Chapter 4 At La Masia
The moment Julio stepped onto the La Masia training ground, a wave of attention immediately fell upon him. His emerald-green eyes, sharp features, and effortless confidence made him stand out even before he touched a ball. He was slightly taller than most of the kids his age, and his athletic, well-built physique from years of training gave him an aura of maturity beyond his ten years.
Dressed in a simple black training kit, he moved with a natural grace, his black hair slightly tousled by the breeze. The other boys, who were either chatting amongst themselves or nervously stretching, stopped mid-conversation as their gazes followed him.
"¿Quién es ese chico?" (Who is that kid?)
"He looks older than us…"
"No way, he's our age?"
Some of them whispered among themselves, their curiosity evident. Some were simply admiring his striking appearance, while others already viewed him as competition. But Julio paid them no attention—his focus was on the football at his feet and the trial ahead.
Up in the stands, Fernando Sky Iglesias sat comfortably, dressed in an elegant navy blue suit, his sharp eyes scanning the field. As always, he exuded an air of quiet dominance. He had seen many talented athletes in his life, but watching his son walk onto that pitch, completely unfazed by the attention, brought a smirk to his face.
"Show them what you're made of, hijo."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few minutes later, the U-10 coach and staff walked onto the field, their presence immediately silencing the excited chatter among the young boys. The head coach, a tall man with a sharp gaze and a commanding voice, stepped forward.
"Welcome to La Masia trials," he began, scanning the eager faces before him. "You are here because you have talent, but talent alone is not enough to play for Barcelona. We are looking for intelligence, technical skill, decision-making, and the ability to play as a team. Today, we will test everything."
The boys listened attentively, some nervous, others brimming with confidence. Julio stood among them, his emerald-green eyes calm yet focused.
The coach continued, "We will be testing you on ball control, passing, dribbling, shooting, and match awareness. Then, we will play small-sided games to evaluate how you perform in real situations."
He then picked up a clipboard and called out names one by one. Each child stepped forward and declared their preferred position.
"Julio Sky Iglesias!"
Julio stepped forward confidently. His black hair slightly swayed in the breeze as he looked directly at the coach.
"Attacking Midfielder, sir."
The coach raised an eyebrow slightly, as attacking midfield was one of the most demanding positions. It required vision, creativity, technical brilliance, and leadership—qualities that not every child could possess.
"You'll have to work hard, kid," the coach said with a nod before moving to the next player.
Julio simply smiled. He had been working for this moment for years.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first drill of the trials was a simple one—ball control. Each player had to juggle the ball as many times as possible without letting it drop. For the coaches, this was an easy way to assess a player's touch, coordination, and balance.
Julio took his position in line, standing tall and relaxed. Around him, some boys were visibly nervous, their legs shaking slightly as they anticipated their turn. Others were confident, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
When it was Julio's turn, he took a deep breath and flicked the ball up with the tip of his boot. The moment it left the ground, time seemed to slow.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The ball moved seamlessly between his feet, thighs, and head, never straying more than a few centimeters from his body. His movements were smooth, effortless—each touch controlled, each bounce precise. He didn't just juggle the ball; he danced with it.
The other kids stopped to watch. Even the coaches exchanged glances, their eyebrows raising slightly. While some players had solid technique, Julio's touch was something else entirely. Every movement radiated confidence and control far beyond his years.
After a full minute of flawless juggling, Julio caught the ball effortlessly with his foot and passed it back to the coach. He didn't need to continue—he had already proven his control was impeccable.
"Not bad," the coach said, hiding his intrigue behind a neutral expression. But Julio could see the faintest flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
The trials continued with passing and dribbling drills. Julio excelled in each one, his precision and control setting him apart from the other kids. His passes were crisp, weighted perfectly. His dribbling was smooth, weaving through cones as if they weren't even there. He wasn't the fastest player, but his ability to glide past defenders with subtle feints and quick turns was mesmerizing.
Then came the shooting drill.
The players were lined up at the edge of the penalty box, each given five shots on goal. The objective was to test their power, accuracy, and composure in front of the net.
Julio stepped up, placing the ball carefully on the grass. He took a deep breath, analyzing the goalkeeper's stance before taking his shot.
Boom!
The ball rocketed into the top corner, kissing the net with a satisfying ripple. The power, the accuracy—it was the strike of a seasoned finisher, not a ten-year-old child.
The coaches exchanged another look.
He took his remaining shots with the same clinical precision. Left foot, right foot, near post, far post. Every strike was intentional, every finish lethal.
By the time the small-sided games started, whispers had already spread among the players. Some were impressed. Others were intimidated.
But Julio? He was just getting started.
The 5v5 matches were the final and most crucial part of the trials. This was where the coaches would see who could truly translate their skills into a game situation.
Julio's team stepped onto the pitch, and the moment the game started, he took control. As an attacking midfielder, his role was to dictate the tempo, create chances, and lead the attack.
Within minutes, he was doing just that.
Receiving the ball in midfield, he evaded an incoming challenge with a quick turn, accelerating past two defenders before threading a perfect through-ball to his striker, who barely reacted in time. The striker's shot was saved, but the coaches were already nodding in approval. Julio had seen the play before anyone else did.
Moments later, he dribbled past a defender with a swift step-over, cut inside, and curled a shot toward the far post. The keeper barely managed to parry it away.
And then, the highlight of the match.
A teammate sent a lofted pass toward him at the edge of the box. Without hesitation, Julio flicked the ball up with his right foot, spun, and struck a perfect volley into the top corner.
Silence. Then gasps. Even some of the coaches looked stunned.
It wasn't just the technique—it was the confidence, the sheer audacity of attempting such a shot in a trial.
As the game ended, the players walked off the pitch, exhausted. Julio, however, barely looked winded. He had played with a composure that belonged to someone far older.
The head coach walked up to him, studying him for a long moment before finally speaking.
"You," he said, eyes sharp with interest. "Come back tomorrow."
A smirk tugged at the corner of Julio's lips.
The first step toward Barcelona had been taken.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later that night, Julio lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the luxurious room, but his mind was elsewhere. The trials had gone exactly as he had planned—no, better than he had imagined. He had made a statement.
But he wasn't satisfied. This was just the beginning.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and thought about the system.
Ding!
A familiar blue glow flashed before his eyes as the Status Window appeared.
[STATUS WINDOW]─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───Name: Julio Sky IglesiasAge: 10Birth Date: August 2, 2000Height: 140 cm (4'7")Weight: 32 kg (71 lbs)
Abilities: NoneTemplates: None
Talent:• Football (SSS) – A generational talent, capable of mastering every aspect of the game.• Business (EX) – A mind built for strategy, negotiation, and empire-building.
Shop: UnlockedSP (System Points): 6,000Popularity: Locked─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Julio smirked. He had used 5,000 SP to unlock his SSS-rank Football Talent three years ago, and now, he had already accumulated 6,000 more.
[FOOTBALL ATTRIBUTES]
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Name: Julio Sky Iglesias
Age: 10
Position: Attacking Midfielder (CAM)
Overall Rating: 52 (Youth Level)
Physical Attributes
• Pace: 68
• Acceleration: 70
• Agility: 69
• Balance: 67
• Strength: 66
• Stamina: 70
Technical Skills
• Dribbling: 48
• Ball Control: 50
• Passing (Short): 49
• Passing (Long): 47
• Vision: 50
• Finishing: 46
• Shooting Power: 48
• First Touch: 50
• Crossing: 45
Defensive Skills
• Tackling: 45
• Interceptions: 46
• Defensive Awareness: 48
Tactical Intelligence
• Positioning: 49
• Game Awareness: 50
• Creativity: 50
• Decision-Making: 48
Mental Attributes
• Composure: 50
• Work Rate: 48
• Leadership: 47
• Mental Fortitude: 49
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Julio studied the numbers carefully. His physicality was already elite for his age, but his technical ability still had a long way to go.
This wasn't a surprise—after all, he had just unlocked his SSS-Rank Football Talent. His body had the foundation, but his skills still needed development.
That's what the System was for.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ding!
A sudden notification sound rang in Julio's mind.
His vision flickered as the familiar blue system window appeared before him.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
✅ Congratulations! You have successfully been accepted into La Masia Academy.
🎉 Reward Unlocked:
New Template Acquired: Juninho Pernambucano (Free)
🔓 [TEMPLATE SYSTEM] Now Available!
Julio's emerald-green eyes widened.
Juninho Pernambucano?! The greatest free-kick taker in football history?
The moment he processed the words, a surge of knowledge and muscle memory flowed into him. Technique, balance, ball rotation, and precise shot placement—all related to set pieces—became second nature.
He quickly opened his Football Attributes window to see the changes.
[FOOTBALL ATTRIBUTES]
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Name: Julio Sky Iglesias
Age: 10
Position: Attacking Midfielder (CAM)
Overall Rating: 55 (Youth Level)
Physical Attributes
• Pace: 68
• Acceleration: 70
• Agility: 69
• Balance: 67
• Strength: 66
• Stamina: 70
Technical Skills
• Dribbling: 48
• Ball Control: 50
• Passing (Short): 49
• Passing (Long): 47
• Vision: 50
• Finishing: 46
• Shooting Power: 48
• First Touch: 50
• Crossing: 45
Defensive Skills
• Tackling: 45
• Interceptions: 46
• Defensive Awareness: 48
Tactical Intelligence
• Positioning: 49
• Game Awareness: 50
• Creativity: 50
• Decision-Making: 48
Mental Attributes
• Composure: 50
• Work Rate: 48
• Leadership: 47
• Mental Fortitude: 49
Set-Piece Mastery (Juninho Template Applied)
• Free Kicks: 92
• Penalties: 92
• Curve: 92
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Julio clenched his fists. A 92-rated free-kick ability at just 10 years old?
This was insane.
With this, he could become the deadliest set-piece taker La Masia had ever seen.
A smirk formed on his lips.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 10, 2027
Barcelona, Spain – Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper
Two years had passed since Julio Sky Iglesias first stepped into La Masia.
At just 12 years old, he had dominated the U-12 and U-14 divisions, scoring 4 to 5 goals per match with a level of skill and intelligence far beyond his age. The coaches had no choice but to fast-track him into the Barcelona U-16 team, making him one of the youngest players in the squad's history.
Now, at 12 years old, he stood among 14-, 15-, and 16-year-old talents, preparing for the first match of the U-16 La Liga season.
The sun hung low over the training grounds as the team finished their warm-ups. Some players were stretching, others juggling the ball, but all eyes occasionally glanced at Julio—the prodigy who had taken La Masia by storm.
Even among the best youth players in Spain, he stood out.
[Barcelona U-16 First Match – La Liga Juvenil]
📍 Venue: Estadi Johan Cruyff
⚔️ Fixture: FC Barcelona U-16 🆚 Atlético Madrid U-16
📅 Date: September 12, 2027
⏳ Kickoff: 17:00 CEST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Got it! I'll rewrite the match scene to make it more exciting, detailed, and immersive.
Matchday – Barcelona U-16 vs. Villarreal U-16
September 15, 2012 – Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper
The sun hung high over the pristine green pitch as Barcelona U-16 took their positions. The stands weren't packed, but among the scattered spectators sat talent scouts from top European clubs, quietly observing. Some had already heard whispers of Julio Sky Iglesias, the 12-year-old phenomenon playing in an age group four years above his own.
From the first whistle, Barcelona dominated possession, their crisp passing and fluid movements overwhelming Villarreal's defense. Julio, stationed in the attacking midfield role, dictated the tempo with surgical precision.
His first moment of brilliance came in the 12th minute.
Receiving the ball near the center circle, Julio flicked it past an onrushing opponent with effortless ease, then drove forward at full speed. Two defenders closed in, but with a swift La Croqueta, he split between them, accelerating toward the edge of the box. Instead of shooting, he spotted his striker making a near-post run. With the outside of his boot, he curved a perfectly weighted through-ball between defenders.
1-0!
The striker tapped it in, barely believing the pass that had dissected the defense.
The second goal came in the 22nd minute. Julio, operating like a seasoned maestro, picked up the ball near the right wing. A quick step-over and body feint sent his marker the wrong way. With a burst of pace, he glided past another defender before curling a pinpoint cross to the back post, where his teammate smashed it home.
2-0. Another assist.
By the time the match reached halftime, the crowd was buzzing. Even the scouts, usually reserved, were exchanging glances, scribbling furiously into their notebooks.
The second half began with Julio turning into a goal-scorer himself.
In the 53rd minute, Barcelona won a free kick 30 yards out. The referee barely blew his whistle before Julio stepped up. His emerald-green eyes locked onto the top-left corner. A deep breath. Then—a flawless strike.
The ball whipped over the wall, dipped sharply, and slammed into the net off the crossbar. The goalkeeper didn't even move.
3-0. A masterpiece.
Five minutes later, Julio was at it again. This time, he danced into the box after a quick give-and-go, faked a shot to send the keeper diving the wrong way, and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
4-0. His second goal of the game.
By the 70th minute, Barcelona had added two more goals, one of which Julio assisted with a no-look pass between three defenders.
When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read:
Barcelona U-16 – 6 🆚 Villarreal U-16 – 0
⚽ Julio: 2 Goals, 3 Assists
As Julio walked off the field, drenched in sweat but unfazed, the murmurs from the scouts were unmistakable.
This kid wasn't just good—he was special.