When Mateo left the pitch,he had no idea just how big the storm outside had grown.
The second he entered the locker room,his phone — left in his locker — was exploding with notifications.
Social media.News headlines.Messages.
All screaming the same thing:
MATEO GONZÁLEZ IS HERE.
Trending Topics
#GonzálezMagic
#GermanysFuture
#U20WorldCupStar
Videos of his two goals — especially the outrageous second volley — had already gone viral.Clips from the match were flooding TikTok, Instagram, YouTube.
In just two matches, Mateo had gone from an exciting prospectto one of the most talked-about young players on Earth.
Inside his mind, the System chimed:
[Major Reputation Boost: +20%][Current Global Reputation: Rising Star Tier.]
[Special Reward Unlocked: Gold Skill Box (Outstanding Match Performance).]
When he opened the tournament statistics, Mateo couldn't help but blink in disbelief.
Top Scorers:
Mateo González — 3 goals
Luiz Felipe (Brazil) — 2 goals
Oliver Grant (England) — 2 goals
Top Assist Providers:
Mateo González — 2 assists
Miguel Herrera (Spain) — 2 assists
Jonas Weber (Germany) — 1 assist
He sat there in his locker for a few moments,breathing deeply,feeling the weight of what he had just achieved.
And the heavier weight of what would now be expected of him.
"The eyes of the world are on you now," he thought.
"This is what you fought for.This is what you must carry."
A Call From Home
Later that evening, after team dinner and recovery sessions,Mateo finally found a quiet moment.
He sat by the window of his hotel room,phone pressed to his ear.
First, it was his mother.
Her voice was warm, trembling with emotion.
"Estoy tan orgullosa de ti, mi amor," she whispered in Spanish.("I'm so proud of you, my love.")
Mateo smiled, swallowing a lump in his throat.
"Gracias, mamá. No podría haberlo hecho sin ti."("Thank you, mom. I couldn't have done it without you.")
They spoke for a few minutes — his grandparents joining in briefly, shouting congratulations in the background —before Klara's voice took over the line.
"Mateo..." she said softly.
He closed his eyes, letting her voice wash over him like the gentlest sea.
"You were incredible," she continued. "I cried when you scored."
Mateo chuckled.
"You always cry," he teased lightly.
"Only when it's something important," she replied.
There was a beat of silence between them — a warm, comforting silence.
Then Klara said:
"You're becoming what you were meant to be."
Mateo gripped the phone tighter.
"I'm trying," he said. "For all of us."
Before hanging up, Klara added:
"I don't care how bright you shine, Mateo.I'll always see the boy who dreamed under the stars,not just the superstar the world sees."
Mateo laughed — genuinely, deeply.
He needed that.
More than he realized.
Tomorrow would bring new battles.New pressures.
But tonight, Mateo slept with a peaceful smile on his face,knowing he was finally becoming what he had always dreamed to be:
Unstoppable.