First match
5 minutes before the start of the match between Team V and Team Y....
Everyone gathered around Reo until he started speaking, "I hope you all trained on your weaknesses. We don't want to lose in the first match because if we lose, we will lose our self-confidence."
Rafael stood up and passed by Reo and patted him on the shoulder while laughing, "Haha.. Don't worry, just have fun."
Everyone looked at Rafael's back in amazement...Dude, everyone here is nervous to death.
Everyone gathered in front of the entrance to the stadium, opened the door, entered the corridor and appeared on the field in front of the competitors of Team Y:
1. Juraki Ito
2. Ashime Suzuki
3. Tobio Madoka
4. Shinichi Konan
5. Iori Sato
6. Soshi Kagura
7. Ikki Niko
8. Fuma Rokkaku
9. Hibiki Okawa
10. Mareto Takeyama
11. Hyuga Koshiba
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Reo and Niko come forward from the two teams as they are the team leaders to shake hands.
They were looking at each other with determination in their eyes. Everyone on this field wanted to win, and everyone was nervous except Nagi and Rafael. They were talking to each other calmly.
"I hope this match is going to be great," Reo said
"Me too"
The screen indicated the start of the match and the ball landed on Niko's foot.
Niko swiftly grabbed the ball and passed it to Soshi Kagura, the right midfielder. Soshi, feeling nervous, began advancing slowly due to his anxiety.
In just 3 seconds, Rafael was right in front of Soshi. He effortlessly took the ball from him and swiftly advanced forward. Everyone was amazed by Rafael's speed and quick reactions as he dashed ahead with the ball. It all happened in just a matter of seconds.
Rafael was up against the opponent's defense when Hyuga Koshiba attempted a low tackle to steal the ball. However, Rafael saw it coming and cleverly leaped with the ball between his feet. This move gave him a clear view of the goal ahead.
He took the ball, moved forward, and took one second to see the goal well.
He struck the ball strongly, and it curved in a path that resembled the letter C as it moved towards the goal.
Goalkeeper Juraki Ito was surprised by the power of the ball. He realized that even if he reached out to catch it, he wouldn't be able to stop it.
The ball entered the goal, the score changed on the screen:
[Team V 1:0 Team Y]
Match time 2:56
Everyone was amazed by Rafael's strength, including his own team, who had no idea he had this talent.
The team gathered around Rafael, and Reo exclaimed, "Wow, what an amazing goal! I had no idea you were so talented at football. This is incredible!"
Rafael casually shrugged and replied, "It was no big deal, just an easy shot."
Masumi Atatame exclaimed, "What?! You call this goal easy? I don't think anyone here could score a goal as impressive as that!"
After celebrating the first goal, everyone returned to their positions to continue the match.
Five minutes after the first goal.
Ashime Suzuki made a mistake in Team Y's defense, allowing Reo to seize the opportunity and take the ball.
He raised his head to see Nagi in front of the opponent's goal. Nagi was only five meters between him and the goal, so he was in a very good position for Reo to pass the ball to him.
He lofted the ball high for Nagi to head into the goal.
Nagi leapt high to score his first goal in the challenge, but he missed making contact with the ball using his head.
Reo was surprised and frowned that Nagi didn't reach the ball.
But he quickly changed his expression because the one behind Nagi was Rafael.
Rafael, noticing the ball dropping nearly a meter away, lifted his legs toward the sky and leaped to execute a bicycle kick.
He hit the ball hard with his right foot and the ball entered the opponent's goal again.
Rafael scored two goals in the first 10 minutes of the match.
His friends again rushed to celebrate the goal.
Nagi raised his thumb in a gesture resembling a "like" sign and calmly remarked, "Wow... That was really impressive."
Reo was taken aback by Nagi's unusual praise, as Nagi wasn't known for complimenting others. Nonetheless, Reo approached him and said,
"I'm sorry, I kicked the ball too high. If I had kept it lower, you would have scored."
"It's okay, the important thing is to win."
Reo heard Nagi's words and smiled. Everyone resumed their positions to continue the match, unaware of Rafael's mischievous grin.
...
After the end of the 90 minutes of match time, the result of the match was harsh for Team Y.
[Team V 8:0 Team Y]
Rafael scored four goals, two in the first half and two in the second.
As for Nagi and Reo, each of them scored two goals.
The match ended with Team V defeating Team Y by 8 clean goals.
At the end of the match, they gathered in the locker room.
As everyone was changing, Reo walked to the center of the room and clapped to get everyone's attention. When all eyes were on him, he began to speak.
"Great job, everyone. You gave it your all. Let's carry this effort into our next match against Team W. They're a tough team they beat Team X 4-1 in their last match."
Everyone nodded and decided to give everything they had in the next match.
"We have to come up with a good plan in order to win against this team," Masumi said.
Rafael refused, "We don't have to make a plan, it's just that each of you should watch Team W's match against Team X in order to see their weaknesses."
"That sounds good. Our next match is in two days. Good luck, everyone!"
Rafael emerged from the bathroom feeling refreshed, got dressed, and promptly grabbed his phone to watch the Barcelona match against Atletico Madrid.
After a minute, Rafael remembered that the match would end now because the start time of the match was the same time he played against Team Y so he could not watch it.
Rafael watched the match summary and saw that Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid 3-1. Messi, Neymar, and Suarez each scored a goal for Barcelona, while Griezmann scored a penalty for Atletico Madrid after a foul by Pique.
"I have little time left to return to the spotlight and success. This time, I won't make the same mistakes again."
Moments later, he remembered his time as a player with Barcelona, winning numerous titles and even the Ballon d'Or. Intense memories flooded back, almost bringing him to tears. He cursed himself inwardly, realizing he could have achieved more if not for his flawed mindset.
"I hope to live these same memories again in this life and strive for the best"
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