Chapter 52 – Rising Pressure
The sun rose over the city with a soft orange glow, casting long shadows across the training pitches. Jota awoke before dawn, his body already tuned to the rhythm of rigorous routines. The week had tested him, pushed him to adapt, and yet, as he laced his boots and stretched in the small dorm room, a familiar spark of excitement pulsed through his veins.
Breakfast was a quiet affair. Jota chose a seat by the window, watching the city slowly come alive. Pedestrians hurried along cobblestone streets, bicycles clattered over uneven stones, and distant construction noises echoed off buildings. The smell of fresh bread and coffee filled the dining hall, mingling with the chatter of teammates. Conversations in Italian, Portuguese, English, and Spanish formed a symphony of foreign sounds.
