World football system-Chapter 50: A Call From Home

Date: September 2, 2027

Location: Arsenal Training Ground → Portugal FA Headquarters, Lisbon

Tobi was the first to arrive at the London Colney training complex that morning.

The lights in the cafeteria weren’t even on yet. The air was still, misty from the early autumn chill, and the only sounds were the soft hums of vending machines and his own footsteps echoing in the hallway.

He liked it that way.

It gave him peace — before the world rushed in with tweets, headlines, and responsibilities.

He was pouring a cup of black coffee when his phone buzzed.

Unknown Number – Portugal

His heart skipped.

He answered.

> "Bom dia, é o Sr. Oliveira?"

(Good morning, is this Mr. Oliveira?)

> "Yes. Speaking."

> "This is Luís Martins. I’m the assistant coach for the Portugal U21s. Congratulations — you’ve been selected."

---

News Breaks – Everywhere

Before Tobi could fully process what just happened, Arsenal’s press office confirmed the news.

The club’s social media posted a congratulatory graphic:

> 🇵🇹 Tobi Oliveira receives Portugal U21 call-up

"Proud moment for a promising future."

The replies exploded.

Some fans were overjoyed:

> "This kid is going to be a Ballon d’Or finalist in five years."

Others were skeptical:

But for Tobi, the only reaction that mattered came from his family.

---

Back at Home

Inês called within minutes, her voice caught between tears and laughter.

> "I always knew you’d wear the red of Portugal again," she said.

"This time with pride."

Tobi smiled. It was one of those rare smiles that reached his eyes.

> "You better make the national team too."

> "I will," she grinned. "Just don’t flop or I’m changing my surname."

---

The Travel to Lisbon

Three days later, Tobi stepped off a private flight into the warm Lisbon sun.

He hadn’t been back in over a year. The air felt thicker. The sounds more familiar. The people more his.

Outside the airport, a Portuguese FA driver picked him up and handed him his gear bag. The official training top bore the green-and-red crest over his heart.

He stared at it a long time before pulling it over his head.

> SYSTEM UPDATE

– International Player Status: U21 Level ✅

– Trait Path Unlocked: Patriotic Flame

— Bonus in national team matches: +2 to Morale, +1 to Tactical Awareness

– Goal: Debut Cap within 2 matches

---

First Training Camp – Competition and Camaraderie

At the Portuguese FA Training Complex in Oeiras, he met the rest of the U21 squad.

Some familiar faces were there:

Rafael Leite, a young winger from Porto, known for his speed.

Gonçalo Moutinho, Benfica’s midfield controller.

Miguel Gomes, a defender already breaking into Atlético Madrid’s senior team.

Tobi felt their eyes on him.

The "Premier League kid."

The "Valencia wonder."

But he didn’t act like a star.

He showed up early.

Stayed late.

Asked for extra video analysis after training.

And when the coaches split the squad into teams for the first scrimmage, Tobi’s side won 3–0. He assisted once. Created another. Controlled tempo like a veteran.

Coach Martins clapped him on the back afterward.

> "You don’t play like someone new here."

> "Because I’ve dreamed of being here every day."

---

The Internal Conflict

But at night, in his room overlooking the Portuguese coastline, Tobi wrestled with something deeper.

Playing for Portugal had always been a dream.

But in his last life, he’d never made it.

He died unknown.

Now, he had a second chance.

But second chances carried pressure.

He couldn’t just play — he had to prove.

He opened the System quietly.

> INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE TRACKING ENABLED

– Match Objective: Secure starting spot

– Pressure Coefficient: +3

– Mental Focus Drain: Active

– Recommendation: Deep Recovery Required Post-Camp

He sighed.

And got out of bed to do 30 push-ups.

---

Lisbon Streets and Legacy

On a day off, the squad went on a walk through central Lisbon. Journalists swarmed them — most chasing after Moutinho and Leite.

But a few younger kids ran up to Tobi.

"Are you Oliveira?"

He nodded.

"From Arsenal?"

Another nod.

One boy — maybe 8 — pulled out a homemade drawing. Tobi in the Portugal kit.

> "Can you sign it?"

Tobi’s hand trembled just a little as he wrote his name.

He was someone now.

To these kids, he wasn’t a player.

He was hope.

-

Date: September 7, 2027

Location: Estádio Municipal de Aveiro

Fixture: Portugal U21 🇵🇹 vs. Romania U21 🇷🇴

Competition: UEFA U21 European Championship Qualifier

The Call of the Anthem

Tobi stood in the lineup, shoulder to shoulder with Portugal’s brightest U21 talents. He wore jersey number 10, stitched crisply onto the deep red kit — a number heavy with history. Figo. Rui Costa. João Mário. Icons who carried the creative weight of a nation.

Now it was him.

His hands trembled slightly as he raised them behind his back. The crowd was alive — packed stands waving flags, faces painted in green and red, the unmistakable hum of national pride vibrating through every seat.

Romania’s anthem ended.

And then, silence — a moment before the soft, stirring intro to "A Portuguesa" began.

He’d sung it as a boy in school. As a young fan in the stands. As a benchwarmer at Sporting.

But tonight?

He was on the pitch.

He didn’t belt it loudly like some teammates. He whispered the words, chest rising and falling with every line. The pride swelled inside him like an untamed wave.

Em cada rosto igualdade...

In every face, equality.

Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!

Against the cannons, march, march!

His eyes stung. His heart raced. This wasn’t just a match. It was redemption.

In my past life, I never made it here. This time, I’m not letting go.

Kickoff – Baptism in Red

The whistle blew. The match began.

Tobi touched the ball once in the first minute — a simple return pass to Moutinho. The Romanian players were pressing hard and tight, clearly briefed to disrupt Portugal’s rhythm from the start.

By the tenth minute, Romania had blocked two of his passes and fouled him once. Every time he turned, a shadow was there. Stoica — the Romanian No. 6 — was stuck to him like glue.

He heard murmurs from the crowd:

"He’s the Premier League boy?"

He kept his head down.

Minute 12. Gonçalo Moutinho won a duel near midfield and threaded a quick ball to Tobi in the half-space. Stoica lunged — Tobi spun sharply, shielding the ball with his body, then slipped a perfectly weighted pass through to Rafael Leite.

Leite zipped down the wing. Cut inside. Fired.

Saved.

But the move? The vision? The instinct?

The crowd noticed.

SYSTEM UPDATE:

– Key Pass Registered

– Chemistry with Moutinho: +2

– Morale: +2

– International Trait: Pulse Initiated

Tobi exhaled.

He was here. And he was being seen.

The Battle of the Midfield

The next 20 minutes were grueling. Romania parked a double pivot in midfield, forming a wall in front of the defense. Portugal probed with quick one-twos, but it was Tobi — the central gear — who kept the engine running.

Minute 22: Tobi received a pass with his back to goal, flicked it backward through Stoica’s legs, spun, and found Leite again.

Minute 26: He dropped deeper, escaping the tight press, then launched a 50-meter diagonal switch to Miguel Santos on the right wing.

The crowd buzzed.

He was starting to run the game.

But Romania weren’t done.

Minute 28: Romania nearly scored from a set-piece. Portugal cleared.

Minute 29: Portugal broke on the counter. Leite sprinted forward. Moutinho cut wide. Tobi held back.

Then — a foul, just outside the box.

Free kick.

The bench shouted: "Oliveira takes it!"

He walked up slowly, heart pounding. One deep breath. Two steps.

Curl. Dip. Bar.

Gomes was there. Tap-in. Goal.

1–0.

The stadium erupted.

SYSTEM UPDATE:

– Pre-assist Registered

– Crowd Impact: +4%

– Match Rating: 7.8

Halftime – Tunnel of Echoes

In the tunnel, the coaches clapped his back.

"You’ve got vision beyond your years," said Luís Martins.

Tobi sat on the bench, sipping water, heart still pounding. He glanced at the big screen showing the first-half highlights.

And saw himself.

Making things happen.

For Portugal.

In real time.

Second Half – Domination

Romania pressed higher in the second half, leaving gaps between the lines.

Tobi thrived.

Minute 53: He received under pressure, turned into space, nutmegged his marker, and threaded a pass to Leite who drew a foul.

Minute 66: A flick over the top nearly led to a second assist.

Minute 72: He unleashed a long-range shot — low, hard, just wide.

The fans stood.

And chanted:

"TO-BI! TO-BI! TO-BI!"

His legs were burning. His shirt was soaked. But his spirit?

Ignited.

Minute 83 – First International Goal

It came like poetry.

Leite cut in from the wing. Delivered a cross with precision.

Tobi ghosted in at the far post. One touch. Full-body stretch. Volley.

GOAL.

He didn’t slide. Didn’t jump. Just raised one finger to the sky.

And kissed the badge.

2–0.

SYSTEM PROMPT:

– Debut Goal: ✅

– International Trait: National Identity UNLOCKED

– Match Rating: 9.1

– Confidence Boost: +5

Full Time – Ovation

The final whistle blew.

Tobi walked off to a standing ovation. The coach hugged him like a proud father. His teammates patted his head. Reporters filled their notebooks.

In the locker room, he checked his phone.

Message from Inês: "You made us proud. Again."

Message from Leonor: "I was screaming. My whole dorm knows your name now. 😭🇵🇹"

Portugal U21: 2 – 0 Romania U21

Scorers: Gomes (29’), Oliveira (83’)

Man of the Match: Tobi

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