Football is the most popular sport in Argentina. It is now the World Cup in France, and Argentina's 5-0 victory over Jamaica last night in France has filled the original Argentina restaurant with the atmosphere of the World Cup.
The restaurant's TV was rebroadcasting last night's game. Batistuta scored a hat-trick, becoming the only player in the history of the World Cup to perform a hat-trick in two consecutive World Cups.
Although I watched the live broadcast last night, when Batistuta scored again, there was still a series of cheers throughout the restaurant. Everyone seemed to be celebrating Batistuta's goal in person.
"Argentina is always rich in such passionate and talented superstars: Kempes, Di Stéfano, Maradona, Batistuta, Caniggia, Redondo. Who should be next? Messi!" Levi stared at the TV, more like murmuring.
Jorge, who was sitting opposite him, was a bit surprised. He didn't expect Levi to compare his son with so many talented stars, especially when he knew his son was suffering from a chronic illness.
"Jorge, this is my business card and my identification document. Additionally, this is our club's phone number. If you have any questions, you can also call the FA directly to inquire. We are a registered club in England," Levi said, first proving his identity.
To put oneself in another's shoes, no matter who it is, if someone suddenly claims to be a representative of a club in England and values his son's football talents, who wouldn't doubt it?
Levi always liked to be a villain before a gentleman, so he first proved the authenticity of his identity.
Jorge took the documents and credentials handed over by Levi and examined them closely, finding that they were all stamped with verifiable seals.
But as he looked at them, Jorge frowned.
"Don't worry, Jorge. Although we are a club just set up this year, you only need to check the sports newspapers in the UK and Europe to see reports about us. We are a fan club that decided to stand on our own after being frustrated by the acquisition of Manchester United. I can guarantee my love for this club with my personality, so you don't have to worry about our sincerity in running the club," Levi explained.
Jorge listened to Levi's words, stared at him for a while, and continued to watch.
"Are you the owner of this club?" Jorge asked, clearly seeing the clue.
"Yes," Levi admitted frankly and smiled. "But I am now a negotiator for the club. You know, we just set up and are hiring, so I can only talk to you for now. I hope you won't mind."
"No, no, it's our pleasure!" Jorge answered politely.
Levi called for a glass of water, then sat there, quietly waiting for Jorge to read all the documents carefully before continuing to speak.
"Mr. Jorge, frankly, we have watched Messi play. After watching games for so many years, I have to say that he is the most talented player I have ever met, not even inferior to ronaldinho."
"No, you're too kind, sir!" Jorge hurriedly replied.
Who is ronaldinho? The "Phenomenon," the number one striker in the world today, is regarded as a superstar who should not even appear on Earth and is considered to be the greatest player who could surpass Maradona and Pelé.
Can his son compare with him?
Even if Jorge is confident in Messi's football talent, he wouldn't dare compare him with Ronaldo.
"No, I mean it. Of course, the question is that it must be a healthy Messi. What do you say?"
Jorge's eyes darkened; Levi's words had touched a painful spot in his heart.
"I've heard about Messi, and I know that Newell's Old Boys only promised to provide a small part of the medical expenses. The River Plate team, which was very optimistic about Messi, also gave up the intention to invite him, so you can only rely on yourselves," Levi said sympathetically.
"Yes, that's right. We have been relying on ourselves for more than half a year. Initially, our company was able to help, but recently the company's performance has gradually declined, and financial pressure is very great. They also refused to help, which has made my family's situation even worse," Jorge explained.
"I left my management position at the company. I started working outside. At first, I did small jobs for a moving company. The pay was good, but the hours were too long, and it was too far from home. If anything happened at home, I couldn't get back quickly. Later, I went to my father's vegetable market in the Grundoli neighborhood to move seafood. It was a small market, and after the economic crisis, the boss fired me."
"Now, I deliver beef to several Argentine restaurants, transporting it from the vegetable market to the shops. It's a simple job, the pay is decent, and it's relatively flexible. It's my third job in the past six months."
Speaking of his experiences over the past six months, Jorge looked sad.
In front of his children, he is a kind and gentle father. In front of his wife, he is a diligent husband. But who knows, behind these identities, there is a man silently supporting his family's livelihood.
"I understand, Jorge, truly!" Levi felt somber as he listened.
Although he has never been a father, he knew his own father was a man who rarely talked or laughed, always with a serious face. His hands were rough and covered with calluses from hard work. His mother said it was from years of labor. He was thin, but engaged in physically demanding work. Because he hadn't studied much, he worked hard to earn money, wanting to train his son to study well and find a good job in the future, so he wouldn't have to work as hard.
In Levi's impression, his father never complained in front of him. He took everything on his shoulders silently, for the family, for his son.
Jorge, like his father, is a great father!
Jorge saw the empathy in Levi's eyes and felt comforted.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to burden you with my troubles."
"No, no, Jorge!" Levi said quickly. "I remember my father. He worked very hard all his life, for me and for the family. I just think it's very touching. You are as great as my father, part of the greatest group in the world!"
Jorge was very moved and nodded, feeling as if he had met a friend who truly understood him.
The two men, immersed in their thoughts, sat face to face without talking until the waiter at the restaurant delivered the dishes.
Due to Jorge's relationship with delivering beef to the restaurant, the restaurant had increased the portion sizes and provided a complimentary glass of beer for each person.
"It's because of your connections!" Levi said with a grin.
Jorge was obviously hungry and devoured the food on his plate in one breath, leaving Levi stunned.
"Well, Jorge, I think we should talk about business. Our club wants to invite Messi to join!" After confirming that Jorge was full, Levi said.
Jorge had already guessed and felt a bit embarrassed. "But Lio..."
"I know that he has too little growth hormone and needs to inject biosynthetic growth hormone every day as a supplement. We are aware of this, and I also know that the monthly cost is about $1,000-1,500, at least until Messi's body is fully developed."
Jorge nodded, admitting that Levi was right.
More than $1,000 a month in medical expenses might not seem much, but it costs $20,000 a year. Messi is now 11 years old and needs treatment for at least five or six more years, amounting to over $100,000. With that money, a club in Argentina could buy a talented player.
Because of this, neither Newell's Old Boys nor River Plate were willing to take Messi on when they heard about his condition.
But Levi was clearly different from all the football representatives Jorge had met before. Levi knew Messi's potential and realized that acquiring a future superstar for $100,000 was a great deal.
"Jorge, our club is willing to cover all of Messi's medical expenses. Additionally, we invite your family to move to Manchester. Our club can provide you and your wife with jobs so you can support your family."
Jorge was obviously shocked by Levi's offer. The treatment might be a little too good.
"Of course, our club is not doing this for free. We see Messi's football talent and hope he can play for our team. This is something that cannot simply be measured by money, right?"
Jorge was a bit dizzy from the unexpected good fortune. Moving to the UK, getting jobs, and solving the most difficult medical expenses—it was all overwhelming.
"Of course, I understand this might not convince you right away. You can go home and think about it, or you can call the relevant departments in the UK to consult, and then call me. I will be in Rosario waiting for your news."
With that, Levi handed over his contact phone number and hotel address, stood up, and left the Argentine restaurant after paying at the counter.
After he left, Jorge still looked at the business card and address on the table, trying to process the unexpected opportunity.