Chapter 8 — The Eyes of Europe
The morning sun spilled across the canals of Amsterdam, reflecting off cobblestones and glinting against the sleek buildings that lined the city. Julian awoke in his temporary apartment, sunlight cutting across the floorboards, illuminating the trophy case from last year's youth tournament. His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the glow of the early hour.
For a moment, he just stared at the ceiling, listening to the distant hum of city life. Trams clanged. Cyclists zipped past. Somewhere, a street musician played a faint samba rhythm.
Then came the thought that had never left him since the news broke: *Europe is watching.*
The System materialized, invisible to all but him:
[Alert: Scout Presence Detected — Multiple Clubs | Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern, Juventus, Chelsea | Attention Level: Max]
[Warning: High expectation may cause performance anxiety. Recommend focus on tactical execution.]
Julian flexed his toes inside his boots, feeling the leather hug his feet like an old friend. He ran his hand over the ball in the corner, polished and pristine, but it wasn't the ball that mattered. It was what he could do with it.
*Every flick, every dribble, every impossibly precise skill.*
He rose, heading toward the training ground. Outside, the air was crisp. The canals mirrored the morning sky, but Julian's mind wasn't on reflection — it was on *action*.
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### Arrival at Ajax Training Ground
The Ajax U-19 squad was assembled. Scouts whispered into radios, cameras flashed, and coaches paced, analyzing every twitch. Julian felt the tension in the air. His teammates shifted nervously, some staring, some muttering. A few tried to downplay him, but everyone knew what was coming.
He warmed up methodically. A quick La Croqueta here, a precise Cruyff Turn there. Every touch a display of flair, yet executed with perfect control. The System flickered beside him:
[Recommendation: Hybrid flair + tactical discipline | Skill readiness: 100% | Tactical awareness: 95%]
Julian nodded. He didn't need reminders. He could feel the game before it even started.
Coach van Dijk clapped his hands. "Remember, Julian. Control your brilliance — the team must shine as a unit."
Julian smirked. "Understood, coach."
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### Kickoff — Ajax U-19 vs. Feyenoord U-19
The whistle blew. Julian was instantly present, a force of nature. The first touch, a quick flick over a defender's heel, left two players tangled on the turf. He grinned — *Hiper Drible Infinito activated.*
The crowd — scouts and teammates alike — gasped.
A burst down the left wing. He launched a Trivela from midfield, curving the ball into the top corner. The keeper leaped, but it was futile. First goal. System chimed:
[Goal Scored: 1 | Assist: 0 | Skill Efficiency: 98%]
The game accelerated. Julian weaved between defenders effortlessly, each feint a statement. He executed the Blitz Dribble Cross, sending a perfect Ejxebaña Cross to a teammate. Alexandro Costa received it in stride, volleying it home. Another assist.
Thiago tried a slide tackle. Julian flicked the ball over his head, the defender crashing into a teammate. He laughed silently — *chaos with precision.*
[Stats Update: Goals 3 | Assists 2 | Successful Dribbles 12]
By halftime, Ajax led 16–2. Julian had contributed directly to every goal. Every motion he made was poetry, yet deadly in its effectiveness.
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### Second Half — Tactical Adaptation
Feyenoord switched to zonal marking, attempting to contain Julian. The System prompted:
[Adjust Strategy: Blend flair and positioning | Tactical Awareness Boost +10%]
He adapted instantly, exploiting pockets of space, threading passes, combining Hiper Drible Infinito with the Tiro de Carnificina Infinita. A Castèllano's Controlled Drive Shot from 25 meters curled past the keeper — net bulging.
Rival emergence: A slim, fast Feyenoord forward appeared. Whispered as "the prodigy of the academy," he was cunning, agile, and relentless.
They faced off. Julian feinted left, feinted right, then backward. The rival lunged, misstepped. Julian sent the ball between his legs — Blitz Feint engaged — leaving him disoriented. He sprinted past, looped the ball over the keeper, and volleyed an overhead kick. Another goal.
By the 70th minute, the scoreboard read 84–9. Julian had scored 51 goals and assisted 33. Every goal, every assist, a showcase of skill, flair, and tactical mastery.
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### Post-Match Reflection
The whistle blew. Scouts erupted into discussion. Coaches analyzed footage. Julian stood in the center of the field, chest heaving, drenched in sweat, yet calm.
The System displayed:
[Match Summary: Goals 51 | Assists 33 | Skill Efficiency 99% | Tactical Adaptation 96%]
[New Skills Unlocked: Blitz Dribble Cross (Advanced), Power-Driven Chipshot (Mastered)]
[Bond Strength & Team Cohesion +15%]
Julian exhaled. This was not just victory. It was proof that flair could be controlled, chaos could serve a system, beauty could dominate within structure.
But the faint whisper from Maria Clara in Rio echoed: *"Don't forget the ground beneath your feet."*
He knew this was only the beginning. Europe was watching. The world was watching. Julian Mattheus Côrrea Dos Santos would rise — not just as a player, but as a phenomenon, blending heritage, skill, and heart.
He allowed himself a rare, quiet smile before leaving the field. Tomorrow, he would train again. Tomorrow, he would evolve again.
Tonight, he was Julian — a prodigy, a street legend, a rising European star.
[System Note: Emotional balance achieved | Readiness for next challenge: 100%]
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End of Chapter 8