Three weeks after the U-21 tournament disaster. Queenspark training ground.
Klaus is back. Head down. Training harder than ever.
The red card. The embarrassment. It all plays on loop in his mind.
Coach Beaumont pulls him aside after training.
BEAUMONT: "How are you doing?"
KLAUS: "Fine, coach."
BEAUMONT: "That's not what I asked."
Klaus is silent.
BEAUMONT: "What happened in Brazil it's done. Learn from it. Move forward."
KLAUS: "I am."
BEAUMONT: "Good. Because I need you focused. We have eight matches before the international break. I need your head here."
Klaus nods.
KLAUS: "It's here, coach."
Over the next two months, Klaus plays.
And he's sharp.
Match 1: Queenspark vs. Riverside United — Klaus scores twice.
Match 3: Queenspark vs. Northern Athletic — Klaus assists, holds up play brilliantly.
Match 5: Queenspark vs. Eastport Town — Klaus scores a late winner.
He's proving himself. Again.
Three weeks after the U-21 tournament disaster. Léon training ground.
Lucas is back. Angry. Focused.
He doesn't talk about Brazil. Doesn't explain. Just works.
Coach Dubois watches him from the sideline.
ASSISTANT COACH: "He's different. Sharper."
DUBOIS: "Anger is a powerful motivator."
ASSISTANT COACH: "Think it'll last?"
DUBOIS: "We'll see."
Over the next two months, Lucas plays.
And he's electric.
Match 1: Léon vs. Toulouse Reserves — Lucas assists twice.
Match 3: Léon vs. Bordeaux Reserves — Lucas scores, dribbles past four defenders in the buildup.
Match 6: Léon vs. Nice Reserves — Lucas creates three chances, controls the tempo.
He's proving himself. Again.
Two months later. Both brothers. Same night. Different cities.
KLAUS:
Klaus is in his apartment, scrolling through social media.
Posts are starting to appear:
"Brazil U-21 squad announcement coming this week! 🇧🇷""Who deserves a call-up after the last camp disaster?""Will the Santos brothers be back?"
Klaus locks his phone.
He wants it. Desperately.
But he's terrified.
What if they don't call me? What if they only call Lucas? What if they call neither of us?
LUCAS:
Lucas is in his apartment, staring at his phone.
The same posts. The same speculation.
He wants it too.
But the fear is louder.
They dropped us once. They'll do it again.
He locks his phone and goes to bed.
Neither sleeps well.