"Barcelona launch a long ball into the box. Shane. Oh, brilliant. A commanding headed clearance. Piqué couldn't even get close to it."
"Shane looks like an absolute world-class center-back right now."
As the commentators shouted, the shrill blast of the referee's whistle cut through the air. However, the Calderón was so deafeningly loud that many broadcasters didn't immediately register that it was the final whistle.
It wasn't until the Barcelona players swarmed the referee in protest that the reality set in.
"The match is over."
With that roar from the commentary box, the cheers inside the Calderón stadium reached a fever pitch. Down on the touchline, the Atlético Madrid substitutes screamed in joy as they sprinted onto the pitch.
The broadcasters scrambled to summarize the monumental result.
"Full time. It's all over. Atlético Madrid defeat Barcelona 3-1 at home. With just two rounds left in the season, Atlético hold a crucial three-point lead. Thanks to their incredible double over Barca this season, they only need three more points from their final two matches to secure the La Liga title."
"Atlético Madrid are just one step away from the championship. They only need one more win."
"Can you imagine? Can you believe it? Before the season began, when Atlético's midfield maestro Shane Carter declared that their goal was the league title, the media and rival fans laughed. I wonder how hot their faces feel right now."
"Shane finishes with a hat-trick. That takes him to thirty-five goals across all competitions this season. Yes, Messi has forty-two, but considering Shane operates primarily as a midfielder and already has twenty-three assists, those numbers are absolutely staggering."
While the commentators raved, the pitch was a sea of red and white. Atlético's starting eleven and substitutes had converged into a massive huddle, celebrating their status as the victors of the ultimate decider.
Amidst the chaos, a clear mechanical chime rang in Shane's mind.
[Ding! Match concluded. Calculating match rating...]
[Match Intensity: Hard. Match Rating: Excellent.]
[Ding! Match Reward: Barcelona Legendary Player Random Chest]
[Open now?]
Open it.
[Ding! Congratulations! You have obtained: Frank Rijkaard – The Greatest Number 4 – Black Swan Match Experience Module.]
Shane processed the information thoughtfully.
A sudden influx of deep, intuitive understanding about playing the defensive midfield role flooded his mind. If Franz Beckenbauer was widely considered the most versatile player in history, then the title of the greatest pure holding midfielder, the classic Number 4, was almost universally awarded to Frank Rijkaard.
He was a monster in both attack and defense. Physically imposing, boasting endless stamina, and tactically brilliant. Even in his mid-thirties, at the tail end of his career, he had anchored the midfield for Ajax, leading them to a Champions League title.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Champions League final, Atlético would be facing Bayern Munich. The defensive pressure, particularly the transition from defense to attack in the central midfield, would be immense. In that context, acquiring a module that drastically deepened his mastery over the holding midfield role was an incredible boost to the team's chances.
Although the La Liga title wasn't mathematically secured yet, Shane didn't believe for a second that Atlético would choke now. They only needed three points. Under absolutely no circumstances would he allow a ridiculous scenario like losing two consecutive matches to happen.
Once they officially won the league, he would likely receive another system reward. Every single fractional increase in his overall strength before the Champions League final added another percentage point to their chances of lifting the ultimate trophy in European football.
"Brilliant."
His teammates rushed toward him. Shane laughed, throwing his arms wide to embrace the swarming crowd.
Meanwhile, the Barcelona players were still fiercely arguing with the referee.
"We should have had at least one more corner," Piqué protested angrily.
Up in the booth, the Catalan commentator echoed the frustration. "Barcelona absolutely deserved to take that final corner."
The referee, however, merely kept his thoughts to himself. So what if I gave you the corner? You're down by two goals, not one. Even if you scored it, I would have blown the final whistle immediately afterward. What difference would it make?
Deep down, the Barcelona players knew that swarming the referee was pointless. It was simply an emotional outlet for their crushing frustration regarding the entire season.
It was agonizing. They had played incredible football this year. Their league form had been remarkably consistent. And yet, they were on the verge of losing the title.
Atlético Madrid now sat on 96 points. Both teams could earn a maximum of 6 more points from their remaining fixtures. If both teams won out, Atlético would finish with a record-breaking 101 points, taking the title. Barcelona would finish with 99 points.
They would go down in history as the runner-up with the highest point total ever recorded. It was a brutally bitter pill to swallow. The Barcelona players looked utterly despondent, their faces etched with pain. To achieve 99 points in a single season and still finish second would leave anyone feeling deeply wronged by fate.
The Barcelona manager walked over, shook Simeone's hand, and then stepped onto the pitch to gather his players. He pulled them up from the turf one by one. In that moment, he made a silent decision. He would stay at Barcelona for one more season. No matter what, he refused to leave without winning one last major trophy.
He cast a long look around the boiling Calderón, his eyes eventually settling on Shane Carter, who was still surrounded by his ecstatic teammates. Atlético's impending title was heavily tied to Shane. But given his performances this season, especially if he led Atlético to the Champions League title, would he really stay?
If Shane left, he genuinely could not imagine how Simeone would lead Atlético to another championship.
During the post-match mixed zone interviews, Shane faced the barrage of microphones with calm composure. He wasn't getting carried away.
"There are still two rounds left, and we only have a three-point lead over Barca. Now is not the time to celebrate."
On the other side of the zone, Barcelona captain Xavi gave a remarkably candid interview.
"We have a chance to finish this season with 99 points, and I think we all know exactly what that means. If we don't win the title, I won't have any regrets. We have been outstanding. It just means there is one team out there that was slightly better than us."
His words earned nods of respect from the gathered journalists. The reporters looked at Xavi with genuine sympathy. A 99-point runner-up. It was truly a tragedy worthy of compassion.
In the official post-match press conference, the Barcelona manager echoed his captain's sentiments.
"I am incredibly proud of my team and my players. They will finish a magnificent season. If we fall short of the title, then it is simply God's will. I have no complaints."
Simeone, on the other hand, spent his entire press conference heaping praise on Shane Carter.
"He is unbelievable. He really is. He is the most powerful football player on the planet. Honestly, sometimes I seriously doubt whether he is actually from Earth."
Simeone's hyperbolic quote immediately went viral across global social media.
While riding the team bus back to the training facility, Shane saw the quote and quickly posted a reply on Twitter.
"Guys, I can assure you I am a 100% genuine Earthling. Pure carbon-based lifeform."
The comment section instantly blew up. One perceptive global football fan replied with a simple, localized idiom:
"Methinks the gentleman doth protest too much."
The comment was rapidly upvoted to the top. Beneath it, fans began dissecting the joke, marveling at how perfectly the phrase captured Shane's overly defensive denial.
Just a casual bit of global banter. Tactical lean back.
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