World football system
Chapter 33: Between Two Flags

Chapter 33: Between Two Flags

The moment Portugal called, the world changed.

Tobi Oliveira sat in the dressing room at the Mestalla, still buzzing from the Real Madrid game. His fingers drummed lightly on the wooden bench, and in his lap sat the letter—neatly folded, smelling of paper and pressure.

PORTUGAL FOOTBALL FEDERATION Call-up: Senior National Team (Preliminary Camp) Date: June 2 – June 14 Location: Lisbon, Training Ground Complexo da Cidade do Futebol

He read it again. And again.

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Dissonance

The entire city seemed to be celebrating him. His face lit up street ads, Instagram reels, Spanish and Portuguese media headlines:

"Oliveira the Conductor!" "From Rebirth to National Hero?" "Valencia’s Young King Heads to Lisbon!"

But inside, he felt split. Tension hummed under every cheer.

Was he ready?

He hadn’t even finished school. He still couldn’t fold his laundry right. He burned toast. What was he doing leading a national midfield?

At home, Clara was already planning logistics—tickets, visas, interviews.

Leonor was sketching a Portuguese jersey with "Tobi #10" in red crayon.

"You’ll look so cool on TV," she grinned.

Tobi smiled back but felt a hollow in his chest.

> [SYSTEM PROMPT] National Challenge Activated Options: – Accept National Call-Up: Experience +15 / Fatigue +8 / Prestige +10 – Decline and Focus on Club: Resilience +6 / Morale +4

He chose ACCEPT.

> [SYSTEM NOTICE] National Rank Unlocked – Level 1: Cadete Country: Portugal Position: CAM / DLP Hybrid Traits Active: "Calm Under Fire," "Midfield Visionary"

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Farewells and Expectations

Coach Moreno sat across from him before he left.

"You’re about to meet men who’ve played World Cups, Tobi. Listen. Learn. But don’t disappear. We sent them a maestro. Not a mouse."

Tobi nodded.

Moreno continued, "You don’t have to prove anything. Just be honest in your football."

He arrived in Lisbon two days later. The facilities gleamed like glass temples. Ronaldo’s mural greeted him. So did headlines:

"Oliveira: Successor to Bruno?"

Training began.

And so did the struggle.

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Lisbon – Training Camp

He was the youngest.

The seniors were faster, harder, louder. Everything was crisper. Every touch mattered.

The coach barely noticed him on day one. On day two, he got five minutes in a scrimmage. Lost the ball twice.

Day three: silence.

He trained longer after the session ended. Practiced passing drills alone. Studied film until 1 a.m.

A senior midfielder, Bernardo Silva, finally sat with him.

"You play clean," he said. "But you play scared."

"I’m trying not to mess up."

"Then you already have."

Bernardo tossed him a ball. "Tomorrow, try something stupid. Something risky. That’s when they notice you."

> [SYSTEM EFFECT] Veteran Guidance: Tactical Confidence +3

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The Turnaround

Day four: he played risky.

A backheel nutmeg in traffic. A switch pass without looking. A shot from 30 yards.

The coach raised an eyebrow. "Again, Oliveira."

By the end of week one, he was part of the second scrimmage team. By week two, he was starting.

And then came the friendly.

Portugal vs Switzerland. A non-competitive game. But to Tobi, it felt like the World Cup.

He started. The anthem played. He looked up and saw Clara and Leonor in the crowd, waving a Portuguese flag.

The whistle blew.

And he danced.

He created two chances in the first 20 minutes. Nutmegged a defender. Took a shot—off the post. Set up the winning goal.

Final score: 2–1.

Tobi Oliveira: Man of the Match.

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The Price of Glory

He returned to the locker room dazed with joy. But also utterly drained.

> [SYSTEM NOTICE] Physical Fatigue: HIGH Muscle Wear: 65% Suggestion: Mandatory Rest – 3 Days

Back in Valencia, the media cheered him. But club doctors warned him.

"You’ve played too much football," they said. "You’ll break."

Coach Moreno limited his minutes. Clara canceled a sponsorship shoot.

Tobi protested.

"I’m finally in form."

"You’re not a machine," Clara said. "You’re my son."

They argued. Then they cried. Then they hugged.

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Leonor’s Moment

Leonor had her own match. A youth final. Tobi sat in the stands with a camera.

She scored the winning goal. Pointed at him.

"For you!" she shouted.

He wiped his eyes.

She wasn’t his shadow anymore. She was her own light.

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Closing Reflections

Back in his room, Tobi looked at the Portuguese jersey hanging by his bed.

He opened the system.

> [SYSTEM REPORT] Career Milestones: – First-Team Starter: Achieved – Tactical Shift: Mastered – National Team Debut: Achieved – Family Bond: Strengthened – Sponsorships: Delayed

> Current Stats: Vision: 95 Passing: 93 Tactical IQ: 92 Resilience: 88 Fatigue: 70

> Status: Rising Star

He smiled.

He had a long way to go.

But he was no longer afraid of the path.