The first step into a legacy.
March 2021 – Clairefontaine, France
Rain.
Of course it had to rain.
As the Italian team bus pulled into the Clairefontaine training center — the mythical headquarters of French football — the sky above Paris was thick with clouds. A cold, steady drizzle coated the glass.
Enzo Sky Vito pressed his forehead against the window, watching raindrops race each other down.
A drop of water traced his reflection.
He looked at himself and whispered:
"This is real now."
The Locker Room – Numbers, Names, and Nerves
Inside the changing room, blue shirts hung in neat rows.
His read:
#17 – VITO
He sat still, legs bouncing slightly, heart pounding. To his left, the Juventus midfielder. To his right, the Roma center-back. All familiar faces from training camp — but now they were brothers-in-arms.
Coach Zaccarelli stood in front of the squad, hands clasped behind his back.
"France will press. They always do. But this match isn't about them. It's about how you carry this shirt. It's not just fabric. It's our story."
He paused, eyes sweeping across the room.
"Vito — you're starting wide right. Don't try to be anyone else. Be the reason we picked you."
Enzo nodded, slowly.
Be Enzo.
Be joy.
Be fire.
The Tunnel – 30 Seconds Before
The Italian and French U15 players lined up in the narrow tunnel.
Enzo's boots tapped the concrete. He glanced down the line.
Tall French defenders. Intimidating stares. The echo of stomping boots.
Then the anthem began.
"Fratelli d'Italia…"
His throat clenched. His eyes welled slightly.
Nonno, this is for you.
First Half – A Cold Welcome
From kickoff, the French team flew at them.
The ball zipped. Tackles cracked. The rhythm was brutal.
Enzo barely touched the ball in the first ten minutes. His marker — a quick, strong left-back from PSG — shadowed him closely.
Then, minute 17.
Italy transitioned fast.
The ball reached Enzo on the right wing. He took his first real touch — heavy.
The French full-back pounced, stealing the ball and launching a counter.
Coach Zaccarelli barked from the sidelines. "Settle, Vito!"
Minute 24 – Magic Returns
Then came the moment.
Center-mid Sandro played a switch ball across the field.
Enzo caught it mid-air with his instep — smooth. The defender closed him down again.
Enzo's eyes narrowed.
He dropped a feint. Cut in. Then out again. One-two with the striker. Bursts through the gap.
In the box now.
Time slows.
He fakes a shot — defender slides — he cuts back, left foot—
BANG.
The ball rockets into the far bottom corner.
Italy 1 – France 0.
He doesn't celebrate wildly. He smiles wide, raises both arms, and simply points to the crest on his chest.
Halftime – The Shift
Back in the dressing room, the team swarmed him.
"That was cold, Sky!"
"Bro, that cut was illegal!"
Coach Zaccarelli walked by, smirking.
"That goal was you. Pure you. Now give me 40 more minutes."
Second Half – Battle Mode
France came back stronger.
In the 52nd minute, they equalized: 1–1.
But Italy held firm.
Enzo tracked back, helped defend, and fought through cramps.
Then, in the 69th minute, he earned a free kick wide on the right.
He jogged over to take it. Rain still falling.
A perfect cross curled into the box — and Italy's center-back nodded it in.
2–1.
Enzo raised both fists.
Full Time – The Moment Etched in Time
When the whistle blew, Enzo dropped to his knees.
Not from exhaustion — but from release.
He had made it. Not just played — shone.
In the post-match press interview, a journalist asked:
"Enzo, what was going through your mind when you scored?"
He smiled, boyishly.
"I wasn't thinking. I was dancing — in my head."
That Night – Alone with the Shirt
Back in the hotel room, alone, Enzo hung the soaked jersey on the wall.
It wasn't just a shirt anymore.
It was memory. Proof. Purpose.
He took out his notebook and wrote:
"First cap. First goal.
Rain. Fear. Joy.
And still — I smiled."