[Football] I Followed Saint's Advice and Became Milan's Golden Boy

[If you’re concerned about spoilers, you can turn off chapter comments on your first read.] In 2015, just after being diagnosed with cancer, Cruyff is hurled back to 1996 by a mysterious force. Before him is an Italian orphan, clutching a rock as he sinks to the bottom of a river. “Do you want to lift the World Cup?” A dying boy meets a dying legend. One has nowhere to go, and the other has little time left. And so Giovanni, who hates football, becomes Cruyff’s proudest pupil. From a problem child scorned by everyone to a superstar who takes Italy by storm. His journey to the top is accompanied by a “ghost” only he can see. But this “ghost” has no clear origins and is as sharp-tongued as he is arrogant. Giovanni: “Why choose AC Milan?” Cruyff: “Because the Dutch Three Musketeers are all at AC Milan. Don’t even think about going to Inter for the rest of your life.” Giovanni: “Wouldn’t it make you furious if I lifted the World Cup for Italy?” Cruyff: “Grab it while you can. You won’t even make it to the knockout stages later.” Baresi: Paolo, I’m leaving Jo in your hands. He’s the future of Milan. Cesare Maldini: Jo is an attacking player who knows how to defend, but Paolo, why are you teaching him to slide-tackle? Beckenbauer: That style of play is damn familiar… Is this kid really Italian? Inter fans: Which lab did AC Milan clone a young Van Basten in? Van Basten: No, take a closer look… [Coming-of-age protagonist] [Pairing: Paolo Maldini. In this story, he’s single when it begins, and the romance develops very slowly. The main plot is about football.] Theme: Nothing in this world happens by chance.