The Godfather of Greenery

Chapter 518 The Forced Genius
Princess Sofia Gran Hotel is located north of Barcelona's Camp Nou, about an 8-minute walk away.

This is an unremarkable hotel from the outside, not worthy of the attention of others. It does not have any unique atmosphere of modern architecture, nor does it have the slightest classical flavor, let alone the 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 Ronaldinho recently, the name of this hotel can be found behind almost every major event in Barcelona, ​​although its operation itself has nothing to do with the Barcelona club. No relationship, but it has played a pivotal role in the history of Barcelona in the past few decades.

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

Jorge Messi, anyone who sees this middle-aged man, the first feeling is that he looks really like Messi, and the second feeling is that he must be Messi’s relatives, just like everyone When I went to the celebrity chef Rodrigo Messi at the Princess Sofia Grand Hotel, they all looked too much alike.

Agents, spokespersons, housekeepers, drivers, personal consultants... Jorge has forgotten how many titles he has on him, and he has even forgotten how many things he has helped Messi, but everyone It was very clear that in order to meet Messi, one had to go through Jorge, his father.

Regardless of the fact that Messi is now the world's leading superstar, and his income ranks among the top among professional stars, but Jorge does not look like a celebrity or a rich man. He is wearing a light brown suit. , giving people the illusion of being washed gray, and inside is a pure black T-shirt, and the lower body is wearing a pair of very plain jeans.

Not to mention ordinary attire, walking on the street, I'm afraid there will be a lot of people pointing at him and scolding him.

But this is Jorge Messi, the father of the 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 Rodrigue's family lives here, and he often runs back to see his grandson Augustine.

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

The coffee in the coffee shop of the Princess Sofia Grand Hotel is not delicious and not well-known, but I don’t know why, it is very popular in the Barcelona club, maybe this has something to do with Cruyff’s favorite coffee here.

Someone once joked that Cruyff was able to become the football godfather of Barcelona, ​​instead of being expelled like Maradona, Rivaldo and other superstars. A very important reason is that he chose to integrate into Barcelona. Catalonia, who became the son-in-law of a Catalan, speaks Catalan, used his own initiative to integrate in exchange for the respect of this nation, and this is something that other superstars who joined Barcelona did not willing to make choices.

Therefore, although few people have heard about the Princess Sofia Grand Hotel, as long as all the Barcelona club people have something important to talk about, they will say something, see you in the cafe!

Then, everyone naturally knows the cafe in the Princess Sophia Grand Hotel.

Important signings and sales are almost all negotiated here.

The reason why Jorge is sitting in the coffee shop of the Princess Sofia Grand Hotel, thinking about the Camp Nou not far away, seems to be still echoing the shock when he saw this spectacular stadium for the first time , because someone called him just now 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 Bach, an agent who is very familiar with and understands Argentine football.

But at the Nou Camp, Bac has a very lofty 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 the current Barcelona chairman Laporta's campaign think tank. Vital role because he represents Cruyff.

Jorge used to work in Barcelona. He heard many people talk about Barci. He heard that he was Cruyff’s most trusted person. The relationship between the two dates back to the 80s. After Cruyff retired, he once Together with Gustavo, the most powerful agent in Argentina at that time, he was going to build an agent empire and bring Argentine players rich in stars to the world.

Although this plan later failed, and Gustavo's agent dominance was quickly replaced by Muscati, Cruyff made friends with Butch, and the two dated for decades. After Cruyff left the Barcelona coach, Bacci worked as a sports reporter for Barcelona TV [-], and was later recommended by Cruyff to join Laporta's think tank.

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

Perhaps it was because Bach had a special affection for Argentine football, so for the only Argentine and Argentine player in the club at that time, Bach had a 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 appreciation of Ye Qiu from Butch, which finally made them decide to go to London.

Jorge was a little surprised that Baqi knew that he was back in Barcelona and had an appointment to meet him immediately, but he was not an idiot, and he vaguely guessed something. He knew that Barcelona was doing everything possible to pursue his son.

"I'm coming back this time, I think I'm here to deliver the ball tickets, and take my family to Rome, right?" Butch ordered a cappuccino, but he didn't move it in front of him, and asked with a smile.

"Well, Celia and Mathias are here." Jorge nodded with a smile.

"Is Matthias okay? Will he still be causing trouble everywhere?" Bach asked with a smile, who was familiar with their family.

This stinky boy has been the master of unrest since he was a child. When he was in Argentina, he caused troubles, robbed, beat people, and threatened. He seemed to be a gangster, but Bucky was not surprised by this, because he was quite Many professional football stars come from poor backgrounds, their family members are of poor quality, and members of the underworld are even more uncommon.

Therefore, in many cases, what an agent has 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 damned man who was arrested for intimidation. Arrested brother.

"It's still the same, but it has been more restrained. Now it is responsible for managing some of our fixed industries in Argentina."

Butch nodded when he heard this. To put it bluntly, it is management, but to put it bluntly, it is just to find a job to do, so as not to cause trouble everywhere, and with Messi's current property, it is not too much or too little. At least, Argentina's economy has been so sluggish in the past few years, what kind of fixed industries can it have?It should be some shops and rents.

"It's very suitable for Mathias. It's best to find him a partner as soon as possible, just like Rodrigue!" Bucky said with a laugh.

Mentioning the Barcelona chef, Jorge also laughed, which is also his pride.

"I heard that he intends to come out alone and open a restaurant by himself. Is it true?" Butch asked again.

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

Butch vaguely heard some clues, that is, the funds are no problem, "Is it still in Barcelona? Seriously, I like his combination of Catalan and Argentinian flavors, and my mouth is watering when I say it. "

"Probably not. He plans to go to London to develop, and he will probably go there when the 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 culinary skills. He stays and opens a high-end restaurant by himself. There should be no problem, I am also very interested in investing.”

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

"Haha!" Jorge felt happy when he heard Bach boasting about his son like this, which made him feel more frustrated than praising himself face to face, "In the future, if I make a name for myself in London, I will let him He came to Barcelona to open a family!"

"Where in London?" Butch asked again.

"Financial district!" Jorge didn't hide it, and there was nothing to keep a secret, "Mr. Ye Qiu's shop."

"Oh!" Butch wasn't surprised, because he guessed right. In the past few years, Ye Qiu used Tottenham Hotspur to set up a real estate company, invested in a lot of projects, and bought some very good deals. It was a store with 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 couldn't continue to make such detours, "Jorge, for the sake of our long-standing friendship, I hope you can answer me a question honestly."

"Okay, tell me!" Jorge picked up the coffee in front of him, took a sip, and concealed his embarrassment a little bit, because he knew very well that Bucky would definitely ask the question.

"Has Messi really decided to move to Manchester City?" Butch stared at Jorge seriously and asked.

While drinking coffee, Jorge blocked it with the quilt for a full three seconds, then put it down, stuck out his tongue and licked the coffee froth around his mouth, "Yes, the conditions they offered are too tempting Already!"

"5000 million euros? 30 weekly salary?" Bach was a little taken aback.

"Yes, 5000 million euros, cash, 30 weekly salary, after tax!"

Butch was almost a little scared by the series of numbers in front of him, because he swore that there is absolutely no second player in today's football that can offer such an attractive price, let alone Tottenham Hotspur, even Barcelona , no matter who Manchester City wants, they must sell it!

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

"It's basically settled!" Jorge said lightly.

Butch knew very well in his heart that this price and this treatment were impossible for any other team in the world to offer.

Thinking of this, he immediately thought of another trick, shook his head and said: "Remember, when you said you were going to take Messi to London, you told me that you have made a name for yourself outside, and you must come back again." To Barcelona, ​​but now it seems that both you and Messi seem to 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!" Even if Jorge knew it, there was something in it. Ye Qiu worked secretly.

"Then Barcelona needs you to come back now!" Butch's tone was a bit strong.

Jorge pouted, "Butch, you know, Ye Qiu and Tottenham Hotspur have treated us pretty well."

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

"Very good, compared to when we were in Argentina, it is simply heaven." Jorge recalled everything when his family first came to Barcelona, ​​raised his head, looked at Butch, shook his head, and answered very positively Said: "But me and Messi don't owe Barcelona a single cent, do they?"

"When we came to Barcelona from Argentina, Barcelona didn't treat my son for free. They just borne a small part of the treatment costs. I worked hard for the club to fill the rest. Later, the income was not enough. I went outside. I went to work three jobs at the same time, as you know, one is a coolie for a moving company, one is picking seafood in the vegetable market, and the other is delivering beef to an Argentinian restaurant. I met you in the Argentine restaurant ,remember?"

Barcelona has been promoting to the outside world over the years. The club helped Messi treat his illness free of charge, hoping to use it as an emotional offensive. But in fact, Barcelona was also very worried back then. They did not accept Messi at the beginning. On the contrary, they had been there all the time Doubt Messi will turn into a midget.

The agreement reached between Jorge and Barcelona at the time was very, very low-risk for Barcelona, ​​because they only needed to bear a small part of the treatment costs, and at the same time introduce a job to Jorge, so that they could survive in Barcelona, ​​​​without losing money. Starve to death, if there is no such low condition, how could Barcelona agree?
In Jorge's view, if you want to say thanks, you should first thank the doctor Ignacio who is not a Barcelona fan. He kept encouraging Jorge until the end, and followed him. Finally, I would like to thank several youth training coaches in Barcelona. They knew that Messi needed nutrition in private, and they often took him home to eat and supplement nutrition.

He still remembers the names of those people, Antonio, Luke, Santiago...
At that time, Rodrigo was also very smart and sensible. He went to the streets to post advertisements, deliver goods for others, and work as a handyman to supplement his family's income.

So in the whole process, it cannot be said that Barcelona was not helpful to the Messi family, but it was definitely not that big, and it could even be said that it was just a matter of effort, because in their calculation at the time, they could keep the Messi family as long as they paid a pitiful price. Argentines with excellent skills, it doesn't matter if they can do it or not.

Butch knew that what Jorge said was true, but in fact, many people said that Barcelona helped Messi treat his illness, which was just a kind of propaganda, or a news report that did not pursue details, deliberately blurring the concept.

A football club can’t be a good church. At that time, Messi’s monthly treatment fee was five or six hundred euros. At first glance, it seemed insignificant, but if the treatment continued for several years, it would cost a lot of money, and it was unknown whether this Argentine kid You can really become a talent, so no club will do this kind of thing.

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

"Please, Bach, my friend!" Jorge looked at Bach with sincerity on his face, "I never deny it, I'm poor, I hope Messi transfers to Manchester City, because there he I can earn more and more money, because in my opinion, football is not enough to support him and his family for the rest of his life, so what I want to do is to earn as much money as possible while he is still playing football , I believe that no one in the whole world can say that I am wrong!"

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

Don't look at Jorge who seems to be bold and uninhibited, with the shadow of an Argentine, but in fact he is very conservative. This can be seen from his almost harsh protection of Messi. He does not let any woman, anyone The person who could influence Messi is close to his own son.

You can say that he is cautious, you can say that he is cautious, but Butch knows that Jorge is very sincere and does not lie.

When talking about leaving Argentina and coming to Barcelona several times back then, Jorge said with tears in his eyes that if his family could not gain a foothold 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 the relatives they took refuge in Spain were themselves poor people, and there was no way to support them for a long time.

That's why Jorge often said, "Everything you see now is forced by life!"

Perhaps, if there were no serious illnesses and hardships back then, there would really be no Messi now!
And everyone, including Messi, is very clear that playing football has never been a job for him whether he likes it or not, but a job that can help him support his family. He has no choice!

Life is often not a choice!
(End of this chapter)