As the new season approached, the summer transfer market was in full swing. The news of André joining Real Oviedo appeared quietly on the club's official website. However, amidst the intensifying transfer frenzy in Europe's top five leagues, no one paid attention to an unknown player like André. Even the local fans in Oviedo weren't particularly interested in this news. It wasn't that they didn't care about their club, but they simply didn't believe a sixteen-year-old player could significantly help the team's performance in the new season.
André Cristiano dos Santos Cleto, 16 years old, officially joined Real Oviedo today. Position: Forward. Jersey number: 19. Nationality: Portugal.
This was all the information about André that appeared on the Real Oviedo official website.
The number 19 wasn't chosen randomly. His biological mother had been born on the 1st, his father on the 9th. Though his mother had passed when he was twelve and his father had faded from his life, André wore their numbers combined—a quiet tribute to the people who'd given him life, even if they couldn't watch him play. In his own way, both of them would be on the pitch with him every match.
Meanwhile, another transfer blockbuster starring another Ronaldo firmly held the box office title in the transfer market. This spectacle, which attracted the attention of football fans worldwide, had actually released a trailer as early as the previous year when Real Madrid won the Champions League. It's just that most people didn't believe it at the time. When Real Madrid won the Champions League again this season, the protagonist—Cristiano Ronaldo—firmly requested to leave Real Madrid after nine years of service. Only then did people realize last year's trailer was real. Naturally, the clubs that had always been interested in CR7 took turns making their bids.
The reason CR7 left Real Madrid was simple: he felt he wasn't being respected. During his nine years at Real Madrid, he'd scored a total of 450 goals and won 16 trophies. This was the record he'd delivered. However, Real Madrid has a history where heroes often don't get happy endings, and CR7 was no exception. Both Messi and Ronaldo had been investigated by the Spanish Tax Agency, and the way their respective clubs handled it made CR7 feel dissatisfied for the first time. Then came the stalemate over his contract renewal salary, along with rumors of Real Madrid trying to sign Neymar. All of this accelerated his departure.
Although various clubs appeared in the saga, only a few could actually accommodate CR7. Bayern would never allow a veteran to stand above the team's established hierarchy. Manchester United was a tempting choice, but unfortunately, the friction between certain personalities was already public knowledge. Naturally, the film's finale saw Juventus become the best destination for President Ronaldo. Juventus officially announced the signing of CR7 to a four-year contract with a transfer fee of €100 million.
At this time, the other Ronaldo was sweating on the training grounds of Oviedo.
His own path was slowly appearing beneath his feet.
A training match between the starters and the substitutes was currently underway at the Oviedo training ground. André was still in the substitute lineup. Before the match, Hierro's lineup allocation met with unanimous protest from the starters, especially the two center-backs, Hernández and Cortuno. In their words, they'd rather die than play against that freak. However, they couldn't win against the boss. Hierro's authority in Oviedo meant their protests were useless. Besides, the others didn't want to face the freak either, so the minority yielded to the majority.
"Brat, don't you dare play dirty."
"Then you lot better keep your hands to yourselves. During training yesterday, you actually grabbed my inner thigh! I don't swing that way, damn it!"
Hearing the protests from these two bastards, André rolled his eyes. You have the nerve to say I play dirty? These two were the dirtiest, using every trick in the book. During yesterday's training match, someone's hand had reached for his inner thigh. It scared him so much he'd nearly punched them both.
The freak was still a freak, but under the guidance of Hierro and Sánchez, he was becoming an even more refined one. He'd been at Oviedo for over a month now, and André's performance on the pitch had changed drastically. The flaws he'd had when he first arrived were rarely seen anymore, and his heading had improved immensely.
Just like at this moment.
After dropping back to receive the ball, André faced away from goal and used the inside of his right foot to flick the ball toward the right side. The pass reached his teammate perfectly. Valentini, the right-back for the substitutes, received the ball comfortably and sprinted down the touchline. After releasing the pass, André turned and accelerated, making a diagonal run toward the near post.
As he entered the six-yard box, Valentini whipped the cross directly toward him. Facing the delivery, André held his position firmly. He didn't even need to jump—he just met the ball with his forehead, and the football immediately changed direction and nestled into the net. Behind him, Hernández had a look of utter helplessness. It wasn't that he wasn't trying hard just because it was a training match, but he simply couldn't move André. Once André held his position, he was like a bloody mountain. Hernández couldn't even budge him.
Looking at the goalkeeper who was staring back with an innocent expression, Hernández turned his head away. I didn't go easy on him, damn it! What am I supposed to do if I can't outmuscle him?
"Miguel, it seems your training over this period has been very effective. This lad's learned how to use his advantages," Hierro said to Sánchez with a smile, watching André high-five his teammates.
"His learning ability is too strong, Fernando. Even now, I can't understand why the people at Castilla didn't notice a talent like André."
"That doesn't matter anymore, does it, Miguel? He belongs to us now."
"Alright, you're right. I'm really curious to see the looks on the faces of those Castilla coaches when they realize they missed out on a genius. Fernando, how do you plan to use him in the new season?"
"Although I believe he can handle many things, he's only sixteen after all. I don't want him exposed to the spotlight too early. So, after the season starts, I'll have him begin as a substitute. Everything needs to be taken slowly."
"It seems you really do treat him differently."
"Miguel, aren't you the same? You never used to ask me questions like this, but you're asking for him today."
"I can't help it. Oviedo has been sinking for too long. It needs to stand before the world again, and André is that hope."
"Trust me, Miguel. Everything will get better."
"Yeah, I trust you."
While the two were chatting, André scored again on the pitch. This time it was from the edge of the box. After receiving a pass from a teammate, he performed a series of step-overs to create some space, then suddenly curled the ball with the inside of his right foot. The ball flew straight into the top left corner of the goal.
The goalkeeper didn't even move. He just stood there, watching it sail past.
Hierro and Sánchez exchanged a glance. No words were needed.
The season was about to begin, and Real Oviedo had a secret weapon.
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