The locker room was a volcano about to erupt.
The boys burst in after the final whistle, faces flushed, jerseys stained, and hearts pounding with triumph.
There was shouting, laughter, songs —a storm of pure, wild joy.
They had fought.They had believed.They had won.
The heavy locker room door swung open with a loud thud.
Instantly, silence fell.
Coach Dietrich entered — calm, measured, arms crossed over his chest.
His gaze swept across them — one by one — piercing, evaluating.
For a moment, no one dared to breathe.
Then, he spoke:
"Today, you fought like Bayern players should."
"Not because you were the strongest, or the fastest.""But because you refused to kneel.Because you adapted.Because you trusted each other."
His voice grew firmer, filled with a hard, undeniable pride.
"Every single one of you made this possible.Not just the goal-scorers.Not just the stars.Everyone."
"This is what a true team looks like."
His cold expression softened — slightly — before he gave a final, sharp nod.
"Celebrate this. You earned it.But remember — true champions don't celebrate too long.Tomorrow, we build again."
The silence broke into a roar of cheers.
Mateo joined in, smiling widely, clapping and shouting with the others.
Tonight, they weren't just players.
They were brothers in arms.
Outside, the celebrations continued.
Family members waited at the stadium gates, arms open wide.
Helena hugged Mateo fiercely, tears glistening in her eyes.
"¡Estoy tan orgullosa de ti, mi amor!"
His grandparents crowded around him, waving Bayern scarves and taking endless photos.
Lukas and Sebastian's families joined in, forming a loud, chaotic circle of love and pride.
It was messy.
It was loud.
It was perfect.
But they weren't the only ones who noticed.
Among the gathering crowd, several young fans — especially young women —watched the team with wide, admiring eyes.
And more than a few glances were thrown toward Mateo.
His lean figure, slightly messy black hair, and sharp blue eyes —combined with the magic he had just woven on the field —made him stand out like a beacon.
One girl in particular caught attention.
A blonde girl, maybe around his age, stood a little apart from the others.
Her hair glowed golden in the setting sun.She wore a simple white summer dress, and her eyes — a bright, curious green — were locked onto Mateo.
There was something mysterious about her.Something different.
She watched him not with shallow admiration —but with sharp focus.
As if studying him.
As if recognizing something.
Her lips curved into a small, secretive smile.
Then she turned and disappeared into the crowd, her presence lingering like a whisper.
Mateo, too busy with his family and friends, didn't even notice her.
Not yet.
That night, in his room, exhaustion wrapped around him like a heavy blanket.
He collapsed into bed, still wearing a faint smile, still replaying every moment in his head.
The cheers.The goal.The feeling of being alive.
And then —
[System Notification:]
[Special Achievement Unlocked!][Legendary Solo Goal – "The New Spark"]
Rewards Unlocked:
+5 to Dribbling Attribute
+3 to Agility Attribute
Skill Acquired: "Momentum Surge" (Temporary boost after successful dribble sequences)
Mateo felt a soft warmth course through his body, soothing and strengthening him at once.
But it wasn't over yet.
Another message popped up.
[Secret Quest Unlocked!][First Official Victory as Bayern Player]
Quest Objective:
Contribute actively to three official match victories.
Reward:
Mysterious Silver Skill Box.
Mateo blinked, excitement sparking in his veins.