"Every prodigy eventually meets the pen."
July 2021 – Milanello Boardroom
The conference room smelled of polished wood and espresso. A warm summer sun leaked through the blinds.
Three suits from AC Milan's youth and legal departments sat on one side of a long glass table. Matteo Vito and his eldest son Luca sat on the other.
Enzo?
He waited in the hallway, legs swinging off a leather bench, dribbling a mini ball against the wall. Oblivious — and yet not.
The Offer on the Table
At 14, players couldn't sign a full professional contract in Italy. But what Milan offered was rare: a Pre-Professional Agreement, ensuring Enzo's long-term development, elite exposure, and exclusivity when he turned 16.
It came with:
A tailored education plan
Weekly mentorship from Milan's technical staff
Promotion to U17s by September
Personalized sponsorship support
And, quietly, a six-figure signing bonus upon turning 16
But what wasn't on paper?
The pressure.
Matteo's Dilemma
Matteo listened carefully, arms folded.
"We've received inquiries from Spain and England," said one of the Milan representatives. "But Enzo belongs here. He's Milan-born. We want him to become the next icon."
The pitch was smooth. Practiced. Almost desperate.
Matteo cleared his throat.
"If we commit to Milan… you protect him.
From media. From burnout. From the circus."
The room paused.
Then nodded.
A Meeting with Enzo
Later that evening, Enzo sat on the rooftop of their apartment with his father.
"Papa, what's the rush? I just want to play."
Matteo looked at him with a calm smile.
"And you will. But clubs aren't patient. You score a goal in blue, and ten vultures fly in."
Enzo leaned back on his elbows, the sky turning orange above them.
"I don't care about the money. I care about playing at the San Siro one day."
"Then signing this deal gets you one step closer."
Enzo hesitated.
"I just want to be sure it's my choice."
Matteo nodded. "That's why I haven't signed anything."
The Call from Spain
The very next morning, Matteo's phone buzzed again.
+34. Spain.
"Señor Vito, my name is Carlos Rivas. I work with Atlético Madrid's youth network. We believe Enzo could join us at 15."
"Full scholarship. Private school. A structured path to La Liga. And we're prepared to fly you both here next week."
Matteo thanked him. Then looked across the kitchen — where Enzo sat, buttering toast, humming a Ronaldinho freestyle theme on his phone.
His mind was made up.
Back at Milanello – The Final Word
Coach Ferretti joined the family in a quiet office.
He didn't wear a suit. Just track pants and a Milan polo.
"Listen… I've trained hundreds of kids. Talented ones. Flashy ones. But Enzo? He's the first I've seen feelthe game like this."
He looked directly at Enzo
.
"You have magic in your feet. And Milan will give you the freedom to use it."
"No cages. No fear. Just football."
Then he walked out.
Enzo stood up. Looked at his father. Then at the pen.
The Signature
With calm fingers, he picked up the silver pen.
No cameras. No press.
Just paper. Ink. And a promise.
He signed:
Enzo Sky Vito
Milanello. July 2021.
Later That Night – A Message from the Club
Milan's official youth account dropped a subtle post:
📸 Welcome to the future.
🖊️ #NextRossonero
The image showed Enzo in training — mid-step-over, joy on his face. No flashy edit. Just movement.
The comments blew up.
"He's staying!"
"The new #9 in the making."
"Sky Vito 🔥 Remember the name!"
Enzo saw it all. Then closed the app.
"Back to work," he muttered, heading out to juggle in the dark.
Final Scene – A Shadow Lurks
Somewhere in London, in an office filled with talent charts and performance data, a Premier League talent scout scrolled through Enzo's clips.
He leaned back.
"Signed or not… every signature has a buyout clause."
He picked up the phone.
"Call Mendes. The Italian kid's going to be big."