The match replay played on the dorm TV for the third time
Cristiano sat alone headphones on
Not listening to music
Just muting the noise
He watched every mistake he made
Every touch too slow
Every pass too wide
He paused one frame
The exact moment a defender grabbed his shirt and he still scored
He smiled
But only for a second
Later that night
The hallway buzzed with shouts
Cristiano stepped out barefoot
Down the hall
A crowd circled someone juggling a ball with absurd control
Heel
Neck
Backflip
Spin
The ball never touched the ground
Cristiano stepped closer
The crowd parted
The kid was his age
Slim
Wiry
Eyes cold
Then he dropped the ball
Let it bounce once
Kicked it full power
Right at Cristiano
Cristiano caught it with his chest without flinching
The kid smirked
That was for showing off yesterday
Cristiano narrowed his eyes
Didn't know who he was
Didn't care
The kid walked away
But not before saying
Let's see if the coach still stares at you when I'm done
The next day
Coach Silva gathered everyone
A new transfer just arrived from Braga
He was fast
He was skilled
And he hated Cristiano already
His name was Marco Vale
The rivalry lit instantly
They were paired together in drills
Every pass was a test
Every run a race
Cristiano didn't speak to him
Didn't need to
But inside
He felt something shift
This wasn't just football anymore
This was survival
That weekend they scrimmaged
Team A vs Team B
Cristiano on one side
Marco on the other
First ten minutes
Marco scored twice
Fast ruthless and loud
Cristiano stayed silent
Then it was his turn
He didn't match Marco
He outplayed him
Created space from nothing
Danced around three defenders
And scored a goal with his left foot that curved like poetry
No one clapped
They were too stunned
After the game
Cristiano walked off alone
Marco followed him
You play like your life depends on it
Cristiano stopped
Turned
It does