The sun beat down on the training ground outside Valencia's youth complex. Rows of scouts, coaches, and cameras lined the sidelines. This wasn't just a friendly—it was a test wrapped in a performance, and Tobi was in the spotlight.
The lineup had been posted that morning.
> Starting XI – Valencia U18 (Trial Friendly vs. Sevilla U18):
CM – Tobias Almeida
His heart skipped.
He was starting.
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System Alert
> [MATCH MODE – Friendly Trial Activated]
Opponent Tier: Professional Youth Elite
Your Rank: Trialist
Match Objectives:
Influence tempo for at least 25 minutes
Maintain pass accuracy above 80%
Avoid critical errors
Pressure Modifier: +5 fatigue, -1 confidence on first mistake
Scout Eyes: ACTIVE
Tobi exhaled sharply and stretched his fingers. He didn't need to be flashy. He needed to be clean. Controlled. Composed.
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Kickoff: Sevilla Strike First
The game started fast. Too fast.
Sevilla pressed like a pack of wolves, suffocating the midfield. Every time Tobi received the ball, he had less than a second to make a decision.
In the 9th minute, he was caught.
A heavy touch. A Sevilla winger pounced, stole the ball, and assisted their striker.
0–1.
> System Penalty:
Critical Error -5 Scout Impression
Confidence: -2 | Mental: -1
Coach Trust: Slightly reduced
Tobi stood frozen for a second. The coach barked from the sidelines. His heart pounded like a drum.
But he remembered his mother's words:
> "Not all at once. Just every day."
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Clawing Back
He didn't try to redeem himself in one play. Instead:
He dropped deeper.
Took safer options.
Played simple one-touch passes.
And slowly… he found rhythm.
In the 23rd minute, under pressure, he turned with a perfect pivot and launched a diagonal ball to the opposite wing. The crowd buzzed.
In the 34th, he intercepted a loose ball and started a counter with a perfectly-weighted through pass.
> System Update:
Successful Key Pass x2 → Vision +1
Pass Accuracy: 84%
Scout Impression: Recovery – Impressive Calm
Mental: +2 | Confidence: Stabilized
By halftime, the score was still 0–1, but Tobi had earned back respect.
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Halftime Bench Talk
Coach Miguel came up behind him, arms crossed.
"You looked like a ghost after that first goal."
Tobi nodded. "I was scared."
Miguel smiled thinly. "And yet you're still here."
He tapped the clipboard. "We need control in the second half. No panic. You're not here to shine. You're here to stabilize."
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Second Half: Growing Into the Game
Tobi took command.
Not with shouts, but with actions.
Dictated possession with simple, accurate passes.
Covered passing lanes.
Made his teammates look better.
In the 67th minute, he initiated the attack that led to a Valencia equalizer. He didn't get the assist. Or even the pre-assist.
But he started it.
The coaches saw it.
The system saw it.
> [Match Event – Tactical Impact Registered]
— Match Influence Objective Complete
— Pass Accuracy: 87%
Scout Summary:
"He's not flashy, but makes the right decisions."
"Recovery after early mistake shows maturity."
"Would suit a controlling system. Development potential: High."
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Final Whistle: 1–1
Not a win.
Not a goal.
But Tobi walked off the pitch with his head high.
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Post-Match System Summary
> Performance Rating: 7.2 / 10
✅ Objective 1: Match Influence – Achieved
✅ Objective 2: Pass Accuracy – 87%
✅ Objective 3: Avoid Critical Errors – 1 (First half), then stabilized
Coach Trust: "Reliable Trialist"
Scout Evaluation Average: B+
Stat Growth:
Mental: +2
Vision: +1
Passing: +1
New Tag Unlocked: "Anchor Midfielder – Bronze"
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That Night: A Call from Home
Tobi laid in bed, sore but awake.
His phone buzzed.
> Marta: "We saw everything. I don't need to understand football to know you looked like a real professional."
Leonor: "I made popcorn and I didn't eat any until you made a long pass. I waited so long I almost fainted!"
Tobi laughed, blinking back tears.
> "I messed up at the start," he admitted.
Marta: "Good. That means you're human."
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System Prompt
> Pending Offer Status: Valencia Youth Contract – Evaluation Underway
Time Until Final Decision: 48 Hours
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