Rafael Mozart
After the rather tragic ending of my Antonio Ferrari career (always backup your files before applying a patch), I restarted with a new player under my wing. Rafael Mozart, a 17 year old Brazilian AMF this time. With the benefits of hindsight, I edited League A, League B etc to be Serie A, La Liga, Barclays Premier League and Rest of Europe, then allocated the teams accordingly.
My career started in the Rest of Europe (ROE) league, with Zenit St Petersburg. The first 2 seasons were pretty uneventful, with us winning nothing, and challenging for even less, finishing in 11th and 8th respectively. During my third season, my influence increased a tad, but not much, and the league improvement was noted. We finished 6th, but were yet to progress past the quarter finals of the Cup. As yet, no team from outside the ROE had made an offer for me, and thinking back to how Ferrari had won his first league title in his second season, I was beginning to have some serious doubts about the heights Mozart was going to reach.
At the end of my third season however, I received a surprise callup to the Brazilian national team for the Copa America. Pre-career, I set Brazil up to play ultra-attacking. 3 at the back, 2 defensive mids anchoring the midfield, 2 AMF (usually myself and Kaka) playing behind 2 WF’s and a CF. Its definitely a team that looks better going forward than backward, but a team designed to favor the attacking players.
Being a 20 year old in his debut tourney, Mozart’s role is mostly to come on as a sub for either Kaka, Ronaldinho, Diego or Baptista, with Pato, Adriano, Fabiano, Robinho, Fred and Marcelo (my created player based on Ronaldo) rotating the 3 forward positions. Brazil romp thru the Copa and defeat Argentina in the Final 3-0. So my first winners medal is actually an international one! Score!
During the off-season, again the only offers coming for me were from within the ROE league. Feyenoord, Lyon and Spartak Moscow caught my eye as they all finished in the top 3 the previous season, but amazingly, none of them were setup with an AMF in their formation. Spartak wanted to sign me as their CF! I decided to stay on at Zenit on more season in the hope of improving my profile, and improve it I did!
Zenit started the season superbly, and Mozart scored a hat-trick on the opening day against PSG! The season continued in great vein, and Mozart was starting to be more responsive in his movement and passing. This was what I was waiting for! Zenit are third come halfway thru the season and sign 39 year old (I think) Rivaldo.. in Jan. he completed the squad going forward, and along with Mozarts 22 goals, help Zenit clinch the league and cup double, and ensure qualification for the Champions League. Finally…European football in my fifth season!
Of course, having had my breakthrough season, and having claimed the medals from this league and cup, Mozart wants to go on and complete his collection from other leagues already. I got 2 offers from outside the ROE.. Almeria in Spain, and Hull City in England. With Manchester United being Mozarts destination of choice ultimately, and Almeria offering a contract in the AMF position, Mozart decides to leave the snowy climes of St. Petersberg and begin his Spanish Adventure..
