NaNoWriMo 2009 - A Destiny Intertwined no1
So, ladies and gentlemen, I start posting the story I wrote for NaNoWriMo 2009! The complete word count are 60,426 words, and I will post the story in parts, every day a post =D Have fun reading, and if you want to know more about my story, check out this.
Title: A Destiny Intertwined
Pairing: Paolo Maldini / Raúl González, Andrea Pirlo / Leonardo
Rating: NC-17
Warning: LONG fic. Sex, depression, romance included.
Disclaimer: This is all made up in my head.
A Destiny Intertwined
1. Prologue
Milano and Madrid, two big cities of two wonderful countries, Italy and Spain. Paolo Maldini and Raúl González, two captains of two extraordinary teams, AC Milan and Real Madrid. Two men who share the same destiny, who share the same troubles, and who share something else: deep love. But will their love be strong enough to endure what happens in Paolo's last year as Milan captain?
At the same time Andrea meets the love of his life. He has a relationship Paolo always wanted to have. Will their friendship be stronger than everything happening around them?
Milano.
City of fashion, where the most important designers show their latest fashion.
City of noise, where it’s not even calm at night.
City of traffic chaos, where driving means a lot of stress.
City of sunshine, even if there’s smog all over it.
City of specialities, where the dome is more beautiful than anyone can imagine.
City of football, where two teams, FC Internazionale and AC Milan are fighting as city rivals in the same stadium, the San Siro.
Paolo Maldini.
Born on the 26th of June, 1968 in Milano, Italy.
Defender.
He started to play at the age of ten (1978) for AC Milan, where he retired in 2009, after 31 years with Milan.
At the age of sixteen he played his first Serie A game against Udinese Calcio.
He was captain of AC Milan for twelve years.
More than 1000 appearances for Milan and the National Team, in which he played for fourteen years and which he captained for eight years.
Seven Serie A championships.
Five European Cup/Champions League titles. He has played in eight final games, and that ties him with Paco Gento of Real Madrid for the record.
Five UEFA and Serie A Super Cups.
Record holder for appearances at AC Milan and the Serie A.
Intercontinental Cup Champion in 1989 and 1990.
Bronze medal at World Cup 1990.
Silver medal at World Cup 1994.
World Soccer Magazine Player of the Year in 1994.
Silver medal at Euro 2000.
FIFA’s Best 125 living players.
2006-07 UEFA Club Defender of the Year.
2007 FIFA World Club Champion.
After his retirement his back number, “3” was retired and it won’t be given to any player unless one of his two sons, Christian and Daniel, decide to play for Milan.
Madrid.
Capital city of Spain, the third biggest city in Europe.
City of terror, where on the 11th March 2004 191 people were killed and 2050 injured after a train bombing.
City of sights, where you can see a lot of famous buildings.
City of money, financial centre of Spain.
City of music, where Plácido Domingo was born.
City of football, home of two clubs; Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
Raúl González.
Born on the 27th of June, 1977, in Madrid, Spain.
Striker.
At the age of thirteen Raúl started playing for Atlético Madrid.
Only a short time later he started playing for Real Madrid.
At the age of seventeen Raúl played his first Primera División game as the youngest Real Madrid player.
2003 he became captain of Real Madrid.
Record holder of goals for Real Madrid.
Three Champions League titles.
Six Primera División championships.
Four Spanish Supercups.
One European Supercup.
Two Intercontinental Cups.
Five times player of the year in Spain.
Two Pichichis (for the most goals in Spain).
Sportsman of the year in Spain in 2007.
So far he played 520 games for Real Madrid and 102 games for the Spanish National Team.
What they have in common:
1. They are both born in the same month, Raúl only one day after Paolo.
2. They both dedicated their lives to their clubs, AC Milan and Real Madrid.
3. They are both captains of their clubs.
4. They both won anything possible.
5. They both are considered as fair and special players.
2. Love and be loved
The view over Milano from the dome’s roof was as breathtaking as always, and it never lost its charm, no matter how often you had seen it already. Paolo was one of the people, who could see it as many times as he wanted, because he lived there, where a lot of people wanted to live.
Raúl was standing next to Paolo, and together they waited for the sunset, just like they had done about three years ago, they had stood exactly at the same place, and they had waited for the sun to set, too. And after the sunset Raúl had pulled Paolo closer and kissed him, deeply.
That had been the start of a wonderful, deep love. It was difficult during the year, because they lived in different cities and different countries, but they were sure that their love was stronger than any distance could ever be.
At the end of the last season Paolo, who usually had wanted to retire, had agreed on playing one final year for the club he was connected with so deep in his heart. Raúl had left the decision to Paolo, because he knew very well that his lover didn’t want to stop playing at all. And without any doubts he had respected Paolo’s decision to play for another year.
It were their last summer days together before Raúl would return to Madrid and to his beloved team, Real Madrid, for the next season. During the season they would sometimes meet, but mostly their relationship consisted of phone calls and emails then.
In fact they both hated it that they could not live together in the same city, but Raúl sometimes wondered if they even could live together for such a long time, because, without a doubt, they were both leading personalities. But soon, only after this season, they would be able to find out, wouldn’t they?
They had never talked about living together, because so far it had never been a topic that was interesting for them, but Raúl thought that, at some point, it was time to discuss it. He just wanted to wait some more; a talk like that shouldn’t ruin their last days together.
Raúl knew Milan like it was his second home, and he always stayed there together with Paolo in the Milan captain’s huge mansion. Raúl liked it a lot, but it wasn’t quite the style he would have chosen. He was a man who just wanted simple things, they didn’t need to be so huge and monumental, but Paolo wanted it like that and Raúl knew that very well.
At that moment the Spaniard realized that, even if they could decide on a city for living together, the furniture for their house would probably be a problem. Anyway, he didn’t want to think that far.
He leaned against Paolo, resting his head onto Paolo’s shoulder.
“I will miss you terribly, like always,” Raúl admitted, taking Paolo’s hand into his.
“I will miss you, too, my love, but you know we will meet at some point,” Paolo encouraged his boyfriend, giving him a gentle kiss. The last moments before Raúl’s departure always were awful. Paolo knew that tomorrow he would already be in the changing room, he would be the captain again, he would walk onto the pitch as the Paolo Maldini everyone knew. And the last football season of his life would start.
“What will be your first game?” Raúl asked. None of them was interested in that at the moment, but Raúl had to say something to release the tension that was obviously between them because of him leaving soon.
“What? Oh, we will play against Bologna.” Paolo wasn’t really interested in it at all. It would change very soon, but for now the only thing that mattered was his lover. And before they both could really realize Raúl was on his way back to Madrid, and Paolo was alone.
3. Sleeping alone
On the next day Paolo entered the changing room, and all the players, his friends, knew him well enough to be sure that this time their captain was different. His expression seemed colder, and he seemed tensed. They all could understand it, though. It was hard to imagine that, the next season, he would not be there anymore. It was especially hard after so many years.
Paolo tried to smile softly, but he didn’t really succeed. And then he realized that it was time to talk.
“Well, my friends, you know that this will really be my last season, and please forgive me if I lose my temper at any time or if I am behaving differently, it’s just… not easy to make that decision, especially for me it is hard cause you all know that I spent my whole life on the pitch, and that football is my passion. So let’s try to give the best again this year. There’s the Scudetto, which would be awesome to win, and if not, we want to get into the Champions League for next season again, and apart from that there’s the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia and anything else we will take part in. Let’s just try to do it better than last year. Let’s just give all for Milan!”
The other players applauded. They all wanted to win as many trophies as possible in their captain’s last year, because in fact they all really loved their captain.
After the training Paolo returned to his mansion, taking a shower again and sitting down on the couch, turning on the TV. He hated being alone already. At the moment he was nervous, he was uneasy, and he needed his lover. Paolo took out his mobile phone, dialling Raúl’s number.
Paolo tried it again and again, but Raúl didn’t answer his phone. It was evening, why wasn’t Raúl at home? And why didn’t he answer his mobile phone? In moments like that one Paolo was jealous. He knew that there was no reason to, at least he hoped so, but still he was. Maybe that was his problem.
Paolo sat there, watching TV, he just didn’t really pay attention. He wondered where Raúl could be. Probably he was out with his team mates, probably he was enjoying himself, and Paolo clearly wasn’t. He would have to sleep alone again, and he hated it already. He just needed someone to talk to, someone who would hug him, right now.
About half an hour later Paolo tried it again, but this time Raúl’s mobile phone wasn’t on, and all that was talking to Paolo was his voice mail box. Paolo was really angry about that. He wondered why his lover had turned off his mobile phone without even calling him back. He needed Raúl so badly right now, and he wasn’t there for him.
Paolo sighed and tried to relax, but he was so tensed that he couldn’t. Finally he decided to call one of his best friends in his team. He just had to choose between Andrea and Sandro. Andrea was probably sleeping already, so Paolo decided to call Sandro.
“Nesta?” Sandro answered his phone.
“Maldini. You got time?” Paolo didn’t want to talk too much. He just wanted Sandro to come over so they could have a nice evening, talking about the next season together.
“Sure. For you I always have time…”
That sounded promising.
4. How not to start seasons
Soon they would play their first Serie A game in this season, against Bologna. Raúl still hadn’t called Paolo back, which was just strange, because normally he at least wished him good luck. Paolo tried not to think about it, but they were all somehow tensed; they knew that they should win this in order to avoid a bad season start. They couldn’t end up being fifth again, like last season; that just was impossible. Paolo wanted to end with the Scudetto in his hands, he wanted to win the Serie A, the UEFA Cup and anything else possible. He knew that this might only be a wish, a huge wish for the end, but still he had it.
They walked onto the pitch as a team, with the best players they had to offer. But the game didn’t start like it was supposed to. Only after eighteen minutes Di Vaio scored for Bologna. It was a shock for Milan, for each player, and Paolo noticed the eyes on him. They expected something else. Now they needed him.
Paolo tried to tell his team what to do and where to go, but somehow nothing worked. They tried and tried but nothing went the way Paolo had planned it. He didn’t want to lose the first game already. Thankfully Massimo Ambrosini, who should follow Paolo after he left (which was hard to imagine; because giving away the captain’s armband was the hardest thing for Paolo), scored in the forty-second minute, and so the score was 1-1. In the changing room Paolo tried to encourage the team, tried to find new tactics against a Bologna that was better than they all had expected it to be. They surely had underestimated that team.
The second half started, and for a long time the score stayed as it was, and Paolo was actually happy with it; a draw was better than losing a game. But then, in the seventy-ninth minute, it happened. Valiani scored the second goal for Bologna, and just like a bubble Paolo’s dream of winning the first game, of showing a good Milan, spontaneously combusted.
The team was unable to score a second goal, and so already the first game ended in a disaster. Paolo didn’t want to know what the Italian papers would write on the next day. But he always believed in his team, there was no reason for giving up his belief yet; after all the season had just started.
They all were rather depressed in the changing room, no one was laughing or even speaking a word, until Paolo decided to break the silence.
“It was okay, boys. Let’s just… try to do better next time, okay?” His words weren’t exactly encouraging, and he knew that, but everyone was disappointed with a start like that. Still, they had still time to make things better. And that definitely was on Paolo’s mind.
5. A shocking diagnose
Paolo was on his way home together with Sandro. They always drove home together, because Sandro didn’t live too far away from Paolo, and so they mostly met in the morning and drove home together after the training or after games. Paolo was driving this time, and he wondered if everything was okay with Sandro, who looked a bit pale and who was staring out of the car window all the time.
“Everything okay, Sandro?” Paolo finally asked. He had never seen his probably best friend like that.
“What? Oh, sure, sure. I’m just feeling not too well,” he admitted, giving Paolo a small but forced smile. Paolo nodded, deciding to leave it like that. He was sure that something was wrong, but apparently Sandro didn’t want to talk about it, and Paolo liked him too much to not respect that. He just hoped that Sandro would be able to play soon. He hadn’t played in this game, because he had been in pain the day before, something he hadn’t been able to define.
“Did Raúl call you back?” Sandro suddenly asked. Paolo shook his head.
“He didn’t. I wonder what happened. Normally he always does,” he explained. Well, it wasn’t like he had to explain anything to Sandro, because Sandro knew almost everything about Paolo and his relationship to Raúl, considering that he was his best friend.
“Oh I am sure that Raúl will have had a reason for not answering the phone, maybe they had a lot of stress with the team, that’s all possible. I am sure that he will call you back eventually and that he will be very sorry for everything,” Sandro answered, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Paolo frowned.
“Are you feeling sick? Do you want me to stop?” he asked. Sandro was paler than before and all of a sudden the defender lost consciousness. Paolo was in shock for a moment, quickly stopping the car and turning to Sandro.
“Sandro? Sandro, can you hear me? Sandro, come on, wake up!” he shouted. He felt his pulse in his throat. And the few seconds in which Sandro did neither reply, nor open his eyes, were really frightening him. Finally, thank God, Sandro opened his eyes a little, and he was just fast enough to open the car door to be sick. Breathing heavily and squirming a little, he turned back to Paolo.
“I… my back. It’s such a terrible pain, Paolo, I… I can’t move properly,” the defender explained, trying to stay calm, but Paolo could see the fear in his friend’s eyes.
“Okay. Stay calm, I will call an ambulance,” Paolo ordered. Sandro tried to breathe more even, clutching Paolo’s hand. Paolo took out his mobile phone, calling an ambulance. When they had assured him that they would come as quickly as possible, he turned back to Sandro, who was leaning against the seat, his eyes squeezed shut.
“I am afraid, Paolo… What… What is that?” Sandro asked, his voice trembling.
“I don’t know, Sandro. But I will come with you to hospital, okay?” Paolo offered. He really was worried about Sandro. The other defender had been bad all the time and he had never said a word. That was typical of Sandro; he always made it look like there was nothing wrong, until it was impossible to hide it. Sandro clutched Paolo’s hand even more, and Paolo tried to soothe him by stroking over his hand, gently.
“The ambulance will be here immediately, Sandro. Just try to stay calm,” Paolo encouraged the defender.
And really, the ambulance arrived soon, taking Sandro and Paolo with them to hospital. On their way Paolo called Ancelotti to tell him that something was wrong with Sandro. In hospital they told Paolo that it was better if he left now, because it would take them quite some time to find out what was wrong with the player. Paolo agreed because there was no other possibility, driving back home, where he would wait for the doctors to call him.
At home Paolo’s mobile phone rang, and first he thought that it was the call from hospital, but when he saw the number on the display he smiled. It was Raúl. Finally.
“Hello babe?” Paolo answered his phone. All of a sudden he felt more relaxed.
“Hey. I am so sorry I didn’t call you earlier, but we had some kind of welcome party here and it got really late and well, we all were quite drunk, so talking to me wouldn’t have been fun at all. How are you? How was your first game?” Raúl wanted to know.
“Right now I am worried, cause Sandro seems to have huge problems with his back. He is in hospital right now, and later they will call me to tell me what’s wrong. I hope it’s not too bad, because he is fundamental for the team. Anyway, the first game was a mess, we lost to Bologna,” Paolo explained. It felt so good to hear his lover’s voice; it felt so good to be able to talk to him again. He just missed him so terribly.
“And how are you?” Paolo added.
“I am fine, really. Training was nice today, it was good to see all my team mates again. And sweetheart, I hope that Sandro will be fine again soon. Tell me if you know anything, okay?” Raúl asked.
“Sure, I will. I miss you,” Paolo admitted. He didn’t like the fact that he felt tears welling up. Normally he wasn’t like that, he was a strong, confident, leading person. And no matter how bad he was feeling, on the pitch he always was Paolo Maldini, captain and defender, fighting for his team no matter how bad they were losing. But now that his last season had started, he was far more sentimental than before. And he hated that. He also was worried about his best friend in hospital.
“I miss you, too, love. And I wish I could be there for you now,” Raúl responded. Maybe he had realized the tears in Paolo’s voice.
“No, it’s fine. Just concentrate on the games… So I will call you as soon as I know anything, okay?” Paolo said.
“Sure. Hear you later, honey,” Raúl answered.
“Sure, till then!” And their talk was already over again. Paolo sighed. He hated it that the season had just started and that he missed Raúl so much already. He wanted to take the next plane to Madrid, but he couldn’t. So he decided to get distracted a bit. Paolo cooked something to eat and sat down on the couch, turning on the TV. There was a report about their game. Great. On the next channel there was a love story. Even better. So Paolo turned off the television again. He really didn’t need any of that now.
About two hours later Paolo’s mobile phone rang. This time it was the their doctor, who had taken a look at Sandro.
“Paolo, hey. Well, it doesn’t look too well for Sandro. He really has a serious back problem. We will see if we can help him with some therapy, but if that doesn’t help he needs surgery,” the doctor explained. That really sounded bad.
“But back surgery is dangerous! Who will make sure that he can play afterwards again?” the Milan captain was interested.
“Well, no one can promise that. But if we don’t do anything, he won’t even be able to walk anymore. And I think that that’s worse,” the doctor responded.
“Oh, sure. Does he have to stay there for the therapy?” Paolo wanted to know.
“Yeah, but only for three days. He is sleeping now, we gave him pain killers,” the doctor said.
“Okay. I think Drea and I will visit him tomorrow,” Paolo answered.
“That would be nice, I guess. He is very sad about the whole thing. I guess he’d need you two. After all you are his best friends,” the doctor affirmed. Paolo smiled slightly. But it was a sad smile.
“Okay. Thanks for telling me, then. Have a good night!” the captain said.
“You, too, Paolo. See you!”
6. When you’re down and troubled, and you need some loving care…
On the next day, after the training, Paolo, together with Andrea, was on his way to hospital. They wanted to cheer Sandro up a bit.
“So, Andrea, I heard you were out last night?” Paolo asked, grinning. For some reason he was in a good mood today. They reason *could* be that Raúl had sent him some flowers, but anyway. Andrea blushed.
“Who told you that?” he wanted to know. Paolo resisted the urge to laugh out loud.
“Gennaro, right? Oh I knew I shouldn’t have told him!” Andrea complained. Paolo had to laugh at that now.
“You’re cute, Drea. Don’t you wanna tell me who it was? Was he nice? And what did you do?” Paolo was curious. Andrea took a deep breath.
“Well, since the whole team seems to know already… Seriously, do you know whom else Gennaro has told the story?” Andrea looked worried. Paolo had to laugh even more.
“Holy shit, Andrea, being in love isn’t anything you should be ashamed of! You above all deserve a loving partner! So I promise you that Gennaro told just me. I mean, he would have told Sandro if he had been there, but he wasn’t, so there’s no reason to be worried, really. Will you tell me who is it now?” Paolo asked again, still smiling.
“Just make sure he doesn’t tell Pippo! If he knows the whole team will-“
“ANDREA! Will you stop that now? Who is it?” Paolo couldn’t stop laughing about his friend. Andrea was definitely fun to listen to when he was in love with someone and he didn’t want to tell.
“Well, it is someone you don’t know,” Andrea insisted, blushing again. Paolo made a disappointed sound.
“Oh come on, even if I don’t know him you can at least tell me his name! By the way, are you sure that I don’t know him?” Paolo loved it to tease Andrea about that, because he somehow was sure that he did know the person Andrea was dating. Andrea just didn’t want to admit that. Andrea sighed.
“Okay, okay, I give up. Why are you teasing me like that? That’s just not fair… Okay. It was Leo. Leonardo. You know, our scout.” Andrea turned from red to crimson. Paolo smiled, but he was surprised.
“Well, he is an interesting man. But wow, that won’t be easy. What happened between you yesterday?” the captain was interested. Leonardo was a nice man, older than Andrea, but that didn’t matter.
“Oh nothing, he just invited me for dinner. It was really nice. But he told me we have to be careful,” Andrea explained. He sounded a bit worried, but Paolo was sure that Andrea was deeply in love. Maybe deeper than he had ever been. Well, it was good to know that Paolo wasn’t the only one having a difficult relationship. Not the relationship itself, but the circumstances. Being in love with Raúl González wasn’t any easier than being in love with a Milan scout.
“Well I am really happy for you, Drea. As I’ve said, you deserve that, dear,” Paolo assured. Andrea somehow looked a bit relieved. Paolo had to smile at that.
“Will you meet again anytime soon?” he wanted to know. Andrea nodded, smiling, and there was that special light in his eyes.
“We will meet tonight. Leonardo invited me to his home,” he explained. Paolo smiled again.
“That is really awesome, Andrea. Do you want me to take you there after visiting Sandro?” the defender suggested.
“Oh sure, that would be nice. Thanks,” Andrea agreed. Paolo just nodded.
They finally reached the hospital, and together they went to the room in which Sandro was lying. The Milan defender looked thin and pale, and above all he looked unhappy. But he seemed to be thankful that Paolo and Andrea had come.
“Hey Sandro!” Andrea greeted him, embracing him shortly. Paolo and Andrea sat down next to Sandro’s bed.
“So what are the doctors saying?” Paolo was interested. Sandro just shook his head.
“Something is wrong with my vertebras, we will try a therapy now, and I consider going to Miami for that… I mean, I have a house there, and there are specialists who can help me… I don’t want to undergo surgery if it isn’t necessary,” Sandro explained. Andrea nodded.
“Are you able to walk again?” Paolo wanted to know. Sandro nodded.
“But not for a long time. And it hurts. So I am really thinking about Miami. But I am not sure. It might mean that I have to end my career as a player, but… I don’t want to think about that. I really don’t.” Both, Paolo and Andrea, could imagine. Paolo knew how hard it was, anyway, to decide that your career would be over soon. And Sandro didn’t have the possibility to make any decisions at the moment. They just hoped that the therapy would work.
Title: A Destiny Intertwined
Pairing: Paolo Maldini / Raúl González, Andrea Pirlo / Leonardo
Rating: NC-17
Warning: LONG fic. Sex, depression, romance included.
Disclaimer: This is all made up in my head.
A Destiny Intertwined
1. Prologue
Milano and Madrid, two big cities of two wonderful countries, Italy and Spain. Paolo Maldini and Raúl González, two captains of two extraordinary teams, AC Milan and Real Madrid. Two men who share the same destiny, who share the same troubles, and who share something else: deep love. But will their love be strong enough to endure what happens in Paolo's last year as Milan captain?
At the same time Andrea meets the love of his life. He has a relationship Paolo always wanted to have. Will their friendship be stronger than everything happening around them?
Milano.
City of fashion, where the most important designers show their latest fashion.
City of noise, where it’s not even calm at night.
City of traffic chaos, where driving means a lot of stress.
City of sunshine, even if there’s smog all over it.
City of specialities, where the dome is more beautiful than anyone can imagine.
City of football, where two teams, FC Internazionale and AC Milan are fighting as city rivals in the same stadium, the San Siro.
Paolo Maldini.
Born on the 26th of June, 1968 in Milano, Italy.
Defender.
He started to play at the age of ten (1978) for AC Milan, where he retired in 2009, after 31 years with Milan.
At the age of sixteen he played his first Serie A game against Udinese Calcio.
He was captain of AC Milan for twelve years.
More than 1000 appearances for Milan and the National Team, in which he played for fourteen years and which he captained for eight years.
Seven Serie A championships.
Five European Cup/Champions League titles. He has played in eight final games, and that ties him with Paco Gento of Real Madrid for the record.
Five UEFA and Serie A Super Cups.
Record holder for appearances at AC Milan and the Serie A.
Intercontinental Cup Champion in 1989 and 1990.
Bronze medal at World Cup 1990.
Silver medal at World Cup 1994.
World Soccer Magazine Player of the Year in 1994.
Silver medal at Euro 2000.
FIFA’s Best 125 living players.
2006-07 UEFA Club Defender of the Year.
2007 FIFA World Club Champion.
After his retirement his back number, “3” was retired and it won’t be given to any player unless one of his two sons, Christian and Daniel, decide to play for Milan.
Madrid.
Capital city of Spain, the third biggest city in Europe.
City of terror, where on the 11th March 2004 191 people were killed and 2050 injured after a train bombing.
City of sights, where you can see a lot of famous buildings.
City of money, financial centre of Spain.
City of music, where Plácido Domingo was born.
City of football, home of two clubs; Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
Raúl González.
Born on the 27th of June, 1977, in Madrid, Spain.
Striker.
At the age of thirteen Raúl started playing for Atlético Madrid.
Only a short time later he started playing for Real Madrid.
At the age of seventeen Raúl played his first Primera División game as the youngest Real Madrid player.
2003 he became captain of Real Madrid.
Record holder of goals for Real Madrid.
Three Champions League titles.
Six Primera División championships.
Four Spanish Supercups.
One European Supercup.
Two Intercontinental Cups.
Five times player of the year in Spain.
Two Pichichis (for the most goals in Spain).
Sportsman of the year in Spain in 2007.
So far he played 520 games for Real Madrid and 102 games for the Spanish National Team.
What they have in common:
1. They are both born in the same month, Raúl only one day after Paolo.
2. They both dedicated their lives to their clubs, AC Milan and Real Madrid.
3. They are both captains of their clubs.
4. They both won anything possible.
5. They both are considered as fair and special players.
2. Love and be loved
The view over Milano from the dome’s roof was as breathtaking as always, and it never lost its charm, no matter how often you had seen it already. Paolo was one of the people, who could see it as many times as he wanted, because he lived there, where a lot of people wanted to live.
Raúl was standing next to Paolo, and together they waited for the sunset, just like they had done about three years ago, they had stood exactly at the same place, and they had waited for the sun to set, too. And after the sunset Raúl had pulled Paolo closer and kissed him, deeply.
That had been the start of a wonderful, deep love. It was difficult during the year, because they lived in different cities and different countries, but they were sure that their love was stronger than any distance could ever be.
At the end of the last season Paolo, who usually had wanted to retire, had agreed on playing one final year for the club he was connected with so deep in his heart. Raúl had left the decision to Paolo, because he knew very well that his lover didn’t want to stop playing at all. And without any doubts he had respected Paolo’s decision to play for another year.
It were their last summer days together before Raúl would return to Madrid and to his beloved team, Real Madrid, for the next season. During the season they would sometimes meet, but mostly their relationship consisted of phone calls and emails then.
In fact they both hated it that they could not live together in the same city, but Raúl sometimes wondered if they even could live together for such a long time, because, without a doubt, they were both leading personalities. But soon, only after this season, they would be able to find out, wouldn’t they?
They had never talked about living together, because so far it had never been a topic that was interesting for them, but Raúl thought that, at some point, it was time to discuss it. He just wanted to wait some more; a talk like that shouldn’t ruin their last days together.
Raúl knew Milan like it was his second home, and he always stayed there together with Paolo in the Milan captain’s huge mansion. Raúl liked it a lot, but it wasn’t quite the style he would have chosen. He was a man who just wanted simple things, they didn’t need to be so huge and monumental, but Paolo wanted it like that and Raúl knew that very well.
At that moment the Spaniard realized that, even if they could decide on a city for living together, the furniture for their house would probably be a problem. Anyway, he didn’t want to think that far.
He leaned against Paolo, resting his head onto Paolo’s shoulder.
“I will miss you terribly, like always,” Raúl admitted, taking Paolo’s hand into his.
“I will miss you, too, my love, but you know we will meet at some point,” Paolo encouraged his boyfriend, giving him a gentle kiss. The last moments before Raúl’s departure always were awful. Paolo knew that tomorrow he would already be in the changing room, he would be the captain again, he would walk onto the pitch as the Paolo Maldini everyone knew. And the last football season of his life would start.
“What will be your first game?” Raúl asked. None of them was interested in that at the moment, but Raúl had to say something to release the tension that was obviously between them because of him leaving soon.
“What? Oh, we will play against Bologna.” Paolo wasn’t really interested in it at all. It would change very soon, but for now the only thing that mattered was his lover. And before they both could really realize Raúl was on his way back to Madrid, and Paolo was alone.
3. Sleeping alone
On the next day Paolo entered the changing room, and all the players, his friends, knew him well enough to be sure that this time their captain was different. His expression seemed colder, and he seemed tensed. They all could understand it, though. It was hard to imagine that, the next season, he would not be there anymore. It was especially hard after so many years.
Paolo tried to smile softly, but he didn’t really succeed. And then he realized that it was time to talk.
“Well, my friends, you know that this will really be my last season, and please forgive me if I lose my temper at any time or if I am behaving differently, it’s just… not easy to make that decision, especially for me it is hard cause you all know that I spent my whole life on the pitch, and that football is my passion. So let’s try to give the best again this year. There’s the Scudetto, which would be awesome to win, and if not, we want to get into the Champions League for next season again, and apart from that there’s the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia and anything else we will take part in. Let’s just try to do it better than last year. Let’s just give all for Milan!”
The other players applauded. They all wanted to win as many trophies as possible in their captain’s last year, because in fact they all really loved their captain.
After the training Paolo returned to his mansion, taking a shower again and sitting down on the couch, turning on the TV. He hated being alone already. At the moment he was nervous, he was uneasy, and he needed his lover. Paolo took out his mobile phone, dialling Raúl’s number.
Paolo tried it again and again, but Raúl didn’t answer his phone. It was evening, why wasn’t Raúl at home? And why didn’t he answer his mobile phone? In moments like that one Paolo was jealous. He knew that there was no reason to, at least he hoped so, but still he was. Maybe that was his problem.
Paolo sat there, watching TV, he just didn’t really pay attention. He wondered where Raúl could be. Probably he was out with his team mates, probably he was enjoying himself, and Paolo clearly wasn’t. He would have to sleep alone again, and he hated it already. He just needed someone to talk to, someone who would hug him, right now.
About half an hour later Paolo tried it again, but this time Raúl’s mobile phone wasn’t on, and all that was talking to Paolo was his voice mail box. Paolo was really angry about that. He wondered why his lover had turned off his mobile phone without even calling him back. He needed Raúl so badly right now, and he wasn’t there for him.
Paolo sighed and tried to relax, but he was so tensed that he couldn’t. Finally he decided to call one of his best friends in his team. He just had to choose between Andrea and Sandro. Andrea was probably sleeping already, so Paolo decided to call Sandro.
“Nesta?” Sandro answered his phone.
“Maldini. You got time?” Paolo didn’t want to talk too much. He just wanted Sandro to come over so they could have a nice evening, talking about the next season together.
“Sure. For you I always have time…”
That sounded promising.
4. How not to start seasons
Soon they would play their first Serie A game in this season, against Bologna. Raúl still hadn’t called Paolo back, which was just strange, because normally he at least wished him good luck. Paolo tried not to think about it, but they were all somehow tensed; they knew that they should win this in order to avoid a bad season start. They couldn’t end up being fifth again, like last season; that just was impossible. Paolo wanted to end with the Scudetto in his hands, he wanted to win the Serie A, the UEFA Cup and anything else possible. He knew that this might only be a wish, a huge wish for the end, but still he had it.
They walked onto the pitch as a team, with the best players they had to offer. But the game didn’t start like it was supposed to. Only after eighteen minutes Di Vaio scored for Bologna. It was a shock for Milan, for each player, and Paolo noticed the eyes on him. They expected something else. Now they needed him.
Paolo tried to tell his team what to do and where to go, but somehow nothing worked. They tried and tried but nothing went the way Paolo had planned it. He didn’t want to lose the first game already. Thankfully Massimo Ambrosini, who should follow Paolo after he left (which was hard to imagine; because giving away the captain’s armband was the hardest thing for Paolo), scored in the forty-second minute, and so the score was 1-1. In the changing room Paolo tried to encourage the team, tried to find new tactics against a Bologna that was better than they all had expected it to be. They surely had underestimated that team.
The second half started, and for a long time the score stayed as it was, and Paolo was actually happy with it; a draw was better than losing a game. But then, in the seventy-ninth minute, it happened. Valiani scored the second goal for Bologna, and just like a bubble Paolo’s dream of winning the first game, of showing a good Milan, spontaneously combusted.
The team was unable to score a second goal, and so already the first game ended in a disaster. Paolo didn’t want to know what the Italian papers would write on the next day. But he always believed in his team, there was no reason for giving up his belief yet; after all the season had just started.
They all were rather depressed in the changing room, no one was laughing or even speaking a word, until Paolo decided to break the silence.
“It was okay, boys. Let’s just… try to do better next time, okay?” His words weren’t exactly encouraging, and he knew that, but everyone was disappointed with a start like that. Still, they had still time to make things better. And that definitely was on Paolo’s mind.
5. A shocking diagnose
Paolo was on his way home together with Sandro. They always drove home together, because Sandro didn’t live too far away from Paolo, and so they mostly met in the morning and drove home together after the training or after games. Paolo was driving this time, and he wondered if everything was okay with Sandro, who looked a bit pale and who was staring out of the car window all the time.
“Everything okay, Sandro?” Paolo finally asked. He had never seen his probably best friend like that.
“What? Oh, sure, sure. I’m just feeling not too well,” he admitted, giving Paolo a small but forced smile. Paolo nodded, deciding to leave it like that. He was sure that something was wrong, but apparently Sandro didn’t want to talk about it, and Paolo liked him too much to not respect that. He just hoped that Sandro would be able to play soon. He hadn’t played in this game, because he had been in pain the day before, something he hadn’t been able to define.
“Did Raúl call you back?” Sandro suddenly asked. Paolo shook his head.
“He didn’t. I wonder what happened. Normally he always does,” he explained. Well, it wasn’t like he had to explain anything to Sandro, because Sandro knew almost everything about Paolo and his relationship to Raúl, considering that he was his best friend.
“Oh I am sure that Raúl will have had a reason for not answering the phone, maybe they had a lot of stress with the team, that’s all possible. I am sure that he will call you back eventually and that he will be very sorry for everything,” Sandro answered, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Paolo frowned.
“Are you feeling sick? Do you want me to stop?” he asked. Sandro was paler than before and all of a sudden the defender lost consciousness. Paolo was in shock for a moment, quickly stopping the car and turning to Sandro.
“Sandro? Sandro, can you hear me? Sandro, come on, wake up!” he shouted. He felt his pulse in his throat. And the few seconds in which Sandro did neither reply, nor open his eyes, were really frightening him. Finally, thank God, Sandro opened his eyes a little, and he was just fast enough to open the car door to be sick. Breathing heavily and squirming a little, he turned back to Paolo.
“I… my back. It’s such a terrible pain, Paolo, I… I can’t move properly,” the defender explained, trying to stay calm, but Paolo could see the fear in his friend’s eyes.
“Okay. Stay calm, I will call an ambulance,” Paolo ordered. Sandro tried to breathe more even, clutching Paolo’s hand. Paolo took out his mobile phone, calling an ambulance. When they had assured him that they would come as quickly as possible, he turned back to Sandro, who was leaning against the seat, his eyes squeezed shut.
“I am afraid, Paolo… What… What is that?” Sandro asked, his voice trembling.
“I don’t know, Sandro. But I will come with you to hospital, okay?” Paolo offered. He really was worried about Sandro. The other defender had been bad all the time and he had never said a word. That was typical of Sandro; he always made it look like there was nothing wrong, until it was impossible to hide it. Sandro clutched Paolo’s hand even more, and Paolo tried to soothe him by stroking over his hand, gently.
“The ambulance will be here immediately, Sandro. Just try to stay calm,” Paolo encouraged the defender.
And really, the ambulance arrived soon, taking Sandro and Paolo with them to hospital. On their way Paolo called Ancelotti to tell him that something was wrong with Sandro. In hospital they told Paolo that it was better if he left now, because it would take them quite some time to find out what was wrong with the player. Paolo agreed because there was no other possibility, driving back home, where he would wait for the doctors to call him.
At home Paolo’s mobile phone rang, and first he thought that it was the call from hospital, but when he saw the number on the display he smiled. It was Raúl. Finally.
“Hello babe?” Paolo answered his phone. All of a sudden he felt more relaxed.
“Hey. I am so sorry I didn’t call you earlier, but we had some kind of welcome party here and it got really late and well, we all were quite drunk, so talking to me wouldn’t have been fun at all. How are you? How was your first game?” Raúl wanted to know.
“Right now I am worried, cause Sandro seems to have huge problems with his back. He is in hospital right now, and later they will call me to tell me what’s wrong. I hope it’s not too bad, because he is fundamental for the team. Anyway, the first game was a mess, we lost to Bologna,” Paolo explained. It felt so good to hear his lover’s voice; it felt so good to be able to talk to him again. He just missed him so terribly.
“And how are you?” Paolo added.
“I am fine, really. Training was nice today, it was good to see all my team mates again. And sweetheart, I hope that Sandro will be fine again soon. Tell me if you know anything, okay?” Raúl asked.
“Sure, I will. I miss you,” Paolo admitted. He didn’t like the fact that he felt tears welling up. Normally he wasn’t like that, he was a strong, confident, leading person. And no matter how bad he was feeling, on the pitch he always was Paolo Maldini, captain and defender, fighting for his team no matter how bad they were losing. But now that his last season had started, he was far more sentimental than before. And he hated that. He also was worried about his best friend in hospital.
“I miss you, too, love. And I wish I could be there for you now,” Raúl responded. Maybe he had realized the tears in Paolo’s voice.
“No, it’s fine. Just concentrate on the games… So I will call you as soon as I know anything, okay?” Paolo said.
“Sure. Hear you later, honey,” Raúl answered.
“Sure, till then!” And their talk was already over again. Paolo sighed. He hated it that the season had just started and that he missed Raúl so much already. He wanted to take the next plane to Madrid, but he couldn’t. So he decided to get distracted a bit. Paolo cooked something to eat and sat down on the couch, turning on the TV. There was a report about their game. Great. On the next channel there was a love story. Even better. So Paolo turned off the television again. He really didn’t need any of that now.
About two hours later Paolo’s mobile phone rang. This time it was the their doctor, who had taken a look at Sandro.
“Paolo, hey. Well, it doesn’t look too well for Sandro. He really has a serious back problem. We will see if we can help him with some therapy, but if that doesn’t help he needs surgery,” the doctor explained. That really sounded bad.
“But back surgery is dangerous! Who will make sure that he can play afterwards again?” the Milan captain was interested.
“Well, no one can promise that. But if we don’t do anything, he won’t even be able to walk anymore. And I think that that’s worse,” the doctor responded.
“Oh, sure. Does he have to stay there for the therapy?” Paolo wanted to know.
“Yeah, but only for three days. He is sleeping now, we gave him pain killers,” the doctor said.
“Okay. I think Drea and I will visit him tomorrow,” Paolo answered.
“That would be nice, I guess. He is very sad about the whole thing. I guess he’d need you two. After all you are his best friends,” the doctor affirmed. Paolo smiled slightly. But it was a sad smile.
“Okay. Thanks for telling me, then. Have a good night!” the captain said.
“You, too, Paolo. See you!”
6. When you’re down and troubled, and you need some loving care…
On the next day, after the training, Paolo, together with Andrea, was on his way to hospital. They wanted to cheer Sandro up a bit.
“So, Andrea, I heard you were out last night?” Paolo asked, grinning. For some reason he was in a good mood today. They reason *could* be that Raúl had sent him some flowers, but anyway. Andrea blushed.
“Who told you that?” he wanted to know. Paolo resisted the urge to laugh out loud.
“Gennaro, right? Oh I knew I shouldn’t have told him!” Andrea complained. Paolo had to laugh at that now.
“You’re cute, Drea. Don’t you wanna tell me who it was? Was he nice? And what did you do?” Paolo was curious. Andrea took a deep breath.
“Well, since the whole team seems to know already… Seriously, do you know whom else Gennaro has told the story?” Andrea looked worried. Paolo had to laugh even more.
“Holy shit, Andrea, being in love isn’t anything you should be ashamed of! You above all deserve a loving partner! So I promise you that Gennaro told just me. I mean, he would have told Sandro if he had been there, but he wasn’t, so there’s no reason to be worried, really. Will you tell me who is it now?” Paolo asked again, still smiling.
“Just make sure he doesn’t tell Pippo! If he knows the whole team will-“
“ANDREA! Will you stop that now? Who is it?” Paolo couldn’t stop laughing about his friend. Andrea was definitely fun to listen to when he was in love with someone and he didn’t want to tell.
“Well, it is someone you don’t know,” Andrea insisted, blushing again. Paolo made a disappointed sound.
“Oh come on, even if I don’t know him you can at least tell me his name! By the way, are you sure that I don’t know him?” Paolo loved it to tease Andrea about that, because he somehow was sure that he did know the person Andrea was dating. Andrea just didn’t want to admit that. Andrea sighed.
“Okay, okay, I give up. Why are you teasing me like that? That’s just not fair… Okay. It was Leo. Leonardo. You know, our scout.” Andrea turned from red to crimson. Paolo smiled, but he was surprised.
“Well, he is an interesting man. But wow, that won’t be easy. What happened between you yesterday?” the captain was interested. Leonardo was a nice man, older than Andrea, but that didn’t matter.
“Oh nothing, he just invited me for dinner. It was really nice. But he told me we have to be careful,” Andrea explained. He sounded a bit worried, but Paolo was sure that Andrea was deeply in love. Maybe deeper than he had ever been. Well, it was good to know that Paolo wasn’t the only one having a difficult relationship. Not the relationship itself, but the circumstances. Being in love with Raúl González wasn’t any easier than being in love with a Milan scout.
“Well I am really happy for you, Drea. As I’ve said, you deserve that, dear,” Paolo assured. Andrea somehow looked a bit relieved. Paolo had to smile at that.
“Will you meet again anytime soon?” he wanted to know. Andrea nodded, smiling, and there was that special light in his eyes.
“We will meet tonight. Leonardo invited me to his home,” he explained. Paolo smiled again.
“That is really awesome, Andrea. Do you want me to take you there after visiting Sandro?” the defender suggested.
“Oh sure, that would be nice. Thanks,” Andrea agreed. Paolo just nodded.
They finally reached the hospital, and together they went to the room in which Sandro was lying. The Milan defender looked thin and pale, and above all he looked unhappy. But he seemed to be thankful that Paolo and Andrea had come.
“Hey Sandro!” Andrea greeted him, embracing him shortly. Paolo and Andrea sat down next to Sandro’s bed.
“So what are the doctors saying?” Paolo was interested. Sandro just shook his head.
“Something is wrong with my vertebras, we will try a therapy now, and I consider going to Miami for that… I mean, I have a house there, and there are specialists who can help me… I don’t want to undergo surgery if it isn’t necessary,” Sandro explained. Andrea nodded.
“Are you able to walk again?” Paolo wanted to know. Sandro nodded.
“But not for a long time. And it hurts. So I am really thinking about Miami. But I am not sure. It might mean that I have to end my career as a player, but… I don’t want to think about that. I really don’t.” Both, Paolo and Andrea, could imagine. Paolo knew how hard it was, anyway, to decide that your career would be over soon. And Sandro didn’t have the possibility to make any decisions at the moment. They just hoped that the therapy would work.