The scent of freshly cut grass and damp earth filled Campo di Marte on that July morning in 2001. Pablo Lombardi watched from the sidelines as Gattuso, Nesta, and Sergio Ramos integrated into the team.
Sergio Ramos, a 15-year-old with wild hair and fire in his eyes, marked Del Piero in a defensive drill. The boy, wearing a sweat-drenched number 32, had just arrived from Sevilla for €1.5 million—a gamble that would make history.
"Ramos!" Pablo shouted. "Do you know why we chose you?"
Without taking his eyes off Del Piero, the teenager growled:
"Because I can be the best."
Pablo smiled. He knew this kid would wear the 4 someday.
The Magic Triangle: Xavi (6), Kaká (22), Del Piero (10)
The preseason match against Bayern Munich baptized their new system:
4-3-1-2
Buffon (1)
Panucci (2) - Nesta (13) - Ramos (32) - Jankulovski (3)
Xavi (6) - Pirlo (21) - Gattuso (8)
Kaká (22)
Del Piero (10) - Zamorano (9)
18': Xavi stole possession and launched a 30-meter pass to Kaká, who chested it down, nutmegged Linke, and assisted Del Piero. 1-0.
34': Kaká received between the lines, turned Effenberg, and curled it in. 2-0.
Ottmar Hitzfeld (Bayern's coach) scratched his head:
"That Brazilian plays like time slows down for him."
Ramos (32): The Rough Diamond
In the next training session, Ramos made a mistake that cost a goal. Nesta confronted him:
"Here, we cry in private and fight in public."
The kid responded by marking Vieri into oblivion in the next match.
Pablo called him to his office:
"The number 4 will be yours when you earn it. For now, learn."
Kaká's Coronation
Serie A became Kaká's stage:
Fiorentina 4-2 Roma
January 6, 2002
11': Kaká humiliated Samuel before slotting it home.
45': Totti equalized with a penalty.
67': Xavi's surgical pass set up Kaká's assist to Del Piero.
89': Kaká sealed it with a 25-meter rocket.
Capello (then Roma's coach) admitted:
"It's like watching a young Zidane with Ronaldo's speed."
The Oath of the 10
Before the Champions League clash with Manchester United, Del Piero gathered the youngsters:
"This number isn't mine. It belongs to Fiorentina. One day, it'll be someone else's." He looked at Kaká. "When that day comes, honor it as I did."
The Brazilian nodded silently.
The Battle of Old Trafford
Champions League Quarterfinal
April 2, 2002
23': Van Nistelrooy scored first.
45+1': Kaká equalized after a Xavi-Del Piero combo.
88': Ramos, subbed on late, headed the winner from a corner. 1-2.
Ferguson sought Pablo post-match:
"That Ramos will be the world's best defender."
Pablo just smiled:
"He already is. The world just doesn't know yet."
The Legacy
The season ended with a double (Serie A + Champions), but the real magic happened in the locker room:
Del Piero handed his jersey to Kaká:
"Prepare yourself. The 10 will be yours soon."
Ramos pledged loyalty:
"I'll die with this crest on my chest."
And Buffon, the captain, summed it up:
"This isn't a team. It's a family."
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