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Excerpt from video, 'The King and Queen of Barcelona' uploaded by FC Barcelona after the 2024 Ballon d'Or Ceremony.
Sara: "We've heard you were there when they first met. Do you remember anything from that day?"
Eric Garcia: "Of course, of course. I believe it was the day after we won the U14 final against Madrid. Let me think… It was Jordi, me, Alejandro (Balde), and Ansu (Fati).
We were waiting for Uncle Ferran— sorry, that's Jordi's uncle. He would give us a ride back after almost every training session. Anyways, Jordi was, as usual, reading some random book while Ansu and Alejandro were having a heated debate on some nonsense.
That is when she came up to us. She greeted all of us, and then she stared at him. Of course, Jordi was too involved in his book and still had his head done. It is when she called out his name that he looked up, Hahaha…"
*Garcia bursts out laughing*
"Jordi is like a brother to me. We have known each other since he was 6 and I was 8. I tell you now that the only things that have ever been in his heart are football and Barca, always, always. He was obsessed.
But, you ask Alejandro or Ansu, he fell in love the moment he saw her. They will tell you the same. His eyes were wide open like two footballs, Hahah…"
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21 May 2014
Jordi was sitting with his friends in the recreational room. He was reading a collection of the detective series, 'The Hardy Boys'. He could faintly hear Balde and Ansu fighting over something unimportant. Eric would interject, now and then, to add his opinion to the mix. To Jordi, all this chatter was a comforting and familiar hymn to which he read.
The noise around him shifted somewhat, but Jordi was too engrossed in the mystery to care. Jordi's surroundings went silent. A melodious, yet authoritative, voice broke Jordi out of his reverie.
"Jordi Lloret"
Not a hint of hesitation or questioning in that name. No, it was a declaration, an undisputed vow. He never realised that his name held so much power. In taking his name, that divine voice had laid claim to Jordi Lloret. And what a lucky bastard Jordi Lloret was for that!
"I am Estel Soler. I am the captain of Infantil-Alevín Femení team."
'Estel Soler,' Jordi repeated to himself.
Estel was around 5 feet tall, just reaching Jordi's ears. She had large hazel eyes, a pert nose, and cherry lips. At 12, the baby fat gave her cherub cheeks and an innocent cuteness. Her curly brown hair was cut short and reached her eyes. Her cute appearance belied the authority and the dignity in her eyes. Estel Soler was the most beautiful girl Jordi Lloret had ever seen.
"Hi-Hello," It took everything out of Jordi to greet Estel back. If Estel noticed Jordi's nervousness, she did not care enough to let it show.
"You are very good. Nearly as good as I am. We should play a game when you have time."
As if Jordi accepting her idea was a foregone conclusion, Estel smiled at Jordi, waved at his friends, and left.
Just as Estel exited the lounge, Jordi, not fully in control of his emotions, shouted from behind.
"You have a nice smile."
Estel did not pause, nor did she turn back. However, if someone were to walk in, they would see her smile widen into a joyful grin. With straighter shoulders, Estel Soler walked out.
All was quiet again. Nothing was the same ever again.