⚽️ CHAPTER 1 — THE CALL-UP
July 2018 — Milan, Italy
The fan hummed quietly above his bed, pushing around the sticky summer air like it had something personal against the heat. 17-year-old Enzo Sky Vito lay spread across his sheets, a worn AC Milan training top clinging to his chest. His right leg bounced off the mattress rhythmically — not from nerves, but habit. He always did that before big games.
Except there was no game today.
Just another humid Tuesday at home. No school, no matches, no training with the youth team — not until the preseason schedule was finalized. The silence in the room made every sound louder. The creak of the ceiling fan. The faint buzzing of a scooter passing outside. And then—
DING.
His phone vibrated across the bedside table. He barely looked up.
Probably the academy group chat again. Maybe Leo posting another shirtless gym selfie with a cringe caption like, "U17 Ballon d'Or loading…"
He rolled over, tapped the screen lazily — then froze.
From: Team Admin - AC Milan
Subject: Preseason Training Call-Up (First Team)
"Dear Enzo Sky Vito,
You are hereby requested to report to AC Milan First Team Preseason Camp starting July 14th at 08:00 CET. Centro Sportivo Milanello…"
His heart skipped.
No.
No way.
He sat up slowly, reading it again — this time word by word. A thousand thoughts fought to the front of his brain but none of them stuck. All he could hear was the rapid pounding in his chest.
First team.
First team?
He looked around like someone had hidden cameras in the room. This had to be a prank. Maybe Leo and Dario were messing with him again.
But then the second email came through. This time from his youth coach, Mister Ricci:
"You've earned this. Don't try to impress anyone. Just be you."
That's when it sank in.
He wasn't dreaming.
The call-up wasn't a prank. This was real. He was going to Milanello… to train with the likes of Bonucci, Donnarumma, Suso — and wear the same badge as legends like Kaka, Shevchenko, and Maldini.
The bedroom door creaked open. His older brother, Luca, leaned in, earbuds still hanging around his neck.
"You good?"
Enzo didn't respond. He simply turned the screen toward him.
Luca walked over, squinting at the email, then back at Enzo's face. A slow, quiet grin spread across his face — the kind that meant everything without saying a word.
"You serious?"
Enzo nodded. "First team."
Luca ruffled his blond hair, laughing. "Dio mio… the baby alien made it."
Enzo smiled faintly, but it hadn't really hit him yet. It still felt like someone else's life.
Later that night, Enzo stood in front of the mirror. His duffel bag was already packed. A fresh pair of Nike Mercurials sat beside it — limited edition ones he'd never dared to use at the academy.
He studied his reflection. Blond hair a little messy, but sharp jawline, confident stare. Shoulders not broad, but balanced. He looked… ready.
Yet inside, the storm was brewing.
Would he fit in? Would they even pass him the ball? Could he pull off his signature moves in front of professionals?
No more youth defenders to dance around. No more safety net.
But deep down, he knew the truth.
He wasn't called up to play it safe.
He was called up to light it up. To remind the world of joy. Of freedom. Of football played with soul.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
This wasn't pressure.
This was the invitation.
And he was about to RSVP with style.
July 14th. Milanello awaits.