Chapter 37: The National Team Calls

As Kaka was about to check the system messages, the eager reporters had already surrounded him. They were shoving their microphones and recorders towards his face, all wanting to interview him first.

Kaka raised his hands peacefully. "One at a time, please. I'm sure many of you have similar questions. And there's no need to ask how I'm feeling - I'm excited, thrilled, and happy after this big win." 

A beautiful brunette reporter named Anshna from Global TV took the opportunity first. "Kaka, hello. We all know this is your first season playing professionally, but you've already achieved extraordinary results. Many teams are reportedly interested in signing you. Will you leave São Paulo FC after this season?"

"No, I've just renewed my contract with São Paulo and have no plans to leave the club."

A reporter from 'The Writing Board' spoke up next. "Hello, Kaka. We know you usually rely on your speed to win matches, rarely using fancy skills. However, your style changed a lot in this latest match. What was the reason for that?"

"Well, I've actually been training on new skills with some good teammates," Kaka explained. "Speed is not my only weapon on the field anymore."

The reporter from 'Corinthian Daily' raised his hand. "Hello, we noticed you performed three nutmeg moves on the player Vanpeta during the match. Do you have some kind of grudge against him, or did you deliberately try to humiliate him?" 

Kaka laughed and shrugged. "No, it was just a friendly game between us. On the field, Vanpeta asked me if I was afraid of him. I had originally planned to nutmeg him five times to give him my answer, but after the third one, he said he understood." He grinned. "The problem with playing against intelligent people is that they guess the answer before you've finished giving all the clues. It's quite boring that way."

An awkward silence followed his cheeky comments.

Before another reporter could ask their question, Kaka's sharp eyes caught sight of someone with an odd expression in the crowd. His intuition told him that person was up to no good, so he swiftly made his escape from the interviews.

His teammates Baptista and Fabiano, who had been sneaking up behind the reporters holding large beers, were left standing there exchanging glances with each other.

Fabiano remarked with resignation, "This kid is too cunning." 

Baptista grumbled, "Yeah, tonight for sure...Damn it, Luis, you and your entire family are..."

Skipping the various ceremonies after the big win, Kaka didn't refuse his teammates' invitations this time. He attended a few nightclub parties with them to celebrate their championship. Of course, he didn't participate in any scandalous after-party activities, not because he was a puritan, but simply because he was afraid of tarnishing his public image and getting beaten up by overprotective relatives.

It's worth mentioning that, fortunately or unfortunately, Kaka and his rumored girlfriend Caroline still had not officially become an item during this period.

Recalling the news drama they would later cause, Kaka's feelings were mixed about the whole situation. They had promised to stay together until old age, but in the end, their relationship turned into a total mess.

"Not this time," Kaka thought to himself. "I would rather remain single for life or even find myself a nice Vietnamese wife, than marry a woman who would eventually divorce me like that."

He stopped himself from taking that train of thought any further about his famous peer Cristiano Ronaldo. "It's better to just focus on playing well, and hopefully, the club will help me find a good girlfriend when the time is right."

After winning the São Paulo State Championship, the game system rewarded Kaka with 10 honor points. He was also named the Best Young Player of the tournament, earning him 5 more honor points. So with an expenditure of 5 points and an income of 15 points, it wasn't a bad deal at all.

With the state league concluded, the clubs entered a much-needed break period, and São Paulo FC granted all the players some time off. 

The second half of the year still had the national league and various cup competitions to play, making this mid-season break period precious. Kaka rested for three days while celebrating with family and friends, before heading to Rio de Janeiro.

As Brazil's second-largest city, Rio boasted the country's best beaches. Falcao's friend had organized a beach soccer training camp there, and Kaka planned to join, hoping to take advantage of any serendipitous encounters or fated meetings that might occur.

At the world-famous Copacabana Beach, the sun was shining brightly and the ocean gleamed a vibrant blue. Kaka, carrying just a single strap travel bag, stepped onto the soft white sand, suddenly feeling an urge to extend his stay for a longer vacation period.

His young teammate Digan followed closely behind him, the boy's admiration for Kaka reaching its peak as he strongly requested some personal training from the star player.

"Hey, Kaka, you're late!" Falcao greeted him with a smile, juggling a soccer ball with fancy touches before kicking it directly at Kaka. 

Kaka expertly trapped the ball with his chest, let it bounce twice off his thigh as it dropped, and then kicked it back to his friend.

As Falcao stepped on the ball to control it, a few young local players approached them.

"Wow, it's really Kaka!" one exclaimed in awe.

"Dude, I watched both your finals matches. You played incredibly," another commented.

"Are you sure he's just the best young newcomer in São Paulo State? He looks like a movie star to me!" a third joked.

The last person to approach was very familiar to Kaka. "Hello, Kaka. You played really well. It's a pity we didn't get to face each other on the field."

Kaka instantly recognized him - it was the famous young star Robinho. He had just finished playing in a five-a-side soccer game and was also a good friend of Falcao's.

While Kaka of course knew who the talented Robinho was, he wasn't sure of the proper way to address him. Before he could formally introduce himself, Falcao interrupted them.

"I'll introduce you all in just a minute. But first, Kaka, where's my signed jersey that you promised me from the big final?"

"Don't worry, it's in my bag. I'll give it to you later," Kaka assured him.

"Haha, good. Now I can finally settle that debt I owed you," Falcao laughed. "And is this your younger brother with you? He's a tall kid!"

"Yeah, this is my brother Rodrigo. You can just call him Digan for short," Kaka replied, before his phone started ringing with an unfamiliar number.

"Ooh, is that your girlfriend calling?" one of the guys teased.

"No, I don't know who this number is," Kaka said with a puzzled look, staring at his phone for a couple seconds before answering it.

"Hello?"

"Hello," a mellow male voice came through. "Should I call you Ricardo or Kaka?"

"Either is fine," Kaka replied. "May I ask who you are..."

"Carlos César Costodio."

Kaka paused for two seconds. "Hello, Coach."

"So you know me? That makes things easier," Costodio chuckled on the other end. "Well then, are you ready, Kaka?"

"Yes, I'm ready, sir." 

"I need to see you by the 2nd. Any problems?"

"No problem. In fact, if you need me, I can be there tonight."

"No need for that," Costodio's laughter didn't subside. "I'm contacting you in a personal capacity. We'll notify your club later, and then my assistant will call you with the specifics."

"Understood, sir."

"I'd prefer you call me 'boss.'"

"...Understood, boss."

"Good. I look forward to your performance, Kaka," Costodio added with a laugh, "The most outstanding young talent in Brazil."

Kaka inexplicably touched his nose. 

The most outstanding in Brazil? That might invite some hostility.

As soon as Kaka hung up, Digan couldn't help but ask, "Who was that, Ricardo?"

"Costodio."

"Who?" 

Robinho chimed in enviously, "The national youth team coach."

"So..." Digan cheered, "You're joining the national team!"

"Yes," Kaka dropped his shoulder bag and puffed out his chest proudly. "I'm joining the national team."