The cold water from the shower hit Thaigo's skin like a wake-up call, snapping him back into reality after an intense training session. He leaned against the tiled wall for a moment, letting the water run over him, his thoughts drifting.
The goal he scored in the small-sided game kept replaying in his mind. It had felt good in the moment, but now that the adrenaline had faded, doubts started to creep in. Was it enough? Was it even a real test? The older players had been a challenge, but they were still just training with the U17s, not professionals. Thaigo had faced tougher opponents on the streets of Lisbon, opponents with a hunger that seemed impossible to match. Was he really ready to compete at the highest level?
He stepped out of the shower, grabbing his towel and drying off. The locker room was quiet, with only a few players milling around, changing into their street clothes. He caught a glimpse of Miguel, the U17 defender he'd beaten in the game earlier. Miguel was sitting on the bench, scrolling through his phone, but when he noticed Thaigo walking by, his gaze lingered for just a moment too long. Thaigo couldn't tell if it was respect, jealousy, or something else entirely. But he didn't care. He couldn't let anyone's opinion of him matter. Not now. Not ever.
As he finished getting dressed, Thaigo noticed a message on his phone. It was from his father.
Great session today. But remember, one good game doesn't mean you've made it. Stay focused. You need to prove yourself every day.
Thaigo stared at the message for a moment. His father's words were always sharp, always driven by the pressure of what it meant to be a Silva. His father had played professionally, but his career had ended early due to injury. Since then, he'd lived with the constant reminder of what could have been. Thaigo knew how much his father wanted him to succeed. But sometimes, the constant push to be better, to be perfect, felt suffocating.
Thaigo shoved his phone back into his bag, heading toward the academy exit. The afternoon sun was already beginning to set, casting a warm glow across the field. His thoughts were still swirling as he walked down the path toward the gates. Was he really cut out for this? Or was he just another talented kid trying to survive in a system that ate up dreams and spit them out?
"Thaigo! Wait up."
Thaigo turned around to see his best friend, Andre, jogging to catch up. Andre was a solid midfielder, not as flashy as Thaigo, but a steady presence on the pitch. They'd played together since they were kids, and Andre had always been there to ground him when things felt too chaotic.
"What's up, man?" Andre asked, giving him a curious look.
Thaigo shook his head, trying to push the negative thoughts away. "Nothing. Just thinking about today's session."
Andre raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about the goal, I bet."
"Yeah, but... I don't know," Thaigo said, his voice trailing off. "It just feels like I've got to do more, you know? Like one good goal doesn't mean anything. I've got to be better, every single day."
Andre laughed softly, slapping him on the back. "You're overthinking it. You scored. You beat a bunch of older guys. You're killing it. But if you're gonna keep pushing yourself like this, you better learn to deal with the pressure. That's the game. It's not just about skill. It's about how you handle the stuff outside the pitch too."
Thaigo thought about Andre's words as they walked out of the academy. The evening air felt cool on his face, and for a moment, the weight of the world lifted. He didn't need to have it all figured out right now. He just needed to keep moving forward.
That night, Thaigo sat in his room, the soft hum of the city outside his window. His parents were in the living room, chatting about their day, but Thaigo couldn't focus on their conversation. His mind was still buzzing with the thoughts of what came next. His goal had been great, but it wasn't the end. He knew that.
His phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from his agent, Tiago, someone who had been in the business long enough to know the ins and outs of the game.
Scouts from Ajax, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea will be at the next friendly. Get ready.
Thaigo felt a shiver run down his spine. Ajax. Bayern Munich. Chelsea. Clubs that every kid in Europe dreamed of. And they were coming to watch him.
His heart raced. The pressure he'd been feeling earlier now seemed real, tangible. This wasn't just about training. This was a chance that might never come again. He couldn't let it slip through his fingers.
But then the question hit him like a cold splash of water.
Was he ready to leave everything behind?
To leave Sporting, his family, his friends? Was he ready to follow a dream that might take him halfway across Europe? He had always dreamed of playing for the big clubs, but the reality of that decision felt overwhelming.
What if he wasn't ready? What if the dream wasn't as perfect as it seemed?
Thaigo took a deep breath and glanced at the framed photo on his desk—a picture of him as a kid, kicking a ball around in the streets of Lisbon with his friends. Back then, it was just about playing for the love of the game.
Was he still that kid?
He stared at the message one last time. Ajax. Bayern Munich. Chelsea.
The dream was closer than ever.
But the road ahead was about to get much more difficult.