The morning of the trip arrived with a heavy, buzzing excitement.
Mateo stood outside the Bayern Munich academy building, his duffel bag slung over one shoulder, wearing his team's official travel tracksuit.
The air was crisp and sharp —the kind that made you feel alive.
Around him, his teammates chatted animatedly, their voices a mixture of German, a bit of English, and the universal language of nerves and excitement.
They were boys about to cross a threshold.
For many, it was their first true international match.
And for Mateo, it was something even greater:
His first test on foreign eyes.
Two buses idled nearby, waiting to take them to the airport.
Coach Dietrich walked down the line, checking each player's gear and attire.
Everything had to be perfect.
Professionalism was not optional at Bayern Munich.
When he reached Mateo, he paused for a heartbeat, then gave a slight nod.
Mateo straightened a little taller, pride swelling in his chest.
The trip to the airport was uneventful, filled with quiet music, low conversations, and a few scattered jokes.
But the moment they boarded the plane — a sleek private charter painted in Bayern colors —the atmosphere shifted.
The boys fell silent, some staring out the windows, others fidgeting with excitement or anxiety.
This wasn't just another local match.
This was Bayern Munich vs. Ajax Amsterdam.
Two philosophies of football.Two legends of youth development.Two futures colliding.
Mateo sat by the window, staring at the clouds as they pierced the bright Bavarian sky.
In his chest, a storm of emotions raged:
Excitement.
Fear.
Determination.
He clenched his fists subtly.
"No second chances," he told himself."No regrets."
Hours later, they landed in the Netherlands.
The city felt different — cooler, breezier, pulsing with a quiet energy.
Banners for Ajax fluttered in the streets.Posters for upcoming matches decorated the walls.Everything breathed football.
At the hotel, after a quick meal and a short team meeting, they were given the evening to rest.
Some boys went to stretch.Some stayed in their rooms, headphones on, lost in preparation.
Mateo, however, slipped outside.
He found a small terrace where the sun was setting in fiery colors over the distant cityscape.
He pulled out his phone and opened the last message he had received from his father —saved all this time.
"Always trust yourself, hijo.You were born for this."
He closed his eyes.
Let the words settle deep into his bones.
[System Notification:]
Reminder:Tomorrow, the match against Ajax U17 begins.Fulfill your quest: Contribute directly to a goal (score or assist).
Mateo inhaled slowly, then exhaled.
There was no more time for fear.
Tomorrow, he would take the stage.