Wembley Stadium. Ninety thousand people.
Alex stood in the tunnel.
To his right, the white shirts of Madrid.
Vinicius Junior was dancing to music in his headphones. Rodrygo was praying. Thibaut Courtois was touching the top of the tunnel ceiling because he was so tall.
And there was Antonio Rudiger.
The crazy defender.
Rudiger was staring at Mark. He was smiling. It was a scary smile.
"Little fast man," Rudiger said. "I will catch you today."
"I am the wind!" Mark replied, adjusting his shin pads. "You cannot catch the wind! You can only feel the breeze as I run past you!"
"We will see," Rudiger laughed.
The referee picked up the ball.
They walked out.
Fireworks exploded from the roof. The Champions League anthem played.
The Chaaaaampions.
Alex looked at the trophy. It was right there. He had lifted it last year. He wanted to lift it again.
The whistle blew.
The game started.
