The reunion took place in the training facility's family area, a space designed to accommodate the personal relationships that were crucial to players' well-being. Don Carlos's presence was immediately comforting, his familiar face providing a connection to the values and experiences that had shaped Mateo's character long before football fame entered his life.
"You look tired, mijo," Don Carlos observed, his weathered hands resting on Mateo's shoulders with the gentle authority that had guided so many children through difficult times. The comment was delivered with the loving concern of a parent rather than the analytical scrutiny of a coach or journalist.
Through sign language, Mateo explained the balancing act that had become his daily reality the academic pressures, the media attention, the tactical demands, and the emotional complexity of maintaining relationships across geographical distances.
