Okocha didn't run wildly like he sometimes did after scoring. This time, he stopped right where he was — chest heaving, eyes blazing — and turned toward the left flank.
His teammates swarmed him, all shouting, laughing, and pulling at his jersey. But Okocha's gaze never left him.
Ronaldinho.
Then Okocha raised his right arm.
Not to the fans. Not to the bench. He pointed — straight at Ronaldinho.
A grin spread across his face, wide and genuine — the kind that said everything without words.
That's you, his expression said. That was your play.
Ronaldinho blinked, realizing. Then, slowly, he broke into a smile — that unmistakable, boyish grin that would someday light up stadiums all over the world.
Okocha jogged toward him, and when they met near the halfway line, he pulled the younger player into a tight embrace. The crowd roared louder, sensing the emotion in the moment — the passing of something unseen but powerful.
