The morning after the Carabao Cup win,Mateo woke up sore โ but satisfied.
The match hadn't been glamorous.There were no fireworks.But the work had been real.
And the people who mattered had seen it.
๐ง System Summary โ Updated Status
โ Consistency Chain: 5 Matches๐ Passive Boost Upgraded: "Iron in the Cold" โ "Cold-Blooded Consistency"
Small stat increases during consecutive-match performance streaks.
+1 Endurance+1 Decision Making
Mateo smiled faintly.
The game didn't reward only genius.
It rewarded resilience.
๐ Carrington, That Morning
Coach Rรบben Amorim gathered the team for a short debrief.
"Good result. But cups aren't won in round two.""We move. We refocus."
Then he turned toward Mateo.
"Special mention," he said. "Not because he scored.But because he led. Without asking for permission."
Several players clapped. Others nodded.
Mateo just lowered his head respectfully.
๐ Unexpected Call
Later that afternoon, while stretching at home with Klara, his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number. UK Code.
He hesitatedโthen answered.
"Mateo?"
A calm, gravel-toned voice. Mature. Balanced.
"Yesโฆ who is this?"
"It's Eric Cantona."
Mateo nearly dropped the phone.
"Iโฆ Iโwait, really?"
"You're wearing the number I once carried," Cantona continued."I've been watching."
โ๏ธ The Conversation
"Everyone sees the brilliance. The headlines.But what caught my eye, Mateo, was the ugly minutes.You didn't disappear when the match got quiet. You filled it."
Mateo listened silently, reverently.
"The number 7 at Manchester isn't just about talent.It's about gravity.When things tilt, you must keep the world spinning."
"You're doing it well."
Mateo swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Thank you. Truly."
Cantona paused.
"Don't thank me yet. The real storms come when people expect miracles every time.That's when you stop trying to impress, and start trying to inspire."
Then, almost like an afterthought:
"When you're readyโฆ call me again.I'd be happy to train a little with you."
Click.
The line went dead.
Mateo stared at the screen, heart pounding.
โ๏ธ System Trigger
โ Legacy Flame Activated: "Heir to the Number"
๐ Trait Unlocked: "Wielder of the 7"Boosts morale and pressure resistance when playing at home.
๐ Small influence on teammates during tactical shifts or comeback situations.
Mateo Sat in Silence
Klara sat beside him, hand on his.
"You okay?"
He nodded slowly.
"Yeah. I justโฆnever thought I'd talk to a statue from the training ground."
They both laughed.
But deep down, Mateo knewโ
This wasn't just history calling.
It was a passing of fire.