The day Alex officially joined FC Grünwald was one that marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life. As he arrived at the club's vast facilities, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. The club was like a small city—a self-contained boarding school designed entirely around soccer. There were modern dormitories, classrooms, a fully-equipped gym, recovery rooms, a cafeteria that could cater to every nutritional need of an athlete, and of course, several pristine soccer pitches.
As soon as he stepped through the gates, he was greeted by Coach Falk, the head coach of FC Grünwald's U19 squad. Falk was a towering figure, both literally and in reputation, known for developing some of the best young talents in the country.
"Alex Fischer," Falk said with a smile, shaking his hand firmly. "We've been looking forward to seeing what you can do."
Alex followed the coach through the complex, taking in the sights as Falk explained their training regimen. Training was intense at FC Grünwald. Each day was carefully planned to balance technique, tactics, fitness, and recovery. The mornings started with strength and conditioning training in the gym, followed by tactical drills on the field. Afternoons were dedicated to team play and scrimmages, simulating game scenarios to push the players to adapt and think quickly. Recovery sessions, including ice baths and physiotherapy, were a mandatory part of the schedule to ensure no one burned out.
"We run a tight ship here, Alex," Falk said, as they passed by the classrooms where players took lessons. "It's not just about football. You'll have classes too. Math, literature, science—all part of keeping the mind sharp. We expect discipline on and off the pitch."
Alex nodded, soaking it all in. It was a lot to take in, but he could already tell this was where he was supposed to be. His ego flared at the thought of becoming the best player not just at Grünwald, but in the whole world.
After the tour, Alex was shown to his dorm room. It was small but comfortable, with a bed, a desk, and a small closet. He'd be sharing it with two other players. After dropping off his bags, he headed down to the training grounds to meet the team.
The training pitch was alive with energy. Young players, all decked out in Grünwald's green and white training kits, were already warming up. Falk introduced Alex to the team, who gathered around him with curious eyes.
"This is Alex Fischer, our newest striker," Falk announced. "Treat him well, and let's see what he's made of."
The players greeted him with friendly smiles and nods, though Alex could sense the competitiveness in their eyes. Everyone here was fighting for a spot, and he was no exception.
As they stretched, the team introduced themselves. First was Tobias, the team's captain and a versatile midfielder with a keen eye for passing. "I love organizing the game," Tobias said, grinning. "But hate lazy players. I plan on becoming a professional—preferably for Bayern."
Next was Leo, a lanky but agile defender who was notorious for never giving attackers a break. "I'm here for the challenge," Leo said. "I want to be known as the best defender of my generation. Dislike? Hmm, getting nutmegged." He shot Alex a teasing look.
Sophia, the team's star winger, was the only girl on the squad but was easily one of the fastest players. "Dream? Playing for the national team. Dislike? Being underestimated," she said, her eyes locking with Alex as if challenging him.
Other teammates chimed in, each with their own ambitions. Nico, a talented but temperamental goalkeeper, wanted to play for the Bundesliga; Lars, another striker, aimed to improve his speed and positioning.
"What about you, Alex?" Tobias asked. "What's your dream?"
Alex paused for a moment, then smiled confidently. "To be the best striker this country has ever seen. No, the world has ever seen."
There was a moment of silence before Leo laughed. "Bold, I like it."
With introductions done, they got into the first training session, and it was clear from the start that FC Grünwald ran things at a much higher level than Alex had ever experienced. The drills were fast, precise, and relentless. There was no room for error.
But something was different today. As the players began their drills—passing, positioning, and shooting—Alex found himself moving instinctively, almost effortlessly. He'd honed his reflexive movements and flow state over the past months, and it was paying off. He darted into open spaces, read the passes before they happened, and hit every shot with unerring accuracy.
During a practice scrimmage, Alex played as the striker in their typical 4-3-3 formation. The ball came to him at the edge of the box, and with a single deft touch, he controlled it. A defender lunged, but Alex, without thinking, flicked the ball over the player's head and volleyed it into the top corner of the net.
The team stopped for a moment, stunned. Even Coach Falk raised an eyebrow. "Well, looks like we've found our new striker," he said with a grin.
In the days that followed, Alex continued to impress. He quickly earned the starting spot as Grünwald's number 9, and his teammates started looking to him as a focal point in attack. It was a seamless transition, but Alex knew he hadn't even shown all his cards yet. There were still techniques and moves he'd been developing—ones that only the sharpest scouts would notice.
The weekend approached, and the team was scheduled to play their first match in the Regionalliga against SV Teublitz, a team known for its physical style of play and solid defense. It was going to be a real test.
On game day, the atmosphere was electric. The stands were packed with fans, scouts, and coaches from other clubs. Alex stood on the pitch, surrounded by his new teammates, and felt a strange sense of calm wash over him. This was where he belonged.
The match began, and SV Teublitz came out strong, pressing hard and putting Grünwald under pressure. But Alex, having adapted quickly to his new teammates, began to show his brilliance. His off-ball movement was sublime, constantly finding space between the lines and dragging defenders out of position.
In the 20th minute, Tobias sent a perfectly weighted pass into the box, and Alex was there, timing his run to perfection. Without hesitation, he hit the ball first-time with the outside of his foot, sending it curling into the far corner. 1-0 Grünwald.
The second goal came shortly after. Leo won the ball in defense and played it up to Sophia on the wing. She sprinted down the sideline, beating her marker, and whipped in a cross. Alex, reading the play, positioned himself at the near post, flicking the ball past the keeper with a delicate header. 2-0.
As the game progressed, Alex continued to torment the defense. His reflexes, his game sense—it all seemed natural, like he was playing at a level above everyone else on the field. He scored two more goals, one from outside the box with a powerful strike, and another after dribbling past three defenders inside the penalty area.
By the end of the match, Grünwald had won 4-0, with Alex scoring all four goals.
As the team gathered in the locker room after the game, there was an air of excitement. They had just witnessed something special—Alex's debut had been nothing short of spectacular.
Coach Falk gave him a nod of approval. "You've got something, Alex. Keep this up, and there's no telling how far you'll go."
Later that night, as Alex was resting in his dorm, he received a message from his father. "Proud of you, son. Keep pushing yourself. You've barely scratched the surface."
Alex smiled at the message. He knew his father was right. This was only the beginning. And as he lay there, thinking about the match, he realized something. For the first time in a while, he felt satisfied. But deep down, his ego was still hungry. There were bigger challenges ahead, and he was ready to face them head-on.