After the ad for the local brand Mateo set his sights on the national team and friendlies in the African continent.
The transition from the black and yellow of Borussia Dortmund to the vibrant red of the Spanish national team was always a surreal experience.
One moment, Mateo was immersed in the guttural rhythm of German football culture; the next, he was surrounded by the familiar cadence of his mother tongue, sharing a training pitch with the very legends he had grown up idolizing.
The November international break had called him away from his new home, a summons that still sent a thrill of profound honor through his sixteen-year-old frame.
He was no longer a mere spectator or a wide-eyed debutant. After his integration into the squad during the previous break, he was now a recognized, albeit junior, member of the reigning World and European champions.
