November 18th, 2017. The sun had barely risen over Naples, but the city was already buzzing. The San Paolo stadium, home to Napoli, was the epicenter of Italy's football universe tonight. Matchday 13 was here, and it wasn't just any game. It was the clash of the top two teams in Serie A.
Serie A Standings Before Matchday 13:
1. Napoli - 32 pts (12 matches, 10W, 2D, 0L)
2. AC Milan - 31 pts (12 matches, 10W, 1D, 1L)
3. Inter Milan - 29 pts
4. Juventus - 27 pts
5. Roma - 24 pts
Golden Boot Race (Top Scorers):
1. Milan (AC Milan) - 17 goals
2. Dries Mertens (Napoli) - 10 goals
3. Paulo Dybala (Juventus) - 9 goals
4. Ciro Immobile (Lazio) - 9 goals
Playmaker Award (Top Assists):
1. Milan (AC Milan) - 13 assists
2. Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) - 8 assists
3. Miralem Pjanic (Juventus) - 7 assists
Fans knew they weren't just watching for points. This was personal. Two vibrant attacks. Two impenetrable defenses. And Milan, the 16-year-old phenom, was in the spotlight again.
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Pregame Tunnel - San Paolo Stadium
"Ready to silence them?" Bonucci smirked, bumping shoulders with Milan.
"I was born ready," Milan grinned.
As they walked out onto the pitch, boos rained down. Napoli fans screamed chants and insults. They feared Milan. They hated him because they couldn't ignore him.
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Kick-off
Commentator: "And we're underway! It's Napoli vs AC Milan, first vs second! If you're just joining us, buckle up. This is set to be a cracker."
The match began with fury. Napoli pressed high, but AC Milan were compact. Milan played out from the left wing, spinning past defenders like they were cones.
"You think you're special, kid?" Koulibaly growled after a hard shoulder.
"You already know I am," Milan shot back.
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10th Minute
Commentator: "Milan picks it up near the halfway line... look at the pace! He cuts inside... flicks it over Hamsik... ohhh what a pass to Kalinic!"
The striker scuffed his shot wide.
Commentator: "What a chance! And what vision from Milan. He's putting on a show already."
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22nd Minute
Napoli responded with venom. Insigne nearly curled one in from distance, but Donnarumma made a flying save.
"Gigio, you're not human!" Calabria shouted as he helped him up.
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34th Minute - GOAL! Napoli 1-0 AC Milan
Commentator: "And it's Dries Mertens! Napoli break the deadlock! A lovely pass from Jorginho, and Mertens slips it under Donnarumma!"
The San Paolo exploded. Milan shook his head.
"Heads up," Montella yelled from the sideline. "This is your moment."
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Halftime - Napoli 1-0 AC Milan
In the dressing room, the energy was tense. Bonucci stood and clapped.
"We're not letting this slip. We're not going down like this. Milan, you see that gap behind Hysaj? That's your freeway. Use it."
Milan nodded. "I'm not leaving this pitch without a goal."
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Second Half Begins
Milan came out like a storm. Every time he got the ball, Napoli's defense backed off. Then came the moment.
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59th Minute - GOAL! Napoli 1-1 AC Milan
Commentator: "Here he comes again... Milan down the left, nutmegs Hysaj! He cuts inside... Koulibaly steps up... Milan curls it from the edge of the box... IT'S IN! GOOOOAL!!! WHAT A GOAL FROM THE WONDERKID!"
Commentator 2: "That's number 18 in the league for the teenager! You can't stop this kid!"
Milan cupped his ears to the Napoli fans, then pointed to the AC Milan crest.
"This is my house now!" he yelled.
The bench erupted.
"That's why he's HIM!" Donnarumma screamed.
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66th Minute - Injury
Moments later, Milan made another darting run. This time, Allan lunged in recklessly.
Commentator: "Oh no... Milan is down. And he's not getting up. This looks bad."
Silence fell over the stadium.
Medical staff rushed in. Milan clutched his ankle, wincing in pain.
"It twisted," he groaned. "I felt it twist."
Bonucci crouched beside him. "We've got you, kid. Breathe."
He was stretchered off to a standing ovation, even from Napoli fans.
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Full Time - Napoli 1-1 AC Milan
A draw. The title race was wide open. But the story wasn't the scoreline. It was Milan's injury.
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Post-match
In the locker room, the mood was somber.
"It could be two to three weeks," the doctor reported. "Sprained ankle. Could've been worse."
Milan sighed. "I was just getting started."
Montella put a hand on his shoulder. "You still are. Let them miss you. Let them talk. You'll come back hungrier."
Across Italy, the headlines exploded:
"The League's Brightest Star Dimmed – For Now" "AC Milan Hold Napoli, but Lose Milan to Injury"
But on social media, players and fans rallied:
Mohamed Salah: "Prayers up for the future. The game needs you."
Sergio Agüero: "That goal? Unreal. Rest up, kid."
The break was coming. International matches loomed, but Milan would miss them.
For now, he watched from the sidelines, leg iced, mind racing. Not with fear.
With fire.
November 19, 2017
Milanello Medical Center, Milan, Italy
The training room lights flickered softly. Milan sat on the padded bench, ankle wrapped tightly in ice, The club's doctors told him it'd take at least 4–6 weeks before he could start training again. That stung.
He clenched his jaw. Eight teen goals, thirteen assists. The league's top scorer and playmaker. Now… paused.
Dr. Boschetti gave him a firm pat on the back.
"You're lucky. Could've been worse," he said.
Milan nodded. "I know, Doc. But I don't like being still."
"Use this time wisely. You're only sixteen. No rush. Greatness waits."
Later that night, Milan sat in his apartment with crutches leaning on the wall. His phone buzzed.
Billie Eilish 💚:
> "I saw what happened… r u ok?? That tackle was INSANE."
He smiled.
Milan:
> "Yea I'm good. Ankle's done for now tho. Gonna miss a few games."
"Wanna fly back to Italy for a bit?"
The typing bubbles flashed.
Billie Eilish 💚:
> "U bet. Already packing 😎"
---
November 22 – Milanello Training Grounds
Though not training, Milan still showed up every morning. Crutches and all.
During tactical meetings, he chimed in with observations, surprising even Montella.
"Coach, their right back loves to step forward early—there's space to exploit behind him," Milan said during the Matchday 14 prep vs. Torino.
Montella raised a brow, impressed. "You sure you're not angling for a coaching license already?"
The players chuckled.
Even injured, Milan was electric in the dressing room. He cheered on teammates during drills, challenged them during rondos with commentary like a mini pundit, and kept morale high.
One day, during gym sessions, Bonucci clapped Milan on the shoulder.
"You know, most guys your age would be sulking. You? You're already leading."
Milan gave a small grin. "Just doing my part."
---
November 26 – Matchday 14: AC Milan vs Torino (San Siro)
Rain pattered softly on the glass windows of the San Siro's luxury box. Milan sat beside Billie, leg propped up, hoodie on, eyes sharp. She was in a long coat and shades, trying to stay low-key, but her laughter betrayed her at times.
"Why is your teammate doing that weird run?" she whispered, pointing at Kalinić warming up awkwardly.
"That's just how he runs," Milan said, laughing. "Looks like a penguin sliding into a club."
The match was cagey. 1–1 in the second half.
Milan leaned forward.
"Come on Hakan… hit it!" he whispered.
Çalhanoğlu curled one from distance. Just wide.
Billie bit her lip. "So close…"
Milan banged his crutch on the ground. "We need three points."
But it ended 1–1. The frustration was palpable. In the dressing room afterward, Montella voiced what Milan had sensed:
"Without our spark on the left… we look a little dull."
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Off the Pitch – The Recovery Arc
Over the next week, Milan and Billie took advantage of the downtime.
They roamed Milan's cobbled streets at dusk, blending in with hoodies and baseball caps. They tried different gelato flavors, argued over pizza toppings, and made fun of each other's accents.
"You call it 'tomato,' I call it 'tomaaahhto,'" Billie teased.
"And I call it 'blasphemy' when you eat pineapple on pizza," Milan fired back.
They walked slowly through Parco Sempione, Milan limping but content. At one point, they sat under a tree.
"Do you ever get scared?" she asked suddenly.
Milan looked at her.
"You're 16. You're breaking records. The world's watching. Doesn't it get… heavy?"
He paused.
"Sometimes. But when I play, it's like… all the noise goes away. It's quiet up here," he said, tapping his head. "I just become Milan."
She nodded, resting her head on his shoulder.
---
December 3 – Matchday 15: Benevento vs AC Milan
An away game. Milan didn't travel. Instead, he and Billie watched from his apartment, a bowl of popcorn between them.
AC Milan were up 2–1 heading into stoppage time. Then—disaster.
Benevento's goalkeeper, yes, the keeper—Alberto Brignoli—scored a 95th-minute equalizer from a header.
Milan's mouth dropped.
"No way…" Billie gasped.
Milan covered his face with a pillow. "You've got to be kidding me."
He opened Instagram. Memes were already flying in. A goalkeeper equalizer? It was like a comedy sketch.
But deep inside, Milan felt fire. The team needed him. His presence. His chaos. His left foot.
---
Media Buzz
While sidelined, Milan's absence became even more noticeable.
Pundits debated:
> "Are Milan too dependent on a 16-year-old?"
> "They were Serie A leaders… now they're dropping points again."
Former legends like Kaká and Shevchenko chimed in support.
> "He's special. You don't replace someone like him easily," said Kaká.
Later that week, Coach Montella invited Milan to a team strategy meeting, more as a show of support than anything else. But Milan showed up with a folder in hand.
"You brought notes?" Montella raised an eyebrow as Milan limped into the room, limping but sharp-eyed.
Milan nodded. "Gaffer, if you don't mind... I've been watching talent. We need to prepare for the future. I've got some recommendations."
The room quieted. Even Massara and Mirabelli leaned forward.
Milan opened the folder and began.
"First: Alessandro Bastoni. Plays for Atalanta, on loan at Avellino. Left-footed center-back, young, reads the game like Chiellini. We could bring him in early before Inter swoop in."
Montella blinked. "You've been watching Serie B?"
Milan smirked. "Football is football."
He continued, flipping a page.
"Second: Frenkie de Jong. Ajax kid. Midfielder with elegance, incredible ball retention, great under pressure. Reminds me of Modrić with better balance at this age. We need someone like him if we want to keep control in big games."
Massara scribbled something quickly.
"Third: Leon Goretzka. Schalke. Big, mobile, attacking midfielder. Contract's running out, could be a steal. He'd give us physical presence and long shots from deep."
"Goretzka? You've got Bundesliga tabs too?" one of the staff chuckled.
"Of course."
Milan turned another page.
"Lautaro Martínez. Racing Club in Argentina. Forward. Stocky, creative, fearless in the box. Would add unpredictability and can play multiple roles in attack. I've seen him turn games alone."
Montella leaned back, genuinely impressed. "You really believe in these players?"
"I do," Milan said. "We've got the core. But if we want to win the Champions League in the next three years, we can't wait for other clubs to buy all the talent."
Massara nodded. "We'll take your list seriously, Milan. And next time, bring the analysis slides too."
Everyone laughed, but Milan knew they'd listened. The seed was planted.
---
Europa League: HNK Rijeka vs AC Milan – December 7, 2017
Croatia was freezing. Billie wore gloves this time. Milan sat wrapped in a travel blanket, sipping warm water, watching from the VIP box.
Commentator: "Milan already secured qualification, but this young squad wants to keep the momentum going. Once again, the wonderkid Milan Martinez Villa watches from the sidelines, alongside global popstar Billie Eilish—who has become a regular companion at Milan matches during his recovery."
A rotated Milan side lost 2–0, and fans online were quick to point fingers.
Fan's tweeted: "We miss Milan."
Another: "Even Billie looked stressed."
After the match, Milan stood in the tunnel waiting for the players, applauding them. Despite the loss, he gave each a fist bump. The team needed unity now more than ever.
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Serie A Matchday 16: AC Milan vs Bologna – December 10, 2017
The San Siro lights never lost their magic. And tonight, with Milan back in the home stadium, bundled in his coat and sitting close to Billie again, it felt like he was on the mend—at least emotionally.
Commentator: "It's another big night under the San Siro lights as AC Milan look to bounce back after their European stumble. Milan Martinez Villa watches on, still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained against Napoli—but his presence remains magnetic."
Milan smiled when the cameras panned to him and Billie. She leaned in to whisper, "You're really famous now, huh?"
He chuckled. "Now? Please. I've always been famous… just ask my mom."
On the pitch, Suso delivered a masterclass. Cutrone and Kessié both got on the scoresheet, and AC Milan finished 2–1 winners.
After full-time, Montella walked over and shook Milan's hand in front of the cameras. A symbolic passing of trust.
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Late Night Conversations
Back in Milan's apartment, Billie helped him stretch and ice his ankle. Soft music played in the background.
"You ever wonder what life would be like if you weren't a footballer?" she asked.
He thought for a second. "Maybe I'd have been a scout," he smirked. "Or maybe I'd rap. Martinez Villa's got bars."
Billie burst out laughing. "Please no."
As the night grew quiet, Billie curled into the blanket beside him on the couch.
"You're going to change the world," she said softly.
Milan didn't reply right away.
Instead, he looked up at the ceiling and whispered, "Not just the world. I'm gonna change this club forever."
And deep in his heart, he knew this was just the beginning of a different kind of impact.
--- Billie's Farewell (for now)
They sat in the airport lounge, her luggage beside her.
"You sure you're good now?" she asked.
"Getting there. Might play before Christmas if things go well."
She hugged him. "Don't get injured again or I'm grounding you."
He laughed. "Yes, ma'am."
She kissed his cheek, cameras flashing in the distance, and disappeared into the terminal.
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