A Game of Eyes
The day felt heavier than usual.
Not because of the weather—it was a bright, cloudless morning—but because of the weight pressing against Tobi's chest.
Today, scouts would be watching.
From Valencia, Lille, RB Salzburg, and even a representative from Benfica, who had no business showing up to a Sporting youth match.
And most importantly, his mother and little sister would be in the stands too.
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Match Day: Sporting U17 vs. Braga U17
The locker room was unusually quiet. The players felt it too. The tension. The subtle competitiveness between teammates who usually trusted each other blindly.
Coach Salgado walked in and simply said, "Do what we trained. No more. No less."
He looked at Tobi longer than the others.
"No proving. Just playing."
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System Activation
Tobi breathed deeply and activated the system with a whisper.
> [FOOTBALL SYSTEM – Match Mode Activated]
Dribbling: 72
Passing: 76
Vision: 80
First Touch: 75
Stamina: 70
Mental: 74
Fatigue Modifier: -2 (Due to nerves)
Home Ground Familiarity Bonus: +2
Note: You are under observation. Key decision moments will be logged.
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Minutes 1–30: Playing Smart
Tobi didn't try to show off. He remembered Coach Barros's words from the national team:
"Be reliable."
So he did.
One-touch passes.
Switching the field when pressured.
Organizing his teammates off the ball.
At minute 12, he spotted the Braga winger cutting inward. He stepped into the space early, intercepting the pass cleanly and launching a precision pass upfield.
João received it, cut past two defenders, and buried it.
Goal. 1–0.
The stadium roared. But Tobi didn't celebrate wildly. He pointed to his mother in the stands. Marta clutched her hands to her heart.
Leonor waved a little sign that read:
"My brother is better than Ronaldo!"
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The Scouts Take Note
> [SYSTEM UPDATE]
— Key Pass: +2 Vision
— Assist Chance Created: +5 Scout Impressions
Scout Feedback Summary:
RB Salzburg: "Reads space like a pro."
Valencia: "Needs more verticality but shows elite calm."
Lille: "Reliable but needs to take more risks."
Tobi caught one of the men in suits scribbling something down furiously.
He swallowed hard.
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Minute 38: Collapse
A Braga midfielder dribbled past two Sporting defenders and launched a long shot that rocketed past the keeper.
1–1.
Tobi gritted his teeth. He had tracked back but was too late by seconds.
The System chimed.
> "Game Influence: -3 (Missed defensive cover)"
"C'mon, Tobi!" João shouted. "You're late again!"
He didn't answer. He just breathed.
Reset. Refocus.
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Half-Time: A Heavy Silence
Coach Salgado didn't yell.
He just said, "Play your game, Tobi. Not theirs. You're not here to entertain. You're here to control."
His words stuck.
Control.
Not flash. Not panic.
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Second Half: Clutch Mode
Tobi upped his tempo. He started dictating the game's rhythm like a conductor.
Every ball came through him.
He broke Braga's high press with clever turns.
He slid a long-range shot just wide in the 65th.
And then, in the 72nd minute:
Braga overloaded the left wing.
Tobi, exhausted, tracked the runner. Just as the cross came in, he dove forward—intercepting with his chest—then sprang up and cleared it long.
The crowd erupted.
> [Skill Triggered: "Last Man Intercept"]
— Mental +1
— Scout Impression: +7
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Final Whistle: 1–1 Draw
Not a win.
But not a loss.
And Tobi knew, deep inside—he'd done what he came to do.
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Post-Match System Summary
> Match Score: 7.5 / 10
✅ Completed Objective 1/2: "Standout Match Performance"
— Passing: +1
— Vision: +1
— Composure: +2
Coach Trust Level: "Reliable Starter"
Scout Attention:
Valencia: Trial Invite Confirmed
RB Salzburg: Scouting Extension Request
New Offer (Unofficial):
— Braga interested in future domestic offer
Note: Performance in next match will determine final transfer options.
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That Night: A Family Conversation
Back home, Marta sat beside him on the couch, her laptop open.
"I've heard back from Valencia. They're officially offering a two-week trial with paid accommodation. No contract guarantee yet, but… it's real."
Leonor sat cross-legged on the floor, drawing stick figures of Tobi kicking goals into space.
Tobi ran his hand through his curls. "If I leave, I miss the season finish here. Might burn bridges."
"But if you don't try," Marta said gently, "you may regret it forever."
He didn't speak. Just looked at Leonor, who smiled at him with innocent confidence.
"What do you think?" he asked her.
She beamed. "I think you're already the best. But I wanna see you on TV."
They laughed.
But deep inside, something settled.
He had to take the risk.
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System Notification
> Decision Required:
✅ Accept Valencia Trial (2 weeks)
🔁 Decline and finish Sporting season
— Risk: Lower match exposure at home
— Reward: International breakthrough opportunity
Timer: 72 hours remaining.
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