Chapter 49: Leadership Quality

"So, how did you manage to pull it off, Kaka?" 

Kaka smiled, "A mix of scientific analysis, educated guesses, and a bit of intuition."

"Bold guesses indeed," Bosco reluctantly agreed. "No one expected the trend to collapse like that. So, what are your plans for the money?"

"I need an agent with a finance or economics background - maybe a graduate from a prestigious university or someone who left a major company. They should speak both English and Portuguese fluently."

"You're just looking for an agent, not a CEO."

"I'll also need a fitness coach, a chef, a physiotherapist, a doctor, and a female yoga instructor. Many yoga poses are quite personal, and I wouldn't feel comfortable having a male instructor guide me through those positions."

"Sounds like you're trying to build a whole team around yourself."

"No, they'll all work just for me individually." 

"Have you lost your mind, Kaka?"

"No, this team is essential to keep me grounded and focused." Kaka didn't want to repeat past mistakes.

"Well, you've grown up, son," Bosco and Simone exchanged a look, a mixture of contemplation and a sense of loss. "But I must warn you, if you really want to build and maintain such a team long-term, our money might not stretch far enough, unless...you consider a transfer."

"A transfer is definitely a possibility, but not right now." Kaka had considered leaving Sao Paulo that year to play in the Dutch league for a season or two, following in the footsteps of players like Ronaldo and Suarez. However, with important tournaments like the World Cup that Sao Paulo would participate in, Kaka decided against it for the time being. 

To be selected for the national team and have a shot at the World Cup, Kaka had to ensure he got enough playing time and performed at an elite level. History showed that as long as he excelled for Sao Paulo, he would get called up. A transfer could jeopardize that. It was safer to stick with his current club first.

Winning a World Cup championship, what a glorious achievement that would be.

"Alright, I'll help you find suitable candidates, but for now, your main goal is the Youth World Cup," Bosco said solemnly. "Winning the Youth World Cup will make your path much easier."

"I know." Kaka would treat this Youth World Cup like the real World Cup, solely for the prestige it carried.

...

June 28th, quarter-finals, Brazil faced Australia in the football tournament. 

Australia had not yet joined the Asian football confederation and was still one of the two major powers in Oceania region.

For casual fans, that might sound intimidating, but dedicated followers knew the modest state of Oceanian football. Apart from Australia and New Zealand, the other teams were essentially at an amateur level, so this match was essentially a formality for the Brazilian squad.

However, the phrase "the winner being strong, not the strong being the winner" rang true in football matches. Everyone understood this, so they still had to prepare accordingly, and the head coach had to emphasize the key points. Still, the team's overall mindset was relaxed.

The two head coaches had finished their team talks. The Australian dressing room exuded a pre-battle calm, while the Brazilian dressing room was a chaotic scene. 

Some players were juggling the ball, some had headphones on dancing, as if they were about to attend a party. It wasn't that they were too relaxed or looking down on their opponents; it was simply the laidback Brazilian nature that had birthed their unique football culture.

Kaka routinely gave a few reminders, and then a staff member informed them it was time to take the field.

This match had drawn a few more spectators than previous games, though the crowd was still scattered with probably a few thousand in attendance. 

Brazil kicked off and immediately launched an attack.

Right-winger Leo and Adriano combined in a neat one-two, pushing the ball tight to the byline. Then, Leo delivered a low cross into the box.

Robert, whose form had been overshadowing Adriano's recently, made a smart run and scored with a low shot, but before he could celebrate, the linesman's flag went up and the referee blew his whistle almost simultaneously for offside.

The offside call wasn't entirely clear-cut, and Robert seemed dissatisfied as he immediately ran towards the referee seeking an explanation.

"Referee, sir, this is the wrong decision. I only made my run after he played the pass." 

"No, no, no, I saw it clearly. It was offside."

"How is that possible? I deliberately checked my position. It couldn't have been offside!"

"Don't question my decision. Now, get back to your position." 

"But..."

Kaka was also going to approach the referee and apply some pressure, but seeing Robert's heated reaction, he quickly pulled him away.

"Alright, Robert, listen to the referee. The match has just started; there will be plenty more opportunities later." In situations like these, it's not about right or wrong but about being patient. If you keep bickering, you'll only end up frustrating yourself.

"It was a good ball. I deliberately slowed down before making the run. It couldn't possibly be offside..." 

"So what? Is this your first match ever?" Kaka released his grip. "Do you want to earn a red card and get sent off or score an undeniable goal to silence the critics?" 

Regardless of whether the previous call was a mistake or not, the referee was the authority on the field, and players couldn't directly confront them.

Of course, everyone understood the reasoning intellectually, but when it happened to you personally, the emotional urge to lose your temper was strong. That's when the captain had to step in. On one hand, they had to reasonably protest against the referee's decision, even though it would undoubtedly be futile. At least it would make the referee think twice before making similar calls. On the other hand, they had to calm their teammates and prevent them from directly confronting the referee while also controlling their own emotions.

It was a rather troublesome balancing act as captain.

Dealing with the referee was easier; you could present facts and reasoning, even though you would undoubtedly lose the argument if you pushed too far. As long as you maintained the right attitude, that was enough. Handling your own teammates was more challenging. If you were too soft, it would have no effect, but if you were too harsh, it might backfire. Kaka had no real experience, but he figured there were only two main approaches: the motivational guidance or the firm hand. 

Players needed either encouragement to refocus their energy positively or a decisive intervention to snap them out of their funk. And if they still didn't listen after that, they could always be substituted. 

Robert naturally understood the underlying reasons for Kaka's intervention, but he still found it difficult to fully accept in the heat of the moment.

Although Brazil played with two strikers, Adriano's position was almost iron-clad. The remaining spot was contested between Robert and Oliveira, and although Robert currently had the upper hand, who knew when he might be replaced? Therefore, every goal was crucial for cementing his place in the team.

Kaka said, "That offside decision was a deliberate trap set by the Australians, so next time, you should hold your run a couple of steps earlier, or...nevermind, you know better than me as a striker. Just don't let frustration cloud your judgment; it won't do you any good on the pitch."

Robert opened his mouth, muttered a few inaudible words, and walked away still visibly frustrated. 

The match resumed, and as expected, Australia actively tried to catch Robert offside again and again. Although Adriano played as the main striker, his position was often deeper, so this trap tactic was clearly aimed at the poacher-type Robert hovering on the last defender.

However, Robert had learned his lesson and consciously delayed his runs, almost causing the Australians to fall into their own offside trap at times.

This pleased Costonio on the sidelines, who naturally attributed the credit for Robert's increased discipline to his own coaching. 

He had not misjudged Kaka initially; the young player indeed possessed the crucial quality of leadership.

(end of chapter)