The victory over Bayern Munich was a seismic event, a result that sent shockwaves through the Bundesliga and the wider footballing world. But the relentless nature of the modern football calendar meant that there was little time to celebrate.
The international break was upon them, and Mateo, along with several of his Dortmund teammates, was called up to the Spanish national team for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers.
It was his tenth cap, a remarkable achievement for a player who had only just turned eighteen.
He was no longer a newcomer, a wide-eyed teenager in awe of his idols. He was a peer, a teammate, a player who had earned his place among the elite. The likes of Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta, and David Silva now treated him with a new-found respect, a recognition of his talent and his achievements.
