The world faded into a blinding light, and all at once, Eric felt his body being torn from the harsh reality of his ordinary life. He wasn't sure what was happeningâone moment, he was collapsing on his bed after another grueling day at the office, and the next, everything was different. As the light dimmed, he opened his eyes, adjusting to his new surroundings.
The smell of fresh grass hit his senses first, the unmistakable aroma of a football pitch. The warmth of the sun on his skin felt strange, more intense than he remembered. He looked down at his handsâno longer his rough, calloused ones from hours at the office, but young, strong hands, toned with the physique of an athlete. Panic surged through him as he reached up to touch his face and hair, unfamiliar yet youthful. The feeling of foreignness flooded his brain.
A voice, accented in Portuguese, called out to him. "Ricardo! Vai, rĂĄpido!"
Eric turned instinctively toward the sound. A man in a coaching tracksuit was waving at him from the sidelines. Ricardo? Who's Ricardo? The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. I've reincarnated... as Ricardo Quaresma?
He could barely process the thought, but his feet were already moving, as if his body knew what to do. He looked around at the training field and saw playersâsome familiar faces from his distant memories of watching football on TV. These were legends, icons of Portuguese football. And somehow, he was one of them. I'm Quaresma, he repeated to himself, trying to internalize it.
The world around him was loud and alive, the buzz of coaches, teammates, and the constant rhythm of a football bouncing on grass. Ericâor now, Ricardoâfelt an odd sense of exhilaration coursing through him. He wasn't an office worker anymore. He was a rising football prodigy at Sporting CP, a team known for developing some of the best talent in Europe. It was 2001, and Quaresma was about to make his mark on the world of football.
But this wasn't a dream. Eric knew it because the pounding in his chest felt too real, the sting of sweat dripping into his eyes too sharp. As he stood on the training ground, another ball came his way. Instinct took over. His body, lean and muscular, moved with a grace he had never known in his past life. He performed a flawless trivelaâthe signature outside-of-the-foot shot that Quaresma would become known forâsending the ball curling into the net. His teammates cheered, patting him on the back.
"I... I really am Quaresma," he whispered under his breath, a mix of awe and disbelief. It was surreal. He knew the history; he knew Quaresma's career had ups and downs, with moments of brilliance shadowed by tough breaks and challenges. But now, Eric had a chance to change things. This time, things would be different. He wasn't going to let fate dictate his future. He was going to take control of his careerâRicardo Quaresma's careerâand make sure it was legendary.
His mind raced, thoughts of matches, tournaments, and key moments flickering in his memory. Quaresma's career was one of immense talent but also missed opportunities. Eric felt the weight of history on his shoulders. What if I can fix everything? What if I can take Quaresma to new heights?
Just as he was lost in thought, another player approached him. Eric instantly recognized himâCristiano Ronaldo, just a scrawny teenager at this point but already showing flashes of greatness. He smirked at Eric, playfully bumping into him. "Boa jogada, Ricardo. You're really on fire today."
Eric couldn't help but grin. Ronaldo and Quaresma, side by side. The very thought sent a surge of excitement through him. He had memories of how their paths had crossed in his previous life, but now, here they were, just two young talents at the start of their journey.
Training wrapped up, and as the players filed off the field, EricâRicardoâheaded back to the locker room. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing mind. The reflection staring back at him in the mirror was that of Ricardo Quaresma, with the same sharp features, the dark hair, and the intense eyes of the Portuguese winger he had once admired from afar. But inside, it was still him, Eric, with all the knowledge and memories of a life that felt both distant and near.
This was his chance to live a dream. No more office work, no more late nights stressing over deadlines. He was about to step into the spotlight, live out a career on the biggest stages in the world, and alongside legends. But could he handle it? Could he make the changes that would shape Quaresma's future for the better?
As he closed his locker and headed for the exit, a sense of determination took over. This wasn't just about footballâit was about rewriting destiny. Eric smiled. This time, I'm not just playing a role. I'm going to become a legend.