The Next Big Thing
Chapter 134: First training with the team

Chapter 134: First training with the team

While David was being seen in a negative light, the entire footballing world was in a frenzy. The reason? None other than Manchester United—the club that had been at the center of attention for the past several days. Every major sports news outlet had headlines dominated by developments surrounding the English giants. An overwhelming 80% of the discussions revolved around one man: Cristiano Ronaldo, and the increasingly real possibility of his return to Old Trafford. Another 18% of the buzz was focused on the impending arrival of Borussia Dortmund’s highly sought-after winger, Jadon Sancho, while the remaining 2% was split between the newly appointed manager and discussions about the rest of the squad.

The next few weeks flew by in a blur, and David spent them in serious preparation. He completely overhauled his eating habits, embracing a stricter diet to optimize his physical fitness. His training sessions became more intense, pushing his limits beyond anything he had previously endured. The thought of playing alongside legendary figures like Ronaldo and renowned talents like Sancho fueled his determination like never before. Every workout, every sprint, every repetition was carried out with the singular goal of proving that he belonged at the top.

Beyond his training, David immersed himself in football. He spent hours watching past matches, analyzing tactics, and studying the strengths and weaknesses of top players all the videos he got from ole had been used fully. Even his free time, which was often dedicated to his hobbies, had been significantly reduced. He still played video games occasionally, but far less frequently than before. The world outside football continued to be turbulent, with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging on, taking thousands of lives. However, whispers of a possible vaccine had begun circulating, bringing a small glimmer of hope that normalcy might one day return.

But even amidst the global crisis, football continued to dominate headlines. And unsurprisingly, Manchester United remained at the forefront. Then came the official announcement—Cristiano Ronaldo had signed for Manchester United. The deal was finalized within days of the initial rumors, with United paying a staggering €30 million to bring their former talisman back to Old Trafford. It was an astronomical sum for a 35-year-old player, and the media was relentless in its criticism. Pundits, analysts, and rival fans ridiculed the move, branding it as a desperate act by a club clinging to nostalgia. Critics tore into United, accusing them of reckless spending and failing to invest wisely in younger talents.

Yet, despite the backlash, the excitement among United supporters was immeasurable. The return of Ronaldo—a club legend who had once lit up the Premier League with his dazzling performances—was enough to send waves of euphoria across the fanbase. Social media exploded with reactions, debates, and celebrations. Every news channel, every sports talk show, and every football forum had only one name on their lips: Cristiano Ronaldo.

But Manchester United wasn’t the only club making waves during the break. Thanks to his close friend Zoey and his own deep love for the sport, David had been following another story that was captivating the footballing world. If there was any club that could rival United in terms of media attention, it was Barcelona. Unlike Manchester United’s newly appointed manager, who had yet to speak to the press, Barcelona’s new coach, Ronald Koeman, had made his presence felt immediately—and in controversial fashion.

The Dutchman had arrived with a clear vision, and he wasted no time in making drastic changes. His first order of business? A complete squad overhaul, starting with the unceremonious ousting of club legend Luis Suárez. What followed was nothing short of a saga. Koeman was ruthless in his approach, stating that after Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the team needed a complete rebuild. But he didn’t stop at simply making roster changes—he made sure the world knew exactly how he felt about Suárez.

Koeman publicly criticized the Uruguayan striker, calling him finished, labeling him lazy, and openly questioning his playing style. The harsh words sent shockwaves through the footballing community. Fans were outraged, players were left in disbelief, and the media had a field day dissecting every comment. It wasn’t just about a transfer anymore—it was a power struggle, a battle between an incoming manager determined to make his mark and a beloved club icon who had given his heart and soul to Barcelona.

David, like millions of others, watched the drama unfold with keen interest. The sheer scale of the controversy overshadowed nearly everything else happening in the football world. Manchester United had stolen the spotlight for weeks, but now, Barcelona and their internal turmoil were beginning to challenge them for headlines. And amidst all this chaos, David continued his relentless pursuit of self-improvement, knowing that his own future in football was still being written.

The news had completely overshadowed Ronaldo’s return—a shocking feat in itself. But this wasn’t just about any ordinary controversy; this was a newly appointed coach waging war against a club legend, head-on, with no hesitation. What made it even more explosive was the name that had now been dragged into the fray—Messi.

If there was one name in world football that could snatch the media spotlight away from Cristiano Ronaldo, it was none other than Lionel Messi. And now, Messi’s name was not only involved, but it had become the focal point of a potential disaster for Barcelona. Reports had surfaced claiming that Messi had made his stance clear: if Suarez was forced out, he would leave as well. Sources suggested that this wasn’t just about friendship—it was Messi’s desperate attempt to keep the dying embers of the once-feared MSN trio alive. He had reportedly pushed hard for Neymar’s return, longing to recreate the magic that had terrorized defenses across Europe. But before he could even begin making progress on that front, he was already losing Suarez, the last remaining piece of that golden era.

The story exploded across every media platform. This wasn’t the first time whispers of Messi leaving had surfaced. Similar rumors had spread in the aftermath of the humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich, but those had been quickly shut down. This time, however, things felt different. The reports refused to die down, and for good reason. Anyone with even a basic understanding of football knew what Messi’s departure would mean for Barcelona. When Ronaldo had left Real Madrid, the club had suffered a period of instability, struggling to fill the void left by their best-ever player. But if Messi walked away from Barcelona, the consequences would be ten times worse. If Ronaldo was Madrid’s greatest player, MessiwasBarcelona.

The backlash was immediate. The fans, initially willing to give the new coach a chance, were beginning to turn on him. Yet, despite the uproar, he held the unwavering support of the board, and in football, a coach with the board’s backing was nearly untouchable. The only reason Suarez hadn’t already been shown the door was that Barcelona’s hierarchy was desperately trying to find a way to appease Messi, hoping to keep their greatest asset happy even as they tore away the closest people to him.

David hadn’t come to this conclusion on his own—no, his views had been shaped by someone whose football knowledge and passion rivaled even the most dedicated fans and analyst a feat he had come to acknowledge. Zoey. And if there was one person in the world who was more vocal about Barcelona’s situation than the media, it was her. She had not taken the news lightly. She had been relentless in her criticism of Ronald Koeman, calling him every name in the book and even inventing new ones along the way. David had never even heard half of the insults she had thrown at the coach, but they were certainly creative.

Yet, for all the headlines and chaos, all of that was old news now. Not even Chelsea’s big-money signings of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Hakim Ziyech were occupying his mind. Not even the thrilling Champions League final between Bayern Munich and PSG, which had seen the German giants claim victory, was of any concern to him at this moment. Even the satisfaction of winning his bet— after securing himself and Zoey pre-ordered Xbox consoles from losing his own bet to confidently predicting that Lewandowski would carry Bayern to the title and, in doing so, all but guarantee himself the Ballon d’Or—was insignificant in comparison to what lay ahead today.

As David stepped out of the car, he took a deep breath, his eyes locked onto the stadium in front of him. The familiar sight sent a thrill through his body, a rush of adrenaline surging through his veins. It had been months since he last set foot on the pitch, months since he had felt the ball at his feet, since he had run across the field with his teammates, pushing himself to the limit.

But that wait was over now.

He remembered the message that had popped up in the team’s group chat yesterday—the one that had set his heart racing. The first training session of the new season was scheduled for today.

David had barely been able to sleep last night. The sheer anticipation had kept him awake, thoughts of the coming season running wild in his mind. He had worked tirelessly during the offseason, overhauling his diet, increasing his training, and sharpening every aspect of his game. The potential arrival of legends like Ronaldo and elite talents like Bruno and Pogba training with them had lit a fire inside him, driving him to push himself harder than ever before.

And now, finally, the time had come.

His heart pounded as he took his first step toward the stadium, the weight of the moment settling on him. The excitement was overwhelming. This was his chance. His moment to prove himself. His opportunity to impress the coach, to show his teammates what he was capable of.

A smirk formed on his lips, and with a quiet exhale, he muttered under his breath, "Time to shine."

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