> "Argentina Football Federation has officially announced Carlos Carloni as the new head coach, replacing Sampaoli!"
> "Sampaoli breaks record for fastest dismissal in Argentina history."
> "Sources: Locker room turmoil led to Sampaoli's sudden removal."
> "Carloni reveals new national team list—led by Messi!"
---
Just two days later, the coaching shakeup had already stirred the football world.
Sampaoli had only been appointed four months earlier. Getting sacked so quickly was almost unheard of. Reporters scrambled for angles. Headlines piled up.
More shockingly, Sampaoli departed with a zero-win record—an embarrassment for a team of the Argentina stature.
Fans were both relieved and anxious.
> "Carloni? He's way too young. No experience at this level!"
> "This feels like a joke."
> "At least it's not Sampaoli anymore. That guy had no clue."
> "Look, no one else wanted the job. Carlos Carloni stepped up under pressure. That counts for something."
> "The assistant coaching team is actually top-tier. Let's see how it plays out."
Social media was a minefield of debate. Some fans even flooded the Federation with demands to appoint a more seasoned coach. But just as the storm threatened to spiral, Diego Maradona himself issued a public show of support for Carloni.
That changed everything.
When Maradona speaks, Argentina listens.
Soon, fans turned their focus to Carloni's squad list—and noticed something interesting. A fresh wave of youth talent was being brought in.
And then they saw it.
Romeo Teixeira's name was on the list.
---
After lengthy discussions with his family, Romeo had made the decision to accept Carloni's invitation and join the Blue Eagles national team.
There were plenty of reasons:
Argentina had a strong squad and real momentum.
Romeo would gain valuable match experience and show his club he deserved more than bench minutes.
And most importantly—he couldn't waste time. Competition meant growth. He needed it.
> "Wait—who's this Romeo Teixeira?"
> "Isn't he the guy from Barcelona B team?"
> "Yeah! La Masia graduate. Plays like a young Maradona."
> "I saw that juggling clip—he was insane!"
> "He's the one Messi personally recommended, right?"
> "Messi called him himself? Damn. Anyone he trusts has to be special."
> "He looks so familiar though... I've seen his face before somewhere."
Romeo quickly became a hot topic among fans and media alike.
---
Meanwhile, across the ocean, trouble was already brewing.
Inside the office of Riley Tate, head of the Youth Development Committee for the Northern Football Union, his secretary burst in with an urgent update.
"Mr. Tate, Romeo Teixeira has officially joined Argentina's national team."
Riley stood up abruptly.
"You're sure?"
"Yes, sir. Carloni just published the official list. Romeo is on it. It's the same player who humiliated your son in that trial match."
Riley's lips curled into a slow, calculating smile.
"Perfect timing," he muttered. "Let's shift the narrative."
He began dictating rapidly:
> "Release a statement accusing him of betraying his roots."
> "Buy trending hashtags. Push headlines calling him a sellout."
> "Hire trolls. Fabricate a few scandals—make him look untrustworthy."
> "He needs to be nailed to the wall in the court of public opinion."
His secretary's face barely twitched. Internally, she was disgusted—but she nodded.
"I'll handle it immediately."
---
At Stanford University, inside the dormitory for international students, Sophia Teixeira was jolted awake by her roommate.
"Sophia, wake up! Romeo's trending again!"
Still half-asleep, Sophia rubbed her eyes as her roommate pushed a laptop into her lap.
Romeo was #1 on the trending charts.
> "Argentine Prodigy Romeo Teixeira Joins the Blue Eagles!"
> "Northern Youth Federation slams Romeo Teixeira for 'betraying his heritage.'"
> "Romeo Teixeira accused of joining Argentina 'just for the money.'"
Sophia's mood darkened.
She knew her brother. He had integrity, values—and he sure as hell wasn't chasing money or abandoning anyone.
Then she saw something even worse.
> "Romeo accused of flirting with minors..."
Her jaw clenched.
> Absolute garbage.
He hadn't even held hands with a girl yet, let alone done anything remotely inappropriate.
Sophia began scrolling through the comments. Hate, slurs, and ignorant noise flooded the threads. But buried among them were rational voices fighting back:
> "You're all full of it. Show me actual proof."
> "Romeo left because of corrupt officials—you kicked him out first!"
> "This is classic misdirection. Don't fall for it."
Thankfully, most netizens weren't buying the lies. Instead of turning against Romeo, they were slamming Riley Tate and his camp.
> "You fired him, now you slander him? Pathetic."
> "Romeo deserves better. He's representing Argentina because you never gave him a chance."
> "Riley and his cronies are the cancer in this system."
Sophia didn't hesitate.
She dialed her lawyer immediately.
"Track down every person involved in this smear campaign. I don't care how long it takes—sue them all. Every. Last. One."
"When you find the trolls? Press charges for defamation. And make it public."
She wasn't just protective.
She was on the warpath.
---
Romeo, meanwhile, hadn't even noticed the drama online.
At that moment, he was descending from a private jet into Buenos Aires, alongside his agent Raiola—courtesy of his older brother Alan Teixeira, who had arranged the flight.
Waiting for them on the tarmac was coach Carlos Carloni.
"Romeo!" Carlos beamed as he walked forward and extended a hand. "Welcome aboard. I've booked a five-star hotel for you to settle in tonight. Training starts tomorrow."
Romeo smiled politely. "Appreciate it, coach. But there's no need. I'll just go home."
Carlos blinked, momentarily confused—then it hit him.
Right. That Teixeira family. Of course he had a place in the city that dwarfed any hotel suite.
"My bad," Carlos chuckled awkwardly. "Then I'll see you at the training center. 8 a.m. medical checks, and training in the afternoon."
"Sounds good."
"If there's anything you need—just say the word," Carlos added.
Raiola grinned. "Trust me, coach. If Romeo wants something, the Teixeiras can make it happen faster than you can pick up the phone."
Romeo laughed under his breath.
This was just the beginning.
---