Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 901 - 622: Ranocchia at 37: "I Still Dream of the Canada–USA–Mexico World Cup!

Ranocchia is already quite old; he is 37 years old this year, making him the oldest player in the entire Inter Milan team.

Once upon a time, the '90s generation was synonymous with youth.

When young players like Balotelli and Bo Yang created a youthful storm in the football world, fans of the first decade of the 21st century saw the power of the '90s generation, making people marvel that the future of the football world belonged to them.

But come 2025, the oldest of the '90s generation is already 35 years old.

Players born in the 2000s are emerging endlessly, with people like Vinícius representing a new era.

For players like Ranocchia, born in the late '80s, it's undeniable that they can already reach out and touch the years marking the end of their careers.

In fact, in the 2025-2026 season, among the players in Serie A's 20 teams, there are only 6 players born in the '80s.

For example, David De Gea, Lucas Skorupski, and Ranocchia.

This Italian native center-back once appeared in a well-fitted suit in the Sky Sports studio as a commentator broadcasting the match, but this was when he had just announced his retirement. Now Ranocchia has taken off his suit and put back on the jersey to fight for Inter Milan again.

"Andrei, your hair is already white; why do you still want to play football?"

Facing external questions, Ranocchia just gave a slight smile.

"What if my hair is white? At least I still have hair, unlike many players 10 years younger than me, whose heads are already bald."

On Inter Milan's training field, Ranocchia laughed and pulled the 27-year-old Di Marco into him. Even though Di Marco is only 27, his head is indeed half-bald, almost sporting a Mediterranean look.

Di Marco waved his hand and said earnestly to the camera:

"In our team, strength is never measured by the amount of hair."

Of course, this is just mutual teasing and banter among teammates.

This season, although Ranocchia remains the captain of Inter Milan, having retired and quickly returned, his heart is filled with ambition to lead his brothers to overthrow Juventus's dominance in Serie A and bring the Blue-Black Corps back to the pinnacle of Serie A.

Yet, ambition is just ambition, and just like his ambition, a huge rock weighs on Ranocchia's heart as well.

I am already 37 years old, and all aspects of my physical function are continuously declining;

often, my stamina struggles to support a full match; am I going to be the one holding back the team?

Seeing the teammates full of energy on the training field, Tang Long, despite having recovered from a serious injury, maintains a good competitive state, and Ranocchia feels a wave of worry.

"Hey! Andrei, I'm here!"

In the morning's scrimmage, French black player Tula pulled off a skillful move down the flank and burst past Ranocchia, then crossed the ball, and Lautaro headed it past Sommer's goal.

"Ah..."

Ranocchia lowered his head to watch Lautaro and Tula high-five and celebrate, feeling a wave of loss in his heart.

If it were two years ago, a 35-year-old Ranocchia could still pull off his signature arched backward step.

Take that ball just now; even if Tula took him with the first feint, he could quickly block the position. Even if Tula got past him with the second touch, Ranocchia's 1.95-meter tall figure and long legs could pull off a backward step from the side and intercept Tula at the extreme.

At least one — either the ball or the person — must stay!

But the current Ranocchia has already lost such ability; he can no longer pull off his signature arched backward step.

As age increases, a player's ligaments become stiffer, body flexibility declines, and the strength of the ankles and knees also constantly weakens.

For making large movements, Ranocchia is highly likely to get injured as well.

At this age, he needs to adopt a safer method to continue with what is a very short, not much remaining career.

On the sidelines, Inter's coach Chiwo didn't say anything; during his player days, he was also a defender and understood well what declining physical function means to a center-back.

He simply applauded on the sidelines to comfort Ranocchia, then continued focusing on directing the training match.

But Ranocchia's mind was filled with thoughts.

He thought to himself, if I get overtaken by opponents like this in a match, wouldn't I pose a huge risk to the team?

Indeed, not every forward in Serie A has such strong ability as Tula, but in some elite teams like AC Milan, Juventus, and others, their peak abilities should not be underestimated.

Looking at the teammates filled with vigor, Ranocchia surprisingly felt a bit of tension in his heart, which at his age playing football is rarely seen, especially in a training match rather than an actual match.

On the way home, Ranocchia's eyes watched the road moving backward, and suddenly his mind was filled with the recently ended Serie A first round match between Inter Milan and Palermo at home.

A humiliation match for Buffon, who is 10 years older than Ranocchia, as the disgraceful scenes flooded into Ranocchia's eye.

Ranocchia witnessed firsthand on the field how the former star Buffon was cruelly mocked by Tang Long and Icardi!

Although Inter Milan and Juventus are rivals, Ranocchia doesn't have much fondness for Buffon, but with both players lingering on their retirement lines, Ranocchia unexpectedly felt a sense of compassion and pity for Buffon.