Falling too much

One

Hi I'm Alesha Russo, yes the sister of Alessia Russo. I play for Barcelona I always have well since I was 19. Here's a bit about me: when I was 4 I asked my dad if I could play football he refused to let me. Alessia was 7 and was playing for a local football team. I didn't see why I wasn't allowed. When I turned 6 I asked my dad again and he gave in he let me join the boys local team. I loved it and the boys accepted me. At the age of 9 a scout watched us play and after the game he approached me and Alessia and offered us both a chance at the local team - Maidstone United Football Club. My dad let Alessia join but not me. When I turned 11 I was offered the same opportunity and this time I joined. At the age of 14 I was offered to join the U16 England Lionesses Squad, once again my dad disapproved. I had to turn down my dream. When I turned 16 the team offered a professional contract to sign me as which I did so. England got back in contact and asked me to play for the U18s and I joined this time. When I turned 19 Barcelona sent a transfer offer, which I was shocked at. Alessia was playing for united, so I took it. I have been living In Barcelona ever since.
My dad never approved of me wanting to be a footballer and don't ask me why. My mams decisions never mattered whatever my dad said went. My mam has always been proud of me and I know that. Alessia doesn't understand when I say about dad because she was accepted, she was allowed to play football. I broke the rules too many times at home as I would sneak out to play football at the local park with some of the boys from my team. It proved I would do anything for football and I still will. I was born on the 16th march 2003. I passed most of my GCSES except from maths.

****

I wake up to the sun creeping through the slight crack in my curtains. I check my phone and the time read 7am, I get out of bed and get changed into my Barcelona kit. I scrape my hair into a messy bun. I get in my car and drive to training. I get there and my locker is next to Lucy bronze and Alexia Putellas. I put my stuff down as per usual. We get changed and walk out to the training pitch. We see Jonaton. He explains everything we need to achieve for the season ahead. Our first game is against real Betis just before we are about to train Jonaton says "alesha come with me"
I follow him in suspense and apprehension, what was he going to say? Had I done something wrong? We sat in his office and he said "I've had a transfer for you from Manchester United"
"Oh, what do you think I should do"
"It's your decision I've also had an offer from 2 other clubs"
"Where are they"
"Chelsea and Arsenal"
"Do you want me to leave"
"No of course I don't, but to be honest your not truly happy here. You aren't getting the minutes you should be getting" he wasn't totally wrong I did want more game time.
"Yeah I guess, could I maybe hear some details on the arsenal one"
"Jonas eidevall the manager has been following you play for a while. He says you need a better team he promises you minutes. I'm not totally sure on the wage as that's your agents job not mine"
"Okay I'll call Alex he's my agent and see if he can find out"
"Okay now get to training"
"Okay"
I walk back to the pitch no one asks about the recent conversation I had just had with the manager. After training I go to Jonatons office and I say "tell Jonas ill be flying out tomorrow to meet him"
He says "will do"
I get in my car and head to my house, I book flights for 8am and I will get to London at 10am. I quickly pack stuff into a backpack as I'm only staying one night. I message alessia it said
Hey less, want to meet me tomorrow, got a lot to say to you x
She replies
Hey Alesha, sure where at x
I say
Um make sure your in London after 1pm I don't know how long my meeting will be. I'll meet you like 3 at the latest at a cafe you recommend
She replied
Alright, can I bring tooney and joe they want to go shopping in London
I say
Yeah, bye less
She replies
Great bye Alesha x

The next morning I wake up at 5am and drive to the airport. I board the flight at 7:45 and we take off at 8. I sit next to Alex and we are talking about my contract and how I will want it at arsenal. When we arrive in London at 10 we get off the plane and since we don't need to wait for any suitcases we can walk straight through to security control. Once through that we use Alex's wife's car as she picks us up to drive us to London Colney, Alex only came out on Monday to see me about my recent contract situation as he usually lives in London.
We get to London Colney, me and Alex walk in. I take in the surroundings around me, I see a couple of the men from the men's team looking at me, but I just brush it off. We walk to jonas' office but he isn't there one of the members of staff say he's running a training session so we head out to the pitch, we sit on the benches outside and watch the girls trains, once he's delivered his instructions he comes over too us. I see a couple of the girls looking over and then turning around talking when I notice them. Jonas says "let's go to my office"
We walk behind him and get to his office. It's 11am and he starts off by saying "we would love to have you at the club an amazing player for only being the ripe age of 21"
I say "thank you" and give him a smile.
Him and Alex talk things through and I listen to the conversation thoroughly. Jonas offers me a 3 year contract and an option to extend if I want to. We agree and I sign the contract. Alex phones up Jonaton and tells him the details. Me and Jonas take a photo with me a holding an arsenal top on the back displaying my name 'Russo' and the number 16. Jonas says "want to meet the girls" I say "okay"
I follow him to the training pitch I walk over with him and I see Beth Mead and Leah Williamson I recognised them from one of Alessias party's. Jonas says "we aren't going to announce Alesha joining us just yet, but she's coming to arsenal after her amazing time playing for Barcelona"
I say "it's going to be great to be playing with you all"
Leah says "yeah it will be amazing not playing against you as well" I give a quiet laugh and smile.
I then walk over to Alex and we head out to the car park, his wife drops me off into central London less messages me it read
Meet me at the gem cafe in 10 minutes if your ready x
I reply
Okay on my way now x
I walk to the gem cafe and see alessia sat on a table, I go up to her and hug her I say "I missed you"
She says "me too"
We sit down and talk before alessia says "so why you in England then"
I say with a smile on my face "I'm moving here"
She looks with a smile and focuses on my face she says "where to" excitedly, I'm glad she wanted me close to family.
"That's a secret just for now less"
"Oh please I'm your sister I drove all the way here"
"I flew here"
"Not fair"
"I'm flying back to Barcelona tomorrow to get the rest off my stuff and say bye to my teammates before I come back on Friday"
"A lot of travelling then"
"Just a bit"
My phone lights up I say "one sec less" I answer the phone call it's off Lucy
"Where are you" Lucy asks
I say "in England"
"Why"
"Because I'm moving here Luce"
"No you can't leave us we need you"
"I don't think you do"
"Yes we do we were doing so badly in training"
"It's too late I've already signed a contract"
"No please rip the contract up do anything, get your arse back here"
"I'm coming back tomorrow to say goodbye to you all and then I'm off"
"I won't let you go back"
"Your going to have to Luce"
"I won't your my best friend, I look down to you" she doesn't say she looks up to me because I'm younger.
"Sorry Luce but you will be back in England right soon, for the lionesses"
"Yeah but you won't be there"
"I know but still"
"Yeah I guess anyway see you later I've got training again"
"Bye Luce"
"Bye Alesha"
I hang up and walk back over to alessia. Tooney and joe have joined. I walk back over and take my seat I just say "it was Lucy bronze just wondering where I was"
"So you know Lucy then" asks Ella
"Yeah I do from Barca"
"I forgot you played for Barca" says Ella laughing
"I know me too at times, I barely got any minutes and that's why I'm transferring"
"Aww better be at United" says Ella
"I could of been but I won't be joining united"
"You could of been with me, why didn't you" asks alessia
"Because I didn't want to be with you" I jokingly say
"So where you going then" asks joe
"That's a secret just for now you will all know on Friday, the girls actually know before my own sister does"
"Hahah tell me Alesha" says alessia
"God calm it less anyway I need to get to my hotel I'm so tired, see you Friday less"
"I'm not in London Friday"
"What a shame guess I'll see you when we play you then"
I stand up and hug Ella and joe. I hug alessia and whisper "arsenal" she lets out a small laugh and I walk off.