CHAPTER 72 — "THE DAY HISTORY MOVED"
Matchday: La Liga 2023–24, Matchday 6
Date: Sunday, 24 September 2023
Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Opponent: Cádiz CF
FC Barcelona Head Coach: Xavi Hernández
Árman Azevedo — Age: 13 years, 6 months, 6 days
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Morning — The Weight of a Shirt
The morning air in Barcelona carried a quiet tension.
It wasn't the loud, nervous kind. It was the kind that sat heavy in the chest—silent, expectant, waiting.
Árman woke up before the alarm.
Not because he was nervous.
Because this day had been replayed in his mind thousands of times.
He sat on the edge of his bed for a moment, white hair falling naturally over calm eyes. His breathing was steady. His heartbeat slow. Not the rhythm of a child, but the controlled cadence of someone who had already lived another life.
From the living room, he could hear his grandparents moving softly, pretending not to hover, pretending not to worry.
They knew. The entire house knew.
Today was different.
Today wasn't a debut.
Today was a statement.
He showered, dressed, and ate breakfast quietly. His grandfather placed a hand on his shoulder before he left.
"No importa la edad," the old man said softly.
"What matters is how you carry it."
Árman smiled.
"I know."
---
Arrival at the Stadium — History Waiting to Be Written
The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys loomed against the blue Catalan sky.
By noon, the atmosphere was already electric.
Cameras.
Journalists.
Phones raised.
Social media already buzzing:
> "Is Xavi really starting a 13-year-old?"
"If he plays, he breaks history."
"Is this hype or something real?"
Inside the locker room, the mood was focused.
Veterans like Lewandowski, De Jong, Pedri, Gündoğan, Araújo, and Ter Stegen moved with quiet professionalism.
They didn't treat Árman like a mascot.
They treated him like a teammate.
Xavi stood at the front.
His voice was calm but firm.
"We play our football. Possession. Patience. Movement. Cádiz will sit deep. They will defend with fear."
His eyes shifted to Árman.
"You don't need to force anything. Just be you."
Árman nodded.
That was all he needed.
---
Lineups Announced — Records Begin to Fall
When the stadium announcer read the starting XI, the crowd held its breath.
"And… number 10…"
The pause felt eternal.
"Árman Azevedo!"
The stadium exploded.
In that instant, history was rewritten.
📜 RECORD BROKEN
Youngest player to start a La Liga match
Previous record: Lamine Yamal — 16 years, 38 days
New record: Árman Azevedo — 13 years, 6 months, 6 days
The magnitude didn't hit immediately.
But it would.
---
First Half — Cádiz Realizes the Truth
Minute 1–10: Testing the Waters
Cádiz lined up in a compact 4-4-2 low block.
Ten men behind the ball.
The message was clear: "Let's survive."
Árman positioned himself between the lines, constantly moving, constantly scanning.
Every touch was clean. Every turn purposeful.
By the 7th minute, Cádiz's midfielders were already hesitating.
Not because of speed.
Because of timing.
---
Minute 14 — The First Warning
Pedri slipped a short pass into Árman's feet.
A defender stepped in.
Too late.
Árman rolled the ball across his body, pivoted on his heel, and glided past him as if space simply opened where he needed it.
The crowd gasped.
The shot whistled just wide.
The message was sent.
---
Minute 21 — GOAL
De Jong intercepted a loose ball.
One touch. Two touches.
He found Árman.
Árman didn't rush.
He waited.
Lewandowski dragged two defenders with a subtle run.
In that half-second, the lane opened.
Árman struck.
Low. Precise. Unstoppable.
GOAL.
The stadium erupted.
📜 RECORD BROKEN
Youngest goal scorer in La Liga history
Previous record: Fabrice Olinga — 16 years, 98 days
New record: Árman Azevedo — 13 years, 6 months, 6 days
He didn't celebrate wildly.
He raised a hand. Acknowledged the crowd. Then turned back to the center circle.
Like he'd done this before.
---
Minute 34 — The Second Strike
Cádiz tried to double-mark him.
It didn't matter.
A quick one-two with Gündoğan. A disguised body feint. A sudden burst.
The keeper rushed out.
Árman chipped.
Soft. Cruel. Perfect.
2–0.
The stadium roared his name.
This wasn't hype anymore.
This was inevitability.
---
Halftime — Silence in the Cádiz Locker Room
In the tunnel, Cádiz players avoided eye contact.
They knew.
They were witnessing something they couldn't stop.
Xavi spoke calmly.
"Stay focused. Respect the game."
Árman listened.
But inside, something deeper burned.
---
Second Half — Control, Not Chaos
Barcelona slowed the tempo.
Árman dropped deeper. Dictated play. Controlled rhythm.
He didn't chase numbers.
The game bent to him anyway.
---
Minute 63 — The Assist
A perfectly weighted through ball split the defense.
Lewandowski finished with ease.
📊 STAT LINE SO FAR
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
Key passes: 6
Dribbles completed: 9/9
---
Minute 78 — Standing Ovation
Xavi subbed him off.
The stadium rose as one.
Not applause.
Respect.
Árman walked off calmly, eyes steady.
But the football world had already shifted.
---
Post-Match — Shockwaves Begin
Final Score: Barcelona 3 – 0 Cádiz
Pundits were speechless.
Former legends stared at the screens.
Headlines exploded:
> "A PRODIGY UNLIKE ANY OTHER"
"THIS IS NOT NORMAL"
"FOOTBALL JUST ENTERED A NEW ERA"
And this was just the beginning.