The cold Munich morning wrapped the city in a thin veil of mist, the air crisp and biting as Mateo adjusted the straps of his backpack.
Before him rose the massive entrance of Bayern Munich's Youth Training Complex — a place that, to thousands of young players across Germany, symbolized hope, glory, and a dream realized.
Today was the day.
Today, Mateo would step onto the field of one of the most prestigious clubs in world football.
In Germany, the road to professional football was clear, structured — and ruthless.
From an early age, children were enrolled into football academies, some directly affiliated with major clubs like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, or RB Leipzig.Others trained in smaller, independent schools, fighting just as hard for a chance to be seen.
By the time they turned fifteen, everything changed.
The club scouts would open their doors — but only briefly — to select the most promising players.Those chosen would advance into the U17 squads, the first official step into the club's system.From there, the path was simple but unforgiving:U17 → U19 → Professional Team.
Germany didn't believe in coddling late bloomers.
Here, there was no Sub-21 category to linger and mature.
If you were eighteen and not ready to step into adult football, the door closed.Permanently.
Pragmatism ruled German football — cold, precise, merciless.
Dreams were respected — but only results mattered.
Today, the tryouts were not limited to Bayern's own academy boys.
From all corners of Bavaria — and beyond — boys came from independent academies, semi-professional teams, or even unknown schools, hoping to catch the scouts' attention.
All of them shared the same burning desire:
To wear the red of Bayern Munich.To belong to the greatest club in Germany.To chase a dream that many pursued but few achieved.
Mateo stood among them.
He wore a simple navy-blue tracksuit, his cleats freshly polished, his duffel bag slung over one shoulder.
Around him, boys stretched, jogged in place, or exchanged quiet words of encouragement in German.Some wore jackets bearing the crests of their local academies; others, like him, wore plain gear — unknowns, outsiders.
It didn't matter.
Once they stepped onto the pitch, names and origins would be meaningless.
Only ability, determination, and will would matter.
Mateo took a slow, deep breath.
He could feel the system quietly humming within him —the years of training tightening his muscles, sharpening his focus, steadying his heartbeat.
He could feel Dribbling Instinct dormant under his skin, ready to awaken.
He thought of the long years behind him:The cold mornings running sprints.The lonely nights studying drills while others slept.The promise he made to his father — to chase his dream without fear.
"This is just the beginning," he whispered to himself.
He stepped forward as a coach with a clipboard began calling names, organizing players into small groups for the first evaluations.
Today was the first true test.
Today, Mateo González Schwarz would begin carving his name into the world.