The private jet carrying the newly crowned champions of Europe back to Liverpool was less an aircraft and more a flying, slightly sticky, and incredibly loud karaoke bar. The Champions League trophy, affectionately nicknamed "Ol' Big Ears" by Julián Álvarez (who was convinced it could hear their singing), sat strapped into its own first-class seat, occasionally being serenaded by a truly terrible, off-key rendition of "Allez Allez Allez" led by Andy Robertson.
Leon sat by the window, a contented, exhausted smile plastered on his face, watching the clouds drift by. The events of the last 24 hours felt like a surreal, beautiful dream. The impossible comeback. The agonizing tension of the shootout. Wataru Endō, their quiet, unassuming hero, smashing home the winning penalty. Lifting that magnificent trophy under the Wembley arch. It was... perfect.
