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PAULO LOOKED AT THE FACES OF his teammates who were also seated on the bench with him, watching his country lose to France 4-2. There was around 20 minutes left to play, so much time to others, yet to others they felt as if there was nothing Argentina could do anymore after getting destroyed by a 19 year old with a brace to break out the 2-2 tie Argentina had 30 minutes ago.
Paulo didn't blame any of his teammates, he knew how hard they were trying to do without the support they were suppose to get from their coach, Jorge Sampaoli- and that was the only person Argentine men could blame for their lack of excellent performance. It was a shame Paulo wasn't allowed to use his magical football powers during the World Cup that was cut too short for the Latin American country.
All that Paulo wished for this July was two things, two very simple things. For his children to be born healthy and for Nita to recover from the birth safely-which counted all as one thing. And from him to help his country get to the finals of this competition-which seemed dumb to him now. And it seemed as if maybe he could today. Sampaoli told Paulo and one other to start warming up as they would go on.
Paulo silently thanked the Lords above but thoughtfully cursed his coach who he was shamed to call him an Argentine just like Paulo. 5 minutes into him sprinting in the same distance over and over again, Sampaoli was about to call him up. Joy ran through him-until two people from the Medical Staff ran up to Paulo. Sampaoli looked at them confused and yelled at Paulo to come.
"Dybala, your wife has been rushed to the hospital. She may give birth today or early morning tomorrow. The private jet is waiting for you, it will be around 4 hours. We just have to inform your coach," the lady out of her and the man beside her, told Paulo. Paulo hesitantly looked at the pitch for his teammates and some Argentina fans in the stands and looked back to the two people.
Paulo just laughed. "But she gives birth in two weeks?" expecting them to laugh with him and say it's just a joke before he plays. He notices that they keep a straight, serious face and realizes that Nita was going to give birth soon. "Oh fuck. Sampaoli, Lo siento, mucho. But my wife is going to give birth soon! I have to go. Boys, make Argentina proud! Vamos!" he told his teammates on the bench before running with the two staff members, finally realizing he called Nita his wife, but not minding that.
Paulo immediately checked his phone when he went to the locker room to grab his stuff before heading to the hotel where he was staying at to check out and grab all his things, because he knew even if Argentina would win today against France, he would not return to Russia, suddenly not caring anymore about having pitch time and scoring, he always had Copa América next year-if he was lucky enough. His children would be here-in this world, soon.
