From the onset, Barcelona played with more composure and clear intent. The wingers were dropping deep, and the midfield duo had joined the striker in the box. However, it was the #8 with the captain's armband that never left the spectators' sight. He would always be available as the free man for his teammates. All the loose balls and 50/50 chances, he was there to contest for them. Multiple Real Madrid players kept trying and failing to even come close to him. Jordi Lloret was everywhere and nowhere at once. As Coach Denis Silva spectated at the touchline, he recalled what Jordi's friend had called him before the game.
Ombreta, Little Shadow. What an apt name!
The ombreta, fading in and out of the shadows, eluding his opponents at every turn. The little shadow that would eclipse every other star in football history.
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48'
Real Madrid cleared the ball after another save from their goalkeeper. It fell to Eric in defence, who had plenty of time to collect the ball and pass it to Jordi, who had run back to receive it. The Los Blancos did not press, choosing to reorganise themselves into a low block. Freed of any pressure, Jordi casually carried the ball while scanning and analysing all the variables around him.
22 yards from the goal, Jordi stopped the ball and rolled it to his right. Seeing this, the two RM strikers left their line to rush Jordi, but it was too late. Jordi hit the ball with the inside of his right foot with the power and control of a veteran striker. The spectators, the players, and the staff alike all sucked in a deep breath as the ball left Jordi's boot. It rose, rose, and then it dipped, curling left viciously. In the deafening silence, the ball curved into the top right of the goal, kissing the post on its way in.
1-1!
The Blaugrana team all ran to their captain to celebrate, but Jordi just waved them away. He sprinted into the goal, picked the ball up, and jogged back to the kick-off spot. The message was clear. Jordi Lloret and FC Barcelona were not here to settle for anything less than a win.
…
63'
Real Madrid's shape did not change much after the equaliser. One of their strikers was now prowling near the halfway line to latch on to clearances. Other than that, it seemed that they were willing to wait the game out and decide it on penalties. FC Barcelona, however, reinvigorated by the goal and substitutions, was relentless in its attack.
Jordi Lloret was drifting in and out of pockets on the field, a constant threat to RM. Eric Garcia, who had gratefully accepted the assist attributed to him, headed another Madrid clearance to Jordi. Again, Jordi was afforded too much space. He ran forward with the ball and found himself in front of the defensive block, around 25 yards from the goal. Every boy in white was alerted, and three different players ran out to block Jordi. The remaining back line shifted to cover any angle Jordi could shoot at.
Mirroring the first goal, Jordi gave one final touch to the ball and took shape to shoot. As he planted his left foot next to the ball, three RM players, at various distances to him, jumped to block the shot. The goalkeeper and the defence all stared at the ball. The anticipated shot… Well, it never came.
The inside of Jordi's right boot met the ball. The ball travelled below the aerial-bound players and through the white shirts to find the feet of Riqui Puig. Puig did not understand how he ended up with the ball, but he acted quickly to score from 4 yards away. Goal!
As Puig ran off to celebrate, he realised no one was following him. All the boys were rushing towards Jordi. Slightly embarrassed, but too happy to care much, Puig also ran towards his captain.
2-1!
The remaining 7 minutes plus added time was quiet despite the RM kids leaving everything on the field. Most spectators were still thinking about the assist by Barca's captain, but the trained eyes were even more impressed by the composure and skill of the kid afterwards. The Real Madrid team, all bigger and stronger than him, gave their all but could not dispossess him. Jordi operated in minute pockets of space to receive and deliver the ball. When carrying the ball, he attracted pressure and escaped every time, escaping his opponents' grasp as a flickering shadow.
"FWHEE"
The final whistle was a trigger for Jordi. He collapsed on the ground and lay there gasping for breath. It was a peaceful and solitary moment impregnated by a feeling of contentment and joy.
Under Jordi's captaincy, his Barcelona won the El Clasico and the LaLiga Futures U14 tournament with it. As his teammates came over to fall over him and celebrate, he closed his eyes and smiled. He hoped his Uncle recorded his goal, so he could show it to Señor Garcia and Madam Sofia and…