The first week of June 2015 saw Chile burst into life, cloaked in flags, chants, and the rhythmic beat of South America's obsession: football. Amid the frenzy, Japan — a guest nation — had arrived not just as visitors, but with ambition. At the heart of it all stood a 17-year-old Itoshi Sae, now Real Madrid's youngest Champions League finalist and Japan's crown jewel.
For the first time in his second life, he would test himself on the senior international stage.
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Group Stage — Baptism by Fire
Match 1: Japan vs. Chile
The opening match against hosts Chile was a trial by fire. Sae stood on the Estadio Nacional pitch in Santiago, a cauldron of 45,000 roaring fans. The noise was suffocating. Yet the moment the whistle blew, Sae felt only silence — the same silent clarity he felt before every match.
He orchestrated the midfield alongside Honda and Hasebe, but Chile's relentless pressing — led by Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez — suffocated space. In the 70th minute, Sae finally broke free, slicing a line-breaking pass through three defenders that led to a tap-in by Kagawa.
The match ended 1–1.
In the dressing room, Honda clapped him on the back. "You're the future. But don't forget, this isn't Europe. South America plays with teeth."
Sae said nothing. But the gears in his mind were turning.
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Match 2: Japan vs. Ecuador
Ecuador posed a different threat: chaos. Rain fell in sheets as the two sides battled in Viña del Mar. Sae, soaked and scowling, glided through puddles with feet like razors. By now, his presence was magnetic — cameras lingered on his movement, and South American pundits began comparing him to a young Kaká.
He scored his first international goal in the 58th minute, slamming home a left-footed shot from just outside the box.
Japan won 2–0.
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Match 3: Japan vs. Mexico
The final group game was a high-stakes chess match. Mexico needed a win. Japan only needed a draw.
Sae felt the eyes of Honda drilling into him every time he called for the ball. The hierarchy of the team was shifting — and everyone knew it.
Late in the second half, Kagawa missed an open chance. Sae didn't hide his frustration.
"Next time, pass it to me," he muttered, loud enough for cameras to catch.
Still, the game ended 1–1. Japan advanced.
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Quarterfinal — Japan vs. Uruguay
Uruguay was brutal. Cavani up front, and a midfield that fouled every time Sae touched the ball.
He was kicked, elbowed, even headbutted — but he didn't break. In the 78th minute, Sae curled a corner directly into the path of Yoshida, who headed home the only goal.
In the press conference, Honda spoke quietly when asked about Sae.
"He's... not normal. In good ways and bad."
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Semifinal — Japan vs. Argentina
Venue: Estadio Municipal de Concepción
Date: July 2, 2015
Opponent: Lionel Messi
There was no awe in Sae's eyes when he shook Messi's hand at kickoff — only calculation.
But it was clear from the first ten minutes: Argentina was a different class. Di María tore down the wing like a storm, and Mascherano seemed to read every Japanese pass.
Sae held his own. He dictated tempo. But every time Japan neared Argentina's box, Messi struck like a phantom — drifting, passing, shooting.
In the 38th minute, Messi assisted Agüero with a low cross.
In the 54th, Sae assisted Kagawa with a one-touch volley. 1–1.
But the difference came in the 87th minute. Messi took on three players, drawing four defenders to him, before squaring to Pastore.
Goal. 2–1. Game over.
Sae stood in the center circle long after the whistle. His hands clenched, jaw locked. Kagawa offered a hand.
Sae ignored it.
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The Fracture
In the locker room, silence reigned. But behind it, tension bubbled.
"You're good," Honda finally said. "But sometimes... it's not about you."
Sae didn't reply. He only stared at his reflection in the mirror — eyes flickering, green with rage.
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Third-Place Match — Japan vs. Colombia
Fatigue. That was the word that defined the third-place playoff.
Colombia played freely, with flair and joy — James Rodríguez was magnificent. Japan played like ghosts.
Sae still fought — he always did — but even he was human. In the 63rd minute, he misplaced a pass and slammed his fist into the turf.
They lost 3–1.
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Back in Madrid, journalists dissected the tournament. "Japan's future hinges on Sae," one Spanish paper wrote. "But will the future wait for him?"
He sat on the flight home, headphones in, hoodie up. Kagawa sat beside him, but said nothing.
Inside, Sae's ego and ideals wrestled with something new: frustration. He had touched the summit, glimpsed greatness — but Messi stood there, alone.
He had not won. Not yet.
And something inside whispered:
You must become more than Sae Itoshi. You must become the very definition of control.
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Press conference reactions
Messi's comments about Sae
Media and global buzz
Sae's personal reflections back in Madrid
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Post-Tournament Press Conference – Buenos Aires
The room was filled with Argentine journalists buzzing about Messi's brilliance. But one question changed the tone.
> "Leo, what did you think of Japan's number 10 — the boy from Madrid?"
Messi wiped his forehead with a towel, gave a small smile, and leaned toward the mic.
> "He's young, but he sees the game. Doesn't panic under pressure. If he keeps his head, he can be dangerous in the future. He reminds me... a little of myself when I was 17."
The room stirred.
A few eyebrows rose. Messi didn't give compliments lightly.
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Spanish Media Coverage
Marca published a bold front-page headline:
"El Genio Japonés: El futuro de Madrid ya brilla en América."
("The Japanese Genius: Madrid's future already shines in America.")
AS ran a feature:
> "He may have lost the battle to Messi, but Sae showed composure far beyond his years. What will Madrid do to keep him happy — and hungry?"
Back in Madrid, Zidane watched the highlights again. The curl on that assist. The maturity after the loss.
> "He's not just talented," Zidane muttered. "He's obsessed."
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Sae's Return to Madrid – July 2015
The first thing he did when he got back?
Train.
No party. No social media posts. No fanfare.
Just private drills, rewatching the Argentina game, frame by frame.
His brother Rin had texted only once during the tournament:
> "Watched your game. You'll get there... eventually."
Sae didn't reply. He didn't need validation. He needed evolution.
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Quiet Reflections
Late that night, he sat alone in his apartment, the Champions League medal still in a drawer, the Copa América highlights muted on his laptop. His phone buzzed — a message from Kagawa.
> "We're proud of you. Next time, we win."
And Sae, staring out at the Madrid skyline, whispered to himself:
> "Next time, I don't lose."
The hunger inside him had changed. It wasn't just to win anymore.
It was to dominate. To write his name not beside Messi or Ronaldo — but above them.
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End of Chapter 16