The Monday after Barcelona's victory felt nothing like a normal Monday.
The city had gone completely insane.
Every newspaper stand displayed the same story.
Every sports channel discussed the same names.
Every radio station replayed the same moments.
Lionel Messi.
Rio Fiero.
The Twin Stars of La Masia.
The nickname spread through Spain faster than anyone expected.
Fans loved it.
Journalists loved it.
Television producers loved it.
Most importantly—
Barcelona supporters loved it.
Because supporters always dreamed about academy heroes.
And now they had two.
Unfortunately for Rio, fame came with consequences.
One of those consequences was Gerard Piqué.
The defender burst into their room before sunrise carrying four newspapers.
Four.
Nobody needed four newspapers.
Especially at six in the morning.
"WAKE UP!"
A newspaper hit Messi directly in the face.
The Argentine groaned.
Another landed on Rio's bed.
He opened one eye.
Then immediately regretted it.
Piqué looked entirely too happy.
"This one calls you the future of Barcelona."
He threw the first paper.
"This one calls you football geniuses."
Second paper.
"This one says Rio sees passes from another dimension."
Third paper.
Messi pulled a blanket over his head.
"Make him stop."
The fourth newspaper landed on the floor.
Piqué looked offended.
"No appreciation."
At breakfast, the situation became worse.
Several younger academy players had already clipped newspaper articles and pinned them on a bulletin board.
Rio stared at the display for three seconds.
Then turned around and walked away.
Reasonable response.
Messi nearly followed.
Unfortunately, Piqué blocked his escape.
"You two need to enjoy this."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"You're famous."
Messi sighed.
"I preferred obscurity."
The senior team reacted differently.
When training began later that day, nobody treated Rio or Messi like celebrities.
Because Barcelona veterans understood something important.
One good month meant nothing.
One good season meant little.
Consistency created careers.
Nothing else.
Still—
the respect had grown.
Xavi now passed to Rio instinctively during training.
Puyol challenged him harder.
Ronaldinho spent more time speaking with both teenagers.
The message was simple.
They belonged.
And belonging inside Barcelona's first team was worth more than newspaper headlines.
Midway through training, Ronaldinho trapped a difficult pass effortlessly and grinned toward Rio.
"The stars of La Masia."
Rio immediately looked annoyed.
The Brazilian laughed.
"Not a fan?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Sounds dramatic."
"It is dramatic."
"That's the problem."
Ronaldinho laughed even harder.
Nearby, Messi nodded seriously.
"He's right."
The Brazilian pointed at both of them.
"You two are impossible."
Fair.
After training ended, Rijkaard called Rio into his office.
The request immediately attracted attention.
Players noticed everything.
Especially at big clubs.
Messi looked curious.
Ronaldinho looked amused.
Puyol looked completely unsurprised.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Rijkaard's office remained exactly as Rio remembered.
Neat.
Organized.
Professional.
The coach sat behind his desk reviewing several documents.
When Rio entered, he gestured toward a chair.
"Sit."
Rio obeyed.
The coach studied him briefly.
Then got straight to the point.
Good.
Efficient.
"We need to discuss your contract."
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Rio already knew this conversation would arrive eventually.
His recent performances made it inevitable.
The academy agreement he currently held no longer reflected reality.
Not even close.
Not after first-team appearances.
Not after goals.
Not after assists.
Not after headlines.
Barcelona protected valuable players.
And Rio had become valuable.
Rijkaard slid a folder across the desk.
"The club wants to accelerate discussions."
Rio opened it calmly.
Inside sat preliminary numbers.
Not final figures.
Not official proposals.
Just projections.
Still—
they were enormous compared to what his family had before.
His eyes lingered briefly.
Monthly salary.
Appearance bonuses.
Performance incentives.
Future clauses.
The figures could change his family's life completely.
Interesting.
Because for the first time since arriving in this world—
football wasn't only about football.
It was also about responsibility.
"Your mother has already been contacted."
Rijkaard's voice broke the silence.
Rio nodded.
Expected.
"The club views you as an important part of its future."
A pause.
Then:
"But this also means attention."
Rio already understood.
Attention attracted problems.
Always.
Across Barcelona, another conversation was taking place.
A much less friendly conversation.
Inside an expensive hotel suite, two men reviewed scouting reports spread across a table.
Videos played silently on a television.
The footage showed Rio's goal.
Then his assist.
Then another pass.
Then another.
One scout leaned back.
"What do you think?"
The older man answered immediately.
"He's real."
Simple.
Direct.
Professional.
The most dangerous type of praise.
The younger scout nodded.
"He sees the game differently."
"Yes."
"Barcelona know what they have?"
The older man laughed softly.
"They're not blind."
Fair.
A silence followed.
Then the older scout closed the file.
Decision made.
"Contact the family."
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Because some clubs didn't wait.
They acted.
And Rio Fiero was becoming too valuable to ignore.
Meanwhile, Rio's biggest problem looked entirely different.
It was called Sofia Valera.
And it arrived outside the training facility that afternoon.
Rio exited the building expecting a quiet walk back toward transportation.
Instead—
he found Sofia waiting near the entrance.
Again.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
She smiled when she saw him.
"You score one goal and suddenly everyone knows your name."
Rio stopped beside her.
"Apparently."
"How are you handling fame?"
"Poorly."
She laughed immediately.
"At least you're honest."
The conversation started casually.
Then somehow lasted nearly an hour.
Again.
The same thing kept happening.
Neither intended it.
Neither seemed capable of stopping it.
They talked about school.
About Barcelona.
About ridiculous journalists.
About football.
About everything except the obvious fact that both enjoyed spending time together.
At one point Sofia tilted her head slightly.
"Can I ask something?"
"Yes."
"Do you ever stop thinking about football?"
Rio actually considered the question.
Longer than expected.
Then answered honestly.
"Recently?"
A pause.
"Sometimes."
Sofia smiled.
And somehow—
that answer made her happier than it should have.
That evening, Rio returned home for a family dinner.
The moment he entered the house, Bella took one look at him and narrowed her eyes.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Because Bella's instincts regarding family gossip bordered on supernatural.
She pointed immediately.
"You like someone."
Rio froze.
His mother looked interested.
Bella looked victorious.
Interesting.
This was bad.
Very bad.
"You smiled."
Bella pointed accusingly.
"You never smile."
"I smile."
"No."
She shook her head dramatically.
"You tolerate existence."
His mother immediately started laughing.
Rio considered leaving.
Reasonable response.
Unfortunately—
escape was impossible.
Because Bella had already begun her interrogation.
And she wasn't stopping anytime soon.
That evening, the mood inside the apartment shifted.
Football stopped being a game for a while.
It became business.
Real business.
Rio's mother sat at the dining table studying the documents Barcelona had sent.
Contract projections.
Salary figures.
Performance bonuses.
Future clauses.
The numbers looked unreal.
Not because they were impossible.
Because only a few years ago she had been worried about paying bills on time.
Now one football contract could completely change their future.
Bella sat beside her reading over her shoulder.
Every few seconds her eyes grew wider.
"Mom..."
She pointed at one number.
"Is this real?"
Their mother nodded slowly.
"I think so."
Even she still sounded uncertain.
Rio remained calm.
Outwardly.
Inside, however, he understood exactly what the figures meant.
Security.
Opportunity.
Responsibility.
This wasn't money for expensive cars or luxury houses.
This was money that could make sure his family never struggled again.
That mattered.
More than anything else.
Then the apartment phone rang.
An ordinary sound.
At an unusual moment.
His mother answered casually.
"Hello?"
A pause.
Then her expression changed.
Confusion.
Surprise.
Careful attention.
Rio noticed immediately.
The conversation lasted several minutes.
Bella stopped talking.
The room became quiet.
Finally, Rio's mother thanked the caller and hung up.
"What happened?" Bella asked.
Their mother looked toward Rio.
Then toward the contract papers.
Then back at her son.
"It wasn't Barcelona."
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"It was a representative from England."
Bella blinked.
"What?"
The woman nodded.
"He said he represents a club interested in Rio."
Rio already knew where this was heading.
Success attracted attention.
Attention attracted clubs.
Simple.
Expected.
Inevitable.
"What club?" Bella asked.
His mother hesitated.
Then answered.
"Manchester United."
Silence filled the apartment.
Even Bella looked shocked.
Because everybody knew that name.
One of the biggest clubs in the world.
One of the richest.
One of the most successful.
And now they were calling about Rio.
"What did they want?" Bella asked.
His mother leaned back in her chair.
"They wanted to know if we'd be willing to listen to an offer if one was made."
The room became quiet again.
Because suddenly this wasn't just about Barcelona anymore.
It was about the future.
And somewhere far away, powerful clubs had started paying attention to Rio Fiero.
Silence lingered inside the apartment after Rio's mother revealed the name.
Manchester United.
A club that existed near the very top of world football.
A club capable of offering enormous contracts.
World-class facilities.
Prestige.
Opportunity.
Everything young players supposedly dreamed about.
Bella looked between her mother and Rio.
Waiting.
Expecting some reaction.
Excitement.
Shock.
Something.
Instead—
Rio reached for a glass of water.
Took a sip.
Then set it back down.
Calm.
Completely calm.
His mother stared.
Bella stared.
The silence stretched.
Finally Bella couldn't take it anymore.
"That's it?"
Rio looked at her.
"What?"
"Manchester United!"
"Yes."
"Manchester United called!"
"Apparently."
Bella looked like she might throw something at him.
A reasonable reaction.
His mother smiled slightly.
She had learned long ago that Rio processed things differently.
Still—
even she seemed curious.
"What do you think?"
Rio answered immediately.
No hesitation.
No uncertainty.
No internal debate.
"I won't listen."
Bella blinked.
"What?"
"I won't listen."
His mother studied him carefully.
"Rio..."
He shook his head.
"No."
Simple.
Firm.
Absolute.
The apartment grew quiet again.
Not awkward.
Just surprised.
Because neither of them had expected such a quick answer.
Bella frowned.
"You don't even want to hear what they would offer?"
"No."
"What if it's more money?"
"No."
"What if it's a lot more money?"
"No."
Bella threw her hands into the air.
"Why are you like this?"
Rio ignored the question.
Mostly because it didn't have a useful answer.
Instead, he looked toward his mother.
"I'm staying."
Four words.
Simple words.
Important words.
Because for Rio, the decision really was simple.
Barcelona wasn't just a club.
It was the reason this life existed.
The reason he had become Rio Fiero.
The reason he trained every day.
The reason he had met Messi.
The reason he was standing where he was now.
Leaving now made no sense.
None.
"People always talk about opportunities," Rio said quietly.
His mother listened.
Bella too.
"They think opportunities are somewhere else."
A pause.
"Sometimes you're already standing inside one."
The room became still.
Because despite his age—
Rio occasionally said things that sounded far older.
"Barcelona gave me everything."
His voice remained calm.
Matter-of-fact.
"They trusted me."
Another pause.
"I haven't done enough to repay that trust yet."
His mother smiled.
A proud smile.
The kind mothers tried to hide.
And usually failed.
Bella groaned dramatically.
"Great."
Rio raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Now you're being noble."
"I am not."
"You absolutely are."
"No."
"Mom, tell him."
His mother laughed.
"I'm staying out of this."
Cowardly.
Probably wise.
Bella pointed accusingly.
"You know most football players would at least negotiate."
"Good for them."
"You don't care?"
Rio considered the question.
Then answered honestly.
"I care about football."
A pause.
"Not auctions."
Bella looked deeply frustrated.
Later that evening, after Bella finally abandoned her interrogation, Rio stepped onto the apartment balcony.
Barcelona stretched before him beneath the night sky.
Lights glowing.
Cars moving.
Life continuing.
The city felt different now.
Familiar.
Like home.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Because once upon a time he had been Jake Simmons.
A football fan watching from another world.
Now—
he was part of Barcelona.
Part of its future.
Part of its story.
And he wasn't interested in leaving.
The next morning, events moved quickly.
Very quickly.
Because Manchester United wasn't the only club paying attention.
And Barcelona's executives had already learned about the contact.
The reaction inside the club was immediate.
A meeting was called before training.
Several executives.
Several important figures.
Several very expensive suits.
None of them looked pleased.
One executive placed a report onto the table.
"United have already approached the family."
Another executive frowned.
"Response?"
The sporting director looked down at his notes.
Then smiled.
Rare.
Very rare.
"Rio rejected the idea immediately."
The room became quiet.
Then—
several people laughed.
Not mocking laughter.
Relieved laughter.
"Immediately?"
"Immediately."
"No negotiations?"
"None."
"No interest?"
"None."
The sporting director shrugged.
"He wants Barcelona."
That answer changed the atmosphere instantly.
Because talent could be bought.
Loyalty was much harder to find.
Especially in football.
Especially at fifteen.
One executive leaned back.
"Then we move now."
The others nodded.
Agreement spreading around the table.
Because there was no reason to delay anymore.
No reason to risk losing him.
No reason to leave uncertainty hanging over the situation.
A new folder appeared on the table.
Much thicker than the previous one.
More detailed.
More ambitious.
A real contract.
Not projections.
Not discussions.
A future.
Meanwhile, Rio remained completely unaware.
He was currently being chased around training by an overexcited Messi.
"You actually told them no?"
"Yes."
Messi looked amazed.
"Without hearing the offer?"
"Yes."
The Argentine stared.
"You're insane."
Reasonable opinion.
Rio adjusted his training bib.
"Why?"
Messi pointed dramatically.
"Because most people would at least listen."
Rio shrugged.
"I already play for Barcelona."
Messi stopped walking.
For a second he simply stared.
Then—
he started smiling.
A real smile.
Because those words meant something to him too.
More than Rio realized.
For the first time since the rumors began, Messi felt completely relaxed.
Because the possibility of Rio leaving had bothered him.
More than he wanted to admit.
More than he had realized.
And now—
the fear was gone.
At least for now.
Across the city, Sofia would soon learn about Rio's decision.
And when she did—
she would discover that hearing he planned to stay in Barcelona made her far happier than it should have.
The call arrived two days later.
Not from an agent.
Not from a scout.
Not from a journalist.
From Barcelona.
Directly.
Which immediately told Rio everything he needed to know.
The club had made its decision.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Training had just ended when one of the first-team staff members approached him.
"Rio."
The teenager looked up.
"The club wants to see you tomorrow morning."
Simple sentence.
Important sentence.
Rio nodded.
"Understood."
Nearby, Messi immediately appeared.
Almost magically.
"Why do they want to see you?"
"I don't know."
"You absolutely know."
"Probably."
Messi folded his arms.
"I hate talking to you."
Reasonable reaction.
The following morning, Rio, his mother, and Bella arrived at the club's executive offices.
The building felt different from the training center.
More formal.
More expensive.
Less football.
More business.
Rio disliked it immediately.
Bella loved it.
Of course she did.
The moment they entered, she began looking around like a tourist.
"This place is huge."
"Yes."
"And expensive."
"Yes."
"And important."
"Yes."
Bella pointed accusingly.
"You need a larger vocabulary."
Rio ignored her.
A few minutes later they were escorted into a conference room.
Several club executives waited inside.
The sporting director.
A legal representative.
A financial officer.
Serious people.
Serious meeting.
The introductions ended quickly.
Then the sporting director opened a folder.
A very familiar folder.
Contract folder.
"Rio," he began.
"We believe you are an important part of Barcelona's future."
The teenager remained silent.
Listening.
Observing.
Calculating.
The executive continued.
"The club wants to reward your progress."
A document slid across the table.
Toward Rio and his mother.
Then came the numbers.
Real numbers.
Not projections.
Not estimates.
Reality.
Five-year professional contract.
Annual salary: €850,000.
Appearance bonuses for first-team matches.
Goal and assist bonuses.
Performance incentives.
Automatic salary increases based on appearances.
Educational support.
Housing support.
Family assistance provisions.
And perhaps most importantly—
a release clause designed to keep Europe's biggest clubs away.
At least for now.
The room became quiet.
Very quiet.
Because even Bella stopped talking.
A historic event.
Rio's mother stared at the contract.
Then read it again.
Then again.
She wasn't a football executive.
She wasn't a financial expert.
She was simply a mother who remembered difficult years.
Years of sacrifice.
Years of uncertainty.
Years of wondering whether everything would work out.
And now—
she struggled to find words.
Bella broke the silence first.
Naturally.
"That's a lot of zeros."
The financial officer laughed.
"Yes."
"Like... a ridiculous amount of zeros."
"Also yes."
Rio's mother lowered the contract slowly.
Her eyes looked suspiciously bright.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Because Rio rarely saw her emotional.
She usually carried difficulties quietly.
Without complaint.
Without attention.
Without help.
"We're proud of you."
The words came softly.
Almost a whisper.
Yet somehow they carried more weight than every number inside the contract.
Rio looked at her.
Then nodded once.
A small gesture.
But enough.
Because both understood.
The sporting director smiled.
Then added something unexpected.
"There's something else."
Interesting.
Another document appeared.
"This contract isn't being offered because of potential."
The executive leaned forward.
"It's being offered because you've already proven you belong."
The room became quiet again.
Because there was a difference.
A very important difference.
Potential was a promise.
Belonging was reality.
Rio signed first.
Simple.
Efficient.
No dramatic speeches.
No hesitation.
Just a signature.
His mother signed next.
Bella immediately demanded a celebratory dinner.
Expected behavior.
As the meeting concluded, the sporting director stopped Rio before he left.
One final comment.
"Manchester United called us yesterday."
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"They were disappointed."
A faint smile appeared.
Rare.
Very rare.
"Apparently you refused to even discuss their proposal."
Rio nodded.
"Correct."
The executive laughed.
Actually laughed.
"I've worked in football for twenty years."
A pause.
"That's the first time I've ever heard that."
Meanwhile, elsewhere inside the training center, Messi sat waiting impatiently.
The moment Rio appeared, the Argentine stood.
"Well?"
Rio handed him a copy.
Messi scanned the numbers.
Then blinked.
Then blinked again.
"You're rich."
"No."
"You are absolutely rich."
"No."
Messi pointed aggressively at the paper.
"Look at these numbers."
Rio considered it.
"Reasonable numbers."
Messi looked horrified.
Ronaldinho appeared seconds later.
As if summoned by money.
A useful skill.
The Brazilian examined the contract.
Then laughed.
"Good."
He slapped Rio's shoulder.
"You earned it."
Simple.
Honest.
Important.
The news spread through the club quickly.
Barcelona had secured one of its brightest talents.
The executives relaxed.
The coaches relaxed.
The supporters celebrated online.
The future felt safer.
Across Barcelona, Sofia learned the story later that afternoon.
Not the contract details.
The other detail.
The important one.
"He didn't even listen to the offer?"
She looked up from her phone.
"No."
Her friend shook her head.
"Apparently Manchester United tried to approach him."
"And?"
"He refused immediately."
Sofia stared out the window.
A small smile appearing.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Because she had expected many things from Rio.
Ambition.
Confidence.
Obsession.
Determination.
Loyalty hadn't been on the list.
Yet somehow it fit perfectly.
That evening she sent him a message.
A simple one.
Congratulations on the contract.
A minute later a response arrived.
Thank you.
Typical Rio.
Incredibly efficient.
Almost painfully efficient.
She smiled.
Then typed another message.
Want to get dinner tomorrow?
For the first time in several minutes—
there was no reply.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Miles away, Rio stared at his phone.
Bella happened to walk past.
Then immediately stopped.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
She looked at the screen.
Then looked at him.
Then smiled.
Slowly.
Victorious.
"Oh."
Rio immediately regretted everything.
And somewhere between football, contracts, fame, and expectations—
a completely different challenge had just appeared.