COACH NOAH STOOD BEFORE THE 25 SELECTED PLAYERS.
"Congratulations on making it to this final round. This round will determine who gets a spot on the team – the top 10 field players and our starting goalkeeper."
Noah smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Even if some of you don't make the top 11, you'll still have a chance to play...though it might be a very slim one, hahaha!"
"Wow, his jokes are terrifying," Ash muttered under his breath.
"Ehhh, I agree," Armin nodded solemnly.
"Coach Ricardo and Coach Adrian, please step forward," Coach Noah announced.
With booming, spirited footsteps, Coach Ricardo strode forward, followed by several Brazilian students and some of his associates.
"Holy crap... Did I just see Michael?!?!?!!?" Yuuto exclaimed in disbelief.
"And Miguel too! Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa! Now I understand how my girlfriend feels when she meets her idols!" Wonbin gushed, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Since when do you have a girlfriend?" Samuel asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically.
"Probably in his dreams," Nike snickered.
"Shut up, you're single!" Wonbin retorted, playfully defensive.
Samuel and Nike raised their hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, sensei!"
Seeing them teasing Wonbin, Raphael chuckled quietly, shaking his head in amusement.
"Okay!!!!!!!!" Coach Ricardo bellowed, his voice filled with infectious energy.
"You can really feel his passion!" Renji exclaimed, pumped up.
"Okay, since I didn't quite get to be a proper coach to you all, I'm going to go straight into facing off against you alongside my students... Though I hardly need to introduce them, right? You all know them already, don't you?"
"Yesssh, we know them super well!" Yuuto shouted enthusiastically.
"The legendary goalkeeper who almost never fails, MIIIIIIIIGUELLLLLLL! And the almost best defender in the world, Michael!" Yuuto's excitement was palpable.
(Side conversation: Miguel chuckled, overhearing the "almost best" comment.)
"You asking for a beating, Migu?" Ricardo joked.
Miguel laughed, waving his hands dismissively. "HAHAHAHA no, no, sorryyy!"
Next up! "Fiin! All-rounder midfielder! Not only is he known for his exceptional soccer skills, but also for his stellar reputation and good looks, which drive everyone crazy!"
"And my favorite attacker, CODYYYYY!!"
"Ahhhhh, CODYYYYY!" Armin squealed, his voice cracking with excitement.
"What's wrong, Min?" Ash asked, confused by his friend's reaction.
"That's... That's my uncle!"
"What?!??!?!!!!" Everyone in the vicinity shouted in unison, their jaws dropping.
"Hehehe, looks like this disguise isn't working anymore, huh?" Cody said, a wry smile playing on his lips as he let his hood fall back.
Armin just stared at Cody, completely bewildered.
"Hey, don't look at your uncle like that, poor guy! But don't you dare call me 'uncle,' okay? Call me 'bro Cody,' because I'm only 26, you know!"
Coach Ricardo regarded them all with a knowing look.
"Even though there are family connections and some of you are from this camp, I'm not going to show any mercy!" he declared, his voice laced with competitive fire.
"We wouldn't want it any other way," Captain Raphael responded, his voice filled with determination, bolstering the spirit of his teammates.
To be continued...