The Prince of Inter Milan starts with Brother Xiaosa

Chapter 2 Raiola’s visit
  While the Italian Under-19 League final is going on, Inter Milan first-team coach Roberto Mancini is preparing for Sunday's Serie A match against Atalanta.

Of course, although Mancini was "busy with official duties" at the Inter Milan Hotel in Bergamo, he did not miss this youth team game.

In an interview with reporters, Mancini extended his sincere congratulations to all members of the youth team:

“I would like to congratulate the boys in the youth team, Vincenzo, his coaching staff and all the youth team staff on what has been an outstanding result.

We look forward to them coming to San Siro next Sunday and we will celebrate our two titles together. "

This season Inter Milan has won the Serie A championship ahead of schedule, and next week's home game against Turin is the first team's last game of the season.

Therefore, Mancini invited the youth team to watch the game and celebrate the championship together. This can be regarded as a kind of inheritance.

At the end of the training the next day, Balotelli and Leo were walking and chatting with their training bags on their backs. As soon as they left the entrance of the base, they were blocked by a fat man wearing sunglasses walking towards them.

"Hello Mario Balotelli, I am an agent, can we get to know each other?"

Leo was a little surprised when he saw the person clearly, while Balotelli frowned tightly.

Because he finally persuaded Leo to accompany him to Game Stop to buy games. He had just won the championship, so he wanted to reward himself.

As a result, just after leaving the base before setting off, the plan was disrupted by this fat man in front of him who didn't look like a good person.

Balotelli didn't answer, just looked at Leo beside him.

This actually made the other party a little surprised. He didn't expect Balotelli to have such a good relationship with Leo off the court.

"Mario, is it okay if I call you this? I can talk to your parents about the agent later. I came here just to have a chat with you."

Balotelli remained unmoved, "I listen to Leo."

Leo didn't show any stage fright either, and took the initiative to extend his hand to shake hands with the other person.

"Hello Mr. Raiola, I'm Leo. The person next to me probably doesn't need my introduction. You should be here for him."

"Oh? You know me?"

"Of course, who doesn't know the famous Mr. Raiola? You are the agent of Nedved and Ibrahimovic."

Leo replied with a smile, and Raiola also smiled.

"Mino, just call me Mino. Can we find a place to sit down and chat?"

"Of course, it's an honor."

Lapang couldn't help but take a closer look at this young man who communicated with him gracefully, and he couldn't help but feel some interest.

Obviously, Raiola's target during this trip is Balotelli.

Compared with Bashen, whose talent is visible to the naked eye, although Leo is the core midfielder of the Inter Milan youth team, he has not caught the eye of Lafa.

It’s not surprising that this is the case. An Asian player with mediocre physical condition and outstanding passing and awareness does not seem worthy of Raiola’s personal trip.

In the eyes of ordinary people, it is unlikely that a player like Leo will become a real star.

If you work harder, it will be good to have a place in the five major leagues.

But after meeting, Leo's maturity beyond his years made Raiola a little curious.

Maybe, this kid's potential is greater than expected?
  After finding a coffee bar at the intersection, Lapang and Leo found a seat and sat down.

"La...Mino, if I'm not wrong, you want to sign Mario, but the players you have are all big-name stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and we are only sixteen years old, and we haven't even played a first-team game." I haven’t even played in a game…”

Balotelli didn't speak, so naturally Leo could only act as a representative to communicate with the other party. This was also a habit they had developed at some point.

Raiola shook his head disapprovingly. “Any player I like, even if he is not now, will definitely become what you call a ‘big star’ in the future!
  I have this confidence! "

Leo turned his head and glanced at Balotelli, who was concentrating on drinking hot chocolate. He didn't quite understand where the other party's confidence came from.

"To be honest, I have been watching Mario for some time. With his talent, I believe he will be able to play in Serie A soon.

Once he plays in the first team, it will not be so easy to sign him, so I decided to take the first step and come here before other agents take action. "

Raiola explained his purpose of visit very honestly, which made the two young men feel better.

Leo nodded. He didn't think there was anything worthy of a big-name agent like Raiola deceiving the two youth team players.

"Then I'm happy for Mario, but as I said before, we may have to talk to his parents about the specific signing."

Balotelli was born in Palermo to a family of immigrants from Ghana.

Balotelli contracted a gastrointestinal disease when he was two years old, and his biological parents, the Pavards, were unable to raise him, so they "had" to abandon him in the hospital. A year later, a Brescia Francisco couple finally adopted Balotelli and cured him. Balotelli's illness.

This has always been the last thing Balotelli wants to mention.

Balotelli is very sensitive to his status as an "outcast". Coupled with Balotelli's own African-American identity, Balotelli endured a lot of looks and discrimination when training in the local children's football system in Brescia.

Balotelli is the only black player among a total of 250 young players. You can imagine the pressure.

It wasn't until after joining Inter Milan and having Leo as his company that Balotelli finally became cheerful.

No matter what, when it comes to family, Balotelli still seems unhappy.

An unhappy family of origin has a considerable impact on a person, especially for minors who are not yet mentally mature.

Raiola waved his hand at this time and stared at Leo with interest.

"Let's talk about the signing. I want to talk to you about your affairs."

"I?"

"Yes, before meeting you, I actually watched some videos of Inter Milan youth team games and training.

It’s not that I didn’t notice you at all, it’s just that, how should I put it, judging from the video, there is a gap between your talent and Mario’s…”

Before he could finish his words, Balotelli angrily interrupted him.

"Leo is the best! You can't say that about him!"

Leo quickly comforted Ba Shen, "What I said is correct. Don't get excited yet. Listen to what I have to say."

Seeing Leo taking control of the situation so quickly, the light in Raiola's eyes grew brighter.

"And the scouts I sent to inspect Mario also came to the same conclusion as me, that is, your upper limit is at best the main force of the mid- to lower-tier Serie A teams."

Don't think this is bad, there are so many young players who have worked hard to train for more than ten years, but in the end they can only hang out in low-level leagues.

Not to mention that there are so many who will not even be able to earn a living in professional football.

Raiola's judgment may be correct. If there are no cheats, this may indeed be the upper limit of what Leo can achieve.

Leo held down Balotelli, who was still about to refute, and silently acknowledged La Fat's words.

“But today I saw you and my mind changed!
  I want to sign you, and I want to see whether talent or character is more important! "

The famous football agent Mino Raiola stood up impassionedly and looked at Leo and Balotelli opposite.

(End of this chapter)