown up, his wings had hardened, and he was about to leave his parents to fly... "Okay, I don't object, go! But, remember, when you have nothing, you still have a home. Don't be like Dad, I never went back after coming out, and now I want to go back, I'm afraid that old house only has broken bricks and tiles left..."

Leonardo learned from Kaka the next day that he personally and his family had no problems, and the rest was to contact Kaka's agent and the São Paulo club. But Kaka didn't need to worry about the things in between, he only needed to sign the final contract - of course, if Kaka trusted him, this old brother.

But this process was not as easy as Leonardo initially thought. The São Paulo club was unwilling to easily let go of this current number one star in the team. With Fabiano injured, São Paulo was relying on Kaka alone. But Milan didn't want to pay too much for Kaka's transfer fee, and the negotiations were at a standstill from the beginning.

Kaka's condition was inevitably affected by this situation, and São Paulo's results fluctuated with Kaka's unstable condition. Leonardo found Kaka and told him to maintain his peace of mind, "If you continue in such a bad state, then Milan will definitely not want you. Don't think about any transfers now, play the ball at your feet well, and speak with your own strength."

Leonardo knew how difficult this road from Brazil to Europe was. Kaka had to be clear about this, otherwise he would not have much development. The journey to Europe for Brazilian players is not always accompanied by flowers and beauties, but also to endure terrible loneliness and adapt to a strange environment. Even a genius, the road is not easy.

Leonardo still ran between São Paulo and Milan, constantly mediating for Kaka's transfer. And Kaka began to prove himself on the field. Are the figures of two Brazilians destined to reunite at the San Siro in Milan? At this time, in November 2002, neither Kaka nor Leonardo knew.