36: Bonds Beyond the Pitch- I

Later that day, Liam found himself on the coast, the salty breeze of the Mediterranean offering a welcome change from the confines of the training ground.

A few of his teammates had suggested a trip to the beach to unwind, and after some initial hesitation, Liam had agreed. He realized he needed to step back from the intensity of football, if only for a few hours, and reconnect with the people who shared his journey.

As they walked along the sandy shore, Liam found himself alongside Joaquín, the team's charismatic right-back. Joaquín was known for his quick wit and infectious energy, and his presence was often a source of light-heartedness in the team.

"Feeling good after yesterday?" Joaquín asked, kicking a loose pebble across the sand.

"Yeah, it was a tough match, but we pulled through," Liam replied, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "It's just... I feel like we're constantly on the edge. Every game is a new challenge, and it's starting to weigh on me."