Buenos Aires, 1981: Inter plays the first World Cup in history against Barcelona, Real Madrid and other big names and fields a boy who leaves no mark: Ottolenghi. Everyone talks about it, but it’s not the real Ottolenghi…
His name is Massimo Pellegrini, he is fifteen and has a problem. He is one year older than the regulations for the U14 Mundialito in Buenos Aires. It’s February 1981 and this tournament, with a name reminiscent of South American novels – “Primer Campeonato Internacional de Fútbol Infantil Organizado por el Club Atlético River Plate” – has worldwide resonance. According to the regulations, Pellegrini cannot play. But regulations are for dribbling. And actually: Don’t worry, they tell him before leaving for Argentina. And what’s the problem? We’ll think about it. They will take care of it.
