CHAPTER 37 — First Day With the Older Boys (U-12)
The next Monday morning, the gates of São Paulo FC's academy buzzed with extra noise.
Word had spread quickly:
> "The seven-year-old prodigy is joining U-12 today."
Players whispered.
Parents lingered longer at drop-off.
Even some coaches from other age groups casually "walked by" the U-12 pitch in the morning… pretending they were just stretching or checking cones.
But Arman arrived quietly, carrying his small black training bag, hair neatly combed, eyes calm as always.
He moved with the soft confidence of someone who wasn't here to impress anyone — just to work.
---
Warm-Up Begins
Coach Paulo blew the whistle.
"All right, boys! New season vibes — let's go!"
The U-12 players — taller, louder, confident — jogged onto the pitch.
Some eyed Arman curiously.
Some whispered.
Some smiled.
And one bold boy—Gabriel, age 11—ran over grinning.
"You're Arman, right? The U-11 monster striker?"
Arman gave a shy smile.
"Just Arman. Nice to meet you."
Gabriel blinked.
"…Bro you're SMALLER than my little brother."
Arman giggled softly, unfazed.
---
Drills Begin — Coaches Observe
1. First Touch Drill
The ball zipped to him.
Arman received it as if it were a bubble floating toward him — soft, controlled, perfect angle, perfect direction.
Coach Paulo looked at Coach Ricardo (visiting the session).
"…That's ridiculous. His body is seven. His technique is… elite."
2. Passing Pattern Drill
Older kids often pass harder — faster — rougher.
But Arman kept up easily.
fast passes → tik-tik-tik
one-touch patterns → tap-tap
switching play → boom — across the pitch
Every pass placed exactly where it needed to be.
"Good Arman!"
"Nice touch, pequeno!"
"Holy crap—did you see that turn?"
The boys quickly warmed up to him.
He wasn't cocky.
He wasn't trying to show off.
He just worked — with a calm, sweet smile.
---
3. Small-Sided Game — Real Test
Coach Paulo clapped.
"Okay! 7 vs 7. Arman, you play as Right Winger today."
Arman nodded.
Older boys smirked.
"RW? He'll get pushed off every ball."
"Just don't cry, little guy."
But then the whistle blew.
---
Minute 1
The ball reached Arman.
A defender pressed him aggressively.
Arman:
killed the ball dead
rolled it past the defender
accelerated like liquid lightning
delivered a left-footed outside-curve pass to the striker
Goal.
The entire pitch froze.
"Wait—WHAT?!"
"How did he bend that?!"
"HE'S SEVEN!"
Coach Paulo rubbed his face.
---
Minute 5
Two players pressed him.
Arman slipped between them with a shoulder-drop dribble so smooth even adults would have fallen for it.
Gabriel shouted:
"É loucura! (This is crazy!)"
---
Minute 12
He wasn't scoring; he didn't even try.
He kept passing, linking, helping.
Playing like a wise veteran inside a tiny body.
One coach whispered to another:
"He plays older than U-15 kids. And he's seven."
---
End of Training
The whistle echoed.
Older boys looked tired.
Arman looked… normal.
Breathing steady.
Sweat light.
Eyes still bright.
Gabriel put an arm around him.
"You're not human, bro."
Arman just smiled shyly.
"I just love football."
Coach Paulo approached him, kneeling slightly to Arman's height.
"Arman… welcome to U-12. You belong here."
And for the first time, all the older boys clapped for him — genuine applause — not because he was famous, but because he earned it with his football.
Arman bowed his head politely.
"Obrigado… I'll work hard."
The chapter ended with him walking off the pitch between boys nearly twice his size —
yet perfectly, undeniably fitting in.