Chapter 12: Breaking Kaká's Record
"Ken's coordination, ball control, and explosiveness are exceptional," assistant coach Milton said quietly from the bench, unable to hide the admiration in his voice.
Ramalho kept his eyes fixed on the pitch.
"Yes. That's Ken. He was born for football."
On the other side, several Vasco da Gama players gathered together, still recovering from the shock of the opening goal. Defender Sandro, who had been beaten earlier, stared toward Ken, who was now surrounded by celebrating teammates.
"Who is that kid?" he muttered. "He's ridiculously fast. By the time I turned to grab him, he was already two steps ahead."
"His name's Ken," said center-back Renato Silva, still shaking his head. "Looks barely seventeen… but he's dangerous. Honestly, he might even be better than Neymar was at that age."
Defensive midfielder Bastos snorted.
"Relax. He's still just a kid. Add some physical pressure and he'll fold. Next time he gets the ball, I'll take care of him."
---
The match resumed.
With the lead secured, São Paulo began controlling possession more confidently, while Vasco were forced to chase.
57th minute.
Denílson intercepted the ball and quickly played it forward to Ken, who received it with his back to goal. Bastos pressed tightly from behind, using constant contact and subtle fouls to disrupt him.
Ken tried stepping forward, but the midfielder stuck to him relentlessly.
On the left flank, fullback Thiago began overlapping. Ken shaped his body as if preparing to pass wide. The moment Bastos shifted his weight, Ken tapped the ball forward, spun sharply, and slipped it cleanly through Bastos's legs.
The crowd roared.
Bastos shoved him from the side, slowing his acceleration, and immediately closed in again.
"Kid," Bastos sneered, "come back after you've grown a few more years."
Ken ignored him.
A quick one-two with Silvinho helped him escape momentarily, but Bastos, Sandro, and Wendel all surged forward together, trying to trap him.
Ken stayed calm.
At the exact moment the three defenders converged, he dragged the ball back, flicked it upward with his toe, and exploded forward through the narrow gap. The ball sailed over their heads while the defenders collided into each other behind him.
The stadium erupted in applause.
In a single motion, Ken controlled the dropping ball and continued his run toward the attacking third. Suddenly, São Paulo had a five-on-four advantage.
Osvaldo and Thiago sprinted on the left, Silvinho advanced on the right, while Fabiano ran centrally ahead of Ken.
The defense retreated rapidly.
Renato Silva hesitated. Will he pass or shoot?
Ken kept running.
As he neared the penalty arc, Silva lunged forward to block the expected right-footed pass to Fabiano.
But Ken cut the ball sharply to his left.
Silva slid past helplessly.
Moments later, Ken entered the penalty area alone, facing the goalkeeper. The stadium fell into sudden silence, thousands of fans holding their breath.
Instead of shooting immediately, Ken performed two quick step-overs, freezing the goalkeeper. Then he shifted the ball past the keeper's right side and calmly tapped it into the empty net with his left foot.
2–0.
Morumbi Stadium exploded.
Only thirteen minutes had passed since Ken entered the match—
one assist and one goal.
---
But he wasn't finished.
70th minute.
Receiving a pass near the edge of the box, Ken struck a powerful shot into the corner, extending the lead once again.
Brace.
Six minutes later, chaos erupted inside the penalty area after Fabiano's shot was parried. Ken reacted first, poking the rebound into the net before defenders could clear.
Hat-trick.
In just over half an hour, Ken had recorded three goals and one assist in his first major appearance, surpassing the debut scoring record once set by Kaká at São Paulo years earlier.
The entire stadium chanted his name.
Ramalho watched from the sideline, arms folded, expression complicated.
Milton noticed and asked quietly, "Coach… what's wrong?"
Ramalho exhaled slowly.
"Nothing," he said. "I'm just thinking… next home match, the stadium might be even fuller."
The match eventually ended 5–0, the final goal coming from substitute Aloísio.
But everyone in Morumbi knew—
This night belonged to Ken.