Off the Deep End (Cristiano Ronaldo / Lionel Messi)

Chapter 10: El Clásico

Sunday 22nd March 2015

El Clásico.

It was the tenth time Leo had to use the bathroom before the game, but he had stopped counting already. For over a month, he had been expecting this day.

The atmosphere was definitely packed with excitement in the bright red and blue colored locker room of the Camp Nou. Neymar was adjusting his shin pads to his right and to his left Luis was tapping his foot nervously, irritating him a little.

To distract himself Leo checked his phone and saw that there was a new message from HASTALAVISTA (or Sergio, as that was his real name). They had had gradually become friends of sorts, chatting more or less ever since he joined the chat a month ago. Usually they just talked about life in general, work (to Leo's slight horror, Sergio apparently worked as a journalist), family and friends and of course football. This time opening the message he already knew, what the topic would be.

HASTALAVISTA: Hi, what's up? It's time for Elllll Clásicoooo! I can't wait! Are you going to watch it?

Leo grinned. If he only knew.

FOOTBALLFAN87: You bet. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

HASTALAVISTA: Me neither. Damn! Messi and Ronaldo, the two best football players in the world playing against each other, gives me goosebumps every time.

FOOTBALLFAN87: Yeah... or rather the two best football clubs in the world playing against each other.

HASTALAVISTA: That too. I only wish I could see it live. The tickets are crazy expensive though, for El Clásico at least. Maybe one day I'll see a Barça game. One can always dream, heh.

Leo felt a sting in his heart at the comment, but he knew it was time for him to get back to business.

He shut down the phone and glanced at Neymar, who was finished pulling up his socks and was staring blankly in front of him, looking a bit pale. During the past few weeks or so the usually bubbly and cheerful Brazilian had for some reason become a mere shadow of his former self, looking more and more gloomy and unhappy with himself. Leo was really starting to get worried.

"Are you okay?" Leo asked quietly and put a hand on the younger man's shoulder, who flinched a little at the contact.

"Yeah", Neymar replied quietly. "Let's just hope I won't screw up everything like I tend to do."

"Hey, stop that", Leo snapped and shook him by the shoulder. "Listen to me: you're a great player, one of the best in the whole world. For real. You have to believe in yourself."

Neymar let out a bitter laugh and shook his head.

"It's easy for you to say. You are the best. Compared to you I just..."

"Please, stop that! Never compare yourself with anyone. Look, I know you've had it hard lately, but you have to remember this", he pointed at the tattoo on Neymar's neck. "Everything will pass. Just don't give up trying. I want to see a happy Neymar today, like the little boy who loves to score goals and have fun on the pitch. Okay?"

"Thanks, Leo. I'll try my best", Neymar muttered and to Leo's relief mustered a little smile. Still, he had that haunting look to his eyes that Leo didn't quite understand.

"Okay, off we go then!" Geri yelled from the other side of the room and clapped his hands. "Let's go hunt some Real meat!"

***

Cristiano frowned. He couldn't remember the last time he had been this nervous, when he walked down the player's tunnel. From time to time he couldn't help but sneak a look over his shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of the Argentinian superstar, but he was nowhere to be found. Instead, He saw Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric not far in front of him, hugging and patting each other like they were long lost brothers reunited at last. Right next to them Gerard Piqué and Sergio Ramos – colleagues from the Spain national team – shook hands in a friendly manner. Gareth Bale was just standing by himself in the queue, like the loner he was, staring into distance and swaying from side to side.