World football system-Chapter 63: Call Up

Date: August 26, 2028

Location: Stamford Bridge, London

Event: Premier League Matchday 2 – Arsenal vs Chelsea

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The Weight of Rivalry

Stamford Bridge was already echoing with chants and flares as the Arsenal bus rolled in.

Tobi Oliveira leaned his forehead against the window, watching the sea of blue. His mind wasn’t on fear. It was on dominance.

> System Log: Rivalry Match Initiated – London Derby

Bonus Objectives: Win Away, Avoid Yellow Card, 85+ Match Rating

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Pre-Match Briefing

Arteta stood before the squad with intensity in his voice.

"We play our football. But we play it faster. We play it cleaner. We play it smarter."

Tobi stood beside Ødegaard and Rice in the changing room, stretching and locking in.

Across the hall, Enzo Fernández and Christopher Nkunku were prepping for war.

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Arsenal Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Ramsdale

Tomiyasu – Saliba – Gabriel – Zinchenko

Rice – Tobi

Saka – Ødegaard – Martinelli

Jesus

Chelsea Starting XI

Sánchez

James – Fofana – Colwill – Cucurella

Caicedo – Enzo

Sterling – Nkunku – Mudryk

Jackson

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Kick-Off

The first 20 minutes were frantic. Chelsea pressed relentlessly. Arsenal responded in kind.

Minute 7:

Mudryk found space and cut inside, lashing a shot—

Ramsdale saves.

Minute 15:

Tobi won a duel against Enzo, turned sharply, and sprinted forward.

One-two with Ødegaard, then a precise chip to Saka.

Saka crossed low—

Jesus tapped it—

GOAL!

Arsenal 1 – 0 Chelsea

> System Update: Key Pass +1, Match Rating 7.5

Minute 22:

Chelsea responded quickly. Enzo with a lob to Jackson. He slipped past Gabriel—

GOAL.

Arsenal 1 – 1 Chelsea

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Midfield Battle

Tobi was targeted—fouled three times within 10 minutes. He stood up every time.

Minute 36:

Caicedo lunged in—Tobi sidestepped and delivered a curling long ball to Martinelli.

Martinelli danced past Reece James, shot—

Saved.

Minute 43:

Tobi intercepted a pass, split the midfield with a dazzling run.

From 25 yards, he unleashed a screamer—

GOAL!

Arsenal 2 – 1 Chelsea

> System Update: Long-Range Finish Bonus Activated

Match Rating: 8.5

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Second Half – Holding the Line

Chelsea poured forward. Sterling and Nkunku combined dangerously, but Saliba and Ramsdale stood firm.

Tobi’s composure grew. He dropped deep to help Rice, then burst forward when needed.

Minute 71:

Quick play. Ødegaard passed to Tobi.

Tobi no-looked a ball behind the line.

Jesus sprinted. Faked the shot. Rolled it to Martinelli—

GOAL!

Arsenal 3 – 1 Chelsea

> System Log: Assist Count – 2

Derby Buff Activated: Mental Resilience +1

Minute 84:

Chelsea scored a late penalty via Nkunku.

Arsenal 3 – 2 Chelsea

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Final Whistle

FULL TIME: Arsenal 3 – 2 Chelsea

Tobi collapsed to his knees, panting. His first major derby—and he had starred.

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Post-Match – Quiet Moments

Back home, Emilia wrapped her arms around him from behind as he watched highlights on the TV.

"I thought I was going to pass out when you scored."

He turned and pulled her into his lap. "You keep me grounded."

She smiled. "And you keep me inspired."

They kissed, long and soft.

> System Notice: Romance Arc – Chapter 2 of 10 Complete

Buff Gained: Pressure Resistance +2

Date: September 3–9, 2028

Location: London / Lisbon / Porto

Event: FIFA International Break – Player Call-Ups and Rest Period

The Pause That Tests the Mind

After a whirlwind August—Champions League triumph, Premier League resurgence, and his blossoming romance with Emilia—Tobi Oliveira finally had a few days to breathe.

But peace, as he learned, often comes with uncertainty.

System Status: Active Rest Mode

Recovery Rate Boosted

Morale: High

Buffs In Effect: Emotional Anchor, European Pulse

Portugal’s Surprise Call

Tobi wasn’t expecting it. Not yet.

He was eating breakfast when his phone buzzed.

Incoming Call: Coach Rui Bento – Portugal Senior Team Manager

"Olá, Tobi. We’ve been watching you since preseason. We saw what you did in the Champions League and against Chelsea. You’re ready. You’ve been called up—to the senior team."

Tobi froze, spoon mid-air. "Me? For the Seleção?"

"You’re not just a club player anymore. Portugal needs your mind and feet."

System Alert: International Reputation Pathway Updated

Objective: Debut for Portugal Senior National Team

Long-Term Quest Unlocked: Represent Portugal in World Cup 2030

The Conversation with Arteta

Later that day, he sat across from Mikel Arteta in his office.

"You deserve it," the manager said. "But remember—international football is another kind of beast. You’re no longer a prodigy. You’re a symbol now."

Tobi nodded. "I won’t let you down."

Arteta smiled. "Go make the nation sing your name."

Emilia’s Support

That night, Emilia helped him pack.

"You’re finally being seen by the whole world," she whispered, folding his Portugal jersey.

Tobi touched her cheek. "So are you. Every time I look at you."

She smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

System Update: Romance Arc – Chapter 5 of 10 Complete

Buff Gained: Long-Distance Bond (Focus – No Penalty during Travel)

Arrival in Lisbon

Tobi walked into the senior camp’s training ground in Oeiras. There were legends and giants here—Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leão, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Diogo Costa.

And now, him.

Training was sharp. Ruthless. Fast. But he didn’t shrink.

System Update: Tier Promotion: Elite International Level

Stat Cap Temporarily Lifted

Buff Gained: Tactical Awareness +2, Tempo Resilience

Bruno Fernandes gave him a nod. "You’re the kid from Arsenal, right? Show us what England’s been shouting about."

Matchday Approaches

Portugal vs Croatia – Nations League Group Stage.

Fernando Santos had placed him on the bench—but in the final training session, everything changed.

Tobi dominated the final 11v11 simulation, scoring twice and assisting one.

System Alert: Starting XI Confirmed

Opponent: Croatia (Modrić, Gvardiol, Kovačić, Majer)

He sat in the dressing room, staring at the senior crest on his chest.

He whispered, "For Sporting. For Valencia. For Arsenal. For my mother. For Leonor. For me."

A hand touched his shoulder—it was Bruno.

"Let’s run this midfield together."

System Log: International Debut Imminent

Objective: Match Rating 7.5+, Lead Key Play, Represent Portugal with Honor

Portugal vs Croatia: First Senior Cap

Date: September 6, 2028

Location: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon

Event: UEFA Nations League Group Stage – Portugal vs Croatia

The Anthem and the Echo

The Portuguese anthem blared through Estádio da Luz. Tobi Oliveira stood at the far end of the line, heart thundering, hands clasped behind his back.

This wasn’t a dream. This was the national team.

Rúben Dias beside him whispered, "Make every touch speak your name."

He looked across at the Croatians. Modrić. Kovačić. Gvardiol. Majer. All seasoned warriors.

System Notice: International Debut Match – Level Max

Challenge Rating: S-Class

Objective: 80+ Minutes Played, Match Rating 7.5+, Direct Contribution to Goal

Starting XI – Portugal (4-3-3)

Diogo Costa

João Cancelo – Rúben Dias – António Silva – Nuno Mendes

Tobi – Bruno Fernandes – Vitinha

Bernardo Silva – João Félix – Rafael Leão

Croatia mirrored with a 4-2-3-1 led by Modrić and Kramarić.

First Half – Baptism by Fire

Minute 5:

Tobi touched the ball for the first time. A clean switch of play to Cancelo. The crowd responded with polite applause.

Minute 12:

Kovačić pressed hard. Tobi lost the ball under pressure. Gvardiol fired a pass forward, and Croatia nearly scored.

Modrić spotted him. Challenged him. Tested him.

System Update: Performance: Insecure Start

Confidence: -1

Minute 24:

Bruno fed Tobi near the halfway line. He looked up, darted past Brozović, and slipped a pass to Leão.

Leão crossed it to Félix—

GOAL!

Portugal 1 – 0 Croatia

System Update: Assist Logged (Pre-Assist), Confidence +2

Match Rating: 7.4

Minute 36:

Modrić took a free kick. It dipped violently. Costa punched it.

Tobi sprinted to recover, then tackled Majer cleanly.

The stadium roared.

System Update: Tackling Buff Activated

Midfield Duel Win Count: 3

Second Half – Rising Into the Fire

Minute 53:

Tobi intercepted a loose pass. With a single touch, he nutmegged Kovačić.

Crowd: "OOOOHHHH!"

He surged forward.

20 yards out. Shot—

Deflected.

Félix collected and buried it.

GOAL!

Portugal 2 – 0 Croatia

System Recognition: Second Pre-Assist. Chain Play Mastery Achieved.

Match Rating: 8.2

Minute 71:

Croatia pressed harder.

Modrić found Majer in the box. Shot—

Saved by Costa.

Portugal countered.

Bernardo found Tobi.

Tobi floated a through ball over Gvardiol.

Leão met it and chipped the keeper.

GOAL!

Portugal 3 – 0 Croatia

System Milestone Achieved: First Senior Assist

Trait Gained: National Vision – +1 Long Passing, +1 Awareness

Full-Time – Ovation

Tobi was subbed in the 88th minute to thunderous applause.

Bruno hugged him on the touchline.

"You did more than survive. You owned it."

Emilia, watching from the stands with his mother and Leonor, had tears in her eyes.

He looked up, blowing them a kiss.

System Log: Debut Success – Match Rating: 8.5

Buff Applied: National Hero (Temporary)

International Pathway Opened

Post-Match Press

Reporters swarmed.

"First senior cap, and already an assist. How does it feel?"

Tobi smiled. "Like coming home to a country I’d never left."

Date: September 14–20, 2028

Location: London, Emirates Stadium

Event: Return from International Break – Arsenal vs Aston Villa

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The Return of the Hero

When Tobi Oliveira stepped into the Arsenal training ground, everyone noticed.

Bukayo Saka gave him a hug. "National hero, huh? Just don’t forget where you started."

Declan Rice offered a fist bump. "We saw that assist. Unreal."

Even Arteta paused during the session. "Back to work. Fame doesn’t defend the midfield."

> System Status: Buff Retained – National Hero (3 Days Remaining)

Morale: Very High

Trait Enhanced: International Composure +1

Tobi trained like he hadn’t just played one of the best games of his life days ago. If anything, he pushed harder.

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Emilia’s Apartment

Back home, Emilia greeted him with a soft kiss.

"You were glowing in Lisbon," she said, handing him tea.

"I was terrified," he admitted.

"But you looked like you belonged."

They curled up on the couch watching an old Portuguese film. It wasn’t about football. It wasn’t about winning. Just love, and life.

And for once, Tobi let himself breathe.

> System Update: Romance Arc – Chapter 6 of 10 Complete

Buff: Restfulness (Stamina Recovery +2)

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Arsenal vs Aston Villa – Matchday 5

Emirates Stadium was packed. Tobi was back in the starting XI.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Tobi, Ødegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus

Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, Diaby, McGinn, Bailey, Watkins

Kick-off.

Villa started strong. McGinn and Tielemans dominated the early midfield.

Minute 11:

Tobi lost the ball to Diaby near the box. Watkins shot.

Saved by Ramsdale!

> System Alert: Possession Error – Focus -1

Match Rating: 6.0

Minute 21:

Redemption. Tobi tracked back, won a shoulder duel against Kamara, and launched a 40-yard pass to Martinelli.

Martinelli cut inside and shot—

GOAL!

Arsenal 1 – 0 Villa

> System Update: Assist Logged

Trait XP: Long Ball Specialist +1%

Minute 33:

A Tobi through ball to Jesus split the Villa back line.

Jesus missed—off the post.

> System Prompt: Chance Created

Match Rating: 7.2

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Second Half – Pressure Builds

Minute 59:

Bailey equalized with a curling shot.

Arsenal 1 – 1 Villa

Crowd murmured. Pressure mounted.

Arteta barked from the touchline: "Midfield needs legs!"

Minute 67:

Tobi faked left, slipped right past Tielemans, and passed to Ødegaard.

The captain fired—

GOAL!

Arsenal 2 – 1 Villa

> System Log: Pre-Assist Credit

Match Rating: 8.0

Minute 80:

Tobi was brought down by Kamara.

Free-kick. 25 yards.

Ødegaard stepped up.

Crossed it.

Gabriel leapt and scored.

Arsenal 3 – 1 Villa

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Full-Time

Tobi walked off with two assists and 93% pass accuracy.

The crowd clapped as he was named Man of the Match.

> System Update: MOTM Bonus Activated

Morale: Peak Level

Trait Gained: Playmaker Presence – Slightly increases teammates’ positioning and passing when Tobi is on the field

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Late-Night Conversations

That night, Emilia sat on the kitchen counter, hair in a bun, laughing.

"They were chanting your name today," she said. "I caught it. You tried to look cool about it."

Tobi grinned. "I’m never cool about that."

They talked about Lisbon, about what it felt like to wear the red and green, about dreams.

She paused. "Do you think this will always be enough? Just football and us?"

Tobi leaned in. "If it’s not, we’ll build more. Together."

> System Notice: Romance Arc – Chapter 7 of 10 Active

Bond Level Increased – Emotional Support +2

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