It had been one month since that dusty afternoon in Santiago with Arturo Vidal.
One month of quiet work.
One month of sweat, pain, and small victories.
And now, it was time to take the next step.
The Rehabilitation Center
The car pulled up outside the state-of-the-art recovery facility near Munich — a place known for treating elite athletes, champions, and comeback stories.
Mateo stepped out slowly, using just one crutch.
The receptionist smiled as soon as she saw him.
"González. Right on time. You ready for your session?"
Mateo nodded. Not many words. He didn't need them.
He walked in, eyes set, fire beneath the calm.
The Session
10 minutes on a stationary bike
Guided ankle mobilization with resistance bands
Balance training on uneven surfaces
Hydrotherapy movements
Neuromuscular stimulation on the calf
Each movement was controlled.Each repetition deliberate.
Pain had become a part of the rhythm now — not an enemy, just a reminder.
At the end of the session, the therapist looked impressed.
"You're progressing fast. Might beat the estimate."
Mateo gave a short smile.
"I plan to."
Back to the Stadium
Outside, Klara waited by the car, warm drink in hand.
"How was it today?" she asked, matching his pace as he climbed in.
"Stronger," he said. "Day by day."
"Good," she replied. "Because tonight… is match night."
He didn't need a reminder.
Tonight was the Champions League quarter-final, second leg.Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan.The first leg had ended in a 2–2 draw.
All to play for… and all to lose.
The Allianz
The stadium glowed like a fortress beneath the night sky.
Inside, tens of thousands of fans roared in anticipation.
Mateo sat beside Klara in the VIP medical box, watching his team — his family — walk onto the pitch.
He recognized them all:
Manuel Neuer
Joshua Kimmich
Matthijs de Ligt
Alphonso Davies
Dayot Upamecano
Leon Goretzka
Jamal Musiala
Leroy Sané
Serge Gnabry
Kingsley Coman
Harry Kane
All warriors.
All capable.
But tonight, something was missing.
The Match
Inter came to play — calm, compact, clinical.
Bayern tried to force the game early.Musiala darted through gaps.Sané curled dangerous balls into the box.Kane held up the line, hungry for a chance.
But Inter defended like a wall.
Then, in the 72nd minute —a counterattack sliced through Bayern's midfield.
One pass. One run. One perfect finish past Neuer.
Inter 1 – Bayern 0
And the stadium… fell into stunned silence.
After the Whistle
Bayern pushed to the very end — a header from Kane barely over the bar, a long-range blast from Kimmich into the keeper's gloves.
But the final whistle blew.
And just like that—
Bayern Munich were out of the Champions League.
Eliminated.At home.
The Ride Home
Mateo didn't speak on the way back.
He just stared out the window, his reflection blurred by passing lights.
He didn't blame them.
But in his chest, something twisted.
Not because they lost.
But because they lost without him.
Klara placed a hand over his.
"They need you out there. And you'll be back soon."
Mateo looked at her.
Then at his cast.
And whispered to himself:
"This ends with me back on that pitch."