Chapter 1: The President Calls The Kid
The Storybook adventure begins in Monte Carlo, while The Kid is away representing Colombia at the World Cup.
After producing a series of impressive performances on football’s biggest stage, The Kid receives an unexpected telephone call from the President of his club.
The President has important news. A major decision has been made, and it is about to change The Kid’s career completely.
The Story Begins
The Kid is enjoying a successful World Cup when his telephone suddenly rings. On the other end of the line is the President of his club in Monte Carlo.
The timing is unexpected, but the President does not believe in waiting when there is important business to discuss.
After congratulating The Kid on his performances, he reveals that the club has received an offer. The Kid has been sold to Madrid.
It is the type of transfer that every young footballer dreams about, although The Kid has barely had time to understand what has happened before the President begins talking about the future.
The news brings excitement, confusion and one immediate problem: The Kid must leave Monte Carlo behind and prepare for a completely different life.
From Monte Carlo to Madrid
The President’s telephone call sets the entire original Storybook series in motion.
The Kid had been building his reputation in Monte Carlo, where he played alongside his close friend, The Tiger. His World Cup performances attracted attention from one of Europe’s biggest clubs, creating an opportunity that the President was never likely to ignore.
For The Kid, the transfer means leaving behind familiar teammates, friends and surroundings. Waiting for him in Madrid are a demanding new manager, enormous expectations and a group of characters who will shape the next chapter of his career.
Before he can begin his new life, however, he must first arrive in Madrid.
The Football Inspiration Behind the Comic
The Kid was inspired by Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez, whose performances at the 2014 FIFA World Cup made him one of the most talked-about players in world football.
Rodríguez finished the tournament as its leading goalscorer and subsequently completed a high-profile move from AS Monaco to Real Madrid.
Storybook transformed that real football story into a fictional comic adventure. Monaco became Monte Carlo, Real Madrid became Madrid, and the transfer became the starting point for a much larger world of football parody, recurring characters and running jokes.
Characters Featured
The Kid
A talented and optimistic young footballer whose World Cup performances have attracted the attention of Madrid. He is excited by the opportunity, although he does not yet understand quite how much his life is about to change.
The President
The ambitious chairman of The Kid’s club in Monte Carlo. He enjoys major transfers, publicity and making decisions before everyone else has had time to think about them.
Behind the Gag
The opening chapter presents the transfer as a life-changing moment for The Kid, but also as another piece of business for the President.
That contrast becomes an important part of Storybook. Footballers experience the emotion and uncertainty of a transfer, while club executives frequently discuss the same event through money, ambition and opportunity.
The President is delighted with the deal. The Kid is still trying to work out what happens next.
Looking Back
Originally published in 2015, this chapter introduced the central premise of the Fantasy Sports Portal Storybook: a young Colombian footballer leaving Monte Carlo after a memorable World Cup and beginning a new life in Madrid.
It also established the mixture of real football inspiration and fictional parody that would continue throughout the original series.
The President’s call may be brief, but it creates everything that follows.
