me think the English are paranoid, but I do think ours is better.”
Everything is always a competition.
But we do have to pass through two security checkpoints within the building, with Mateo flashing an ID that he then places around my neck. It says I’m a guest. I’m assuming that will change.
As he leads me down a reflective hallway with glossy white walls, he explains that this section is for the young academy players, since the complex isn’t just for the main team but for the youth as well. There’s residency for players who live outside of Madrid and all their training facilities. The entire compound is set-up in the shape of a T, surrounded by many soccer pitches. Mateo explains that it works in a psychological way, so that the players are supposed to work up to being part of the team at the very top, which is where we are headed.
“And here we are,” Mateo says as he takes me into the last building, the top of the T, and already this one has just a little more flash than the other. We take a left down the hall. Inside, the glossy white walls are interspersed with walnut doors, a little warmth to tone down the ultra-sleek look, the Real Madrid logos embossed in silver.
“This will be your office,” he says, opening one of the doors. Inside is a sparse but streamlined room. It looks so clean that it’s hard to imagine anyone was using it before. “But we’ll come back to this after and give you time to settle in properly.”
We walk back down the hall and he points out the offices of the three doctors who work for the team (one, Dr. Costa, who is always here, the others being on call), as well as the eight other physical therapists. It seems like a lot to have nine of us here each day, but believe me, with a team at this caliber, it’s needed. Every single player needs to be assessed and treated every single day before practice, which is probably what’s happening right now as I’m getting the tour.
I’m starting to feel even more anxious at that. Even though I’m with the coach, who is pretty much my boss, I feel like I’m late for work already.
As if Mateo can read it on my face, he says, “We won’t be much longer.” He takes me to the end of the T where the giant physical therapy room is. With the floor-to-ceiling frosted glass windows, it’s bright and airy and modern. The doors open out onto a pitch, and I can see the vague shapes of the players just outside.
“And this is where the real work is,” he says to me. He reaches over and takes my messenger bag, putting it down on a shelf and letting me take in the room.
It’s state of the art, that’s for sure. Not that Man United was anything to sneeze at (we had our own hospital, after all) but maybe because the equipment looks newer or flashier, it just seems so much more…expensive.
“Next door is the gym and training room — beyond that the pool,” Mateo goes on.
“The hydrotherapy pools and steam rooms that you’ll be using are downstairs in the basement. Upstairs are the players’ rooms when they’re here before a game, the movie theatre, the game room, and the dining room and kitchen. But I don’t want to overwhelm you right now with all of that.”
Too late. I’m already overwhelmed.
“Are you ready to meet your new team?” Mateo asks.
I can only nod and give him a stiff smile.
He opens the glass doors and we step out onto the field. I immediately shield my eyes, the sun blinding me.
The team is before me, over twenty of them running back and forth doing drills while what I assume is the assistant coaches and the rest of the therapists look on.
“Hola a todos,” Mateo says, and his voice suddenly goes from smooth to booming. It’s loud enough to make everyone stop mid-stride and look over at us.
I straighten up, raise my chin, trying to look approachable and serious all at once. Only a bit of a smile. It’s all about balance in this world.
“Esta es Thalia,” he announces, gesturing to me, and then clears his throat, giving me a sheepish look. “Perdona. Until your Spanish improves, I will speak in English around you.”
I’m about to tell him that he doesn’t have to make any exceptions for me, even though my Spanish