The Ghost of Portugal

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Chapter 31 – Back to Work

January 15, 2015

The first morning back felt like stepping into a cold pool.

João tightened his laces on the sidelines, eyeing the squad already warming up. His stomach clenched. Two weeks out felt like two months in this world.

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Coach Martins clapped his hands. "João! Let's go! Easy touches today."

"Easy for you to say," João muttered under his breath.

Tiago nudged him. "Don't break your knee again. We're running out of elastic bands."

João smirked but his heart raced as he jogged onto the pitch. His cleats cut into the wet grass, a little stiff at first, but the knee held.

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Miguel Luís jogged up next to him.

"Hey, maestro. Glad you're back."

João blinked. Miguel was usually the loud captain type, barking orders in midfield. Friendly wasn't exactly his thing.

"Yeah," João said, "I thought you were happy I was off the pitch."

Miguel grinned, tossing him the ball mid-jog. "Nah. You make training interesting."

João caught it with a quick flick, chest puffing slightly.

"Interesting like good or interesting like dangerous?" he asked.

Miguel laughed. "Bit of both."

---

As the drills started, João relaxed a little. Miguel stuck near him, giving quick pointers.

"Wait an extra second before that pass."

"Don't drop so deep—you're not playing keeper."

"Trust the ball. It's not gonna bite you."

It was weird, actually… helpful.

By the third drill, João realized something: Miguel wasn't testing him anymore. He was teaching him.

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After training, they crashed in the locker room, stretching on the mats. Miguel pulled off his cleats, wincing.

"Man, these shoes are older than your first girlfriend."

João laughed. "That's impossible. I've never had one."

The locker room cracked up.

Tiago threw a sock at him. "At least you're honest, bro."

João grinned, cheeks a little red but relieved. For once, he didn't feel like the outsider.

---

Later that day, João checked his phone while icing his knee.

A text from his dad popped up:

Carlos Sequeira (Dad):

Guess who's coming to Lisbon tomorrow?

João raised an eyebrow.

João:

Who?

Carlos Sequeira:

Your brother. Sporting invited Hugo.

---

João's mouth opened, eyes wide.

Tiago leaned over his shoulder. "Everything cool?"

João nodded slowly. "Yeah. Hugo's joining."

Tiago grinned. "Oh great. Another Félix is running around. You guys multiplying or what?"

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That night, João lay in bed, scrolling through Hugo's Instagram. His little brother had posted a picture in the backyard, juggling a ball, captioned:

"Lisboa, here I come."

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João smiled to himself. His world was changing fast.

He wasn't just the skinny kid with magic feet anymore. He was learning how to play smarter. He was making real friends. And now, his brother would be here too.

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As he closed his eyes, muscles sore but heart lighter, João thought:

Maybe this year won't be so bad after all.

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