Chapter 625: The Pinnacle of Football
The World Cup final between Portugal and France was set to take place on the evening of July 15. It was a highly anticipated event, with both teams fully focused and prepared. Numerous dignitaries were present in the stands, including Russia's leader, the host nation of the tournament.
Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, capable of seating 80,000 spectators, was packed to capacity. Among the crowd were many Russian fans, as well as passionate supporters from Portugal and France.
Ever since Portugal's semifinal victory, the media in the country had been hyping up the historic final against France. For Portugal, this was a momentous occasion, a chance to etch their name into football history.
The French media were equally active, framing the match as a "revenge mission." Just two years earlier, in the UEFA Euro 2016 final, Portugal had defeated France 3-1, denying them the opportunity to join Germany and Spain as the nations with the most European Championship titles.
Amid this media frenzy, the Portuguese national team remained laser-focused on their preparations.
For Portugal coach Fernando Santos, the pressure was off. While the team's internal goal had always been to win the championship, the Portuguese Football Federation had only set a target of reaching the semifinals. Now that Portugal had exceeded expectations, Santos' position as coach was secure, regardless of the final's outcome.
Even so, winning the World Cup would be the ultimate achievement. This was, after all, the highest honor in football. Who wouldn't want to lift the FIFA World Cup Trophy?
Every footballer dreams of winning the World Cup, and Santos was no exception. As a player, he never had the chance to compete on football's biggest stage. Now, as the coach of Portugal, he had a golden opportunity to lead his team to the pinnacle of the sport.
Santos was optimistic because he had two superstars: Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. In recent years, Portugal, with Ronaldo and Bruno at its core, had consistently delivered performances that exceeded expectations.
One European media outlet had once described Bruno Fernandes as follows:
"Some players need their team's full support to shine. Others quietly enable their teammates to excel. And then there are those rare players who excel individually while also elevating everyone around them. Bruno Fernandes belongs to this third category."
This World Cup had only solidified that assessment. Bruno had not only performed brilliantly himself but had also lifted Portugal to unprecedented heights, guiding them past formidable opponents to reach the final.
For Santos, winning the World Cup would cement Portugal's status as a football powerhouse. Historically, Portugal had been a respected force in international football but fell short of being considered among the elite.
Their surprise victory at the 2016 European Championship laid the foundation for a stronger legacy. A World Cup win would firmly establish Portugal as one of the global giants of the sport—a dream no Portuguese footballer or fan could resist.
While coaches like Santos planned for the long term, players like Bruno were focused on the immediate challenge.
Bruno's unique perspective, shaped by his origins far from Portugal, sometimes left him feeling detached during moments of national pride. Even during the national anthem, he couldn't fully connect with the sense of belonging his teammates experienced.
Still, Bruno was determined to win. This final was the ultimate test, the culmination of his World Cup journey. He had no intention of leaving empty-handed.
Standing at the back of the Portuguese lineup in the tunnel, Bruno clenched his fists, brimming with determination. Beside him were his teammates, while his opponents, the French players, stood nearby.
Looking at Antoine Griezmann, France's talisman, and hearing the deafening cheers of fans outside, Bruno felt a surge of competitive fire.
This was football's highest stage, and Bruno intended to leave his mark. He had a personal rule: in every final he played, he would emerge as the champion. Today would be no different.
The tunnel was quiet, in stark contrast to the roaring stadium. Players from both teams were fully focused, mentally preparing for the battle ahead.
Bruno briefly considered exchanging a few words with Griezmann. Both spoke English, so communication wouldn't be an issue. However, after a simple greeting, neither said anything further.
In international competitions, especially one as significant as this, camaraderie took a backseat to national pride. For both Portugal and France, the stakes were immense. These weren't club teammates; they were rivals fighting for their country's glory.
When the referees emerged from their room, they approached the captains, Ronaldo and Hugo Lloris, signaling for them to lead their teams onto the pitch.
"Let's go! Follow me!" Ronaldo called out to his teammates.
Excited shouts in Portuguese and French filled the tunnel as players readied themselves.
As they stepped onto the field, the noise from the stands surged to a crescendo.
Bruno, holding the hand of a young player escort, was struck by the electric atmosphere. Despite having played at Luzhniki Stadium four times during the tournament, today felt entirely different.
Ahead of them, in the center of the pitch, stood the FIFA World Cup Trophy, gleaming on its pedestal. The golden trophy reflected the green grass, the packed stands, and the players about to compete for it.
Many Portuguese players couldn't resist sneaking a glance at the trophy as they walked past. Ronaldo even reached out to touch it, turning back to Bruno with a wide grin.
Bruno, however, refrained. He had no interest in touching the trophy until he could rightfully lift it as a champion.
The young Russian boy holding Bruno's hand looked up at him curiously. Sensing his gaze, Bruno smiled warmly.
After both teams lined up for the pre-match ceremony, photographers swarmed the field, capturing the moment. The trophy, prominently displayed, drew everyone's attention. Players gazed at it with a mix of desire and determination.
This was the culmination of four years of effort. Only one team would leave victorious, and no price was too high for the chance to hold that trophy.
As Bruno tightened his grip on the boy's hand, the young escort winced slightly, bringing Bruno back to his senses. Realizing his mistake, Bruno quickly apologized.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. I got carried away," he said sheepishly.
The boy, emboldened by Bruno's apology, asked, "How can you lose focus in a final?"
Bruno simply smiled and redirected his gaze to the trophy.
The stadium announcer called for the national anthems. First came France's "La Marseillaise," prompting silence in the crowd, followed by a rousing rendition of the Portuguese anthem, "A Portuguesa."
Bruno, who didn't sing, stood silently as his teammates sang with fervor. Once the anthems concluded, Ronaldo led the Portuguese players in exchanging handshakes with the referees and the French team.
The final was about to begin.
(END CHAPTER)
🔥 Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
⏰ Hurry up! The promotion ends on January 10, 2026.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10