Chapter 518: Genius Forced Out

Princess Sofia Gran Hotel is located north of Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadium, about an eight-minute walk away.

This is a hotel that looks unremarkable from the outside and is not worthy of anyone's attention at all. It has no unique atmosphere of modern architecture, no classical flavor, and no so-called Catalan characteristics, but it is almost It is closely related to every major event that has happened in Barcelona in the past few decades.

From Cruyff, Maradona, Rivaldo, to the recent Ronaldinho, the name of this hotel can be found behind almost every major event in Barcelona, ​​although its operation itself has nothing to do with FC Barcelona. No relationship, but it has played a pivotal role in the history of Barcelona over the past few decades.

In fact, even now, it still plays the same role.

Jorge Messi, when anyone sees this middle-aged man, the first feeling is that he looks really similar to Messi. The second feeling is that he must be a relative of Messi, as everyone can see It's the same as when it comes to the famous chef Rodrigo Messi at the Princess Sofia Hotel. They all look so much alike.

Agent, spokesperson, housekeeper, driver, personal consultant... Jorge has forgotten how many titles he has on his body, and he has even forgotten how many things he has done to help Messi, but everyone It is very clear that if you want to see Messi, you must go through Jorge, his father.

Even though Messi is now the world's leading superstar and his income is at the forefront of professional stars, Jorge doesn't look like a celebrity or a rich man at all. He is wearing a light brown suit. At first glance, , giving the illusion of being washed gray, and underneath is a pure black T-shirt, and the lower body is wearing a pair of very simple jeans.

This kind of dressing up is not to mention ordinary. If he walks on the street, there will probably be a lot of people pointing at him and calling him vulgar.

But this is Jorge Messi, the father of the current superstar Messi!

And everyone knows that although Messi is far away in London, his father Jorge will come back to Barcelona every once in a while, because his second son Rodrigo's family lives here, and he often runs back to see his grandson. Augustine.

The most proud thing about Jorge's life is that he has two outstanding sons. Rodrigo is a famous chef near Barcelona, ​​and his youngest son Messi is the world's leading superstar. But the most depressing thing about his life is that he has two outstanding sons. It is his eldest son, Matias, who is ignorant and unskilled. Fortunately, the eldest son has been living in Argentina with his wife who is not used to living in Europe. Messi bought a very nice villa for them in his hometown.

The coffee in the café of the Princess Sofia Grand Hotel is not very good, nor is it famous, but for some reason, it is very popular in FC Barcelona. Perhaps this has something to do with Cruyff’s fondness for drinking coffee here.

Someone once joked that a very important reason why Cruyff was able to become the godfather of football in Barcelona instead of being expelled like superstars such as Maradona and Rivaldo was that he chose to integrate into Barcelona. Catalonia, became the son-in-law of a Catalan, speaks Catalan, and used his own active integration to gain the respect of this nation for him, which is something that other superstars who joined Barcelona do not have. A choice you are willing to make.

Therefore, although very few people have heard anything about the Princess Sofia Grand Hotel, all the people from the Barcelona Club will always say, "See you in the cafe" whenever they have something important to talk about!

Then, everyone naturally knew about the café of Princess Sophia Grand Hotel.

Important signings and sales are almost always negotiated here.

The reason why Jorge is sitting in the cafe of the Princess Sofia Gran Hotel is thinking about the Camp Nou stadium not far away, as if it is still echoing the shock he felt when he first saw this spectacular stadium. , just because someone just called him and told him, long time no see, let’s talk in the coffee shop!

The middle-aged man sitting in front of him is called Bacchi, an agent who is extremely familiar with and understands Argentine football.

But at Camp Nou, Bacchi has a very high status. He does not have any position in the club, but he can meet with the chairman and technical director at any time. He is also a crucial figure in the campaign think tank of current Barcelona chairman Laporta. role because he represents Cruyff.

Jorge had worked at Barcelona, ​​and he had heard many people talk about Bacchi. He heard that he was Cruyff's most trusted person. The relationship between the two dates back to the 1980s, after Cruyff retired. , once worked with Gustavo, the most powerful agent in Argentina at the time, to build an agent empire and bring Argentine players rich in stars to the world.

Although this plan later failed, and Gustavo's dominance as an agent was soon replaced by Muscati, Cruyff made friends with Bach, and the two dated for decades. After Ruyff left Barcelona's coaching position, Bacchi worked as a sports reporter for Barcelona TV 3. He was later recommended by Cruyff and joined Laporta's think tank.

Over the years, Bach has always been Cruyff's most trusted assistant.

Perhaps it was because Bacchi had a special affection for Argentine football, so for the only Argentine and Argentine player in the club at that time, Bacchi had a very good impression of Jorge and Messi, and the relationship was quite good, and there were even many What no one knows is that Jorge finally decided to let Messi leave Barcelona because he heard Cruyff's praise of Ye Qiu from Bachi, which finally made them decide to go to London.

Jorge was a little surprised that Bach knew that he had returned to Barcelona and made an appointment immediately, but he was not an idiot and had vaguely guessed something. He knew that Barcelona was currently doing everything possible to pursue his son.

"When you come back this time, you should be here to give away game tickets and take your family to Rome, right?" Bach ordered a cup of cappuccino, but put it in front of him untouched and asked with a smile.

"Well, Celia and Matias are here." Jorge smiled and nodded.

"Is Matthias okay? Is he still causing trouble now?" Bach asked with a smile as he was very familiar with their family.

This brat has been a troublemaker since he was a child. When he was in Argentina, he caused trouble, robbed, beat people, and threatened people. He looked like a gangster, but Bach was not surprised by this, because he was quite Many professional players come from poor backgrounds, their family members are not of good quality, and members of the underworld are not uncommon.

Therefore, in many cases, what agents have to do is not only to help players deal with business and life matters, but also to help players take care of their families, such as going to the police station to bail out that damn person who was arrested for intimidation. Arrested brother.

"Still the same as before, but much more restrained. Now he is responsible for managing some of our fixed industries in Argentina."

Bach nodded. To put it nicely, it was management, but to put it worse, it meant just finding a job to avoid causing trouble everywhere. And with Messi’s current wealth, it’s not too much, not too little. Well, Argentina’s economy has been so sluggish in recent years, what kind of fixed industry can it have? It should be some shops and rents.

"It suits Matthias very well. It's best to find him a partner as soon as possible, just like Rodrigo!" Bach laughed.

Jorge also laughed when he mentioned the Barcelona chef, which was also his pride.

"I heard that he intends to open a restaurant by himself. Is it true?" Bach asked again.

Jorge nodded, "Well, he has accumulated a lot of experience over the years. He lacked funds before, but now..."

Bach vaguely heard some clues that there was no problem with funds, "Are you still in Barcelona? To be honest, I really like his taste that combines Catalan and Argentinian flavors. Just talking about it makes me drool. "

"Probably not. He plans to go to London to develop. He will probably leave when his contract expires this year."

"Oh!" Bucky understood a little bit. The word London has too many meanings behind it.

"Have you ever thought about staying in Barcelona? I believe that all Barcelona people will miss Rodrigo's cooking skills. If he stays and opens a high-end restaurant by himself, he should have great development potential, and I believe that if it is financial, There should be no problem, I’m also very interested in investing.”

After a pause, Butch chuckled and said, "At least you don't have to worry about not being able to taste the chef's cooking in the future!"

"Haha!" Jorge felt happy when he heard Bach praising his son in this way. This made him feel more humiliated than praising himself in person. "From now on, if I become famous in London, I will let him He came to Barcelona to open one!”

"Where in London?" Butch asked again.

"Financial District!" Jorge didn't hide it. There was nothing secret about it, "Mr. Ye Qiu's shop."

"Oh!" Butch was not surprised, because he guessed correctly. In the past few years, Ye Qiu used Tottenham Hotspur to establish a real estate company, invested in many projects, and also bought some very good bargains. A shop with great potential, so he had already guessed that it would be like this, and judging from Jorge's expression of gratitude when he mentioned Ye Qiu, the location must be quite good, and the rent must have been given a friendly price.

Thinking of this, Bach also knew that he could not continue to make such detours, "Jorge, considering our long friendship, I hope you can answer my question honestly."

"Okay, you say it!" Jorge picked up the coffee in front of him and took a sip, somewhat concealing his embarrassment, because he knew very well that Bach would definitely ask the question.

"Has Messi really decided to move to Manchester City?" Bacchi asked, staring at Jorge with a serious face.

While drinking coffee, Jorge used the quilt to block it for three seconds, then put it down, stuck out his tongue and licked the coffee foam around his mouth, "Yes, the terms they offered are too tempting." "

"One hundred and fifty million euros? Three hundred thousand weekly salary?" Bach was a little surprised.

"Yes, 150 million euros, cash, 300,000 weekly salary, after tax!"

Bacchi was almost frightened by the series of numbers in front of him, because he swore that there is absolutely no other team in football today that can offer such an attractive price, let alone Tottenham Hotspur, even Barcelona , no matter who Manchester City wants, they will definitely sell it!

"So, it's settled?" Butch was still a little unwilling, but his tone was obviously frustrated.

"It's basically decided!" Jorge said calmly.

Bacchi knew very well that this price and this kind of treatment could not be given by any other team in the world.

Thinking of this, he immediately thought of another move, shook his head and said: "Remember, when you said you were going to take Messi to London, you told me that once you have made a name for yourself outside, you must come back. to Barcelona, ​​but now it seems that both you and Messi have forgotten what you said back then.”

"I am very, very grateful to you and Mr. Cruyff for helping me and Messi resolve the contract dispute. We have never forgotten this kindness. Really, we have never forgotten it!" Even if Jorge knows, there is something in it. Ye Qiu secretly contributed.

"Then Barcelona needs you back now!" Bach said in a strong tone.

Jorge pursed his lips, "Butch, you know, Ye Qiu and Tottenham Hotspur are pretty good to us."

"But didn't Barcelona treat you badly back then?" Bacchi was obviously putting pressure.

"Very good. Compared with when we were in Argentina, it is simply paradise." Jorge recalled everything that happened when his family first came to Barcelona. He raised his head, looked at Bach, shook his head, and answered with certainty. Said: "But neither Messi nor I owe Barcelona anything, right?"

"When we came to Barcelona from Argentina, Barcelona did not treat my son for free. They only borne a small part of the treatment costs. I worked hard to make up for the rest by working for the club. Later, when the income was not enough, I went outside. I worked three jobs at the same time, as you know. One was working as a coolie for a moving company, one was picking seafood at the market, and the other was delivering beef to an Argentinian restaurant. It was in the Argentinian restaurant that I met you. ,remember?"

Barcelona has been publicizing to the outside world over the years that the club helped Messi treat his illness for free, hoping to use this as an emotional offensive. But in fact, Barcelona was also very worried at the time and did not accept Messi at the beginning. On the contrary, they had been Doubt Messi will become a dwarf.

The agreement that Jorge reached with Barcelona at that time was very, very low-risk for Barcelona, ​​because they only had to bear a small part of the treatment costs, and at the same time introduced a job to Jorge so that they could survive in Barcelona without Starving to death, how could Barcelona agree if there were no such humble conditions?

In Jorge's view, if we want to thank him, the first person we should thank is Ignacio, the doctor who is not a Barcelona fan. He kept encouraging Jorge until the end, and followed him closely. The last thing I want to thank are several youth training coaches in Barcelona. They knew privately that Messi needed nutrition and often took him home to eat and supplement his nutrition.

He still remembers the names of those people, Antonio, Luke, Santiago...

Rodrigo was also very smart and sensible during that period. He went to the streets to post advertisements, delivered goods for others, and worked as a handyman to supplement the family income.

So in the whole process, it cannot be said that Barcelona was not helpful to Messi and his family, but it was definitely not that big. It can even be said that it was just a little effort, because in their abacus at the time, they could keep this person as long as they paid a pitiful price. It doesn't matter whether the Argentinian is very skilled or not.

Bacchi knew that what Jorge said was true. In fact, many people said that Barcelona helped Messi treat his illness. It was just a kind of propaganda, or a news report that did not pursue details and deliberately blurred the concept.

A football club cannot be a charity. At that time, Messi’s monthly treatment cost five to six hundred euros. At first glance, it seemed insignificant, but if the treatment lasted for several years, it would cost a lot of money. Moreover, it was not known whether this Argentine boy was He can really become a talent, so no club would do this kind of thing.

Of course, from the perspective of hindsight, Barcelona should have fully funded Messi's family at that time, not only to help him with free treatment, but also to take care of his nutrition, as well as the family's life and work.

"Please, Bacchi, my friend!" Jorge looked at Bacchi with a sincere look on his face, "I have never denied that I am scared of poverty. I hope Messi will move to Manchester City because there he will I can make more money, because in my opinion, football is not enough to support him and his family for a lifetime, so what I want to do is to make as much money as possible while he is still playing football. , I believe that no one in the world can say that I am wrong!”

When Bach listened to Jorge's confession, he really couldn't say anything. He knew Jorge too well.

Even though Jorge seems to be very bold and has some traces of the Argentinian, in fact he is very conservative. This can be seen from his almost harsh protection of Messi. He will not let any woman or anyone Someone who may have influenced Messi is close to his own son.

You can say he is cautious, you can say he is cautious, but Bach knows that Jorge is sincere and does not fake anything.

Several times that year, when talking about leaving Argentina and coming to Barcelona, ​​Jorge said with tears that if their family could not establish themselves in Spain, they would be on a dead end because they came to Spain from Argentina. , spent almost everything, and even sold their property, and their relatives in Spain were themselves poor and had no way to support them for a long time.

So what Jorge often says is, "Everything you see now is forced by life!"

Perhaps, if there had not been a serious illness and hardship, there would really be no Messi today!

And everyone, including Messi, knows that playing football has never been a job for him, whether he likes it or not, but a career that can help him support his family. He has no choice!

Life often has no choice!