Football Dynasty-Chapter 46: Unpolished Gems

For Patrick, money was undeniably a powerful influence, given his family's circumstances. He understood their need for it. However, for his mother, it was a different story. Every franc held significant value to her. This was the situation at Patrick Vieira's family home.

The Vieira family lived in a flat in a two-story building overlooking the concrete pitch. It was located in the main square of the cité, the public housing area in Cannes, France.

The moment Patrick explained the situation to his wary mother, her demeanor shifted, and she became more welcoming. Soon, she invited Richard and his translator, the young woman whom Mama Vieira assumed was his friend.

Patrick, his mother, his two siblings, and his grandfather—all gathered together.

The conversation flowed smoothly as the young woman translated everything Richard said. Richard, meanwhile, observed her closely.

She seemed highly competent, moving seamlessly from one line to the next, though she hesitated slightly at times, looking up for clarification on a few words. Once she finished, Richard nodded, clearly impressed.

He then reached into his pocket, pulled out the money, and handed it to the Vieira family, leaving them in shock.

"Please don't refuse me just yet," Richard quickly interjected as Vieira's grandfather was about to decline the offer.

"Football is football, but education is something else. While I'm willing to sponsor Patrick, I want him to focus and not be distracted by other issues. This money is for daily living and for Patrick and his siblings' education," Richard said seriously.

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Vieira's mother was on the verge of tears as she looked at the money, imagining just how much this would help her family.

Her family wasn't originally from France; they were from Senegal and had moved to France in 1976. Later, she and her husband divorced, and Vieira and his siblings never saw their father again.

All her children were granted French citizenship at birth, as their grandfather had served in the French Army. Even their surname, Vieira—which is Portuguese—comes from her family instead, originally from Cape Verde.

Patrick's grandfather was a retired army veteran, so naturally, he understood these matters far better when it came to protecting his daughter and all his grandchildren. Without hesitation, he firmly pushed the money back to Richard, refusing to accept it.

"Take it back. Patrick is too young. We don't want any problems."

The moment Richard heard this, he understood. He had already done his homework on the basic laws, especially those in France, before arriving here.

The adoption of the UNCRC and France's subsequent ratification played a crucial role in strengthening the legal framework for minors in the years that followed.

For example, the minimum legal working age in France is 16, meaning anyone under that age, like Patrick in this case, cannot work. No wonder they hesitated to accept his offer.

"Mr. Vieira, you've misunderstood me. I'm not seeking any legal commitment to bind Patrick to me. What I want to do is..." Allen said to Grandpa Vieira before explaining his intention.

At the end of the day, his main goal was to persuade Patrick's family to allow him to focus on football.

"Patrick isn't the only one under me. There will be many others his age, and they'll be able to play together and help each other's careers grow. Sir and Madame, you probably don't know this, but Patrick is very skilled in football. I believe in his potential."

Vieira and Zidane.

Since both are still young, why not place them in the same academy first? I'll cover the costs so Patrick can play to his heart's content. Then, after Patrick Vieira turns 16, he'll reap the benefits of what we've built.

His daughter, along with her child, depended on him more than ever, but he was already getting older. There were no men left in the family, and now his daughter was the only one providing. The weight of that responsibility was heavy on her shoulders.

Patrick's grandfather, however, hesitated. He had heard about football, but as much as he wanted to believe in it, the harsh reality of survival made it difficult to hold onto those dreams. In the end, though, he still rejected the idea.

Having once served in the French army, he knew how the system worked—how the laws ran their course. And besides, they weren't even from the local area. He truly didn't dare take such a risk.

Richard felt just as helpless in this situation. If only Patrick were 16, maybe he could do something more concrete, but he couldn't offer him a contract yet. Still, he didn't give up; he pushed the money forward.

"Take this. I hope that when Patrick starts thinking seriously about football, he'll contact me first. That's all I ask."

The Vieira family was touched, but also skeptical. Just how valuable and serious did he really see Vieira's potential?

Even Patrick looked at Richard with a serious expression. In the end, the deal fell through, but Richard didn't lose hope. He understood that building connections was just the first step.

After leaving Patrick's house, Richard let out a deep sigh before turning his gaze toward the young woman beside him.

"Thank you very much for your help. Ah, by the way, the money," Richard said, pulling out the cash he had promised to pay her as a translator.

The woman hesitated for a moment, but eventually, she took the money.

"Hey, by the way, may I know your name?"

Hearing this, the woman instantly became wary and took a step back. Richard realized that his words might have come off a bit too forward, so he stepped back as well, raising his hand in a calming gesture.

"I don't have bad intentions. I just need a group of translators, and I wanted to invite you to join. Would you be interested?"

Rather than answering, the woman quickly tucked the money into her pocket, shook her head, and turned away, leaving Richard speechless.

Richard stood there, his hand on his cheek, baffled. 'Had he made a mistake? Was he scaring her off?'

After the episode with the Vieira family, Richard decided to unwind and enjoy some time in Cannes, treating it like a well-deserved holiday. He embraced the city's vibrant atmosphere and rich cultural offerings with a sense of freedom and relaxation.

He started by strolling along La Croisette, the famous seafront boulevard stretching 2 kilometers. With its luxury hotels, upscale boutiques, and swaying palm trees, it was the perfect spot for people-watching and soaking in the Mediterranean ambiance, with the sun shining down and the sea breeze in the air.

Of course, no trip to La Croisette would be complete without a visit to Palm Beach. At the eastern tip of the boulevard, Richard basked in the warm sun, enjoying a peaceful swim in the clear waters, all while taking in the stunning views of the Lérins Islands.

When it came to food, Richard knew that Cannes had its own unique culinary charm. He wandered through Le Suquet and the bustling Forville Market, savoring the fresh, local produce and the mouthwatering aromas that filled the air.

He then began to regret not bringing his father and mother here, not anticipating the seven-day delay. If it weren't for the legend, he probably would've rushed straight to Italy.

Soon, the seven days passed quickly.

"Zinedine, how is it? Have you made your decision?"

Zidane nodded, and before that, naturally, as a footballer, he also had some demands. Thankfully, they weren't difficult demands.

First, focus and development. This included finding opportunities, guaranteeing regular playtime, possibly securing an early contract, and, if possible, connections to top clubs.

Richard could help by looking at Coach Varraud and Director Elineau. It seemed they had already been brainstorming hard for this.

Second, Zidane requested transparency. This meant clear discussions about salary, incentives, and any commissions. Zidane wanted transparency, especially about how much he would earn.

This also meant that Richard would need to be open with him. For example, if he were linked with and transferred to another club, Zidane wanted to be involved in every negotiation—not like the usual agent-player dynamic, where the player is left in the dark while the agent negotiates.

Richard gave him a thumbs-up. As expected of Zidane, harsh life experiences had truly sharpened his mindset.

"No worries, I promise you," Richard quickly said.

Third, and most importantly, Zidane was serious when he said, "I want you to show respect for my family. This includes the decision-making process. I want them to be involved and give their input."

"..."

Normally, this is common for football players, where families represent them in place of agents, but Richard began to understand why Zidane was so sensitive to this issue.

"I understand," Richard said solemnly.

So, the deal was finally made—Zinedine Zidane became the first non-English player in Richard's roster.

"But I also have requirements," Richard suddenly said, making the pen in Zidane's hand pause.

"I want you to start learning English, Spanish, and possibly Italian. No, English and Italian first. You understand what I mean, right?"

Zidane was stunned. It wasn't hard to connect the dots. Was he asking him to play in Italy? No, that's not the right question. 'Can he play in Italy? The best league in the world?'

If Richard could hear his thoughts, he'd probably grin and say, "It's not me finding you a club, it's them coming for you!"

"I know it may seem like a lot, but as a professional, it's important for you to communicate with coaches, teammates, and clubs. Don't expect your career to be limited to just France. With your talent, it would be a waste to restrict yourself here."

Zidane looked at his coach and, especially, at Director Elineau. Both nodded. What Richard was saying made sense. As a footballer, it didn't hurt to be prepared.

"Don't worry about the cost — I'll take care of it. But by this time next year, I expect you to at least be able to hold a daily conversation. Remember, it's very important for your career."

The others were still processing it, but in the end, there was nothing to lose with learning, especially since it was free.

"I understand," Zidane said, nodding thoughtfully. "If it's for my career, I'll do it."

Richard gave a reassuring smile. "Good. This is just another step in making you the best."