Chapter 80: You Are Needed Here
Albertini is Degan's idol. Although the two have different positions on the field, Albertini's serious attitude and dedication to football still make Degan full of admiration for this small Italian man.
Usually Albertini is very low-key in the team. Originally, Mandolini was going to let him be the vice-captain of the team, but he was rejected by Albertini. The reason he gave was very good. Those who have played multiple times on the team, not by fame.
Albertini's daily life in Bergamo is training, competitions, and rarely participates in group activities. Although Digan and Albertini have a good relationship, they rarely have the opportunity to be together alone, let alone drink.
Degan didn't know what happened to Albertini today, and suddenly came up with the idea of having a drink with him. Of course Degan would not refuse, and drove directly to the place where the two had a drink last time.
The last time Degan came here, he almost got into a fight with Atlanta in the bar, and it was Albertini who protected him from the conflict. This time the situation is obviously very different. As soon as Degan walked in, the bar immediately remembered There was a burst of cheers.
Now Degan is the city hero of Bergamo. A small team like Atlanta can rank first in the league standings, and the team's head star Degan has contributed a lot.
There are many football stars who have left footprints in Atlanta, but no one has conquered a city like Degan in just half a season.
"Rod! Come on!"
"Rods! Give us the champion!"
"Rod! I want to marry my daughter to you!"
"Damn! Turia, your daughter is only three years old!"
There was a burst of laughter in the bar, and Digan also smiled and waved to these fans. He is not a hedgehog. The conflict between him and the fans before was also because of the unreasonable attacks and abuse by the fans. Now he has become a The king of Bergamo, these fans worship him crazily, so there is no need for him to stab people everywhere like before.
He and Albertini found a quiet seat and sat down, ordered two glasses of wine, and people kept raising their glasses to gesture to Digan.
Albertini watched and couldn't help laughing: "It's unimaginable. Before, you were incompatible with them, but now they regard you as an object of worship."
Digan took a sip of his wine and said, "It's nothing. People like victory. Now that we can bring them victory, they will naturally regard us as their idol! If one day we can no longer make them happy, I believe that No matter how much they praised me today, they would all scold me back."
Albertini was noncommittal, but he could tell that Digan was indeed much more mature than before, at least his heart was at peace.
Atalanta's current situation is very good, ranking first in the league. When they transferred in the winter, they had just been reinforced. Everything seemed to be moving in a good direction, and it was even possible to aspire to the league championship at the end of the season.
"Rod! I recently received an invitation!"
invite?
Degan immediately became nervous when he heard the words. He knew that Albertini in history suddenly decided to settle with Atlanta and transfer to Barcelona during the winter break, but after only playing four games, he announced retired.
Is it true that history cannot be changed, and Albertini still has to go?
Degan can guess that the reason why Riodo agreed to settle with Albertini in history was entirely to save Albertini's salary. Albertini chose to leave also because Rijkaard sincerely invited him.
In all fairness, Albertini performed very well in the four games he played in Barcelona, but no one knows why he suddenly chose to retire afterwards.
Seeing that Degan's expression became serious, Albertini said with a smile, "It's Barcelona!"
Sure enough!
"Frank wants me to help him. Barcelona are competing for the league title, but their main midfielder Marcos is injured. He wants me to go over."
Damn Rijkaard!
In his previous life, Degan was a fan of the Dutch Three Musketeers, but now Rijkaard dares to poach the corner of Atlanta. It is unbearable. Prepare to accept the move and bear the curse of Degan!
"Demi! What do you think?"
Albertini held the wine glass, thought for a while and said: "I am also hesitating now. If it was Atlanta in the past, I might go directly to Mr. Rialdo to have a showdown and tell him that I am leaving, but now I am hesitating. Want to get an honor at the end of my career, Atalanta has a good chance, but I don't want to stand in the way of young people! Rod! I'm old, and I can still play for a team in the first division, for me It's all luck, but now there is another opportunity in front of me, and I don't know how to choose!"
What really made Albertini unable to choose was probably the invitation from his old teammate Rijkaard. When Albertini emerged, it happened to be when Rijkaard was at his most brilliant. The relationship between the two is not so much a teammate, but rather It is a mentor and apprentice. Albertini's later lateral running ability and ability to grasp the rhythm of the game all came from Rijkaard's precepts and deeds.
"Does the coach know about this?"
Albertini nodded and said: "Yes! I have already talked to Coach Mandolini, and he persuaded me to stay, and at the same time hoped that I would ask you what you think!"
Digan smiled bitterly. Even Mandolini couldn't convince Albertini to stay, so what kind of onion is he?
"Demi! Do you want to go? Barcelona! A giant like Milan!"
Albertini smiled faintly, and said: "I don't know, after leaving Milan, I'm used to this kind of life, stop and go!"
Everyone knows that Albertini is a quiet person, but the ups and downs of his career forced him to get used to a life of wandering. Of course, for this Italian man who loves to travel, every football career is a scenery, and no one can To deny that he was world-class at his peak and then at Atletico Madrid.
Especially for the mostly thankless position of the defensive midfielder, Albertini has changed the traditional views of fans with his superb football skills and good overall situation awareness.
Albertini was trained by the Milan youth training system, and his career was both brilliant and bumpy. In the 1988/89 season, he graduated from the youth team and entered the first team of Milan. In the 1990/91 season, he was loaned to the Padua team and returned to the parent team a year later. The main position of the team, the one who was robbed by him at the time was the current AC Milan coach Ancelotti.
Since the 1991/92 season, Albertini has become the midfield hub of the AC Milan team, and he also has a unique free kick of "ball falling leaves". In the following eight seasons, he played every year in the league. The times are more than 26 games. In 1999, he has won 5 league medals.
He is humble and introverted, and Zoff, who admires his talent the most, said: "A talented midfielder like Albertini is the pride of Italian football!"
According to Albertini's life trajectory, he was supposed to die in Milan, but it's a pity that Ancelotti, a narrow-minded fat man, ruined everything.
That open letter to Milan fans when he left Atletico Madrid made countless people shed tears.
"Farewell, Milan fans who supported me. I embrace you.
I love you all and I know you love me too. Because we share a passion for Milan, we value Milan more than anything else. I must admit that in the past I didn't think I would get so much joy from football and from Milan. In all this time, I never realized how lucky I was to be here and play for Milan. I only thought about it once, last Thursday, when they told me that I had reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid and that I was going to leave Milanello in the following days. In that moment, I began to realize that the thought of leaving had turned into a decision. So I tried to explain it to my closest teammates, like Massimo Ambrosini. But it's not easy.
Writing this letter is equally difficult now. I have a lot to tell you, but I want to keep it short. Only one thought haunted me: the San Siro. I will always remember you and my number 4 jersey. I would have worn it until the end of my career, but you know life isn't always what we want it to be. It's important to be honest, to look people in the eye and make them realize that you've done your best and learned a lot from it. One thing I am always sure of: Milan is a club with a history of more than 100 years, and they have had successes and failures in this long time. I was lucky enough to be part of Milan during that unique period, although I never would and am not seen as overwhelmed. I always try my best to do my best.
They all asked me if I would come back. I really don't know: I can only answer that fate is not always at the mercy of people. Even in Spain, I will always miss Milan. I hope they will always remember me. For the victories, for the hugs, for the celebrations, for the league and cup titles we won together.
Bye now. As long as we are still in love, the distance between Milan and Madrid is not far. "
Degan can imagine how sad Albertini felt when he wrote this open letter. He hoped to play for his beloved team for the rest of his life, but his belief was ruthlessly betrayed by reality.
When the general manager of Milan continued to promote the human touch of AC Milan in the future, did he ever think that AC Milan owed their vice-captain an explanation no matter what time it came.
"Rod! When I am playing now, I have become less and less sexy. Maybe I am really old, and it is time to retire!"
"Old!? Demi! Paul and Carlos are the same age as you. They haven't said they are old now, and they will continue to create a big scene at this age. Do you think you are old?"
Seeing that Digan suddenly became emotional, Albertini couldn't help laughing, and said, "Don't get excited, Rhodes! People are different, I just think it's time to stop here and experience a new life! "
"Then why are you still thinking about leaving and going to Barcelona? Demi! It's not suitable for you there. Their midfield core is Xavi, Deco, Rijkaard let you go there, just as a firefighter, instead of going to Barcelona, Why don't you create a miracle with us before retiring, you can, Demi! You can tell Ancelotti that at thirty-three years old Albertini is still the best midfielder in the world, let him play for the Regret your stupid decision! Demi! Stay, we need you!"
Albertini was taken aback, how much he longed for AC Milan to say to him "Demi! Stay, we need you", but in the end what he waited for was ruthless abandonment. Now Albertini's heart has faded When he no longer wanted to pursue fame and fortune, he never expected that at the end of his career, he would have an opportunity to create a great miracle with a group of young people.
Was Albertini really unmoved?
Of course it is impossible, as long as you are a professional player, you will have an almost greedy desire for the championship.
However, Albertini also fell into confusion when choosing between Atlanta on the one hand and Barcelona run by a good friend on the other.
Of course Degan can't tell Albertini that if you go to Barcelona, your sports career will really be over.
"Demi! Stay and create this miracle with us. You are a part of this miracle. When we celebrate our victory, we cannot live without you!"
stay! stay!
There is also a voice in Albertini's heart that is constantly shouting. He can see that the Atlanta team is full of vigor and hope, especially this winter. An ambitious team, staying and being a member of it, and creating miracles with this group of young people, this is indeed no small wish.
Seeing that Albertini was silent, Digan knew that he was moved, and then said: "Demi! We need your experience now and you to lead us. Although our current strength cannot compare with those giants, we are not Lack of courage, fight with us and defeat those powerful opponents."
Albertini looked at Digan, and he could feel the sincerity in Digan's eyes. Facing Digan, he couldn't say no, and finally nodded.
"Deegan! Don't let me at the end of the season think today's decision was wrong!"
Seeing that Albertini agreed, Digan couldn't help laughing, and said, "Of course! We'll surprise everyone!"