Crismes Forever

Chapter 10: The Clasico

(2 weeks later)

This is the big game that Carlo had been training us for, extremely hard for so many weeks. The biggest rivalry not just in football, but in the entire world of sport. The vikings in the Captial vs the Cules in Catalonia. This was it, I was in my element in big matches like this. I won't lie, I get nervous, but I hide it well. While thoughts were racing through my mind, I was with the team, I was with Jamesito too, these was my familia. James and his sweet smile, gorgeous figure, and amazing personality, made every aspect of my life better. The crowd was roaring in the Bernabeu "Madrid, Madrid, Madrid!" We had the fans on our side, they were there for us. I hugged James one last time before going up the stairs. The fans grew louder as I stepped out of the tunnel, and I was going to put on a show for them. It only felt right after all.

The match started, Benzema was to my right and Marcelo sat behind me. We had about 55 percent of the possession. We made many chances, we had quite a few shots on target. Kroos took a long shot but Pique cleared the ball after Ter Stegen saved it. The ball flew towards our half, and FCB were going to take advantage of it. All of our attackers and midfielders scrambled back in hopes of helping Iker, Varane, and Ramos. But before we could even get near the box, it was already too late. Who else but Lionel Messi would score the goal? 

"Hijo de puta!" I yelled in frustration. I was the best player in the world, I needed to show it, and this was not that show. Just a few minutes later, the halftime whistle blew. We all scrambled into the locker room. Numerically, I was next to Kroos and Khedira. Ancelotti was very animated, he described how we had more of the ball and the better play. He said that he needed his forwards to show up for the team. I was not going to let Carlo down. 

Before we knew it, the second half was off to the races. Barca looked like they had the momentum at first, but shortly after, Modric showed the fans why he's considered world class. His interceptions helped us regain the ball, and his passes helped us use it. Modric kicked a through ball to Gareth Bale, it was pixel perfect, something even I could never do! Bale used his speed, dodging defenders left, right, and centre. It was James' moment. There he was, an absolute threat, alone in the middle of the pitch. Pique was marking Gareth and Puyol made a rare error by leaving the centre to mark me. James took a shot from just outside the box, everything seemed in slow motion, the ball was gliding through the air with such power and grace. "GOOOOOOOAAAAAAL" yelled the crowd! Instantly, I ran over to the golden boy and gave him a huge hug and a nice pinch on the behind. I whispered in his ear "I'm so proud of my baby". He smiled and looked up at me with determination in his eyes. Perhaps that determination was enough because within a matter of moments, we clogged up the Barca box, so many white shirts and not enough blue and red to defend them. I saw Carvajal's cross into the box. This was my moment. I jumped over the Barca defenders like a dolphin jumps out of water. Dani's cross was so perfect that it hit me right on my forehead. I directed it just barely past Marc Andre Ter Stegen. The crowd went wild. I ran towards Carvajal to celebrate with him, the assist was even better than the goal in this case. Isco and James came running after to celebrate with us. 

No more goals would be scored, the match would be ours, and the press and fans would glorify us. Today was a good day. Sure it was great that we beat our fiercest rivals. Sure it was nice that I'd scored. Sure its nice to hear the crowd chant your name. But those things are nothing in comparison to James' happiness. After celebrating in the locker room, we had to part ways since he had to film an Adidas commercial, but I can assure you one thing, our bodies were separate but our hearts weren't. I counted down the seconds until I'd see him again.