CHAPTER 47 — "Pressure of the Badge"
Date: March , 2020
Age: 10
Location: São Paulo FC – U-15 Training Ground
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Morning sunlight fell across the pitch like golden threads as Árman Azvedo jogged out of the locker room, tying his boots carefully. Even though he was the youngest in U-15 by four full years, he carried himself with quiet calm, not nervous, not excited—just focused.
Coach Carvalho nodded at him.
"Ready for another day, garoto?"
Árman smiled warmly.
"Yes, Coach. Let's work hard."
No ego.
No tension.
Just pure football.
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⚽ MORNING SESSION — High-Intensity Technical Circuit
Today the coaches raised the intensity:
• Tight-space rondos (5v2)
• Acceleration + deceleration runs
• 1v1 + 1v2 dribbling pressure drills
• Rapid passing in 10x10 grids
Older players were already sweating by the second round.
Árman?
Still composed, still precise.
1v2 Dribbling Drill
Two defenders—both 15-year-olds—closed in on him.
Tap.
Shift.
Shoulder drop.
Perfect weight shift.
Slip between the closing gap.
Exit touch with flawless balance.
One defender cursed under his breath:
"Mano… he's impossible to trap."
Coach Carvalho scribbled a note:
His micro-movements… elite level already.
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🎯 POSITIONAL PLAY — Tactical Intelligence Test
The team moved into a half-pitch positional drill, simulating a high press versus buildup under pressure.
The coach placed Árman as the central attacking midfielder (CAM).
While others relied on instinct, Árman relied on analysis:
He scanned every 2–3 seconds
Anticipated rotations before the pass even arrived
Used third-man runs to unlock the press
Called quiet but precise instructions:
"Shift left,"
"Overlap now,"
"Cut inside, I'll switch."
His teammates began listening without hesitation.
Even the older ones.
Assistant coach whispered:
"He's 10… but he commands the field like he's 20."
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🔥 SCRIMMAGE — Internal 11v11 Match
Formation: 4-3-3 vs 4-2-3-1
Árman played as the #10, floating between lines.
First Half
He received a pass from deep.
Two defenders pressed.
One tried to shove him.
Árman absorbed the force with perfect core balance.
Tap—turn—exit.
His through ball split the entire back line, giving João a 1v1 against the keeper.
Goal.
João shouted:
"Assist do príncipe!"
(The prince's assist!)
Árman blushed softly:
"No, no… you finished it well."
Sweet.
Humble.
Natural.
Second Half
Coach instructed the defenders to double-team Árman at all times.
Instead of forcing plays…
He adapted.
He repositioned deeper, dragging defenders with him, creating space for wingers.
A textbook false playmaker movement.
His decision-making amazed even the staff.
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🛡 DEFENSIVE RESPONSIBILITY — Pressing Identity
Carvalho wanted to test a weakness.
"Árman!
You track the pivot today. Let's see your defensive reading."
The pivot was a large, physically dominant 15-year-old.
Árman didn't try to body him.
He used:
interception angles
shadow pressing
controlled pressure
timing over strength
He blocked passing lanes so effectively the midfielder grew frustrated.
Carvalho shook his head in disbelief:
"His defensive IQ… this is something I can't even teach."
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🏃♂️ CONDITIONING TEST — VO2 Max & Sprint Work
Afternoon brought conditioning.
Older players groaned.
Árman remained quietly ready.
They performed:
20m explosive sprints
40m acceleration tests
5-minute high-tempo ball-carrying runs
Shuttle intervals with heart-rate tracking
Results:
Árman's stamina recovery was equivalent to a trained 13-year-old athlete.
The physical coach stared at the chart:
"This… is not normal. He's ahead of his age group by years."
Árman only said softly:
"I still need to improve more."
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📌 COACH MEETING — After Training
Coach Carvalho sat with his assistants.
"He's 10."
"Yes."
"He plays like he's 16."
"Yes."
"And he behaves like the kindest angel I've ever coached."
"Yes."
They laughed.
Then Carvalho said the truth aloud:
"If he continues like this… we're looking at the future star of Brazil."
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🌙 NIGHT — His Dimension
Back home, Árman washed up, ate dinner, and went to his room.
He sat on his bed, calm and thoughtful.
A portal shimmered open—his private dimension.
Inside, he reviewed:
Tempo control
Press-resistance drills
Vision maps
Opponent patterns
High-level tactical reconstruction
The system voice echoed:
{Master, synthesis complete. Tactical intelligence increased. New pattern available: "Press Bypass—Tier 2."}
Árman exhaled gently.
"I'll use it tomorrow. Slowly… patiently."
He lay back on his bed.
No ego.
No pressure.
Just love for the sport.