The Grondoli neighborhood is located on the outskirts of Rosario, and it is mostly poorer families who live here.
Jorge walked into the courtyard of the house, feeling dazed. Lionel Messi was pitching the ball against the wall in the corner of the courtyard. He did some basic exercises every day, while his two brothers were in the courtyard, chasing a ball to play on one side.
Compared to lionels extraordinary talents, his two older brothers looked inferior.
"You're back early today!" his wife Celia called from the house, where she was cooking.
"Yes, I'm free today, so I came back early!" Jorge sat down on a stone in front of the yard and watched Messi play. He noticed Messi's improvement in the game each time he saw him play.
Although both his wife and mother said it was just his imagination.
"It's better to come back early, so that you're not so busy every day. We can have a meal with the family tonight," Jorge's mother said happily while gathering clothes in the yard.
The needs of the elderly are always very simple. They don't ask for much. As long as the family can eat together at every meal, it's happiness.
"Mom, let me help you!" Jorge stood up to help.
"No, no, I'm here. You're tired from working all day. Just take a break, and we'll eat soon!" the old woman refused with a smile.
It didn't take long for the aroma of the meal to fill the house. His wife's cooking had always been so good that Jorge never got bored of it.
"Children, go wash your hands and get ready to eat!" Jorge called, like all fathers who call their children to eat.
Messi's two brothers cheered and immediately dropped the ball to run and wash their hands.
"Leo, stop playing and come eat!" Jorge urged again.
"Okay, Dad!" Messi saw his father staring at him sternly and reluctantly abandoned the football, following his brothers to wash his hands.
Jorge was usually very busy on weekdays and came home very late at night. The family would have finished eating, and sometimes the children would be asleep. It was rare to have a family meal together today.
"Dad, after dinner tonight, let's watch the World Cup!" one of the children suggested.
This proposal was immediately supported by the whole family!
The children couldn't sit still. The three boys ate a little and then began to rush to contend for the TV.
Due to the time difference, the first game of the French World Cup in the afternoon started right after the Argentine dinner, so the three children sat directly in front of the TV and waited, all with cheerful expressions on their faces.
Jorge felt relieved to see the children happy, but he soon remembered Levi.
"Today, a boss of an English football club came to Rosario," Jorge said as he ate.
"Oh, do they like a star from Newell's Old Boys?" Celia asked casually, focusing on her meal.
"He said he was willing to cover all of Leo's medical expenses and provide us with work to help our family move to Manchester, England," Jorge said.
Celia stopped eating and raised her head to stare at her husband, unable to believe it.
"Could it be a scam?" the old mother asked faintly. "You know, with the economy being what it is, anyone could be trying something."
"Yeah, Jorge, don't trust people too easily!" Celia reacted, supporting the old woman's opinion.
Jorge remembered Levi's face and said, "He seemed very sincere, and we can investigate. After all, in the UK, a fanbase-run club should be easy to find."
Celia nodded. She thought her husband made sense.
"So what other conditions does he have?" the old woman asked.
"Well, he wants Messi to play for their club in Manchester."
"Manchester's team? Is it Manchester United?" Celia's first reaction was to think of the English giants.
Jorge shook his head. "No, it's called New Manchester United. It was a new club set up by Manchester United fans who refused the Murdoch buyout. I asked someone this afternoon, and it's true."
"Is that so?" The old woman rejoiced.
Jorge nodded. His impression of Levi was obviously very good.
"But no matter what, check it out," the old woman reminded him.
"Yes, I'll go ask someone tomorrow and call the UK to find out the situation," Jorge said happily.
The old woman and Celia also seemed very happy.
"If the situation is true, then playing in the UK might be a good thing. At least it's a way out, isn't it?" Celia expressed her opinion.
For a long time, Messi's medical expenses were a big burden on the whole family. Now, someone offered to help and provide them with work. This was definitely a lifeline. How could they not be grateful?
So, after getting the consent of his mother and wife, Jorge didn't go to work the next day. He went straight to Rosario city and found friends through connections. He went to great lengths to learn more about New Manchester United.
The news he got back surprised Jorge. The club was indeed formed just this year. It is a semi-professional club in the lowest league in England, but it is well-known in Europe because it is a Manchester United fan club founded to resist Murdoch's acquisition of Manchester United, nicknamed the Red Rebels.
Although New Manchester United is a new club, it does exist, and Levi hadn't concealed anything about the club from Jorge before. This made Jorge believe Levi a little more.
After finding out about New Manchester United, Jorge called the UK to ask about some relevant details, and the answers were exactly the same as what Levi had said.
After several days of investigation, Jorge couldn't find any evidence of Levi lying. His only worry was whether Levi could fulfill his promise to treat Messi.
Levi sensed Jorge's concern, so he decided to write this clause into the contract and provide three free tickets to Manchester so the Jorge couple could take Messi to Manchester and see if Levi's promises were genuine.
Jorge couldn't find anything suspicious about Levi's actions. Finally, after unanimous consent from his family, it was decided that Jorge would take Messi with Levi to Manchester first. If everything Levi said was true, they would move the whole family.
As for how to go, Levi also had a plan. David Pace's clothing company would come forward and handle the paperwork for Jorge's family to enter the UK.
Although the United Kingdom is very strict in the field of football to protect domestic players, it is more relaxed in other areas. So Levi's idea was supported by David Pace.
After handling these matters, Levi, Jorge, and his son boarded a plane back to Britain.
Perhaps because it was his first overseas trip, Messi seemed particularly nervous along the way.
Riding in the back of the car, looking at the strange scenery outside the window, Messi clutched his father's hand tightly.
After all, he was only 11 years old, leaving his country for the first time. It was natural to be nervous.
"There are only two professional teams in this city, Manchester United and Manchester City. The former is a superpower, and the latter has just been relegated from the English League this year. But soon there will be a third professional team rising to become the city's new darling, and that's our New Manchester United!" Levi looked out the window and said with great ambition.
After a few days of contact, Jorge knew that although Levi was young, he was the kind of person who was very determined, so he believed that New Manchester United wouldn't stay in the lower league for too long.
"Levi, is this the young player the club recently signed?" Jim, who drove to pick them up, asked Levi, who was sitting in the passenger seat, with a smile.
Levi smiled and looked at Jorge, who didn't mean to refute. He nodded. "Yes, his name is Lionel Messi. You should remember Jim, you better get his autograph now and become his first fan. Otherwise, in a few years, you might have to wait in line!"
Levi, afraid Jim wouldn't believe him, added, "In a few years, he will become the Giggs of our club—no, even better than Giggs. He will lead our club to create a legend, just like what Maradona did in Naples!"
Hearing Levi's words, not only Jim but also Jorge and his son were flattered. Maradona's deeds are well-known in Argentina. Levi comparing Messi to Maradona showed how much he valued Messi.
"Then I can't miss this chance. Levi, you have to arrange for Messi to stay at my house. When Evra came, Walsh didn't give me face. Now you have to promise me. I'll even drive Messi to school and training every day!"
Jorge was a little surprised. Along the way, Levi had mentioned to him that Messi could live with the fans. He didn't expect Manchester fans to support the team in this way and even offer to drive him!
In Argentina, this wasn't necessarily the treatment given to stars!
"Since you've said that, alright. But you still have to find a school for Messi. Our club will cover his tuition. We must not let him give up his studies for football!" Levi said with a smile.
Jim, overjoyed, drove the car with such enthusiasm that Levi, Jorge, and Messi were all a bit scared by his enthusiasm.
But Jorge could see that Jim was a very sincere fan.
At that moment, Jorge felt truly happy, thinking he hadn't made a mistake.