The days at La Fragua passed in a blur of drills, lectures, and exhaustion. Alvaro quickly settled into the academy's rigid schedule: early morning training sessions then the classes at the partner school and at evening again practices that left him collapsing into bed each night and repeat.
While the routine was grueling, it provided a structure that Alvaro welcomed. Every day was a test, but with each passing session, he felt himself growing sharper—his passes crisper, his decision-making quicker, and his stamina improving as he adapted to the academy's relentless pace, It wasn't that dramatic of a growth but still he could feel the steady progress.
Coach Martinez, though stern, had begun to notice.
"Cortez, good work on the press today," Martinez said one evening, nodding briefly as Alvaro jogged off the pitch.
Those words, though few, carried immense weight. They fueled Alvaro's determination to push harder, knowing he was slowly earning his place.
---
Saturday Morning – Matchday
The academy's training ground buzzed with anticipation as the U-15 team prepared for their friendly match against the U-15 squad of Castilla Academy, another highly regarded youth program.
"Listen up!" Martinez barked, gathering the players in a tight circle. "This is your chance to show me what you've learned this week. Play smart, play hard, and leave no doubts about why you're here."
Alvaro stood at the edge of the group, his nerves beginning to churn.
Martinez's eyes landed on him. "Cortez, you're starting on the left side of midfield. You've improved this week, but now it's time to show me what you can do in a real game."
Alvaro nodded, his heart racing. This was the moment he had been waiting for—but now that it was here, the weight of it felt enormous.
The team jogged onto the pitch to warm up under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff. Alvaro focused on his stretches and passing drills, trying to shake off the nerves that clung to him like a second skin.
Around him, his teammates moved with ease, chatting and laughing as they prepared for the match. Diego, who was starting in central midfield, gave Alvaro a brief nod.
"First game nerves?" Diego asked, his tone neutral but not unkind.
"A little," Alvaro admitted.
"I was there once,You'll be fine," Diego said. "Just don't mess up too badly."
Alvaro smirked despite himself, grateful for the small moment of camaraderie.
The opening whistle blew, and the game began at a frantic pace. Castilla Academy pressed aggressively, their midfielders swarming every loose ball and cutting off passing lanes.
Alvaro's first few touches were shaky. He misjudged a pass near the sideline, sending the ball out of bounds, and later hesitated under pressure, nearly losing possession in a dangerous area.
"Focus, Cortez!" Martinez shouted from the sideline, his voice cutting through the noise.
The mistakes weighed on Alvaro even more when the striker of Castilla scored the first goal of the game, and he could feel the skeptical glances from some of his teammates. But he refused to let the pressure consume him.
Midway through the first half, with Castilla leading 1-0, Alvaro saw an opportunity to redeem himself. The ball rolled toward him at the edge of the box, and instead of panicking, he took a steady touch and threaded a beautiful pass to Diego, who unleashed a shot that forced a save from the opposing goalkeeper.
That moment seemed to shift something within him. His movements became more confident, his passes more precise.
In the 38th minute, Alvaro intercepted a wayward pass in midfield and drove forward, evading two defenders before slipping the ball through to the striker. The striker didn't miss, slotting it past the keeper to equalize.
Alvaro's teammates swarmed him, clapping him on the back. For the first time all game, he felt like he belonged.
The team entered the second half with renewed energy. Martinez had made adjustments during the break, instructing the midfield to exploit the gaps in Castilla's defense.
Alvaro, now brimming with confidence, became a focal point of the attack. In the 62nd minute, he received the ball near the sideline and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. Diego rose above the defenders, heading the ball into the net to make it 2-1.
The bench erupted in cheers as Martinez applauded from the sideline.
"Great ball, Cortez!" the coach shouted.
The final twenty minutes were a battle of endurance, with Castilla pushing for an equalizer. Alvaro tracked back tirelessly, breaking up plays and helping his team maintain their slim lead.
When the final whistle blew, the score remained 2-1 in favor of La Fragua. The players celebrated on the pitch, their camaraderie shining through as they congratulated one another on a hard-fought victory.
Alvaro stood quietly amidst the chaos, a small smile on his face. He had made mistakes, but he had also contributed when it mattered most.He felt the thrill of high stakes for the first time.
Back in the locker room, Martinez addressed the team.
"Good game, boys," he said, his tone measured. "We still have work to do, but today was a step in the right direction."
His gaze shifted to Alvaro. "Cortez, you had a rocky start, but you pulled through. Keep playing like that, and you'll be a starter from now on."
Alvaro's chest tingled with excitement as his teammates clapped in approval. Diego gave him a smile, his earlier skepticism replaced with respect.
---
Later that evening, as Alvaro sat on the edge of his bed, he replayed the match in his mind. The nerves, the mistakes, the moments of brilliance—it had all been worth it.
This small victory was just the beginning, but it proved he could rise to the occasion.
Looking out the window at the dimly lit pitches below, Alvaro allowed himself a moment of quiet pride before closing his eyes, ready for the challenges that awaited.
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