THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

"Don't look so down," Fabio consoled after witnessing Zachary's reaction. "When you settle into the team, you'll realize how fortunate you're to wear the number 10 shirt. You'll learn that most of your teammates would kill to have that number."

"I understand," Zachary said, nodding. He didn't want to waste more time arguing with his bosses about the shirt number issue.

"It's good that you understand," Fabio said, standing up. "Now that I've settled the matter of your shirt number, it's time for me to go and have it printed. We must have it ready for the unveiling ceremony in the afternoon."

"Oh!" Zachary said, totally not believing the sporting director's words. He suspected that the club's top dogs had decided on his shirt number and printed it out long before he arrived in Turin. As for the meeting to inquire about his opinion that morning, they could have just held it out of formality.

While not knowing what was on Zachary's mind, Fabio smiled and continued speaking. "Zachary! Once again, I welcome you to Juventus. I have a good feeling about you. You have a unique halo of success surrounding your entire persona, and you're most likely to excel and achieve great things at Juventus. Of course, that's if you remain focused." He extended his hand from across the table.

"Thank you, director, for your high praise and encouragement," Zachary replied, taking Fabio's hand for a firm handshake. "I'll work hard to live up to your expectations. That, I promise you."

"Good," Fabio said with a smile. "It's about time for me to go. Since your interpreter is present, you can utilize the time before the unveiling ceremony to chat with your coach. I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about."

Without waiting for Zachary to respond, Fabio turned toward Coach Allegri and talked to him in Italian for a few more seconds. Then, he waved Zachary goodbye before walking away and disappearing through the meeting room doorway.

"Dannazione!" Coach Allegri intoned after his colleague had stepped out of the room. "Tutta la nostra conversazione è stata stressante..."

The coach continued spitting out more Italian words that Zachary couldn't understand. And, of course, Zachary soon had to turn to Angelo Mattiello, his interpreter, for help. "What did he just say?" He asked after the coach had paused in his speech.

"He's talking about how the discussion with the sporting director was a bit stressful," Angelo translated. "He sincerely pleads with you not to take offense simply because the club has forced the number 10 shirt on you. And he also hopes you can work well together during the upcoming few seasons."

"Oh, I see," Zachary said, smiling and locking eyes with his new coach. "Coach Allegri! The shirt number issue is only a small matter. It wouldn't affect my attitude and dedication toward the club. I was only against the idea because I didn't want to offend a teammate who currently owns the shirt."

After saying all that, Zachary again turned to his interpreter for help. Angelo smiled and nodded at him before starting to translate his words to Italian for the coach's benefit. And in such a weird manner, the first meaningful conversation between Zachary and his new coach transpired.

The two men discussed many issues, including Zachary's objectives at the club, his favorite players in football history, the results of his medical, his match fitness issues, and whether he would be ready for the pre-season tour. And finally, the coach asked Zachary about the position he wanted to play on the Juventus team.

Zachary naturally replied that he wished to play in the central midfield as he had done during his tenure at Rosenborg. He explained to the coach that he was always more creative and at the top of his game when he was in the middle of the pitch, executing passes or breaking forward to catch the opponents off guard. And he repeatedly emphasized his passing abilities and high spatial awareness to ensure that the coach understood that only in the midfield would his skills bloom in great splendor.

After hearing his lengthy response, Coach Allegri nodded to indicate that he had gotten the message. Then, he warned Zachary through the interpreter to be ready for a fierce battle for spots on the starting line-up due to Juventus' incredible line-up of midfielders, which included the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Paul Pogba, and Arturo Vidal. Finally, he urged Zachary to continue working hard and utilize every chance he got to impress the coaching staff if he wanted to cement his place on the Juventus team.

Zachary nodded and took his advice to heart. As for the matter of the intensive competition for spots on the starting line-up, he wasn't worried. With his recently enhanced attributes and skills, he believed he would dazzle everyone when he finally stepped on the pitch during an official match. But first, Zachary had to deal with the side effects of the S-grade vitality-enhancing elixir before thinking about achieving all that. Otherwise, he might become a joke if he committed the weirdest of amateur mistakes during the heat of the game.

"The coach is saying that you two have already discussed all the crucial issues concerning your arrival at Juventus," Angelo translated more of the coach's words. "So, he suggests that you end your conversation at this point. But he has also cautioned that he wants to see you start attending training within eight days. That way, you will have a bit of preparation before the pre-season tour."

"You can tell the coach I've gotten his message," Zachary responded with a smile. "I'll try to complete all immigration procedures and settle down in Turin as quickly as possible. Then, I can start attending Juventus' official training sessions."

Angelo nodded and immediately translated the words to Coach Allegri. The latter also nodded and exchanged a few more words with Zachary through the interpreter before ending their first meeting as coach and player.

-----

"I really have to learn Italian as soon as possible," Zachary made the resolution within his heart for the umpteenth time after arriving in Turin. The language barrier problem was too aggravating for him. Without the help of an interpreter, he couldn't even have a meaningful conversation with his coach or go shopping on his own. That was a shame and an inconvenience as far as he was concerned.

"Angelo!" Zachary suddenly called out to his interpreter as they walked out of the meeting room. "Can you recommend any language schools to me?"

Angelo thought for a few seconds before replying, "I would recommend a school called L'Italiano Porticando. The school has several language programs, including private lessons for those who want to learn Italian at their convenience. As a professional footballer, it could be the best option for you."

"Are they still enrolling students?" Zachary queried again.

"They enroll students all year round," Angelo replied. "So, you can apply and register at any time."

"Then, I'll just enroll tomorrow," Zachary said. "I'll be relying on you to guide me there."

"Of course," Angelo said. "Feel free to call me when you're ready to register."

"Excellent," Zachary said, smiling. "Let's grab something to eat before I start preparing for the unveiling ceremony."

"Okay."

****  ****

By 2:00 PM that afternoon, the Juventus stadium was almost fully-occupied. The staunch fans dressed in Juventus' black and white colors had occupied most of the seats in the stands. Some were already cheering and dancing as if awaiting the start of an official game. They were obviously excited as they waited for Zachary's unveiling ceremony with bated breaths.

"Dad!" One of Paolo Favero's sons called out in a raised voice to make himself heard over the din within the stadium. "Why is Zachary not coming out of the tunnel? Didn't they announce that he would appear before us at 2:00 PM?"

"Marco! Please relax," Paolo answered, patting his son's head. "He should be stepping onto the pitch soon. Let's continue waiting."

"Has the club announced Zachary's shirt number yet?" His other son hurriedly asked.

"Not yet," Paolo answered. "This time around, the club is doing things in a mysterious manner. No club official has stepped forward to make any announcement concerning Zachary's shirt number. It's as if they are hiding the entire thing from us."

"But what do you think his shirt number will be?" His son asked again. "Could it be the famous number 10?"

"I don't think so," Paolo was quick to reply. "The number 10 shirt belongs to Carlos Tévez, our leading goal-scorer last season. The club would surely not take the shirt away from him unless they're planning on selling him. But I don't see that happening soon. So, Zachary is most likely to choose another number."

"Makes sense," his son agreed. "I also don't think the club will sell Carlos Tévez. His aggressiveness and speed will allow him to link up well with Zachary when we're attacking..."

Just then, while the Faveros were still discussing the matter of Zachary's shirt number, the cheers around the stadium hit a thunderous crescendo. In a flash, Paolo turned his gaze towards the tunnel portal and noticed that Zachary had just stepped onto the pitch.

The young playmaker looked majestic in Juventus' black and white striped jersey as he waved at the fans. His aura was overbearing but contained, his walking gait kingly but also pleasing to the eye, and his smile warm but with a sternness about it. It was as if he was making a tour of his backyard as he made rounds around the pitch to greet the fans.

"This is the aura of an emperor entering his territory for the first time," Paolo mumbled, his eyes misting slightly. He was ecstatic after witnessing Zachary's majesty within Juventus' colors. He had a feeling that for the first time after Zinedine's time, he might get to experience the glory of a phenomenal ball wizard that could compete with the likes of Messi and Ronaldo playing for his club.

"Dad! Dad!" One of his sons shouted, interrupting his train of thought. "What did I say? Zachary is in the number 10 shirt. They gave him the number 10 shirt."

"Oh! They gave him the number 10 shirt!" Paolo exclaimed after finally noticing Zachary's shirt number. "Does that mean that they're about to sell Tévez? What is the club thinking?"

"Who knows, and who cares?" His other son said in a dismissive tone. "The only thing that matters is that we have Zachary on the team. For now, let's enjoy the unveiling ceremony. Zachary is about to start showcasing his skills."

"True," Paolo agreed. "What matters is that Zachary is already a Juventus player. Let's enjoy the unveiling ceremony indeed."

****  ****