Regista

Gianluca is always a football fan. He dreamed to be a top regista, or a position that control the flow of the football game. He wanted to be like Andrea Pirlo. He loved the club AC Milan to his heart.

To be a professional footballer at the highest level requires many hefty task. Gian must start in his youth football club near his village. And he must compete.

At the earliest stage, where everything seems clear, he climbed through the ranks. Many competitor luckily wanted to be a striker in the front, whereas the regista position is deemed unsuccessful in the modern football world. These days, this position is usually played by defensive midfielders and the box-to-box types.

No particular stats that can be shown by the regista position. So, Gianluca works hard. He wanted to have a passing skill like Pirlo, but he also wanted to shoot like Cristiano Ronaldo. His trainings started as soon as he joined the Milan Youth System.

The scout loved him, and he then climbed the ranks towards the AC Milan senior squad when he was just 18 years old. His dream to represent Italy at the highest level seemed reachable.

But suddenly, football becomes different now. As mentioned, the system is far more different than back in the 90s or 2000s. Now, football is about making profit.

Football is about business. Football isn't as clear as when Gianluca is still a boy.

Football is very complicated now. His coach here and there ordered him to defend less, and try pass as far as possible in the league games. He doesn't realize, his team began to lose points and began to descend in the Serie A table.

Until he realized what mistakes he made, he proposed something to the coach. But, the coach doesn't take it lightly. Something about the 'script' was mentioned in their meeting.

"Gianluca, you are a fantastic player. But, football needs to always evolve. Football is different today than it was 20 years ago."
His coach continued, "now, we played for cash. So we must follow the 'rules' given by them."
"By who?"
"I advise to you that you don't find or search about anything towards it. You are a bright star, I know it. Just, follow the 'script' given."

"Or you will go down, really deep."

So, Gianluca followed it. He even rose through the 'script', where he became the first midfielder to ever be the top score in the Serie A. It was a fantastic achievement, and he was offered to go to Bayern Munchen, PSG, or even Real Madrid next season.

But his coach and sports director said in a meeting that, according to the 'rules', Gianluca must go to where the league needs more income. Again, Gianluca asked about what 'rule' it came from, but suddenly, there was a footage of his mother and father in his hometown.

Their house is surrounded by snipers.

He tried to call the police, but the police instead came to the meeting and at first, wanted to arrest him.

"Why, boy." The sporting director chuckled, "why do you have to be innocent?"

Gianluca then transferred away. For about two years, he followed the 'script' again. He's still the top assist provider for the two years in the foreign land.

Until, the world cup comes around. In order to qualify, Italy must fight against Switzerland in the same group. They finished in 2nd, and goes to visit North Macedonia in the knock out stages.

If they lose, they won't go.

A day before the match, Gianluca and the team had a meeting. Discussing the 'script'.

The coach said, "Gentlemen, tonight we have to lose the game. Italian football now must have a deep sympathy with fans all over the world. Trust me, we have to-"

"NO, I HAVE ENOUGH" Gianluca slammed the table. "Why do we have to do this?"

"Gian, you are still 23 now. You still have a chance 4 years later. We want you to be our main star in the next world cup."
"Please, believe the 'script' Gian."
"You know what will happen if you don't."

And the script goes along throughout Gianluca's career. As football is continously grew to the demands of investors.

Not football mania. Not football fans.

Not even the maestro of the pitch.