He took a deep breath, the System's cool, clinical data confirming what his body was screaming at him. He needed to relearn. He waved for Lukas to come at him again.
This time, he didn't try to be the player he was a month ago. He let the ball come closer, and as Lukas moved in for the tackle, Mateo didn't try to feint his way past.
Instead, he turned his body, planting his feet and using his newly solidified frame as a shield. It was a move straight out of Robert Lewandowski's playbook. Lukas, expecting a quick turn, ran straight into Mateo's back and bounced off.
The sensation was new and exhilarating. He had absorbed the impact. He was solid. He felt the surprise in Lukas's challenge and used that split second to roll the ball forward, his longer stride now an asset as he accelerated away, leaving his friend scrambling in his wake.
