May 28, Sunday Night, Light Rain
The weather in Manchester is very different from São Paulo. According to Mr. Yu, it rains often here in summer, so the temperature stays fairly mild and comfortable. It is a little damp, though, which is not ideal for someone recovering from an injury. Mr. Yu specially bought a dehumidifier for me, and it looks as though it must have been quite expensive.
After arriving in England yesterday, I spent the entire day undergoing examinations. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep the moment I lay down on the hospital bed. I missed writing yesterday's entry, but I finally made up for it today.
To be honest, I am terrified.
Mom has been crying, and my little brother has been crying with her. Dad has not said much, but his eyes are red. Last night, he spoke with Mr. Yu outside for a long time. I know he is suffering, and so am I.
I do not know how to describe what I am feeling right now. Professor Michael Johnson is a very kind elderly man, and he told me not to worry. But how could I possibly not worry?
If the operation fails, I could be paralysed and become completely helpless. I am frightened, and I do not know what to do.
I do not dare tell Mom and Dad what I am thinking, so I can only write it here. Fortunately, before we left for England, Rodrigo reminded me to bring my diary.
Even so, words no longer seem capable of describing how I feel. My hands are trembling as I write.
Oh, Mr. Yu is here...
I will continue later.
Mr. Yu has just taken Mom and my little brother to a nearby hotel. He told Dad to go out, rest for a while, and get something to eat. He is staying here with me in the hospital room.
He is a very, very, very good person. He is like an older brother.
No, he is even better than an older brother.
Dad said he has already helped us enormously. He not only arranged for Professor Michael Johnson to perform my operation, but also paid a large amount toward the medical expenses in advance.
I do not even know how to express how grateful I am.
When he came in just now, he saw me writing in my diary and asked whether I was frightened. I did not hide it from him because I truly am terrified, and I needed someone to talk to.
Mr. Yu told me that this was only a very simple operation and that nothing would go wrong. He also said Professor Michael Johnson had performed many procedures like this and had never encountered a serious problem.
I still did not completely believe him.
Perhaps he could tell, because he suddenly took a deck of tarot cards from his pocket. He asked whether I believed in fortune-telling.
I told him that I did not.
Then he smiled and said he had studied under the famous fortune-teller Tony Dunne, and that his own skills were extremely impressive. He asked whether I wanted him to try.
I thought it sounded impossible, so I agreed.
He asked me to choose several cards. I followed his instructions, and he turned them over one by one before explaining what they meant.
Mr. Yu said my operation would be completely successful. He said I would soon be promoted to São Paulo's first team, play for the senior side, and perform brilliantly.
Then I would be selected for Brazil's squad for the 2002 World Cup. Together with gifted players such as Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, I would help Brazil win the World Cup again.
After returning to Brazil, I would move to Europe. Within a few years, I would help my club win countless trophies and become Brazil's next World Player of the Year after Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho.
He also said I would marry a young woman named Caroline. She would be as beautiful as the girl of my dreams, and we would have an adorable son named Luca.
Mr. Yu said many things, but honestly, I remained doubtful.
Then he asked me to shuffle the cards again and repeat the reading five times.
Every time, I drew exactly the same cards.
That made me wonder whether fortune-telling might actually be real.
Before leaving, Mr. Yu said, "Since you believe in God, you should believe in Him completely."
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God."
Dad has returned.
I am tired, but I am no longer afraid.
Thank you, Mr. Yu!
May 29, Monday Night, Cloudy
I have just woken up after the operation, and my whole body feels exhausted.
Professor Michael Johnson said the operation was very successful. However, for the next month or so, my neck must remain immobilised in a brace, which will undoubtedly make everyday life inconvenient.
Rodrigo felt I should not miss an entry, so I dictated this while he wrote it for me.
When I woke from the anaesthetic, the first person I saw was Dad. He was leaning very close to me, and my vision was still blurred, so he almost frightened me.
Then I saw Mom and my little brother crying. The moment they realised I was awake, they became overwhelmed with relief.
Mr. Yu and Professor Michael Johnson were standing on the other side of the room. I could only see them from the corner of my eye.
Dad said they had both been waiting for me to wake up. Mr. Yu, in particular, had been there since before the operation began.
He is a good person.
A very, very, very, very good person.
May 30, Tuesday Night, Heavy Rain
I did not see Mr. Yu at all today, and I became a little worried.
When Professor Michael Johnson came to check on me this afternoon, I asked where he was. He told me Mr. Yu had left for London early this morning because a player from a club there was moving to Manchester.
I think Mr. Yu must be an excellent club owner.
The fact that he was willing to do so much for a complete stranger shows that he is someone people can trust. Playing for his club must be a very happy experience.
São Paulo also called today to ask about my condition.
I am deeply grateful to them. Their support made it possible for me to travel to Manchester, and they also helped pay part of the medical expenses.
May God bless everyone at the club and keep them safe from injury and misfortune.
Oh, someone is coming...
It was Mr. Yu.
It is already past eleven o'clock. Judging by his appearance, he must have only just returned to Manchester.
He said he had come directly from the airport and stopped by to see me.
I am very grateful to him.
I will stop writing now. Mr. Yu says patients need to rest early.
I am going to sleep.
June 3, Saturday Night, Clear
Today, Mr. Yu brought an Argentine boy to the hospital for a routine examination.
While the adults spoke outside about my condition, I talked with the boy in my room. His name is Leo Messi.
It turns out that he is also under contract with Mr. Yu's club.
He told me that Mr. Yu helped arrange his medical treatment and also found jobs for his parents, so he is extremely grateful to him.
So am I.
June 5, Monday Night, Clear
My condition has stabilised, and Professor Michael Johnson says my recovery is progressing well.
Mom and Rodrigo therefore have to return to Brazil first. Dad will remain here to look after me.
I should be discharged in a few days. Mr. Yu said we could stay at his home afterward.
A car arranged by Mr. Yu took Mom and my little brother to the airport.
I could not go with them, and I feel very sad.
I do not want to write anymore.
June 9, Friday Night, Light Rain
I was discharged from the hospital today.
Mr. Yu came to collect me, and Dad and I moved into his apartment. The neighbourhood is very quiet. Mr. Yu said it would be an ideal place for me to recover.
Once the brace is removed, he wants me to visit the Newton Heath Training Base. Professor Michael Johnson and the others often work there, and I will be able to continue my rehabilitation and begin training again.
I heard that Mr. Yu also rents this apartment.
A very beautiful reporter lives upstairs. She came down specially to see me.
I also saw Mr. Yu's girlfriend, who travelled to England with us before.
However, Dad said their relationship is not ready to be made public, so I must keep it secret.
The apartment has three bedrooms. Mr. Yu, Dad, and I each have one.
When Mr. Yu learned that I enjoy watching football, he bought me a soft reclining chair. He said I could lie back and watch matches without becoming tired.
I was extremely excited because the European Championship is about to begin.
I cannot wait to watch it.
I really admire Zidane. He is an extraordinary player.
However, Mr. Yu said I would also become an extraordinary player one day. He says he is my most loyal supporter.
I know he is only trying to comfort and encourage me.
I am merely a young player in São Paulo's academy who happens to be slightly better at football than most. There are many players at the club who are more talented and more capable than I am.
Still, Mr. Yu bought me a mobile phone as a reward for coming through the operation safely.
He is travelling to watch the tournament in person, and we agreed to stay in contact.
June 10, Saturday Night, Clear
The opening match of the European Championship was Belgium against Sweden.
It was an excellent game.
Before the tournament began, Mr. Yu told me this would be the most exciting European Championship in history. He said that after this tournament, it might be impossible to recreate the same level of brilliance.
I am curious why he believes that.
Players such as Beckham, Zidane, and Figo should all still be capable of playing in the next European Championship. Judging by the opening match, there was also no sign of the cautious football usually associated with major tournaments.
Mr. Yu also said he has identified the manager he wants for his club and hopes he can persuade him to come to Manchester.
He is a good person.
God should surely watch over him.
(To be continued.)