Echoes of the past

Nei's phone buzzed with messages. Interviews, social media posts, fans congratulating him. The excitement from last night hadn't worn off, but now, walking into the training room, he could feel the shift. The energy was different.

Lujin gave him a clap on the back. "You did good, kid. But keep your head cool. This is just the beginning."

Nei nodded, but something in the room didn't sit right. The veteran strikers were talking in hushed tones, glancing at him every so often. Was that admiration or... envy?

He took a deep breath, pushing away the doubts. No time for that.

But then, the coach entered. "Alright, listen up. We've got another Champions League match coming up. Nei, you're starting. The pressure's on now. I'll be back later." He exits the changing room.

Nei's heart skipped a beat. Starting?

The eyes of the team shifted to him, and for the first time, the weight of expectation really hit him.

Lujin waved his hand infront of Nei's face. "Don't look lost kid, you're a starter now. And you're our striker. Our team needs you most now and if I were you, I wouldn't try to disappoint them."

"Yeah, I'm ok I won't disappoint. Promise." Nei's smile brightened the room a bit.

Lujin patted Nei's head, putting his fingers through Nei's silky hair. "I believe in you kid."

Lujin looked at his phone intriguingly. "Hmmmm, would you look at that."

"Huh, what happened?" Nei asked though not bothered.

"A 17 year old centre back has just signed for Barcenola. And he's coming from the same league as you. Says he's actually German. Imagine you know him."

"Huh, what's his name.?"

"Uuh, it's pretty small. Let me zoom it in. Aah... it says the new centre back in Chon Bayek."

Nei is in so much utter shock that his phone falls off his hands.

"Are you OK Nei?" Lujin asks thoughtfully.

"Uuh yeah, I'm ok, I do know him."

"Are you good friends with him?"

"Hmmmmmm can't say I am. Quite the contrast really."

"Oh did something happen between you too?"

"Nothing of importance." Nei tries to laugh it off.

Just then, the coach enters the room again. "Alright team, listen up..."