Players were shaking hands, congratulating each other. The coaches too.
"Today is my defeat, Mr. Sato. You have very good players," said Matheus as he shook Sato's hand.
"No, please… you were the better side today. We were a bit lucky. I'm grateful for this match," Sato replied humbly.
"Haha… false modesty, I see. This year I hope you'll give us real competition for the title again. Next time, we'll beat you," Matheus said with determination.
On Rikuo's side, he was surrounded by his teammates, congratulating him, still surprised by his level for a first professional game.
"Man, you really impressed me today, Rikuo. Seeing Alex's face like that felt good… he looked pissed. That'll teach him to ignore me when I talk to him," said Toru, patting Rikuo's shoulder.
"Thanks Toru… wait, you talked to Alex and he didn't answer you?" Rikuo asked.
"Uh… yeah, that's right…"
"Toru… Alex only speaks English. Of course if you talk to him in Japanese, he won't understand, idiot," said Raizo.
"Oh… so that's why. Haha… I knew that, I just did it on purpose so you guys would react," Toru said,
laughing… while somehow looking a bit lonely.
"It's true, little genius… you did something big today. That goalkeeper… Ben, that Australian giant, didn't let me score today," said Rivelinho, frustrated but smiling.
Ben was Kashima's goalkeeper, the one with the most clean sheets last season.
The players laughed together, joking around, when Alex and Akira came up to Rikuo.
"Well played today, Rikuo. I'll remember your name… even if you were a bit insolent. This one is our loss," said Akira, acknowledging his level.
"Yes… you're good. Keep going. Let's face each other again in a top-level duel," Alex said calmly.
"Ah… thanks, both of you. Good game. Next time, we'll win again, don't worry," Rikuo replied, shaking their hands with determination.
Then Minato walked up. He had just finished a post-match interview.
"Ugh… interviews are tiring. Hey little genius, it's your day today. They want you next. Go ahead," Minato said.
"Me? Alright then."
Rikuo walked toward the journalist. Cameras were already focused on him.
His father was watching.
Takuma was watching.
Old Senda was watching.
Everyone had their eyes on him.
"Hello, and great performance, Mr. Rikuo Amada," said the journalist, holding out the microphone.
"Hello… and thank you. It feels good to be here," Rikuo replied with a smile.
Tokyo CF players were still on the pitch.
The fans kept singing.
"RIKUO! RIKUO!"
The stadium applauded.
Minato crossed his arms, a slight smile on his face.
Coach Sato watched silently.
The journalist spoke again:
"Rikuo-san… first professional match… first goal… how do you feel right now?"
Rikuo took a small breath.
He looked around him.
The stadium.
The fans.
His teammates.
Then he answered calmly:
"Honestly… it's hard to describe…"
He smiled slightly.
"It's a mix of a lot of emotions… joy… pride… but most of all, gratitude."
In the stands, his father lowered his head slightly.
Moved.
"I've been through some tough moments… I was away from the pitch for a while… so being able to come back like this… to play… and score in my first match… even though I've only been here for a few days…"
He paused.
"It's… really an indescribable feeling."
Silence in the stadium.
Everyone was listening.
"But I especially want to thank the people who trusted me… Coach Sato… Senda… my teammates…"
He looked at Minato.
"They made this moment possible. Without them… this wouldn't exist."
Minato nodded slightly.
The journalist continued:
"We saw a very impactful performance from you. You didn't seem nervous at all… it was impressive. Did you already have that confidence before coming in?"
Rikuo let out a small laugh.
"Nervous? Yeah… a little."
Some laughter in the stadium.
"But once I stepped on the pitch… I just told myself I was there to play football. Nothing more."
He looked at the ball nearby.
"And when I touch the ball… I feel good. So I just played the way I know how."
The journalist smiled.
Then she asked THE question:
"Rikuo… last question. After such a debut… everyone is wondering… what are your goals with this team? And for your career?"
The stadium went quiet.
Rikuo lifted his head slightly.
His gaze changed.
More serious.
More focused.
"With this team…"
He looked at his teammates.
"I want to win everything."
Murmurs in the stadium.
He continued:
"Every competition… every match… I want to win them with them."
Then he looked straight into the camera.
Like he was speaking to the whole world.
"And personally…"
Pause.
"I want to reach the top of world football."
Silence.
"I want to win the most prestigious trophies… as a team… but also individually."
He took a breath.
Then said calmly:
"I want to win the Ballon d'Or."
Total silence.
Then—
"OOOOOOOHHHHH!!!"
The stadium exploded.
"WHAT A STATEMENT!! YOUNG RIKUO AMADA CLEARLY DECLARES HIS AMBITIONS!!"
In vip stands:
Takuma smiled.
"Always aiming higher… I like that…" he whispered.
While his father froze.
Eyes shining.
— flashback, a few years ago in France —
Inside the Amada house, Rikuo was playing with his father, passing the ball while watching a match.
"Dad, one day I'll be like those players… no, I'll be even better. I want to be number one. Being number one is so cool, like a king."
His father smiled.
"Hahaha… alright my son. I can't wait to see you reach that level. You can do it, you're our son after all."
Behind them, Alicia laughed.
"Just don't forget to enjoy playing. Being a king is good… but having fun is even better, my son."
"Yes mom… you'll see, I promise."
— end of flashback —
"Alicia… our son just took his first step toward his dream. I hope you can see him from up there," said Takeshi, eyes filled with emotion.
At Tokyo CF's training center:
Senda burst out laughing.
"Hahaha… that's it… that's what I wanted to hear. Kid, you're brilliant… or maybe I'm just getting old, I tear up too easily haha…"
On the pitch:
Minato smiled.
"Interesting… you keep surprising me, little prodigy…"
Coach Sato…
Closed his eyes for a moment.
Satisfied.
The journalist, still surprised, continued:
"Well… thank you, Rikuo, for this interview… and congratulations again for this amazing performance!"
Rikuo nodded slightly.
"Thank you very much."
"RIKUO! RIKUO! RIKUO!"
The chants grew louder.
Stronger.
And in the middle of all that…
Tokyo CF's number 77 had just shown the world…
He wasn't here to participate.
But to rule… and write a new chapter in world football history.