After officially joining Spain's U17 national team, Leo Lin quickly settled into training with the squad. The atmosphere within the team was excellent, relaxed yet competitive.
Across Europe, fans had their eyes fixed on Spain. Already one of the tournament favorites, they had now added a €40 million super talent to the squad.
If judged by the standards of the top five European leagues, Leo Lin's game was not yet fully rounded. Much of his impact still came from physical duels and Pirlo Passing that elevated his performances on the pitch. But at the U17 national team level, every opponent he faced was also a youth player.
And even among young players, Leo Lin's "youth" was on an entirely different level.
Every day after lunch, Denia would find Leo Lin for a brief chat, speaking to him not as a coach, but almost like a close friend.
"You have no idea," Denia said as he placed a peeled egg onto Leo Lin's plate. "A few days ago against North Korea, we just couldn't score. It drove me crazy. Thank goodness Ferran Torres got the winner."
"Krawietz told me you like eggs. Eat more."
"These European fans treat the U17 World Cup almost as seriously as the senior World Cup. And Spanish fans, especially, are desperate to lift the trophy."
"The pressure is enormous." Denia was clearly using the conversation to vent, and beneath his words was a quiet hope that Leo Lin would give everything he had.
"Relax," Leo Lin said with a smile, giving Denia a reassuring pat.
Hearing that, Denia finally smiled in relief.
Leo Lin immediately added,
"I'll do my best, but I can't promise the result. If the fans aren't satisfied, I'll just say it was your coaching that wasn't good enough."
Denia's smile froze on the spot.
"No, no, please don't!"
A narrow 1–0 win over North Korea had left Spanish fans uneasy. But with Leo Lin's arrival, that concern gradually turned into anticipation. On October 2, in the second round of the U17 group stage, Spain faced Niger.
Denia's objective was clear: finish top of the group. That made this match a must-win.
Leo Lin started on the bench. Having just played a Champions League group match with Liverpool, and with the opposition not considered particularly strong, Denia planned to bring him on as a substitute to ease him into the team.
At 4:00 p.m. European time on October 2, the broadcast went live.
Every major streaming room was packed. The ESPN stream practically exploded as countless fans gathered to watch Leo Lin's U17 World Cup debut. Spanish fans flooded the chat with nonstop messages.
"Why isn't Lin starting?"
"Sergio Gómez should play on the left. Let Lin lead the line centrally—maximize the attack."
"We should be confident against Niger, but thinking about that match against North Korea… I'm suddenly nervous again."
As the debate raged on, the match kicked off. The broadcast deliberately cut to a close-up of Leo Lin sitting on the bench.
Jon Champion smiled as he spoke.
"Leo Lin is currently valued at forty million euros, the most expensive player in the entire U17 setup—more than Foden."
"The players are out, and we're underway!"
Niger lined up in a 4-5-1 low block, aiming to take at least a point from Spain. Seeing Spain struggle to break down North Korea in the previous match only strengthened their confidence.
Spain dominated possession, sticking to their familiar control-based passing game.
By halftime, Spain had an astonishing 79% possession, completely overwhelming Niger and turning the match into near-constant attack versus defense. And yet, the score remained 0–0.
In the live chat:
"If football were decided by possession alone, Guardiola would win every match."
"Stop obsessing over possession, damn it, Denia! Play more forward through balls!"
"Playing a left-back as an attacking midfielder—Sergio Gómez looks absolutely miserable!"
Denia's expression was clearly strained. Back in the dressing room, he was visibly unhappy with the performance.
"Lin, you're on for Pedro. Sergio, move to the left."
"To break this defensive wall, we need tighter combinations in small spaces!"
"The midfield and attack will revolve around Leo Lin. Increase vertical passing. Ruiz, make more runs to beat the offside trap. Ferran Torres, attack the half-spaces!"
"Leo Lin has unlimited shooting freedom. If he wants to shoot, anytime, anywhere—do it!"
Moments later, the second half began.
"Oh, here comes Leo Lin," Jon Champion said, instantly sounding more upbeat.
"Leo Lin is on, wearing the number ten for Spain's U17s!"
"You have to admit, Spain place immense importance on Leo Lin. They've given him virtually every privilege possible!"
As Leo Lin stepped onto the pitch in the number 10 shirt, the Spanish fans erupted in cheers and applause.
"Finally, Lin's on. Sergio Gómez belongs on the left."
"Our number ten looks perfect on Lin."
"Just break the deadlock already—there isn't much time left."
After the restart, Niger continued with their defensive setup, but Leo Lin played with remarkable clarity.
He constantly made vertical off-the-ball runs, darting straight into the space behind Tadiya.
Though he had spent the first half on the bench, Leo Lin hadn't rested for a second. His eyes were always scanning, observing, and he had quickly identified the flaw in Niger's shape.
Despite lining up in a 4-5-1, Tadiya would often charge forward with the ball on counterattacks, desperately trying to seize rare opportunities.
Niger set up a defensive wall, yet tactically they still harbored ideas of sneaking a goal. Their formation and their intentions were completely mismatched.
Leo Lin kept moving in short, quick steps, patiently hunting for the space left behind whenever Tadiya pushed up.
Finally!
The 58th minute!
"Long ball down the flank to Ferran Torres—chest control, but it's a bit heavy, and it's intercepted!"
"Niger try to counter, played to Tadiya!"
"He turns with the ball!"
The instant Tadiya turned, Leo Lin—who had been waiting for exactly this moment—read it perfectly.
He burst in from the side, using his strength to smash Tadiya aside and win the ball.
A ruthless, overpowering tackle!
He planted his foot and exploded forward, driving straight at Niger's penalty area.
The young Niger defender froze, afraid to step out and challenge.
With no midfield cover, the back line was completely exposed.
Leo Lin carried the ball to just a couple of steps outside the edge of the box, still unchallenged.
So much space to shoot.
Right foot—snap shot!
He hammered the ball.
His body leaned back like a coiled spring, deliberately keeping the trajectory low to make sure it wouldn't fly over.
Leo Lin didn't even look up at the goal. His sense of positioning was absolute.
His eyes stayed locked on the ball, ensuring perfect contact.
All across the stadium, Spanish fans rose to their feet, holding their breath.
The ball flew.
Racing toward the goal Leo Lin had already pictured in his mind.
Ferocious pace.
A wicked, unpredictable path.
The goalkeeper stood rooted to the spot. Faced with that strike, anyone would have done the same—motionless.
"Swish!!!"
"Oh!!!" Jon Champion laughed in delight.
"It's in!!!"
"It's in!!!"
"Leo Lin again—his trademark long-range rocket!!!"
"A thunderbolt that leaves the keeper frozen!!!"
"Leo Lin scores on his U17 World Cup debut!!!"
The Spanish fans exploded from silence into pure euphoria.
Leo Lin sprinted toward the touchline, stepped onto the advertising board, and leapt up.
He pointed both hands at his chest, confidence written all over his face.
Ferran Torres rushed over, climbed onto the board as well, and wrapped an arm around Leo Lin. The two stood tall together, soaking in the celebration.
A cool autumn breeze swept through the stadium, the air thick with excitement and joy.
Hope and dreams intertwined—when dreams finally come true, the moment feels almost unreal.
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser