The international break arrived like a collective exhale for Borussia Dortmund, a much-needed pause in the relentless rhythm of their championship pursuit. For Mateo, the timing was particularly fortuitous.
The decision by the Spanish national team coach to rest him for the upcoming friendlies was a strategic one, designed to manage the physical and mental load on a sixteen-year-old who had been playing at an extraordinary intensity for months.
But for Mateo, it felt like a gift a rare opportunity to step off the treadmill of professional football and simply be a teenager again.
The days that followed the Hannover match were a study in contrasts. The viral storm surrounding his goal and dedication to Isabella had begun to subside, thanks in large part to Sarah's expert media management.
