Chapter 35: "The Return of Boca's Golden Duo"
Javier Casero.
Ángel Molilla.
These two players were regulars on the national team and undeniably among Argentina's best footballers.
Although Ángel Molilla's return was expected to lift the team's spirits, the atmosphere at the Boca Juniors clubhouse was somewhat tense.
"..."
Javier Casero stood in the distance, warming up alone with trapping exercises.
"Javi! Javi! Javi!"
As soon as Ángel Molilla saw him, he ran over like an excited puppy, trying to chat him up.
But Javier Casero remained cold and distant.
"What do you want?"
"Want to come over for dinner later?"
"No."
"Then, how about a drink?"
"No, thanks."
"Ahhh, come on! Let's do something together! Please?"
Despite Ángel Molilla's persistent attempts, the rift between the two hadn't mended.
---
After the regular team training ended, Ángel stayed behind to help me with my individual training, offering tips and advice.
"Ángel."
"Yeah?"
"Why does Javier dislike you so much? If it's just because of your transfer..."
It seemed petty. Transfers were as common as breathing for professional footballers.
Ángel gave me a bitter smile.
"Because I lied to him."
"…You lied?"
Ángel's expression turned regretful.
"I told him I wouldn't leave until we won the championship. Then I left."
At the time, Boca Juniors was in its golden era, with the Javier Casero–Ángel Molilla duo dominating the league.
The only trophy they hadn't claimed was the Copa Libertadores.
'I'll stay until we win!'
'I promise I won't transfer!'
Despite those words, Ángel transferred to Real Madrid just a month later.
That was how their relationship soured.
---
"What about when you meet in the national team?"
"We manage to play together somehow."
"…I can see both sides of this. Javier's feelings are understandable, but so is your decision."
As a footballer, chasing dreams was natural.
"Yeah… Back then, I was so focused on my career ambitions that I couldn't turn down an offer from Real Madrid."
And at Real Madrid, Ángel had achieved his dreams, winning countless trophies. But deep down, there was always a lingering sense of "debt."
So he gave up a lucrative renewal offer from Real Madrid to return to Boca Juniors.
To settle that "debt" before retiring.
---
"You'll have to patch things up somehow."
"I know, but it's not easy."
"I'd love to help, but I'm terrible with relationships too."
"Your willingness is enough."
After our conversation, Ángel dusted off his shorts and stood up.
"Alright! Let's get back to it!"
---
Determined to mend their relationship, I subtly shared Ángel's side of the story with others.
"Hmm."
The team thought about it.
"How about this?"
Everyone brainstormed ways to bring the two closer.
A few days later, Ricardo Mesa sat down with Javier over lunch.
"Javi, why not cut him some slack?"
"It's hard. I've held onto this resentment for so long."
"But you understand why he did it, right?"
"Yes."
Javier did understand. As a footballer, chasing one's dreams wasn't foolish.
"Hmm."
"What is it?"
"Thinking of ways to get you two to reconcile."
"…It'll happen on its own with time."
"Really? You've had years on the national team, and it still hasn't happened. What makes you think it'll happen here?"
"..."
"Look, just try to be cordial. You're going to keep running into each other. Better to make peace now than carry this forever."
"…I'll try."
And so, the team discreetly began their mission to improve relations between Javier and Ángel.
They arranged for the two to share meals.
Paired them up for training drills.
Even during breaks, they tried to create opportunities for interaction.
---
"Won't this just make things worse?" I asked Ricardo Mesa as we warmed up together.
Ricardo chuckled.
"Those two will sort it out soon enough."
"How do you know?"
"I've known them since their debut. Javi's not really angry anymore. He's just been pushing Ángel away for so long that he doesn't know how to fix things himself."
"Then what?"
"All we need to do is nudge them a little. The fire's already there—it just needs some air to burn."
---
A week later.
In the league's seventh round, Boca Juniors led the match [2–0].
Both Ángel Molilla and Javier Casero had each recorded an assist.
Boca Juniors Leads the Game! Ángel Molilla in Possession!
Ángel Molilla receives the ball and turns, with pressure quickly closing in on him.
With a Marseille Turn, he shields the ball expertly, smoothly passing it to nearby teammates and escaping the pressing situation.
[Watching Ángel Molilla's gameplay just feels calming.]
[He's a player who provides a sense of stability.]
As the match approached the end of the second half, an opportunity for a Boca Juniors counterattack arose when they thwarted the opposition's attempt.
At that moment, Javier Casero's vision locked onto a player sprinting into open space.
Tatatatatata!
"Forward!"
It was Ángel Molilla.
Javier sent a precise through ball into the path of Ángel, who reached it just at the edge of the penalty area.
With a low, left-footed shot, Ángel struck the ball, and…
Thump.
The opponent's net rippled.
— Whaaaaat!?!?!
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[This is the first time this season, isn't it? Javier Casero and Ángel Molilla combining for a goal!]
[That's right! A pinpoint pass from Javier Casero, followed by Ángel Molilla's precise shooting. It brings back memories of their golden days playing together!]
The Boca Juniors fans erupted, memories of their most iconic duo's dominance rushing back. The dazzling partnership of a young Javier Casero and the then-Boca Juniors star Ángel Molilla was etched in their minds.
"..."
Some fans cried.
— Whaaaaat!?!?!
Others screamed at the top of their lungs.
The legendary attacking duo of Boca Juniors had finally reunited.
---
"Javi."
With a beaming smile, Ángel extended his fist toward Javier. Javier, scratching the ball with his foot awkwardly, lightly bumped fists with him.
"If you hadn't scored that, I wouldn't have passed to you again."
A bridge that had once collapsed between Javier Casero and Ángel Molilla was finally being rebuilt.
"Does this mean you've forgiven me?"
"…Honestly, I understand now. I was young and petty back then, and I let my anger get the best of me."
"And I'm sorry, too."
"..."
"For breaking my promise and leaving without a second thought."
Javier looked at Ángel for a long moment.
Ángel grinned and said, "Don't worry. Even if it's late, I'm back to keep the promise I made to you."
Grin.
"You idiot. That's why you gave up Real Madrid's massive contract?"
"Who do you think I learned it from?"
The long-awaited Boca Juniors duo had finally reconnected.
---
August 27th
At the end of August, the Boca Juniors management held a meeting before the transfer window closed.
"Bringing Ángel back this summer was a brilliant move!"
"Sure, it's taken a toll on the club's finances, but he's been performing beyond expectations in every game. It's worth it."
The standout performer was, without a doubt, Ángel Molilla.
5 matches, 3 goals, and 5 assists.
He was proving that he was still a world-class player.
"And then there's this guy we've been keeping an eye on."
The topic shifted to Jiwoo Yoo.
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"Jiwoo's performance is just… astonishing."
"Are we sure he's a rookie?"
"With his speed and technique, there's no question he's on another level."
"Plus, his stamina is excellent, allowing him to press up front, which makes it easier for the rest of the team to transition into attack."
[3 matches, 3 goals, 1 assist.]
"While it's still early, it's rare for a rookie to deliver these kinds of stats in their debut season."
"Even Javier Casero only had 9 goals and 11 assists in his first half-season."
"We can't demote Jiwoo to the reserve team. It would go against everything we stand for."
"He was initially supposed to spend September in the reserves to work on his synergy with Diego and Guillermo."
Originally, Jiwoo was to play in the first team for August only and then return to the reserves in September.
But no club would demote a player performing so well in the top division.
"With the current situation, we should offer him a professional contract and keep him in the first team."
"Agreed."
"Absolutely."
"He's already proven himself to be first-team quality."
Jiwoo Yoo's performances had not only addressed key issues for Boca Juniors' first team but also raised his value significantly. A consensus was reached to officially sign him to a professional contract and add him to the first-team roster.
---
"How should we proceed?"
Enrique Boto, the director, sought the decision of President Ramón Cáceres.
Ramón Cáceres smiled as he watched footage of Jiwoo's play.
"Let's make it official. Offer him a professional contract and confirm his place in the first team."
---
August 31st: Inside the Director's Office
Jiwoo Yoo and his agent, Cha Myunghoon, sat across from Enrique Boto.
"The tea smells wonderful."
"Doesn't it? I got hooked on it during my trip to Italy and ordered a bunch. Want to take some home?"
While Enrique had seemed cold at first, he now exuded the warmth of a friendly neighbor.
"As you know, we've arranged this meeting to upgrade Jiwoo's contract to a professional one."
Despite the age difference, Enrique was respectful, a tactic he often used to gain the upper hand in negotiations.
"Here's the contract draft we've prepared based on our prior discussions. Please review it."
Cha Myunghoon carefully read the contract, explaining its clauses to Jiwoo.
"A weekly salary of 445,000 pesos."
"That's about 5 million KRW."
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And that wasn't all.
"There are additional bonuses for goals and assists."
Factoring in all the options, Jiwoo's annual salary would exceed 300 million KRW—a tenfold increase from his youth contract.
"The amount is higher than we initially discussed."
"It reflects the club's high expectations for Jiwoo."
"But the five-year term is a bit concerning."
"While it's a five-year contract, if Jiwoo continues performing like this, we'll renegotiate annually."
Enrique smiled, eager to finalize the deal. But Cha Myunghoon wasn't about to settle so easily.
"Let's reduce the term to three years, and include a clause allowing for a transfer if Jiwoo plays fewer than 15 matches or if the club finishes outside the top three in the league."
"..."
"Removing the buyout clause in favor of these terms isn't an unreasonable request, is it?"
For young players, five-year contracts were standard to account for potential growth. But Myunghoon was wary of the long term.
Three years.
Instead of a buyout clause, he proposed shortening the term.
"We'll need to review this."
"Then let's reconsider the buyout clause."
"..."
"If the current terms don't work, we're fine with a five-year deal and a buyout of 1.45 billion pesos (approximately 15 billion KRW)."
"Understood. Revising the contract will take time. Could you return tomorrow to finalize it?"
Hearing this, Myunghoon smiled and stood.
"Sounds good. Let's do that."