Chapter 19: The Generation Gap Between Veterans and the Youngsters
During the rare mid-season break, most of São Paulo's veteran players headed off on vacation—some traveling overseas, others returning to their hometowns to relax with family. The usually lively training base suddenly felt unusually quiet.
Only a handful of people remained.
Among them, the most consistent presence was Ken.
Every morning before sunrise, the groundskeepers could already see a lone figure jogging around the training pitch. By the time the gym officially opened, he had already completed stretching, light ball work, and a short conditioning session. For Ken, the break in official matches was not a time to rest—it was an opportunity to widen the gap between himself and others.
During this period, Laura—the blonde actress he had met at the nightclub—called him several times, inviting him out for dinners or social gatherings. Ken politely declined each invitation.
At first, he had assumed Laura and her friends were club hostesses, but later he learned that they were colleagues of Neymar's girlfriend and minor actresses working in Brazilian television. Even so, Ken understood very clearly why she kept reaching out.
Back when his father was still alive, he had often warned him: "If one day you become famous, many people will suddenly appear in your life. Some come because they truly like you. Others come because they like what you represent."
Ken had never forgotten those words.
He was confident in his own appearance, but not so arrogant as to believe someone could become deeply interested in him after meeting only once. Most of the time, such attention was simply an attempt to attach oneself to a rising star and generate media buzz.
More importantly, he simply didn't feel anything. Without genuine interest, there was no reason to force himself into meaningless relationships.
Training, though repetitive, gave him a sense of clarity. Every completed session made him feel stronger, faster, and more stable on the ball. With professional coaches guiding his development, his progress was far more noticeable than during the years he had trained alone.
Time passed quickly, and soon July arrived.
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On July 1st, Ken traveled to Rio de Janeiro with a ticket Neymar had sent him earlier. That night, the Maracanã Stadium hosted the Confederations Cup final—a rehearsal for the World Cup that would be held there the following year.
Brazil faced Spain, the reigning world champions who had dominated international football for nearly a decade. Many analysts believed Spain's possession-heavy system would once again control the game, even on Brazilian soil.
But football rarely follows predictions.
Barely ninety seconds after kickoff, Brazil struck first. A quick combination on the left led to a cross into the penalty area, where chaos erupted before the ball finally fell to Fred, who smashed it into the net.
The stadium exploded.
Ken, seated among tens of thousands of roaring supporters, felt the energy of the moment surge through him. Watching from the stands was very different from watching on television—the noise, the pressure, the electricity in the air made every action on the pitch feel magnified.
Throughout the match, Neymar played with extraordinary confidence. His movement between the lines constantly disrupted Spain's defensive shape, and every time he touched the ball, the crowd rose in anticipation.
Before halftime, Neymar scored with a powerful finish at the near post, doubling Brazil's lead. The roar of the Maracanã seemed to shake the entire city.
Early in the second half, another swift counterattack led to Fred's second goal, making it 3–0. From that moment on, the result was essentially decided. Even when Spain earned a penalty later in the match, they failed to convert, symbolizing how completely the momentum had shifted.
When the final whistle sounded, the Brazilian players collapsed onto the grass in celebration, while the stands turned into a sea of yellow shirts waving flags and singing in unison.
Watching Neymar lift the trophy, Ken felt a complicated mixture of pride, admiration, and burning determination.
One year.
Only one year remained until the World Cup on home soil.
Will I be ready? he asked himself silently.
Beside him, Vizzoli seemed to sense the young player's thoughts. He patted Ken lightly on the shoulder.
"One day," he said, "you'll stand on that field with Neymar and win even bigger titles. Your potential is no less than his—remember that."
Ken nodded, his gaze still fixed on the pitch. At that moment, the dream of representing Brazil no longer felt distant—it felt like a target he could almost reach.
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When the league break ended and São Paulo's veterans returned from vacation, they quickly noticed something unusual.
Ken was training even harder than before.
Morning conditioning sessions became longer. Extra shooting practice often continued until the training staff began switching off the stadium lights. Even in the gym, he repeatedly pushed through additional strength sets after official sessions had ended.
"Where did the kid get this sudden motivation?" Lúcio asked one afternoon, watching Ken finish yet another sprint drill.
Rogério Ceni shook his head. "Maybe he just doesn't know how to rest."
Aloísio laughed from the side. "You two really are from another generation. Didn't you watch the Confederations Cup?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" Ceni asked.
"Neymar," Aloísio replied simply. "They used to be called the 'São Paulo twin stars.' Now Neymar is shining for Barcelona and the national team. You think Ken doesn't want to catch up?"
The veterans exchanged glances, suddenly understanding.
A talented player was not rare. A hardworking player was not rare either. But a player who possessed talent, discipline, and relentless competitiveness—that combination was far more uncommon.
Watching the young midfielder sprint across the training field once more, Ceni smiled faintly.
"If he keeps this mentality," he said quietly, "his future won't just be bright—it will be extraordinary."