CHAPTER 48 — "The U-15 Era Begins"
Date: March 22, 2020
Árman Azvedo — Age: 10
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Morning — São Paulo FC Training Complex
The early morning sky hung low over the sprawling São Paulo training grounds.
Humidity clung to every blade of grass, and the smell of freshly cut turf mixed with the distant scent of city streets.
Árman walked onto the pitch with calm poise. At ten years old, he now carried the quiet confidence of an 18-year-old mind in a child's body. Coaches, players, and staff no longer gasped at his presence; they had grown used to his genius. Yet even with familiarity, occasional awe lingered.
He adjusted his boots and tightened his socks, his silky white hair glinting under the morning sun.
Leonardo, his father, gave a small nod.
"Remember, filho, observe, learn, adapt. Don't rush. Respect the older boys, but never shrink," Leonardo said softly.
"I will, Dada," Árman replied.
He was ready.
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Warm-Up — Professional Precision
Coach Carvalho blew the whistle.
The U-15 squad began the structured warm-up: dynamic stretches, light jogs, side shuffles, and quick accelerations.
Árman matched their pace perfectly—not faster, not slower. His every movement precise, calculated, and efficient. The strength coach raised an eyebrow.
"Discipline like that… you don't see it at ten years old," he muttered.
Árman simply focused, breathing steady, eyes scanning the pitch.
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Station Drills — Ball Mastery
Station 1: First-touch control under pressure
Árman's turn was flawless. Every pass, touch, and reception seemed instinctual. Opposing U-15 players tried subtle pressure, but he maneuvered as if anticipating every move before it happened.
Station 2: Rondo — Quick passing in tight spaces
Three defenders closed in. One-touch passes, instant movement. He created patterns older players struggled to predict.
Coach Carvalho whispered to his assistant, "He's reading the space like a coach already."
Station 3: Tight-space dribbling
Cones in a narrow zigzag.
Árman accelerated, decelerated, shifted balance, and feinted with a subtlety no other child could match.
Even older players stopped mid-drill, staring.
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Tactical Session — U-15 Strategy
Carvalho explained the day's tactical focus: high press, transitional attacks, and counter-pressing principles.
Árman absorbed every word, asking a single thoughtful question:
"If the opposing midfield overloads our left, can we switch sides quickly to exploit half-space?"
Carvalho paused. "Good. He understands theory at a level most U-17s can't. Unbelievable."
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Afternoon — First Friendly Match Against Local U-15 Team
The stadium was modest but crowded with parents and scouts.
Kick-off blew. Árman started centrally, his body lithe, movements deliberate, eyes constantly scanning.
Minute 3: Quick one-two with the winger. Defender closes in. Árman's first touch draws him past. Ball flicked ahead, perfectly weighted. Teammate scores. Assist #1.
Minute 7: Opponent presses aggressively. Árman shields the ball, subtly moves the defender off-balance, and plays a perfectly timed through ball splitting the center back line.
Minute 15: A long-range shot from 20 meters. Goalkeeper dives; ball kisses the post and goes in. First goal of the match.
Crowd murmurs. Coaches exchange glances.
"Ten years old…" mutters the goalkeeper coach.
"Yes, but his understanding is beyond age," whispers Carvalho.
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Half-Time — Tactical Adjustments
Árman barely sweated, yet his heartbeat remained steady. He leaned against the bench quietly, sipping water, eyes analyzing the first half.
Coach Carvalho instructed the team. Árman simply nodded, silent but absorbing every nuance.
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Second Half — Dominance
Minute 32: Counterattack. Árman receives the ball at midfield. Two defenders close in. He feints left, spins right, and plays a one-touch pass to the striker, who scores. Assist #2.
Minute 40: Corner. Árman positions himself. Ball curled perfectly, he flicks it subtly, teammate heads in. Assist #3.
Minute 48: Final push. Opponent desperate. Árman intercepts, dribbles past three players, and calmly finishes past the goalkeeper. Goal #2.
Final score: 5-0.
Árman: 2 goals, 3 assists, MVP.
Scouts in the stands take frantic notes. Journalists begin texting reports.
Coach Carvalho shakes his head. "Ten years old… unbelievable."
Árman quietly helps a fallen opponent up, smiles politely, and walks off the pitch. No arrogance. Just humility.
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Evening — Analysis & Visualization
Back at his home, Árman sits by the window, city lights flickering.
He enters his private dimension—not for fun, but for discipline.
Replays every play from the match.
Mentally analyzes defensive patterns.
Improves positioning for upcoming matches.
Fine-tunes passing, dribbling, shooting combinations.
The system confirms:
> "Master, your skills are fully integrated. You have gained further insight into positional awareness and tactical intelligence."
Árman whispers to himself:
"I can always improve. Always.