When the final whistle blew, confirming Spain's comeback victory, the celebrations were immediate and heartfelt.
Players embraced with genuine joy, understanding that this result had provided valuable lessons about resilience and the importance of never giving up. Mateo, enveloped in the celebratory huddle, felt a deep sense of belonging, a quiet triumph that transcended the scoreline.
But it was the post-match scenes that truly captured the significance of the evening. As Mateo made his way around the pitch, acknowledging the supporters who had witnessed his triumphant return to Barcelona, he was approached by several familiar faces from his past.
The first was Carles Rexach, the former Barcelona coach who had discovered Lionel Messi and had always regretted not being able to do more for Mateo during his time at La Masia.
