Leon is out on an early morning run before school again, the game against Borussia Dortmund is still fresh on him mind. He thinks about the right back he faced and the plays he made during the game.
Thinks about what he could've done better and how he could've made better decisions. After the game, on their way home Che said something to him.
''To be honest, I don't know what I'll do when I meet someone like that right back one day. But if I ever do, I'd like to treat it like how you did and never give up. I want to keep pushing even when I feel like nothing will work.''
Leon was confused as to why everyone saw him like that, because during the match he could never stop thinking about how scary the sight of that defender was.
Everyone thinks he is brave, but he was scared, he still is. Because it was something that he has never faced before and for the first time in his life as a football player, he didn't know how to solve the problem defending him.
Even in his thoughts he can't defeat him. He runs for a while until he finally arrives home, he didn't know how he made it home because he was deep in his own thoughts, but he somehow did.
He gets in the house, and he finds his dad reading the newspaper.
''Hey pops, why are you up so early?''
''Just have an early morning at work. You already back from your morning run?''
''Dad, can I talk to you about something...''
''Yeah, what's wrong?'' He puts his newspaper down.
''As you may know... I played last weekend against Dortmund, and they were tough, really tough.''
''Yeah, I realized your mood was down, despite making it to the final.''
''Yeah, it's because of this player I faced, their right back. I tried everything against him and nothing worked, he completely locked me down and had me under palm the whole game. And usually, I get games where I play okay or make a mistake or two, but I somehow manage when I get into my rhythm. This is the first time in my life, I feel like no matter what I did the result would've been the same. And the problem is, people keep congratulating me about the number of times I tried, but I don't care about that. I don't acknowledge myself as someone who does something with the intention to win or lose, I want to win. So, if there's possible way for me to win, what do I do?''
His dad starts laughing. ''Damn kid, this is the first time you asked me for football advice. Which means this is really bad huh?''
Leon forces a awkward chuckle.
''And yeah. I watched your game on YouTube last night and it was bad, wasn't it?'' He teases. ''But anyways when it comes to moments like that, why don't you just go to the basics. They've never hurt anyone.''
''Come on dad, you know that's not your style.''
''Okay... if you say so. That's the best advice I could give you.'' He looks at Leon, and then suddenly an idea pops up. ''I have an idea; this will be a little difficult for someone like you. Why don't you just do something instinctively, like that player on your team.''
''What player on my team.''
''The kid who played striker, who scored that crazy goal.''
''You mean Che?''
''Yeah him. He always looked like someone who did everything on instinct instead of planning ahead. Nothing beats instinct.''
''Do you think I can do it?''
''Hell no.'' He scoffs. ''That's a God given attribute.''
Leon sighs in silence. He looks on the floor and his dad look at him in sympathy.
''Listen son, you don't need anything to change the way you are playing. You are a good player who just happen to meet a good defender.''
''What if I happen to meet more good defenders?''
''You get better for the next game. Never forget the number one rule is as a footballer. Every game is a new game. So, you have to focus on what's in front of you after learning from what you've been through already.
You've been doing that your whole life, don't let you first loss change that because you've felt like you lost. Focus on your next challenge and look forward... and push forward son.''
His dad gives him a warm smile, and his mother comes downstairs. ''What are you two talking about?''
''Honey!'' He stands up and walks towards her laughing. ''You're not gonna believe this. Leon actually asked for my help again.'' He teases.
''Oh, really now.'' She chuckles.
Leon rushes in. ''No, I didn't... come on dad!''
''Yeah! He was about to cry, I swear!!''
''No! He's lying!''
''Are you calling your father a liar boy?''
Leon runs embarrassingly upstairs pretending he didn't hear him. And both of his parents start laughing, as the morning sun starts rising.