"Professor," Antoine said, grinning. He shook Alex's hand.
"Magician," Alex said.
"Today, we are not partners," Antoine said. "Today, I am the storm. You are just... a small umbrella."
"We will see," Alex said.
The game started.
France was good. Very good. They had Mbappe. They had Antoine. They were fast and strong.
England was good too. Kane scored early. A classic striker's goal.
But then Mbappe scored. He ran so fast he was a blur.
One one.
The game was tight. It was a chess match between two giants.
Antoine was running the show for France. He was dropping deep, finding space. The England midfielders couldn't catch him.
Gareth, the England manager, looked frustrated.
He looked down the bench.
"Alex," Gareth said. "Warm up."
Alex's heart jumped. He ran down the sideline.
The crowd saw him. A ripple of applause went around Wembley. They knew him now. He was their Professor.
Sixtieth minute.
Gareth called him back.
