Game on at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, where Barcelona finds itself entrenched in one of the steepest battles in the club's recent history. Tonight, they face a daunting challenge—not only against a fierce Sevilla side but also without their star player and captain, Lionel Messi. After a series of unfortunate events, Messi is sidelined, leaving a void that the team desperately needs to fill.
"Yes, but Barcelona don't look lost at all," the commentator's voice cracked with excitement over the broadcast. "Hattrick hero Mateo King—the 17-year-old phenom who's making his first start tonight, the second youngest starter ever for the club, just behind his former La Masia teammate, Ansu Fati. I have to say, to be starting your first professional game at 17 years and just a few days—that's absolutely incredible. And pardon my language, but that's hella impressive."
"You're absolutely right," the co-commentator added, their voice rising with anticipation. "And just look at him."
The camera panned across the pitch and zoomed in on Mateo standing at the kickoff line. Gone was the goofy smile that had momentarily shown on his face during the pre-match warmup. Now, in the harsh glare of the stadium lights, he looked like a different person entirely—focused, serious, a young man who knew exactly what he wanted.
Mateo's expression was stone-faced, calm but burning with determination. His eyes, sharp and unwavering, scanned the field with the poise of a seasoned professional, not a teenager just starting his career. The youthful energy was still there, but it was tempered by a steely resolve that told everyone watching that this boy wasn't just here to participate—he was here to dominate.
"Well, that doesn't look like a kid," the commentator continued, voice hushed with awe. "He looks like a footballer who knows precisely what he wants, and judging by that look? I'd say right now, Mateo wants nothing less than a win against the home side."
"Easier said than done," the co-commentator shot back. "Sevilla has been one of the toughest teams to beat this season. For Mateo—and Barcelona as a whole—to come away with the victory, especially without Messi leading them on the pitch, they're going to have to pull out all the stops tonight."
The tension built as the commentators wrapped up, their voices fading into the roar of the crowd. The stage was set, the fans screaming their lungs out, the atmosphere electric. The pressure wasn't just on the players—it was suffocating.
And then—whistle.
The sharp blast from the referee's whistle cut through the noise like a knife. Instantaneously, Mateo sprang into action.
Without hesitation, Mateo launched the ball deep to De Jong at the back, the stadium erupting into a frenzy of cheers and shouts as the game officially kicked off. But Mateo didn't stop there. As De Jong received the ball, Mateo surged forward, darting between the Sevilla defenders, his heartbeat steadying as his mind sharpened.
Gone were the distractions—the nerves from signing his first professional contract, the memory of the little girl's hand he had accidentally crushed earlier that day, the deafening pressure from over 40,000 fans packed into the stadium. None of that mattered now.
Mateo's mind was locked in. Focused. Centered. Tonight, he wasn't just playing to survive—he was playing to win. And more than that, he was going to score.
The game had been balanced so far—both Sevilla and Barcelona trading possession, probing each other's defenses like cautious duelists. Chances were scarce; every promising attack had been meticulously neutralized by sturdy backlines. The tension built in waves, with both teams refusing to yield an inch.
"Yes," the second commentator agreed, excitement creeping into his voice. "Barcelona have the ball again, and once more they're pushing forward steadily, probing for an opening."
"Mateo here," Pedri screamed as he hit the ball, Mateo who heard his name looked up as the ball arced toward him. Though the crowd's roar was deafening, Mateo could still hear Pedri's sharp call cutting through the noise—a lifeline amid the chaos.
Mateo's gaze locked on the ball, eyes narrowing as it spun through the air toward him. He shifted slightly, preparing for the reception, muscles taut like a coiled spring. He felt the ball's approach with a subtle anticipation, his body adjusting minutely to the trajectory.
But as Mateo tried to inch back just a fraction, a heavy presence pressed against him from behind—a wall of resistance. A rough voice cut through the noise: "Forget about the ball, kid."
The words barely registered. Mateo's eyes never left the descending ball.
Diego Carlos, the imposing Sevilla center-back, grinned knowingly, his confidence radiating as he felt Mateo's focus remain unbroken. "Forget it," Diego sneered, "I don't lose aerial duels—especially not to some kid like you."
As the ball drew near, Diego pressed down hard on Mateo's shoulders, his body weight driving into the youngster. "Leave this for the grown-ups," he taunted, crouching low before springing upward.
Mateo didn't flinch. He felt the pressure momentarily bear down, then lighten as he launched himself into the air alongside Diego. Leaning back slightly, Mateo pressed his body firmly against his opponent's, forcing a grunt from Diego as the defender strained under the unexpected resistance.
With unwavering control, Mateo timed his jump perfectly. As the ball descended between them, he met it with his chest, cushioning the impact with expert precision. He deftly guided it down to his feet, then pushed it forward—just out of Diego's reach—while keeping one hand firmly on the defender's shoulder to maintain leverage and protect possession.
Jules Koundé, Sevilla's other central defender, watched in momentary disbelief as Diego, usually so dominant, lost the duel to this rookie. But Koundé quickly recovered, narrowing his eyes as he surged forward to support his teammate. The two defenders closed in fast, aiming to wrest the ball away before Barcelona could mount an attack.
Mateo, feeling the incoming pressure, didn't panic. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Koundé closing in. Rather than rushing, he subtly nudged the ball just beyond the defender's immediate reach. Then he held his ground, patiently waiting for the second defender to arrive.
Antoine Griezmann, stationed on the left flank, noticed the space Koundé had vacated in his rush to assist Diego. Without hesitation, Griezmann drifted toward that gap, positioning himself to exploit the opportunity.
Mateo, ever aware, caught Griezmann's movement out of the corner of his eye. Like in training, he allowed the defenders to close in on him, drawing them into a trap.
As Koundé neared, Mateo extended his arms, using subtle hand pressure to maintain balance and space. Then, with a swift, practiced flick, he executed a backheel pass—sending the ball slithering neatly between Diego's legs.
Diego's eyes widened in surprise, Koundé's jaw dropped, and for a split second, both defenders froze, caught off-guard.
Seizing the moment, Mateo spun quickly on his heel and exploded into a sprint.
Koundé, realizing too late what had happened, glanced back at the space he'd left behind. The ball rolled invitingly toward Griezmann. "Shit," he muttered under his breath, twisting sharply to recover—but the momentum of his run betrayed him. His body wobbled slightly, inertia working against the sharp turn, forcing an awkward shuffle as he fought to regain control.
Meanwhile, Griezmann, not expecting the ball but trusting his instincts and rehearsed moves from training, met the pass decisively. With two center-backs trailing him and Sevilla's fullbacks stretched wide, the middle of the pitch lay exposed—an open invitation for Barcelona's next move.
Griezmann surged forward with the ball at his feet, his strides smooth, efficient, purposeful. As the Sevilla defenders scrambled behind, still shaken by what had just happened, he heard a voice from his right—
"Let's go! Let's gooo!"
He glanced sideways and couldn't help but smile.
There he was. Mateo King. Seventeen. Fast. Relentless. Somehow already beside him, despite having been surrounded by two of the league's strongest defenders seconds ago.
This kid and his speed, Griezmann thought briefly—but that was all. Now wasn't the time for thoughts.
Griezmann kept going. The ball was glued to his boots, and Mateo ran slightly behind, careful not to drift offside. It was just the two of them now. No more defenders. Just the keeper.
Griezmann could pass. He knew he could. Mateo was there. But he didn't.
He needed this.
His stint at Barça hadn't been the fairytale he imagined. Messi's injury gave him this chance, but even then, last match, the coach had chosen to not sub him in but rather an untested kid. That kid. Mateo. And now base on what he could see in training with his poor form if and when Messi comes back that same kid was for sure going to be starting over him.
If I don't score now…
He locked in. Tunnel vision. Goal in sight. And the keeper edging out.
Commentator 1 (Spanish TV):
"Ohh, what a moment! Rewind that! Did you see that, José?! The seventeen-year-old Mateo King rising like a veteran to chest down the ball under pressure from Diego Carlos—Diego Carlos! He pressed his body on the defender, controlled it, held it with strength, and then—boom!—the backheel through his legs!"
Commentator 2:
"I still can't believe it! Koundé came to help—two defenders closing—and Mateo just waited! Like a chess master setting up the board. And then the backheel! Between Diego's legs! And now Griezmann's away, with Mateo charging beside him!"
Commentator 1:
"This could be it! This could be the moment! Griezmann! One-on-one! JUST the keeper to beat!"
Griezmann set his body, eyes fixed on the bottom corner. He fired—low and hard.
Thwack!
The keeper dived, full stretch, fingertips grazing, and parried it! A stunning save! But he couldn't hold it. The ball spilled.
Commentator 2:
"OHHH what a save! But wait—he's spilled it! It's loose! It's LOOSE!"
Commentator 1 (shouting):
"And it's Mateo! MATEO'S THERE! He didn't stop running! The 17-year-old slots it in! Mateo King scores for Barcelona!!!"
The net rippled. The crowd—Barcelona's traveling fans—exploded in sound, a tidal wave of joy crashing through the stadium. Flags flew. Fists punched the air. Mateo turned, arms wide, his face full of unfiltered emotion.
Commentator 2:
"El niño de oro—the golden boy! At 17 years of age, Mateo King breaks the deadlock in the 21st minute! What composure, what presence! First the control under pressure, then the pass, then the follow-up—he never stopped believing!"
Commentator 1 (poetically):
"In a game of tension, where defenders ruled and chances were ghosts, the youngest man on the pitch brought light. A prince among giants. A breath of future wrapped in Barça's crest. The breakthrough belongs… to the boy who wouldn't stop running."
Commentator 2:
"But don't blink now! This game is far from over. Sevilla will respond. You can bet on it. But right now—it's the name Mateo King echoing in this stadium! And though Sevilla looked strong it was Barcelona or rather Mateo who struck the first blood.
A/N
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