The morning air in Dortmund was thick with the damp chill of early winter, the kind that seeped into your bones no matter how many layers you wore. Thiago shifted from foot to foot outside the training facility, his breath forming little white clouds in front of his face. The straps of his duffel bag dug into his shoulder, heavier than usual—not because he'd packed more gear, but because of what this trip represented.
Around him, the senior squad players chatted in low voices, their relaxed postures showing how routine this was for them. Marco Reus laughed at something Mats Hummels said, his gloved hands gesturing wildly. The younger squad members hovered near the edges, eyes darting between the veterans and coaching staff, looking both excited and nervous. Thiago knew exactly how they felt.
