December 25th, 2029. Christmas morning. Lucas woke at 5:47 AM (toddlers didn't understand the concept of sleeping in on holidays) and immediately ran to the living room to see what Santa had brought.
"PRESENTS!" he screamed, loud enough to wake the entire building.
Ethan stumbled out of bed, exhausted from a Champions League match two days prior. Sofia was already up, somehow, making coffee.
"How are you functional?" Ethan mumbled.
"I went to bed at nine. You stayed up until midnight analyzing Bayern Munich's defensive shape for the Round of 16."
"That was important preparation."
"It was Christmas Eve. Lucas wanted you to read him stories. You chose tactical analysis."
The guilt hit immediately. She was right. He'd slipped back into old patterns. World Cup 2030 was six months away, and the pressure was building.
"I'm sorry. You're right. I'll be more present today."
"Good. Because your son is about to destroy every present in the next thirty seconds and I want you to experience it with me."
They went to the living room where Lucas was indeed destroying wrapping paper with abandon, barely looking at the actual gifts inside. The joy was in the destruction, not the toys.
"Dada! Look! Paper everywhere!"
"I see that, mijo. Very impressive destruction."
"I good at destroying!"
"Yes, you are. You're the best destroyer."
Sofia took a photo on her phone. Ethan covered in wrapping paper, Lucas on his shoulders, both laughing. These were the moments that mattered.
Not Champions League tactics. Not World Cup preparation. Just a father and son on Christmas morning.
January 2030 - The Grind
The second half of the 2029-30 season began with renewed intensity. Barcelona were in all three competitions still:
La Liga: 2nd place, 3 points behind Real Madrid Champions League: Round of 16 vs Bayern Munich (again) Copa del Rey: Quarterfinals vs Sevilla
The schedule was brutal. Matches every three days. Constant travel. Physical and mental exhaustion.
But this would be Ethan's last full season. He'd decided. After World Cup 2030, he'd play one more season (2030-31), then retire at age thirty-two.
Two more years. Then he'd be done. The decision brought peace.
January Results:
Beat Sevilla 3-1 in Copa del Rey (Ethan scored twice) Beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in CL R16 first leg (Ethan scored once) Drew Real Madrid 1-1 in La Liga (Ethan equalized)
Season stats through January: 15 goals in 28 matches
Lower than previous years, but he was being rested strategically. World Cup 2030 was the priority. Everything else was secondary.
February 14th, 2030 - Lucas's Third Birthday
Lucas turned three years old. A milestone that hit Ethan harder than expected.
Three years old meant preschool starting in September. Meant real conversations. Meant personality fully formed. Meant childhood racing by impossibly fast.
Sofia organized a party at their home. Lucas's friends from the park. Family. Close friends. About thirty people total.
The house was decorated with dinosaurs (Lucas's current obsession). A cake shaped like a T-Rex (Sofia's handiwork again). Games and chaos and laughter.
Ethan took the entire day off from training (Xavi granted it without question). Just focused on Lucas. Playing dinosaurs. Singing happy birthday. Being present.
"Dada, you stay all day?" Lucas asked at one point, surprised.
"Of course. It's your birthday."
"You usually go to football."
The comment stabbed Ethan in the heart. His three-year-old son expected him to leave. Had internalized that pattern.
"Not today, mijo. Today I'm here. All day."
"Good. I like when you here."
"I like being here too."
That night, after Lucas was asleep and the guests had left, Ethan and Sofia cleaned up wrapping paper and cake remnants.
"He said he likes when I'm here," Ethan said quietly.
"He does. You're his hero."
"But I'm not here enough. He expects me to leave. That's heartbreaking."
"Then be here more. You have two more years of career. Make them count. Not on the pitch—at home."
"I'm trying."
"I know you are. And it shows. You're better than you were two years ago. Just keep improving."
The encouragement helped. But Ethan knew he could do better. And after World Cup 2030, he would.
March 2030 - Champions League Triumph
The Champions League knockout rounds consumed March and April.
March 5th - Bayern Munich 1-2 Barcelona (CL R16, 2nd leg, 3-3 aggregate, Barcelona advance on away goals)
A narrow escape. Bayern dominated at home but Barcelona's defense held firm. Through to the quarterfinals.
March 20th - Barcelona 3-1 Manchester City (CL QF, 1st leg)
Dominant performance at Camp Nou. Ethan scored twice. Barcelona in complete control.
March 28th - Manchester City 1-1 Barcelona (CL QF, 2nd leg, 2-4 aggregate)
Professional performance at the Etihad. Barcelona through to the semifinals.
April 10th - Barcelona 2-1 PSG (CL SF, 1st leg)
Another PSG matchup. Ethan scored both goals. Barcelona had the advantage.
April 24th - PSG 2-3 Barcelona (CL SF, 2nd leg, 3-5 aggregate)
Drama at the Parc des Princes. PSG scored twice but Barcelona added three on the counter. Ethan scored the decisive goal.
Barcelona were through to the Champions League final.
For the eighth consecutive season. Against Liverpool. June 6th in London.
But first, World Cup 2030.
May 2030 - La Liga Finale
Barcelona's La Liga campaign ended in disappointment. They finished second, three points behind Real Madrid.
Final La Liga Table 2029-30:
Real Madrid - 86 points Barcelona - 83 points
Two consecutive seasons without La Liga. The dynasty had truly ended. Madrid had reclaimed Spain.
But the media narrative had shifted. Instead of criticizing Barcelona's decline, they celebrated Ethan's consistency:
Sport: "In His Final Season, Loki Remains Elite"
AS: "Eight Ballon d'Ors, Ten Champions Leagues, Still Competing at the Highest Level"
Marca: "The Greatest Player of His Generation Approaches the End"
Wait. "In His Final Season"?
Ethan hadn't announced retirement. But the media had started assuming. And they weren't wrong.
May 15th - The Decision
Ethan and Sofia sat in their home office, discussing the future. Lucas was at preschool (he'd started in March, adapting surprisingly well).
"I need to tell you something," Ethan said. "I've decided. After World Cup 2030, I'm playing one more season. Then I'm retiring. At thirty-two."
Sofia studied him. "You're sure?"
"Completely sure. I'll be thirty-two in January 2032. That gives me 2030-31 as my final season. Then I retire and focus on family."
"What about nine Ballon d'Ors? Surpassing Messi?"
"I don't care anymore. Eight is enough. If I win nine naturally, great. But I'm not chasing it."
"What about breaking more records? More Champions Leagues?"
"I have ten Champions Leagues. No one else has that. Records are nice, but they're not everything. Lucas needs a father who's present. You need a husband who's not exhausted all the time. That's more important than football immortality."
Sofia reached across the desk and took his hand. "I'm proud of you. Two years ago, you would have said you're playing until thirty-five. Now you're choosing family. That's growth."
"It's not sacrifice. It's choice. I'm choosing what matters more."
"When will you announce it?"
"After World Cup 2030. I'll tell Barcelona privately that 2030-31 is my final season. Then announce it publicly in January 2031. Give fans time to process. Do a proper farewell tour."
"That's a good plan. Very thoughtful."
"I've had time to think about it. And I'm at peace with the decision."
May 25th - France Squad Announcement
Didier Deschamps announced France's World Cup 2030 squad. The tournament would be held in Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay—South America, for the tournament's centennial celebration.
France Squad (Notable Players):
Forwards: Ethan Loki (29, Barcelona), Kylian Mbappé (29, Real Madrid), Marcus Thuram (27, Inter Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (26, PSG)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (27, Real Madrid), Aurélien Tchouaméni (30, Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (24, PSG)
Defenders: Jules Koundé (31, Barcelona), William Saliba (29, Arsenal), Theo Hernández (32, AC Milan)
Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan (30, AC Milan)
A strong squad. Experienced. Talented. Capable of winning the whole thing.
Ethan was named captain. Mbappé vice-captain. Both in their final World Cup (though only Ethan knew that about himself).
At the press conference announcing the squad, Deschamps was asked about France's chances:
"We have two of the greatest players in history—Ethan with eight Ballon d'Ors and ten Champions Leagues, Kylian with his incredible talent. If we don't win with this squad, it won't be for lack of quality."
Ethan was asked about his goals for the tournament:
"Win it. Obviously. This is my third World Cup. Won in 2018 as a teenager. Won in 2026 as captain. Now in 2030, I want to complete the trilogy. Three World Cups would be special. Only Pelé has done that."
"Is this your last World Cup?"
Ethan paused. He hadn't planned to reveal retirement yet. But the question was direct.
"Yes. This is my last World Cup. I'll be thirty-three in 2034. Too old. So this is my final chance to win as captain at the peak of my powers."
The admission created headlines:
L'Équipe: "Loki Confirms: World Cup 2030 Is His Last"
Marca: "The End of an Era: Ethan Loki's Final World Cup"
The clock was ticking. One more World Cup. One more Champions League final. One more season. Then retirement.
May 31st - Family Time Before Departure
France's training camp started June 1st in Buenos Aires (Argentina was co-hosting). Ethan had one final day with Lucas and Sofia before leaving for six weeks.
They spent it simply. Breakfast together. Playing at the park. Lunch at Lucas's favorite restaurant (a pizza place that let kids throw dough). Dinner at home. Bedtime stories.
"Dada go away tomorrow?" Lucas asked at bedtime.
"Yes, mijo. But only for a little while. I'll be back soon."
"Why you go?"
"To play football. For the World Cup."
"What's World Cup?"
"It's a big tournament where countries play against each other. France versus other countries."
"You come back?"
"Of course I'll come back. I always come back."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Lucas seemed satisfied with that. He fell asleep holding Ethan's hand—a rare vulnerability from the increasingly independent three-year-old.
Ethan sat in the darkened room long after Lucas's breathing had slowed to sleep. Watching his son. Memorizing this moment.
Because soon, these moments would be more frequent. No more six-week absences for tournaments. No more missing bedtimes for away matches. Just presence.
Two more years. Then he'd be home for good.
That night, Ethan wrote in his journal one final time before departing for the World Cup:
May 31st, 2030
Tomorrow I leave for World Cup 2030. My third. My last.
I've decided: after this tournament, one more season (2030-31), then retirement at thirty-two.
The decision is made. I'm at peace with it.
Three World Cups would be special. Only Pelé has done that. But even if we don't win, I'm okay. Because I have Lucas. I have Sofia. I have a life beyond football.
This World Cup isn't about proving I'm the greatest. It's about enjoying the moment. Competing with my brothers one last time. Representing France with pride.
Whatever happens, I'm grateful for the journey.
And I can't wait.
He closed the laptop and went to bed. Tomorrow, the World Cup journey began.
One last time.
End of Chapter 87
DECEMBER 2029 - MAY 2030 SUMMARY: