Chapter 30: I Must Have Him
"São Paulo can't keep playing like this—they're being pinned back!"
Inside the livestream, the chat scrolled faster than anyone could read. Supporters and skeptics argued fiercely, each using the first few minutes of the match to prove their own opinions.
Some viewers mocked Ken, claiming he had barely touched the ball. Others defended him, pointing out that Bayern's relentless pressing had trapped São Paulo deep inside their own half. The debate intensified with every passing second.
Football often worked that way—judgments made too early, conclusions drawn too quickly.
And then, suddenly, everything could change.
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The First Real Opportunity
In the 16th minute, São Paulo finally gained possession after a defensive clearance. Goalkeeper Rogério launched a long, powerful throw toward midfield, bypassing Bayern's high press.
Denílson controlled the ball and immediately spotted Ken sprinting into space between Bayern's midfield and defensive lines. Without hesitation, he delivered a sharp forward pass.
Ken received it with his back to goal, instantly feeling the presence of Schweinsteiger pressing tightly behind him. The German midfielder leaned in with controlled physical contact, attempting to disrupt Ken's balance before he could turn.
Ken shielded the ball, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, trying to create space. Every step required strength and precision; the intensity of European football left no margin for hesitation.
For a moment, it seemed the attack would stall.
Then Ken abruptly stopped moving.
The sudden pause forced Schweinsteiger to adjust his balance, creating the smallest gap—barely half a step—but for a player with exceptional technique, it was enough.
Ken flicked the ball outward with the outside of his left foot, shaping his body as if preparing to accelerate to the left. Schweinsteiger reacted instantly, shifting his weight in that direction.
In the next fraction of a second, the ball snapped back across Ken's body.
A perfectly executed elastico.
Before Schweinsteiger could recover, Ken pivoted sharply, spinning past him in a tight Marseille turn. The German midfielder lost his footing, slipping to the turf as Ken surged forward.
Gasps rippled through the stadium.
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Charging Toward the Box
Now free, Ken accelerated toward the penalty area, the open grass ahead of him shrinking rapidly as defenders converged. Boateng stepped forward to close the space, his powerful frame positioned to block any direct path to goal.
Ken slowed slightly, allowing the defender to approach. His feet moved rapidly over the ball, executing a series of stepovers that forced Boateng to hesitate. The defender shifted his weight cautiously, unwilling to commit too early.
Then Ken feinted to the outside.
Boateng reacted—just enough.
With a quick cut back inside, Ken slipped past him, leaving the defender off balance. The Bayern backline scrambled to recover, but Ken had already entered the penalty area.
Goalkeeper Neuer rushed forward, spreading his arms wide to narrow the shooting angle.
The moment lasted only seconds, yet it felt stretched in time.
Ken shaped his body as if preparing to shoot immediately. Neuer braced himself, lowering his center of gravity, ready to block the expected strike.
Instead, Ken stopped the ball with the sole of his foot, shifting it gently to the side. Neuer committed to the movement, diving slightly off line. In the next instant, Ken nudged the ball around him and calmly rolled it into the open net.
Silence fell over the Allianz Arena for a heartbeat.
Then came the explosion of noise—cheers, shouts, disbelief.
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Celebration and Shock
Ken sprinted toward the sideline, arms outstretched, adrenaline surging through his body. Teammates rushed after him, celebrating the equalizing goal that few had expected against one of Europe's strongest teams.
On the Bayern bench, several players exchanged surprised looks. The goal had been created almost entirely through individual brilliance—a sequence of movements executed with flawless timing and confidence.
In the stands, scouts and executives quickly scribbled notes.
"That acceleration after the turn… remarkable."
"His composure inside the box is exceptional."
"Still needs strength, but the technique is undeniable."
The conversation among observers shifted instantly. Doubts that had surfaced earlier during training were replaced by renewed interest.
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Bayern Responds
Bayern, however, were not a team easily shaken. Within minutes, they increased their tempo, determined to regain control. Quick passing combinations began to stretch São Paulo's defensive structure, forcing Ken and his teammates to track back repeatedly.
Robben and Ribéry attacked from the wings, sending dangerous crosses into the area. Mandžukić's aerial presence demanded constant attention, while Kroos orchestrated the rhythm from midfield with clinical precision.
The match transformed into a high-speed contest, every possession contested fiercely. Ken found himself running almost nonstop—dropping deep to help defend, then sprinting forward again when counterattacks emerged.
Despite the pressure, the earlier goal had changed something within him. The initial shock of facing Europe's elite had faded, replaced by a growing sense of confidence. He could compete at this level.
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Halftime Reflection
When the halftime whistle sounded, both teams returned to the locker rooms with the score level. São Paulo players breathed heavily, exhausted by the relentless pace, but their morale had risen significantly.
Coach Ramalho addressed the team calmly.
"You've seen their level. Now you also know that they can be challenged. Stay disciplined, wait for the right moments, and trust each other."
Ken sat quietly, replaying the goal in his mind—not to celebrate, but to analyze every movement. Against stronger opposition, every small decision mattered.
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Second Half Pressure
The second half resumed with Bayern pushing aggressively once again. Their reputation as a "massacre machine" came from exactly this relentless attacking style: sustained pressure, rapid transitions, and clinical finishing.
São Paulo defended in compact lines, attempting to absorb the pressure while searching for counterattacking opportunities. Ken continued working tirelessly, occasionally dropping near midfield to help link play.
In the 68th minute, he nearly created another goal. Receiving a pass near the sideline, he turned quickly, slipped past one defender, and delivered a precise through ball toward Aloísio. The resulting shot forced a spectacular save from Neuer, drawing applause even from neutral spectators.
The chance reminded everyone that São Paulo remained dangerous.
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Observers Take Notice
High in the stands, several executives watched intently.
"That's the second decisive action he's created tonight," one scout whispered.
"And he's only seventeen."
Another observer leaned forward, eyes fixed on the pitch.
"We should follow this player closely. Performances like this don't happen by accident."
Not far away, a club representative quietly spoke to his colleague:
"He fits exactly the profile we've been searching for—technical, fearless, and adaptable. We need to open contact with his representatives soon."
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Final Moments
As the match entered its final minutes, fatigue became evident on both sides. Players slowed slightly, yet the intensity never disappeared. Every tackle, every pass still carried urgency.
When the final whistle eventually sounded, Bayern had secured a narrow victory through a late goal, but the result was not the primary story of the night.
What people remembered most was the moment when a young forward from South America had dribbled through one of Europe's strongest defenses and scored with absolute composure.
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A Decision in the Stands
As spectators began leaving the stadium, two men remained seated for a moment longer, watching the players walk toward the tunnel.
One of them finally spoke.
"This is the kind of player who can change matches on his own."
His companion nodded slowly.
"Do you think he's ready for Europe?"
The first man smiled faintly.
"Ready or not, talents like this don't appear often. We should not let someone else sign him first."
He stood up, adjusting his jacket.
"I don't care what it takes. We must start negotiations soon."
Then, glancing once more toward the number 21 jersey disappearing into the tunnel, he added quietly:
"I must have him."