Trying new things

As Málaga continued their sensational season, club president Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani knew that the team needed reinforcements if they wanted to compete for La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

The squad had been performing beyond expectations, but the club's depth and quality would be tested as the season progressed.

That's when Málaga set their sights on two future superstars—Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak.

Málaga had been searching for a long-term solution in goal. Their current keeper, Willy Caballero, was reliable, but he wasn't world-class.

They went with Adriano's recommendation Jan Oblak, a promising young Slovenian goalkeeper playing for Benfica. De Gea was not for sale , they only offered loan options.

Málaga's scouts had been tracking him for months. At just 20 years old, Oblak was already showing signs of being a future great—quick reflexes, commanding presence, and composure under pressure.

Sporting director Mario Husillos flew to Portugal to finalize the deal.

Benfica, needing funds and with other goalkeepers available, agreed to sell Oblak for just €4 million.

It was an absolute steal in Adriano's eye.

Oblak signed a five-year contract, and just like that, Málaga had secured their goalkeeper for the future.

While the Oblak deal went smoothly, signing Antoine Griezmann was much more complicated.

Griezmann, playing for Real Sociedad, was one of the most exciting young attackers in La Liga. Fast, technical, and lethal in front of goal, he had been on the radar of Europe's biggest clubs.

Málaga, sensing an opportunity, made a bold bid—€15 million.

But Sociedad refused.

They wanted €20 million.

Málaga's boardroom debated the deal.

Sheikh Al Thani was willing to pay, believing Griezmann would turn Málaga into an even stronger team.Husillos was cautious, knowing that Málaga had to be financially smart.Pellegrini was fully in favor, saying Griezmann would add more firepower to their attack.

After a week of negotiations, Málaga increased their offer to €18 million + performance-based bonuses for Griezmann .

Real Sociedad asked for time to consider.

Griezmann, meanwhile, was intrigued by the idea of playing with Adriano. He had seen Málaga's rise and was excited by their ambition.

Would the deal go through?

Málaga waited for Sociedad's answer.

While transfer negotiations continued, Málaga had an important match to focus on—their Copa del Rey Round of top 16 clash against Deportivo La Coruña.

As January rolled on, Málaga's soaring momentum in La Liga seamlessly carried over to the Copa del Rey. After a season of dominating performances in the league, every player was hungry to prove that their excellence wasn't confined to one competition.

Their next challenge was Deportivo La Coruña in the Round of 16—a match that carried the promise of history. If Málaga won, they would advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in over a decade, and for the fans, it was a dream long overdue.

For Adriano, the stakes were personal. he had become more than just Málaga's best player—he was now the hero in the eyes of an entire fanbase. And heroes nead to lead the team all the way to the top.

La Rosaleda Stadium was a living, breathing entity that day. From the moment the teams stepped onto the pitch, the stadium buzzed with electric anticipation. The crowd's roar was a constant murmur of hope and excitement, punctuated by chants of "King Adriano! King Adriano!" echoing through the stands. Each chant was a testament to the faith that the supporters had placed in the young maestro, whose deft control of the midfield had become a symbol of Málaga's resurgence.

The whistle blew, and the match began with an intensity that left no room for pretense. Málaga wasted no time imposing their style on the game—quick, incisive passes, and a disciplined, collective movement that sliced through Deportivo's more traditional defensive lines. At the heart of it all, Adriano was the orchestrator, his eyes scanning the field, his passes as precise as a scalpel's cut.

Minute 18 

The breakthrough came in the 18th minute. On the right wing, Joaquín received a swift pass and, with a glint of mischief in his eyes, surveyed the pitch.

Spotting Adriano making a surreptitious, late run into the penalty area, Joaquín delivered a perfectly timed cross that sliced through the air. Surrounded by two desperate defenders, Adriano had little room to operate.

Instead of panicking, he showcased his innate brilliance—taking a sublime first touch that sent the ball dancing over one defender's head. In one fluid, electrifying moment, using his weaker left foot, he unleashed a powerful strike that whistled into the top corner of the net.

The stadium erupted.

"GOOOOAAAALLLL!" 0-1 Malaga

the crowd roared as the noise cascaded like a tidal wave. Amid the uproar, Adriano stood calmly, absorbing the euphoria of his supporters, and in a gesture of quiet humility, pointed towards Joaquín—a silent acknowledgment that every act of brilliance was a team effort.

Minute 31 

Just 13 minutes later, Málaga's relentless pressure reaped another reward. As they pressed high, suffocating Deportivo's attempts to build from the back, a miscalculation by a Deportivo defender outside the penalty area opened up a window of opportunity.

Adriano pounced without hesitation. With a delicate touch that belied the speed of his advance, he glided forward and curled a shot around the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper.

The ball nestling into the net with a satisfying thud ignited the fans even further, and before long, the scoreboard read 2-0 in favor of Málaga.

Adriano sprinted toward the corner flag, raising his hands to his ear, as if to listen to something. The crowd roared " The King is Here!" To which he made a fist to his chest. his teammates celebrated surrounding him for the stunning double.

The second half saw Deportivo desperately trying to claw their way back into the match, piling numbers forward in a bid to restore equilibrium.

But Málaga's defense stood like a wall, unyielding and resolute. Adriano, ever perceptive, sensed the opportune moments emerging from the structured chaos of the game.

In the 67th minute, with Deportivo pressing hard, he dropped deeper into midfield, drawing defenders out of position. With a flash of ingenuity, he executed a delicate backheel pass between two defenders—a pass that unlocked the space and released Juanmi into the box.

Juanmi, poised and clinical, took a single touch before firing a shot past the keeper. The net bulged as the stadium erupted once more.

3-0 Málaga!

It was yet another testament to Adriano's genius—not merely in scoring, but in crafting opportunities for his teammates.

The final goal came in the 81st minute, when a defensive error allowed Joaquín to tap the ball into an empty net, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 victory.

The sound of jubilation was deafening; Málaga had stormed into the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey in style.

After the match, the media swarmed around Adriano like bees to honey. Reporters lined up, their cameras flashing, eager to capture the brilliance of the hero of the day.

"Another fantastic performance, Adriano," one journalist remarked, his voice full of admiration. "You've scored four goals in two matches this week. How does it feel?"

Adriano, his brow still glistening with sweat , smiled ."It feels great," he replied, his tone measured. "But at the end of the day, it's all about the team. We're here to win trophies, not just matches."

Another reporter leaned in, "With Málaga now in the quarterfinals, do you believe you can go all the way?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Adriano's eyes shone with quiet resolve. "Why not? We've beaten great teams before. We'll fight for this trophy until the final whistle."

The answer resonated deeply with the fans, who left the stadium buzzing with optimism and pride.

Beyond the roar of the stadium and the accolades on the field, Adriano's star was beginning to shine in other arenas as well. His latest Nike sponsorship deal had already made headlines, further cementing his status as one of football's rising icons.

And now, as if scripted by fate itself, a fresh opportunity beckoned—a collaboration with none other than Lamborghini.

The commercial concept was simple yet alluring: a fusion of raw athletic power and luxurious elegance, a mirror image of Adriano's own game.

He was to be filmed driving the latest Lamborghini Huracán, the embodiment of speed and precision.

Although it is necessary to be 18 for getting the license, They managed to work it out with the bureau as he would be 18 in a few weeks. Adriano already knew how to drive, so it was sorted out quickly as he took the test.

his co-star was Blanca Suárez, one of Spain's most beloved actresses and models, whose beauty and charm needed no introduction. The idea was that luxury meets talent—a seamless blend of two worlds that rarely intersected.

The shoot took place on a closed racing circuit just outside Madrid, where the adrenaline of speed met the calm of high art. Adriano arrived on set dressed in a sleek, jet-black Lamborghini jacket, his presence imposing despite his age .

Across the set, Blanca was already waiting by the Lamborghini—a vision in a form-fitting red dress that contrasted vividly with the car's dark, polished lines.

As their eyes met, Blanca couldn't help but tease, her tone playful . "So, you're the big star everyone's been talking about?" she quipped, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

Adriano adjusted his gloves and offered a small shrug. "I just play football," he replied,

Blanca laughed, a musical sound that echoed around the set. "That's a pretty straightforward answer , not one for sophistry," she remarked, her voice teasing.

The director called them over, and the first shot began—a simple frame of Adriano walking up to the Lamborghini, putting on his sunglasses, and confidently stepping into the driver's seat.

The engine roared to life, setting the stage for a sequence of adrenaline-fueled action shots: Adriano is seen navigating high-speed curves, executing sharp turns, and drifting gracefully around corners, each moment captured in cinematic brilliance. Although most of it would be edited later as they did the dangerous part with stuntmans.

Throughout the shoot, Blanca's presence was magnetic. She sat in the passenger seat, her expressions alternating between playful feigned nonchalance and genuine admiration for the skill behind the wheel. Between takes, she would lean over, her voice low, "That was impressive, but I must admit, watching you drive is almost as thrilling as watching you on the pitch."

Adriano chuckled softly. "Maybe I should consider a career in racing," he joked, though the corners of his eyes hinted at amusement .

The playful banter continued until the final scene was set. With the car slowing to a stop and the engine's rumble fading into a soft purr, Blanca turned toward Adriano. With a coy smile, she asked, "So, what's your next move?"

Adriano's response was immediate, his voice steady and determined. "Always forward."

At that moment, the Lamborghini logo and the tagline "For those who never stop moving forward" flashed across the screen—a perfect encapsulation of the day's theme.

As the director called, "Perfect! That's a wrap!" the energy on set was palpable. Yet, even amid the adrenaline of the shoot, a more intimate scene was unfolding.

The cameras had just wrapped a take when Blanca sidled up to Adriano in the quiet corner of the set. Dressed in a striking red dress that seemed to demand attention, she offered a warm smile as she leaned casually against a prop car.

"Adriano," she began, her tone light yet unmistakably curious, "you always seem so focused on the game. Is there more to you outside of it?"

Adriano glanced up briefly, offering a polite, measured smile before returning his attention to the script in his hands. "I guess football is what matters most to me right now," he replied evenly, his tone friendly but distant.

Blanca raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with the evasive answer. "That's what they say about you—always so driven. But don't you ever find time for anything else? I mean, there must be more to your story than just playing football ."

He chuckled softly, his eyes briefly flickering with amusement before he looked away. "I appreciate the curiosity, but I'm not much for small talk. There's a match to prepare for," Adriano said, his response courteous yet decidedly non-committal.

Her smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a spark of mild annoyance. "Always dodging, aren't you?" Blanca teased, a playful edge creeping into her voice. "I'm not here just to talk about football, you know. I'd love to know the man behind that stoic exterior."

Adriano offered a small, apologetic shrug. "I'm flattered, Blanca, really. But I tend to keep things simple when it comes to personal matters. My focus is on performing well on the field," he explained, his tone warm yet resolute.

Blanca's eyes narrowed slightly, a mix of frustration and intrigue dancing in their depths. "You're not making it very easy for me to figure you out, are you?" she challenged softly, a hint of amusement lacing her words. "I'm beginning to think there's a lot more to you than you let on."

He smiled, a brief, enigmatic twist of his lips that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Maybe there is, but I'm not ready to share it right now, specially after I met someone for the first time" he said , his voice firm.

Adriano nodded politely, then turned back to his notes as if resuming an important task.

His calm composure and unwavering focus only made Blanca more determined—and undeniably more intrigued to unravel the mystery behind the quiet star.

For a heartbeat, silence stretched between them as Blanca regarded him, her initial irritation melting into an even deeper curiosity. " This guy is really interesting. I should invite him to my party." She muttered softly.