CHAPTER 69— "THE DECISION"
Date: September 10, 2023
Árman Azevedo — Age: 13
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The São Paulo academy offices were quiet.
Not because it was late.
Not because anyone left.
But because everyone who mattered was waiting for Árman.
The boy who had broken every rule, every record, every expectation.
The boy who made academy directors, coaches, and scouts rethink the youth system.
Now, the question everyone was dying to know: Which club would he choose?
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THE AGENT MEETING
Árman sat across from his agent, Leonardo Braga, in a sleek office overlooking São Paulo's skyline.
His posture was calm. Hands folded neatly. Eyes serene.
Leonardo, an experienced agent who had seen prodigies rise and fizzle, tried to gauge him.
> "Árman, scouts from Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid… they've all contacted me. Every top club in Europe. You have your pick."
Árman nodded, considering. Not flustered. Not excited. Calm.
> "I have conditions."
Leonardo leaned forward, pen poised.
> "Go on."
Árman's voice was quiet but firm:
> "I want No. 10. Nothing else matters to me. Everything else—contracts, terms, wages—you can handle. I just want the number 10 jersey. It has to be mine."
Leonardo scribbled notes, surprised at the simplicity.
> "That's it?" he asked.
> "That's it," Árman replied.
A pause. A long pause.
No flashy demands. No unnecessary attention. No ego.
Just a single condition.
It was enough.
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SCOUT FEVER
Once the word leaked, scouts, directors, and coaches erupted in chaos.
Emails. Calls. Flights booked. Meetings requested.
Every club wanted him.
But the condition was non-negotiable.
No. 10 is sacred. Only the central creator, the heart of the team. Every club knew it.
Árman had set the first barrier. A subtle test.
He wasn't here to bend. He was here to dictate.
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ÁRMAN'S THOUGHTS
Alone in his private room later, Árman entered his system.
He accessed his status window, reviewing every skill.
Football mastery: All positions, all techniques, all tactical awareness.
Physical stats: Peak for age 13, with limitless potential as body grows.
Mental stats: Decision-making, foresight, anticipation—practically preternatural.
Other skills: Modeling, social awareness, languages, arts, problem-solving.
He smiled.
He didn't need a reminder. He knew he was ready.
> "I just need a platform now," he muttered to himself.
"A stage where I can create, play, and dominate."
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FAMILY DISCUSSION
At dinner, Leonardo and Isabella Azevedo joined him.
> "Any thoughts yet?" Leonardo asked, trying to hide his excitement.
Árman looked at them calmly:
> "I want a club that respects the number 10, that lets me express the game the way I see it, that challenges me constantly."
Isabella smiled softly.
> "You've always been ahead of your age. It's only natural you pick carefully."
Árman nodded.
> "I'll give my agent the final call. Everything else is negotiable."
Even his family felt a mix of awe and nervousness.
> Thirteen years old.
Already a living legend.
Already controlling his destiny.
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THE AGENT'S PLAN
Leonardo Braga worked through the night.
Each club's offer was carefully analyzed:
Barcelona: Prestige, world-class development, tactical football.
Real Madrid: Champions culture, exposure, elite coaching.
Manchester City: Modern football, advanced analytics, global recognition.
Bayern Munich: Physical development, disciplined system, central creativity encouraged.
Árman's condition narrowed the options. Many clubs had traditional No. 10s already, legends in their youth teams.
> "They won't let you be No. 10 immediately," Leonardo said.
"We need a club that's flexible, ready to build around you."
Árman nodded. Simple. Efficient. Calm.
> "Exactly. I don't need flashy promises. I need respect for my vision."
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THE DECISION MAKING
The following week, Leonardo presented the options to Árman.
Each proposal: contracts, development plans, teammates, academy structure, stadium access, media exposure.
Árman reviewed quietly. No hesitation.
Finally, he spoke:
> "We go where I can play No. 10 from day one. Where I can express, create, dominate. Nothing else matters."
Leonardo nodded.
He knew Árman didn't need persuasion. He never did.
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ANNOUNCEMENT PREPARATION
Press releases drafted. Contracts prepared. Flights booked.
Social media buzzed even before the news went live.
Fans across Brazil—already millions following him—waited anxiously.
Clubs prepared to release official statements.
The world was about to see the 13-year-old phenomenon pick his stage.
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ENDING MOMENT — CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Árman sat in his room, white hair glinting under the lamp.
> "This is just the beginning," he whispered.
A system notification popped up:
> Master, all skills are ready. The world stage awaits.
Árman closed his eyes.
No fear. No arrogance. No impatience.
Just confidence.
Just calm.
> "Tomorrow," he said,
"I start shaping the future."