Chapter 214: The Influence of Pillow Talk…

Competing for Kaká's signature, Mallorca faced stiff opposition from Paris Saint-Germain. Financially, PSG was no pushover—they had splashed out over £20 million to sign Anelka just two seasons ago, a significant sum even by today's standards. This summer, they were preparing to offload Anelka to Manchester City, and though the transfer fee would take a hit, it wouldn't drop below £10 million. In other words, PSG had more than enough financial power to acquire Kaká.

However, PSG wasn't foolish enough to engage in a bidding war with Mallorca. Both clubs had already met and reached a tacit understanding—neither would offer more than $10 million for Kaká. After all, the young Brazilian was only 20 years old and had played just two seasons in the Brasileirão. His performances in the national team weren't exactly eye-catching either. Compared to Ronaldinho from a year and a half ago, Kaká's achievements were even less impressive. At that time, Ronaldinho had already played in the Copa América and the Confederations Cup as a national team regular. And yet, he had only been valued at $8 million. If that was the case, why should Kaká be worth more now?

PSG was unwilling to break the bank over this deal.

So, when both clubs reached the $8 million mark, they stopped raising their bids, each claiming that was the highest they could go. São Paulo, noticing this "coincidence," understood what was happening—PSG and Mallorca must have made some sort of agreement behind the scenes. At this point, it was just a matter of time before one of them secured Kaká's signature…

Still, $8 million was enough to satisfy São Paulo's expectations. Brazilian players transferring to Europe rarely exceeded the $10 million mark. Even the likes of Ronaldo, Romário, and Edmundo hadn't commanded such fees in their early years. Ronaldinho hadn't either. Given Kaká's current level, he was even less likely to break that barrier.

Now, everything boiled down to one question: Which club could convince Kaká to join them?

PSG had confidence in their chances. They were a club with history and prestige. Even if Ligue 1 had declined in recent years, their reputation still carried weight. At least, they believed they weren't any worse than Mallorca. Sure, they would be playing in the UEFA Cup instead of the Champions League, but that wasn't enough to put them at a disadvantage.

But José was even more confident.

So what if PSG had history? Past glories were just that—the past. Only the present mattered.

Mallorca had finished as La Liga runners-up for two consecutive seasons and reached the Champions League quarterfinals last year. They were earning recognition across Europe. Once again, they would be playing in the Champions League, and their ambitions in La Liga remained strong.

Most importantly, Mallorca had one crucial advantage—Ronaldinho.

Having a national team teammate in the squad was a huge advantage. If Ronaldinho spoke highly of Mallorca, Kaká was bound to be tempted. And let's be real—Ronaldinho's words carried more weight than anything PSG could promise. Even future attempts from Leonardo to sway Kaká wouldn't be as effective as Ronaldinho's direct recommendation.

Add to that another factor—Mallorca was close to securing Belletti, Kaká's teammate at São Paulo. Familiar faces in a new environment always made transitions easier.

There was a reason big clubs often recruited retired South American players into their management teams. These ex-players held significant influence back home and could act as scouts, keeping the talent pipeline flowing. At Mallorca, former coach Héctor Cúper's Argentine connections had helped secure some excellent signings from his homeland. Now, José was looking to establish similar ties with Brazil.

It was true that Mallorca lacked deep connections in South America. Their history simply didn't include many retired South American stars. For now, they had to rely on scouts. But José wasn't too worried. His future knowledge was still valuable enough to unearth hidden gems in Brazil. Over time, as Mallorca's reputation grew, so would their network. Even if he lost his foresight one day, the club would still be in a position to recruit wisely.

Though he was caught up in World Cup celebrations, traveling around Brazil with the national team and soaking in the fans' adulation, Kaká was aware that multiple European clubs were interested in him.

He was a clear-headed individual with a strong vision for his future. He knew that eventually, he would have to move to Europe. But unlike many of his predecessors, he didn't want to start at a mid-table club and work his way up. He wasn't desperate, thanks to his comfortable family background. That's why most mid-table clubs had already been rejected outright by his agent.

PSG and Mallorca, however, were different.

Both had some level of prestige, and both seemed like reasonable destinations. Even so, neither club was exactly what Kaká had in mind when he imagined his European dream.

"Kaká, I think it's time to start talking to these clubs," said his father and agent, Bosco Leite, over the phone.

"I know what you're thinking, but even the most talented players need a transition period when they move to Europe. Ligue 1 is a great stepping stone—just look at Raí. He went from São Paulo to PSG and then won a World Cup.

"Mallorca, on the other hand, offers better development opportunities. Their young coach, José, is known for trusting young players. Just look at Ronaldinho—he became a world-class star under José's guidance. Right now, José is in Brazil, and he's been waiting to meet with you for two weeks. That alone shows his sincerity. He clearly wants to build the team around you, not just have you as a backup.

"São Paulo isn't the right place for you anymore. You've mentioned before that you hate being played as a striker. I doubt José would force you into a role that doesn't suit you."

Kaká hung up, deep in thought. Maybe it was time to talk to Ronaldinho.

During the post-World Cup celebrations, Ronaldinho had been casually chatting with Kaká at every opportunity. But beneath his easygoing exterior, he was playing his role as a recruiter masterfully.

He painted a vivid picture of Mallorca—the beautiful weather, the harmonious dressing room, and the wise, charismatic coach José.

Kaká wasn't easily swayed, but hearing Ronaldinho go on and on about it, he couldn't help but feel drawn to the idea. After all, Ronaldinho's reputation was on another level now. His World Cup performances had stunned the world.

To Kaká, it was impossible to ignore how much Ronaldinho had grown in his 18 months at Mallorca. His creativity and flair from his Brazil days remained intact, but he had also refined his efficiency and tactical awareness. He wasn't just a solo artist anymore—he was a key playmaker who could elevate an entire team.

That was a transformation worth considering.

Talent alone didn't attract players—clubs needed to offer either prestige or a strong developmental pathway. Arsène Wenger had built his Arsenal reputation as a mentor for young talents. And now, José was doing something similar at Mallorca.

The only thing missing was a major trophy.

José had worried about losing Ronaldinho after the World Cup. Indeed, many top clubs had come knocking. But Ronaldinho had no plans to leave—at least, not yet.

"People say you're leaving after the World Cup," Kaká asked tentatively.

Ronaldinho grinned. "I know. But I'm not leaving this summer. Winning the World Cup is great, but I want to win something at the club level before I go. This season, I want to compete for trophies with Mallorca. If I leave, it'll only be after I've won something."

That answer resonated with Kaká. It made perfect sense. Why risk an uncertain move when you already had the perfect environment to develop?

At that moment, José's masterstroke—placing Ronaldinho in Mallorca as a future recruiter—paid off handsomely.

Pillow talk wasn't just for lovers.

And while Ronaldinho and Kaká weren't quite that close, spending a month together in the national team had fostered a bond of trust.

From this moment on, the scales tipped in Mallorca's favor.