The night before the quarterfinal match against Argentina,Mateo found himself sitting alone in his hotel room,staring out the window at the cold stars above Santiago.
He had barely touched his dinner.
His mind was heavy.
Memories
The ghosts of Argentina clung to him.
He remembered:
The cold shoulders in training.
The deliberate sabotage on the field.
The fists, the insults, the betrayal.
The lies spread by the press.
He clenched his jaw.
"I'm not that broken boy anymore," he told himself."I'm stronger. Smarter.Better."
Still, the emotions swirled dangerously beneath the surface.
The anger.The hurt.The need to prove them all wrong.
System Reminder
Inside his mind, the familiar chime of the System echoed gently:
[Special Event Approaching: Battle of Origins]Recommended: Prepare Mentally and Physically.
[Golden Skill Box: Ready for Opening.]
Mateo inhaled slowly.
This wasn't just about Argentina.
It was about his future.
About choosing strength over pain.
About choosing who he wanted to be.
Opening the Golden Skill Box
He whispered:
"Open it."
Golden light exploded in front of him —and one by one, five cards materialized.
Each card shimmered with the image of a legend.
1. Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool Legend.A powerhouse midfielder known for his unstoppable long-range strikes.
Skill:
Cannon Shot Lv.1(Greatly increases shot power and precision from outside the box.)
2. David Beckham
The Maestro.Famed not only for his free kicks,but for his stunning precision on long-range passes and shots.
Skill:
Precision Long Shot Lv.1(Enhances shot accuracy over long distances.)
3. Frank Lampard
The Relentless Engine.Master of arriving late into the box and hammering deadly long shots.
Skill:
Late Burst Finisher Lv.1(Boosts scoring chances when entering the box late.)
4. Andrea Pirlo
The Artist.Elegant, serene,his shooting from outside the area was surgical and effortless.
Skill:
Silken Strike Lv.1(Boosts finesse shots from outside the box.)
5. Ronald Koeman
The Defender-Scorer.One of the most dangerous defenders with a cannon-like shot from long range.
Skill:
Power Blast Lv.1(Enhances pure power and penetration of distant strikes.)
Mateo studied each card carefully.
Each offered incredible possibilities.
Power. Precision. Timing. Technique.
But deep down, he knew exactly what he needed for tomorrow:
Cold, surgical precision.
To strike when Argentina least expected it.
He chose:
David Beckham's "Precision Long Shot Lv.1."
[Skill Acquired: Precision Long Shot Lv.1]Long-distance shot accuracy +10%.Chance of critical shot increased when outside penalty box.
The card melted into his body in a warm pulse of light.
Mateo smiled faintly.
"Perfect."
Team Meeting
Later that night, the German squad gathered for final instructions.
Coach Schuster's words were brief:
"Protect our engine.Protect Mateo."
Several players — Ritter, Lukas, Jonas — nodded fiercely.
They had seen how Argentina treated him in the past.
They wouldn't let it happen again.
As the team dispersed, Ritter clapped Mateo on the back.
"No one touches you tomorrow," he said."We've got your back."
Mateo simply nodded.
No speeches.No drama.
Tomorrow, he would answer everything.
Not with words.
But with goals.