The summer of 2000 arrived in Florence with sweltering heat and winds of change. In the offices of Artemio Franchi, Pablo Lombardi stared at the offers threatening to dismantle his masterpiece: €75M from Real Madrid for Zidane, €35M from Roma for Batistuta. On his desk, three new names waited: Kaká, Andrea Pirlo, Xavi Hernández.
"One era ends," Pablo whispered as he watched Zidane and Batistuta sign contracts in other cities. "But we'll write the next chapter."
The Rebirth of the Playmaker
São Paulo didn't want to sell Kaká (18 years old), but Pablo flew to Brazil with an irrefutable pitch:
"You'll replace Zidane. Wear his number 8 and become the face of the new Fiorentina."
The devout, shy teenager signed for €12M (a steal for his future worth). His unveiling was quiet—until his first training session, where he nutmegged Vierchowod and curled a shot into the top corner.
Del Piero, now wearing #10, embraced him:
"That position carries weight, kid. But you were born to it."
The Architects: Pirlo & Xavi
While the world talked about Zidane, Pablo executed two masterstrokes:
Andrea Pirlo (frustrated at Inter) for €8M.
Xavi Hernández (overlooked at Barça) for €10M.
Their midfield was pure poetry:
Pirlo (21): 40-yard passes and deep-lying vision.
Xavi (6): Surgical possession and tempo control.
Kaká (22): Explosive runs into the box.
Their debut vs. Lazio:
34': Xavi won the ball in his own box, combined with Pirlo, who threaded a pass to Kaká for a clinical finish. 1-0.
Marcelo Lippi (then Lazio's coach) admitted:
"It's like they've reinvented football."
Captain Buffon (1)
With the veterans gone, the armband went to Gianluigi Buffon (23 years old). His first speech as captain was brief:
"I won't promise trophies. I'll promise blood."
He delivered in the Champions League vs. Arsenal:
67': Saved a penalty from Henry.
89': Denied Bergkamp in a one-on-one.
Wenger sought him post-match:
"You're the best keeper I've seen."
Buffon pointed to his badge:
"It's the team, not me."
Zamorano: The Last Warrior
Iván Zamorano, now wearing #9, bridged two eras:
Mentored Kaká in Serie A.
Scored key UCL goals vs. Bayern and Man United.
His crowning moment came in the Derby della Italia vs. Juventus:
88': Held off Montero to assist Del Piero's winner. 2-1.
"We old men still have fire," Zamorano joked post-match.
Trial by Fire
May 2001. Fiorentina faced Real Madrid's Galácticos in the Champions League final.
12': Raúl capitalized on a defensive error. 0-1.
45+1': Kaká equalized with a 20-yard rocket. 1-1.
89': Xavi split the defense for Del Piero's elegant finish. 2-1.
The Bernabéu fell silent. Zidane, on Madrid's bench, applauded his successor.
The Legacy
In the locker room, Pablo gathered the team:
"Today we proved we depend on no one. We're an idea."
Zamorano, tears in his eyes, hugged Buffon:
"Take care of them, Captain."
The keeper nodded. He knew his destiny was to die with the violet crest on his chest.
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