Before the start of training, Matello took Su Dong to the team's infirmary for a routine physical examination.
This was a standard procedure for all players, but Su Dong was taken aback when they measured his height.
When he initially joined the team, he stood at 1.83 meters, but this time the measurement came in a bit higher, reaching 1.86 meters. The increase surprised him.
"You're only sixteen; this is the prime time for your growth. If you keep going like this, I believe you could surpass 1.90 meters," the team doctor said with a smile, offering some encouraging words.
The physical attributes of a professional player are crucial. While strength and muscle mass can be built up through training, height is something that cannot be influenced by effort alone.
Even on the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in Portugal and Spain, where youth development tends to emphasize technical ability, physical fitness is still a significant factor in the selection process. Every year, many young players are let go because they don't meet the physical standards expected at higher levels.
For instance, there's a 22-year-old player at Clube Atlético de Portugal who didn't make the cut at Benfica due to concerns about his physique, and that's how he ended up at a smaller club like Atlético.
Su Dong felt a bit anxious. He wondered if continuing to grow taller would negatively impact his speed and agility, attributes that are crucial for his style of play.
However, he reassured himself that this wasn't a certainty. There were plenty of taller players who excelled in those areas despite their height.
...
The training with the first team was distinctly different from what Su Dong was used to in the youth squad. It was more intense, faster-paced, and far more compact.
Even though Clube Atlético de Portugal was a semi-professional team, the training sessions followed a strict standard, lasting ninety minutes—just like a football match. The goal was to condition the players to maintain their concentration and intensity for the full duration of a game.
Some coaches preferred to stretch sessions to 120 minutes, but that often depended on the preferences of the head coach.
The current head coach of Clube Atlético de Portugal was a middle-aged man in his fifties named Antonio Pereira. Rumor had it that Pereira had no previous professional football experience, and Atlético was the first senior team he had ever coached.
There were even whispers within the squad that in a year or two, Matello, the team's captain, would likely succeed Pereira as head coach. This type of succession wasn't uncommon in the lower leagues.
As for Su Dong, being a semi-professional player in the lower tiers, he was confident that he could keep up with the first-team training. From his perspective, some of the substitutes on the squad weren't even as good as he was.
But as the team drills progressed, Su Dong's weaknesses began to surface.
The first glaring issue was his physicality.
In the lower leagues, the physical aspect of the game was emphasized more, and the challenges were often much rougher. Players in these leagues relied heavily on physical confrontation to gain an edge.
At sixteen, Su Dong's body was still developing, and he found himself being outmuscled by the older, stronger players. It was no surprise—he was, after all, still growing into his frame.
Additionally, Su Dong was a newcomer. Many of the other players had gone through a full pre-season with the team or had been with the club for several years. Their chemistry and understanding on the pitch were evident, leaving Su Dong feeling somewhat out of sync and disconnected during play.
These two factors combined to make Su Dong's first training session less than impressive, and even he couldn't help but feel disappointed in himself.
Sensing his frustration, Captain Matello approached him after the session.
"Don't worry about it," Matello said, giving Su Dong a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Everyone struggles at the beginning. Every new player needs time to adapt to a new environment. Just give it time. We all believe in your potential."
Su Dong nodded quietly. He knew that what Matello said was true, but that didn't ease the uncomfortable feeling gnawing at him.
"Also," Matello continued, "the coaching staff has arranged some additional individual training for you. Starting today, you'll be staying after regular sessions for an extra hour. I'll be working with you personally."
Su Dong perked up at the sound of this. "What kind of training?" he asked with interest.
"Shooting drills, holding up the ball with your back to goal, receiving crosses from the wings, and other exercises that every forward needs to practice regularly. These are the areas you need to work on," Matello explained. Seeing the look on Su Dong's face, he quickly added, "Trust me, this extra training will make a big difference."
Su Dong offered a small smile. The idea of having personalized training with the captain lifted his spirits. Not only would it help him improve, but it would also give him a chance to regain some of his lost confidence on the pitch.
In his mind, this additional practice was an opportunity to get back on track and earn his Glory Tokens—a much-needed boost to his development. It was exactly what he needed.
...
After the 90-minute training session, Su Dong had earned more than 500 Glory Tokens, a modest gain compared to what he usually received when practicing duels with Cristiano.
During the additional training session, each drill and practice gave Su Dong about 30 Glory Tokens per sequence—small amounts, but still valuable over time.
As the saying goes, "Even the smallest mosquito is still meat." Su Dong knew that accumulation was key. Bit by bit, these smaller gains would eventually add up. He wasn't going to pass up any chance to improve.
At first, Matello, who was also the team's veteran goalkeeper, worried that Su Dong might resist the extra training like some of the younger players often did. He'd seen young players either make excuses or go through the motions without truly committing to the drills. But once the additional training began, he quickly realized Su Dong was different—he was fully invested and giving his best effort in every drill.
With Su Dong showing such commitment, Matello became even more serious in his coaching, pushing the young forward hard in each drill.
One of the primary exercises was finishing after receiving a cross from the wing. This might appear straightforward during a live match on TV, but the reality was much more difficult.
Su Dong wasn't yet at the level where he could take the shot first-time without hesitation. Often, he needed an extra touch to control the ball before attempting the finish.
But even after that, his first touch still needed work, and Matello—defending as a goalkeeper—was giving him little room to breathe. With his positioning and anticipation, Matello frequently cut off Su Dong's angles, forcing him into rushed decisions.
"You're too predictable," Matello observed after a few attempts. "It's easy to see what you're going to do."
He didn't stop there. Matello continued providing guidance as they worked through the drills.
"That won't work, either," he added. "By the time you wind up for the shot, any half-decent goalkeeper will have already guessed where you're aiming."
"And right now, you're only shooting without defenders. Imagine if there were players pressing you and a goalkeeper covering his angles—your chances of scoring would drop even more."
Matello, as a goalkeeper with plenty of experience, was keenly aware of the difference between youth-level football and the professional game.
"The professional world is nothing like youth football," he continued. "Even though we're a third-division team, a lot of the opponents we face have players who are strong enough to compete in the Segunda Liga, or even the Primeira Liga. The standard is much higher."
Despite his role between the posts, Matello had a solid understanding of what it took to be an effective forward, and he was more than capable of offering Su Dong valuable advice on finishing techniques. He had studied the game extensively, preparing for a future coaching role, and his experience gave him the knowledge to teach Su Dong where he was going wrong.
Matello worked with him on adjusting his technique for different situations. For example, when receiving a fast, low cross, Su Dong needed to be able to take a first-time shot to capitalize on the quick movement. Hesitating or taking an extra touch gave the opposition too much time to recover. The ability to judge and react in an instant was crucial, especially in professional football.
Moreover, as a goalkeeper, Matello had an intimate understanding of how goalkeepers thought and reacted during one-on-one situations. He shared insights into the mental aspect of goalkeeping—how they positioned themselves, how they read forwards' movements, and the common mistakes forwards made in finishing.
These were things that Su Dong hadn't even considered before, and they gave him a fresh perspective on how to approach finishing.
Matello also told him stories of some of the best forwards he had faced throughout his career, explaining how they adjusted their body positioning and strike technique to keep goalkeepers guessing. This inside knowledge helped Su Dong think more like a top-level striker.
For Su Dong, a young player just stepping into the adult game, this training was a treasure trove of valuable information. Each session with Matello made him feel better equipped to handle the demands of the professional game, especially when it came to the vital skill of finishing under pressure.
...
...
In the heart of Lisbon, there's a world-renowned seafood restaurant called Romario. But don't be misled—the name has no connection to the famous Brazilian striker Romario.
This restaurant was legendary, not just with the locals of Lisbon but also among tourists who flocked to sample its delicacies. It had become a must-visit spot for anyone passing through the city.
Su Dong invited Cristiano and José Semedo for dinner and chose Romario as the place to treat them.
The restaurant's signature dishes included breaded crab and tiger shrimp, each person having their share, along with various special appetizers—all of them seasonal seafood, freshly caught that very day. The freshness and flavor of the food were beyond compare.
Of course, a meal of this quality didn't come cheap.
By the end of the evening, the three of them had eaten their fill, and the bill came to 71 euros—a significant amount for a casual dinner.
"If it weren't for you treating us, I wouldn't dream of coming to a place like this," José Semedo said with a grin, his tone half-joking but with a hint of sincerity.
Semedo came from a modest background, and his family was counting on him to make it as a professional footballer, ideally in the Primeira Liga. It was the best way for him to help lift his family out of poverty.
Su Dong didn't mind spending the money. It wasn't that he was careless with it, but he valued the bond he was building with Cristiano and Semedo. Right now, his top priority was to improve his football skills and build strong relationships with people who could support his growth.
These two were more than friends—they were essential to his future success on the field.
After they finished eating, Cristiano smiled and pulled three tickets from his pocket, waving them in front of Su Dong.
"I had to pull some strings to get these. Tickets for the opening match of the Primeira Liga this weekend. What do you think?" Cristiano asked with a grin.
Su Dong's face lit up. "Of course, we're going!" he responded without hesitation.
It was the opening match of the Primeira Liga season—Sporting Lisbon versus FC Porto. It was one of the most anticipated fixtures, and getting tickets wasn't easy.
That afternoon, several of Su Dong's teammates at Clube Atlético de Portugal had been grumbling about the difficulty of finding tickets, with many turning to scalpers who had driven up the prices.
José Semedo, who was equally excited, couldn't believe their luck. "This is a rare opportunity," he said with enthusiasm.
"I heard Quaresma has been performing well in Sporting's first team. Mbo Mpenza might be leaving. Do you think he'll play?" Semedo asked, looking toward Cristiano.
At the mention of Quaresma's name, Cristiano's expression soured. His face tightened, and he muttered, "Who knows?"
Semedo chuckled and leaned toward Su Dong to explain. "Cristiano and Quaresma are rivals. They've been competing since their youth team days at Sporting Lisbon, both claiming to be the best players in the academy. There's also another one, Edgar Marcelino. All three think they're the best."
Su Dong had read about Quaresma in the sports pages. The media had hailed him as one of Portugal's brightest talents under 20, often comparing him to Figo. Su Dong hadn't realized that Cristiano was also competing with Quaresma. It was impressive.
"He's two years older than me," Cristiano said defiantly. "Give me time, and I'll surpass him."
Clearly, he wasn't happy that Quaresma had made it to the first team before him.
With a playful smirk, José Semedo corrected him, "Actually, he's only one year, three months, and a few days older than you."
"Get lost!" Cristiano shouted, jumping to his feet and chasing after Semedo, who had already dashed off, laughing and shouting over his shoulder.
"I have a date at Parque das Nações with a beautiful girl!" Semedo yelled back, waving as he disappeared into the distance.
Once Semedo was out of sight, Cristiano stopped running and smiled, shaking his head before turning back to Su Dong.
"Semedo's got real talent, but he's too lazy," Cristiano said, his voice softening.
Su Dong had noticed the same thing after spending time with Semedo. Despite his talent, he lacked the discipline and drive that Cristiano seemed to have in abundance.
"He's been with me at Sporting Lisbon since we joined the academy. We were teammates, but it didn't take long before his poor training performances caught up with him, and he was sidelined. He's got talent, no doubt, but without the work ethic, talent only takes you so far."
Cristiano continued, a hint of nostalgia in his tone. "He eventually returned to the team after over a year, but nothing's changed. He's still the same."
Then, with a mischievous grin, Cristiano added, "He's probably hanging out with Hugo Pina. That kid from Belém set a record for the highest transfer fee for a Sporting youth player under 16—300,000 euros. He used to be our academy's most promising star. But now…"
Cristiano didn't need to say more. It was clear that others like Quaresma, Marcelino, and even Cristiano himself had already eclipsed Pina.
"In all my years at Sporting Lisbon, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that having the best talent doesn't guarantee you'll be the best player," Cristiano said, turning more serious. "Football is fair. As long as you work hard and stay focused, you'll always get something in return."
Su Dong was caught off guard by the sudden wisdom coming from Cristiano. For a moment, it seemed like Cristiano was delivering a life lesson.
But just as quickly, the confident, fiery side of Cristiano returned.
"And that's why I'm so sure—one day, I'll be better than Quaresma," he declared, his eyes flashing with determination.
At that moment, Su Dong could see the unwavering belief in Cristiano's eyes—the eyes of a boy from Madeira who was destined for greatness.
...
...
In the following days, Su Dong's life became both fulfilling and somewhat monotonous.
Every morning, he would wake up at four o'clock sharp. After freshening up, his day began with strength training at home.
Coach Pontes had set up a routine for him consisting of basic exercises like push-ups, squats, sit-ups, pull-ups, and inverted supports. Each exercise was divided into three sets. Initially, Su Dong was instructed to do 20 repetitions per set, with short breaks in between.
At first glance, this routine didn't seem like much. But the reality was quite different.
The key was in the slow execution of each movement.
Take push-ups, for example. Su Dong could easily knock out 20 reps under normal circumstances, but Pontes had specific instructions: Su Dong had to lower himself slowly, holding the position for a second or two, before lifting back up just as deliberately. Each repetition took about six seconds to complete, with perfect form.
At first, Su Dong didn't feel much fatigue, but by the second set, he realized this method was far more taxing than his usual workouts. The controlled movements quickly exhausted his muscles.
This applied not only to push-ups but also to squats, sit-ups, pull-ups, and inverted supports.
Cristiano passed on Pontes' message to Su Dong, explaining that these exercises were simple enough to do in the dormitory but were highly effective at working every muscle group in the body. The inverted supports, in particular, were designed to train balance and coordination.
After consistently completing the 3x20 routine, Su Dong was expected to gradually increase both the number of repetitions and the difficulty of each exercise.
Increasing the reps was straightforward—he would go from 20 to 30, and eventually aim for 50. This increase was to be done progressively, depending on how his body responded to the training.
The added difficulty came from making each movement more complex. For example, with push-ups, he would start with a standard hand placement, shoulder-width apart. Over time, he would narrow the gap between his hands, eventually progressing to one-handed push-ups—a significant leap in difficulty.
The same principle applied to pull-ups and squats, with each exercise evolving into more advanced versions.
At first, Pontes recommended that Su Dong practice once a day, warning him not to overtrain. Too much exercise could prevent his body from recovering properly, potentially leading to injury. However, after finishing his first round of training, Su Dong felt energized and confident. Ignoring Pontes' caution, he decided to double his sessions—training twice a day, both in the morning and evening.
In the system store, Su Dong noticed that the "nutritious meals" he could exchange for Glory Tokens didn't seem to be very substantial. But oddly enough, after eating three of these meals a day, he never felt hungry, no matter how much he trained. At the same time, he never felt overly full either, which allowed him to maintain high energy levels throughout the day.
Then there was the "Barbarian Drink." After consuming it, Su Dong noticed that his recovery time significantly improved, allowing him to bounce back quicker between sessions.
With the help of these enhancements, Su Dong felt more confident about pushing himself to train twice a day. The combination of intense workouts and specialized nutrition gave him the edge he needed to keep improving.
...
After finishing his strength training at home, Su Dong ate breakfast and headed out for the day.
He strapped heavy sandbags to his legs and waist before beginning his run to the Edward VII Park Stadium.
This park had become his second training ground, where he would meet Cristiano for their morning sessions. First, Su Dong would undergo basic training under Cristiano's watchful eye, followed by more focused two-person drills.
To maximize the effectiveness of his training, Su Dong kept the weight-bearing sandbags on during his exercises, increasing the difficulty of each movement. The added resistance was meant to improve his strength and endurance.
José Semedo had joined them once before, but his attention was often elsewhere. Semedo, who hailed from Cape Verde, was more focused on his ongoing efforts to charm the local girls than on any serious training regimen.
Su Dong and Cristiano typically trained at the park until the early afternoon, when they would part ways to attend their respective team practices.
Once his team training was over, Su Dong still had one more session to complete—a one-hour specialized training session with Captain Matello. Only after this intense final workout of the day could Su Dong return to his dormitory, usually well after nightfall.
But even then, his day wasn't done.
At night, Su Dong would dive into his second round of physical training for the day, pushing his body further before winding down with a bath and finally going to bed.
His daily routine was monotonous and repetitive, but it was structured and productive. There was no room for distractions—only progress.
Each day, Su Dong could feel himself getting stronger, and the sense of accomplishment grew with each passing session. He saw clear improvements in his personal attribute panel within the system, where the numbers increased steadily, confirming that his hard work was paying off.
This constant feeling of progress gave him immense motivation, pushing him to be even more precise and dedicated in every aspect of his training.
...
On Saturday, Clube Atlético de Portugal kicked off the first game of the new season.
Since Su Dong had only recently joined the team and hadn't yet developed familiarity with his teammates, Head Coach Antonio Pereira decided to leave him out of the squad for the away match. The decision made sense, as the away fixture presented challenges for a new player still adjusting to the team's dynamics.
However, Pereira reassured Su Dong that he would be included in the squad for next week's home game in the second round.
Though Su Dong was eager to make his official debut, he understood the coach's reasoning and accepted the decision.
Despite Pereira and the team's thorough preparations, the first game of the new season ended in disappointment. They suffered a 1-2 defeat against a side that had narrowly avoided relegation the previous season. It wasn't the start anyone had hoped for.
The players were naturally frustrated after the loss, but the disappointment didn't linger for long. After all, Clube Atlético de Portugal was a semi-professional team. For many of the players, football was more about passion and enjoyment rather than a full-time career.
Their primary goal was simply to avoid relegation. As long as they stayed in the league, they weren't too concerned with the prospect of promotion. The Segunda Liga was a distant ambition, one that seemed out of reach for a team like theirs.
Even after returning to Lisbon, the mood in the squad was far from somber. Several of Su Dong's teammates were already calling up friends, eager to meet at a nearby bar to watch the highly anticipated showdown in the Primeira Liga.
That night, the Primeira Liga's opening match saw Sporting Lisbon take on Porto, a game that had all of Lisbon buzzing with excitement.
...
...
Some say Lisbon is like a palette that God tipped over, spilling vivid colors across the city in a way that feels almost divine.
The vibrancy is evident everywhere, and the city's beauty is captivating. Even the subway system seems to exude a unique charm. Each station has its own artistic theme, making the Lisbon Metro the largest underground art gallery in the city.
The four subway lines in Lisbon are each associated with a different color and interesting names. The blue line is called the "Seagull," the green line is named after the Caravel, the iconic 15th-century Portuguese sailing vessel, the yellow line is dubbed the "Sunflower," and the red line is known as the "Eastern Sea."
The Marquis de Pombal square is a crucial transfer station for the yellow and blue lines. From here, you can switch to the red and green lines within just two stops, making it incredibly convenient.
Taking the yellow line from the Marquis de Pombal station, it's only six stops to the iconic Estádio José Alvalade, home to Sporting Lisbon. The station is also a transfer point for the green line.
...
As Su Dong, Cristiano, and José Semedo emerged from the crowded subway station, the grandeur of the Alvalade Stadium loomed large in front of them. It was the largest football stadium in Lisbon at the time, but not for long.
With the upcoming Euro 2004, Benfica's Estádio da Luz, Sporting's rival stadium, was scheduled for demolition and reconstruction at the end of the season. Once complete, the new Estádio da Luz would boast a capacity of 64,000 seats, surpassing Alvalade and becoming the largest stadium in the city.
Outside the Alvalade Stadium, renovation work was already in progress, with scaffolding and steel frames everywhere. Only narrow passages were left open for the fans to enter.
"The training ground for our youth team used to be right across the road, where the Sports Tower Training Ground was located," Cristiano said as he pointed to the dark space across the street. "But it's been sold. After this season, we'll be moving to Alcochete, on the outskirts of the city. They're going to turn the old training ground into an equestrian center."
Su Dong listened quietly, taking in the scene before him. He was in awe of the sheer scale of the stadium.
He had driven past it on his first day in Lisbon, viewing it from a distance as he traveled on the elevated highway. But now, standing beneath its towering structure, it felt like he was standing in the shadow of a sleeping giant.
Cristiano and Semedo, on the other hand, were well accustomed to the stadium. They had spent plenty of time here, with the Sporting youth training dormitories previously located near Gate 10 of the stadium. When the renovations began, they had moved to an apartment in the Duke of Loulé area.
Following the crowd of fans, the three of them entered the stadium, navigating their way through the bustling masses with their tickets in hand. Their seats were in the second tier of the main stand, right in the heart of the Sporting Lisbon fan section, in the front row, slightly to the right of the halfway line—prime viewing spots.
As they settled into their seats, the two teams were already warming up on the pitch.
Semedo nudged Su Dong with his elbow and pointed toward the Sporting side. "See the one with the ball? That's Ricardo Quaresma. He made the lineup."
Su Dong followed Semedo's direction and spotted the slender Portuguese winger. Quaresma was skillful on the ball, effortlessly dribbling before curling in a shot with the outside of his foot, which was saved by the goalkeeper.
"The tall, dark-skinned player is Jardel," Semedo continued. "We traded three of our best players from last season to get him. There were even rumors that he was headed to Inter Milan before we signed him."
Before Semedo could finish his sentence, Jardel received a cross inside the penalty box, expertly flicked the ball over a defender with his first touch, and volleyed it into the back of the net, earning roaring applause from the Sporting fans.
Jardel was undoubtedly Sporting Lisbon's star player this season.
"The other forward is Marius Niculae. We spent nearly five million euros on him," Semedo explained. "Last season, our attack was the weakest among the top three teams. They're determined to fix that this year."
Su Dong had read about Niculae before. He had been the top scorer in the Romanian league, netting 20 goals in the previous season. It was no surprise that Sporting's head coach, Romanian László Bölöni, had pushed for his signing.
It was clear to Su Dong that the competition at the top levels of Portuguese football was fierce and relentless.
His gaze shifted across the pitch to the Porto players warming up. Su Dong easily recognized Pena, last season's top scorer in the Primeira Liga, who was in his prime at 26 years old.
Aside from Pena, Porto boasted other standout players, such as midfielder Costinha and central defender Jorge Andrade. Andrade, at just 21, was already making waves as the second-youngest center-back ever to be capped by the Portuguese national team, following in the footsteps of Fernando Couto.
Su Dong also noticed Ricardo Carvalho, a promising young center-back who had impressed during a loan spell at Alverca last season. And there was Hélder Postiga, the highly rated young striker recently promoted from Porto's youth academy to the first team.
Quaresma was widely regarded as Portugal's most talented winger, but Postiga was seen as the country's most promising forward. Both players were hailed as the future of Portuguese football, and expectations were sky-high.
As Su Dong sat in the stands, surrounded by the roar of more than 50,000 Sporting Lisbon fans, he couldn't help but feel a wave of envy wash over him. These players—Quaresma, Jardel, Postiga, and Pena—were stars, competing at the highest level. And here he was, a spectator, watching from the sidelines.
This was his first time witnessing a top-level match in a mainstream European league, and seeing these well-known players up close made him acutely aware of how far he still had to go. In the face of their talent and accomplishments, Su Dong felt small and insignificant.
But at the same time, he felt a burning desire to be down there with them one day.
More than 50,000 fans packed the stands, their voices booming in unison. It was a breathtaking sight, and the energy in the stadium was palpable.
Each and every one of these 50,000 spectators had come to see the stars on the pitch decide the outcome of the game. And one day, Su Dong vowed, they would come to watch him too.