The celebration had shaken the football world.The ball under his shirt.The thumb-sucking.The heart to the camera.
But while fans around the world reacted in awe or debate—family always hits harder.
And this time… they came in person.
🚪 A VISIT FROM KLARA'S PARENTS
They arrived early. Too early.
Mateo opened the door to find Klara's parents smiling wide, suitcase in hand, and a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling wine under her mother's arm.
"Surprise!" her mom beamed."We couldn't just text congratulations to a future grandchild."
"Mamá…" Klara whispered behind Mateo, mortified.
"What? You're having a baby with a Premier League star. That deserves hugs and grilled salmon."
They settled in quickly.
Klara's father kept things relaxed — kind smiles, thoughtful glances.But her mother… had other plans.
At dinner, with candles lit and plates full, she raised her glass.
"To Mateo — who scores on and off the pitch."
Klara dropped her fork.Mateo coughed into his water.
"Mom!"
"Oh come on," she smiled, winking."Some kids peak early. Others… peak explosively."
"Mom, stop."
"I'm just glad you two are in love and healthy.But let's be honest… you didn't waste any time."
Mateo looked down at his plate.
"We really didn't," he mumbled.
📱 A MEMORY, AND A CALL
That night, after the parents had gone to bed, Klara curled up with a maternity app on the couch while Mateo stepped out to the balcony.
The Manchester air was brisk.His head buzzed — with noise, pressure, headlines… and something older.
A voice, from almost a year ago:
"Call me when you want to train your presence, not just your pace."
Eric Cantona.
The legend.The firebrand.The quiet philosopher Mateo had met during a Manchester United club event.
He found the number. Dialed.
"Mateo," came the voice. Calm. Familiar."I wondered when you'd call."
"I'm ready," Mateo said."For something different."
"Good. Come tomorrow. Don't bring your trophies. Bring hunger."
🥋 THE KING'S DOJO
The next morning, Mateo drove alone to a facility hidden in the trees, just outside the city.
Cantona greeted him with a nod. No handshake. No smile.
"Today, we don't train muscles," he said."We train intention."
The drills were unorthodox:
Walking across the pitch in silence — eyes locked on invisible defenders
Delaying touches instead of rushing forward
Pausing in tight spaces, to control fear
Manipulating tempo rather than following it
Cantona spoke little, but when he did, it stuck.
"Stillness creates pressure," he said.
"Stillness?"
"When you stop… they panic.Because no one stops unless they're about to do something dangerous."
🧠 SYSTEM UPDATE
✅ New Mentor Activated: Eric Cantona
🎖 Special Training: Spatial Mastery I
📘 Passive Acquired: King's Eye— Enhances positioning, awareness, and off-ball manipulation
Status: Training in Progress