Chapter 2: What Does It Mean to Be Childhood Friends?

Chapter 2: What Does It Mean to Be Childhood Friends?

Li Shengli left the Vismara Sports Center.

Li Mo stayed behind to continue training.

It was the off-season now.

However, for the U19 squad players at the Vismara Sports Center, the vacations of the first team's veterans didn’t concern them much.

They still had to strive for an opportunity: the chance to join AC Milan’s first team for a series of pre-season matches.

As was customary,

each season’s pre-season games not only featured the first-team players but also promoted many youth academy talents to participate.

If they performed well, they might secure a spot on the first team, earn a professional contract with the club, and become true professional players.

In reality, despite Vismara’s great reputation,

it was recognized as one of the top youth academies in Italy and even all of Europe.

Yet,

like any youth training institution anywhere, the dropout rate was extremely high.

Even at the U19 level,

nearly half of the players would ultimately fail to establish themselves in professional football.

Of the remaining half,

only a rare few would get to play regularly for AC Milan’s first team.

Sometimes, there might be none at all.

The vast majority would be loaned out for several years, eventually settling into teams in lower-tier leagues to get playing time,

gradually working their way up.

For a single U19 cohort, if two or three players managed to secure regular playing time in a top-tier league like Serie A,

that would already be considered a relative success.

Historical cases—like Barcelona’s La Masia golden generation or Manchester United’s Class of ’92, which relied on one or two youth cohorts to bring their clubs to a peak—were basically fairy tales.

They were lucky occurrences, not to be expected.

“Li, did you know? The first team will regroup next week, and then Coach Allegri will lead the team to the United States! Just like before, he’ll bring over a dozen U19 players! This is our chance!”

Li Mo had just stepped onto the training ground.

His close friend and childhood companion at the Vismara Sports Center, fellow striker Andrea Petagna, approached him with a mysterious grin, sharing a secret well known among the U19 squad.

Every year during pre-season,

many of the young talents from Vismara’s academy would be given some opportunities.

Of course,

whether one could seize that chance depended entirely on individual performance.

At the very least,

Li Mo came from another timeline—from 2023—and he knew well that Vismara’s results over recent years had been rather unimpressive.

Among their current U19 group,

those who could eventually play in Serie A were exceedingly rare.

Andrea Petagna was a name Li Mo had never even heard of in his past life.

He patted Petagna on the shoulder. “Andre, don’t think too much about it. Coach Allegri probably isn’t in the mood to give many chances to our squad right now.”

Currently, AC Milan was indeed going through a turbulent period; the media constantly reported conflicts between the head coach and club executives, with Allegri frequently complaining about the lack of substantial signings.

Although AC Milan bore the reputation of possibly the second most prestigious club in Europe, when compared to the absolute giants—Real Madrid, the undisputed No. 1, and Bayern Munich, the other contender for second place—

Italy’s overall economic struggles had taken their toll.

After the economic crisis, Italy, often derisively called the “pig country” of Europe, had clubs increasingly strapped for cash.

Even a legendary powerhouse like AC Milan now had to closely watch for veteran players from other top teams whose contracts were about to expire, hoping to snatch talent on the cheap.

Before the team’s results improved,

Li Mo doubted Allegri would give many opportunities to youth players—the coach’s own position wasn’t secure, and even if he wanted to nurture young talent, it certainly wouldn’t be in the next season.

Petagna showed a hint of helplessness on his face.

He was a devoted Milan supporter, and playing for Milan was his dream.

“No matter what, this pre-season we all get some time to appear for the first team. Li, this is definitely an opportunity. If we perform well, even if we don’t play for the first team next season, we’ll catch the attention of some clubs,” Petagna said.

His reasoning made sense.

Petagna was already eighteen; it was time for him to seek playing opportunities in professional leagues.

Li Mo was only seventeen, but if a chance arose to play professionally, he wouldn’t pass it up.

The youth league’s match intensity was no longer a great challenge or growth opportunity for players aged seventeen to nineteen.

This age bracket was crucial—it was the key stage to determine whether a player could ultimately establish himself in the professional arena.

Some prodigies could secure steady first-team appearances at sixteen or seventeen.

As the two chatted,

Li Mo suddenly paused.

“Ding! [Football Bond System] activated. You have acquired a new module. Please check the Fusion Training Plan!”

In Li Mo’s mind, a screen resembling a character attribute panel from an online game appeared.

Friendship Bond: Regarding your childhood friendship with Andrea Petagna

Module Acquired: Dominant Foot Module

Fusion Difficulty: B

Fusion Progress: 50% (What does it mean to be childhood friends?)

Estimated Full Fusion Time: 5 days

Fusion Training Plan Phase One: Complete 1,000 fixed shots using Andrea Petagna’s dominant foot (left foot).

Note: Upon completing the fusion of the [Andrea Petagna Dominant Foot Module], the system will automatically trigger the next bond module.

Note 2: Completing three modules will trigger the system’s first upgrade!

Petagna’s dominant foot module!

Petagna’s dominant foot was his left.

Li Mo’s dominant foot was his right.

In other words,

once fully fused,

wouldn’t he be able to use both feet as dominant?

Li Mo took a deep breath.

Compared to gaining his uncle’s scoring instincts,

fusing Petagna’s dominant foot skill required only five days!

In five days, he could become a rare ambidextrous monster.

“Although I’m not fast now, my center of gravity is too high, and my step frequency isn’t agile enough, I’m basically a taller version of Inzaghi who, in five days, will be balanced with both feet!”

“Vismara no longer suits me. I must leave here. I must get playing time in a professional league!”

Li Mo made up his mind.

Next season,

he would appear on a professional league pitch.

No matter which team he played for—AC Milan would be ideal, since he had joined Vismara at seven—

but he knew Milan wouldn’t offer him many chances.

Therefore,

he wouldn’t refuse a loan, or even leaving the Milan club altogether.

Even if it meant playing in Serie B,

it would be better than staying at Vismara.

(End of chapter)