Football : The New El fenomeno

Later that night, Julio lay in his massive bed, staring at the ceiling. The moonlight streamed through the large glass windows of his room, casting a silver glow across the elegant furnishings. The excitement from his conversation with his father still lingered in his mind.

La Masia. It was a name that carried weight—a dream for countless young footballers. And now, that dream was within his reach once again.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and thought about the system.

Ding!

A familiar blue glow flashed before his eyes as the Status Window appeared.

[STATUS WINDOW]

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Name: Julio Sky Iglesias

Age: 7

Birth Date: August 2, 2000

Height: 125 cm (4'1")

Weight: 23 kg (50 lbs)

Abilities: None

Templates: None

Talent:

• Football (SSS) – A generational talent, capable of mastering every aspect of the game.

• Business (EX) – A mind built for strategy, negotiation, and empire-building.

Shop: Locked

Popularity: Locked

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Julio stared at the Football (SSS) Talent with a small smirk. Even without the system, he had been a Ballon d'Or winner in his past life. Now, with this once-in-a-generation talent, what heights could he reach?

He clenched his fist.

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Ding!

A sudden notification rang in Julio's mind, and before he could react, the Status Window flickered. The once-locked Shop section now glowed in a bright golden hue.

[STATUS WINDOW]

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Name: Julio Sky Iglesias

Age: 7

Birth Date: August 2, 2000

Height: 125 cm (4'1")

Weight: 23 kg (50 lbs)

Abilities: None

Templates: None

Talent:

• Football (SSS) – A generational talent, capable of mastering every aspect of the game.

• Business (EX) – A mind built for strategy, negotiation, and empire-building.

Shop: Unlocked

SP (System Points): 10,000

Popularity: Locked

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Julio's eyes widened in shock.

10,000 SP?!

In his past life, he had struggled for years to develop his skills, pushing his body to the limit. Now, with the system shop unlocked, did that mean he could buy skills, techniques, or even physical enhancements?

A surge of anticipation rushed through him as he immediately clicked on the Shop section.

Got it! Here's the version where his stats remain unchanged after unlocking the talent, keeping only the before unlocking section:

As the Shop opened, Julio expected to see a variety of options. But instead, there was only one item available—its golden glow standing out against the dark interface.

[SHOP]

• Unlock your SSS Football Talent – 5000 SP

Julio's eyes widened. Football talent?

His heart pounded. This was exactly what he needed! Without hesitation, he mentally confirmed his purchase.

Ding!

Suddenly, a new window appeared before him, displaying his stats like a FIFA player card.

[PLAYER STATS]

(Displayed like FIFA ratings)

Name: Julio Sky Iglesias

Age: 7

Height: 125 cm (4'1")

Weight: 23 kg (50 lbs)

Current Stats:

Pace: 42

Dribbling: 38

Shooting: 35

Passing: 40

Defending: 30

Physical: 45

Overall Rating: 40

Julio examined the numbers, his emerald green eyes reflecting the soft glow of the system screen.

40 overall wasn't bad for a seven-year-old. In fact, compared to kids his age, he was already ahead in every physical aspect. But he knew this wasn't enough.

With a deep breath, he selected "Unlock SSS-Rank Football Talent" and confirmed the purchase.

The moment he pressed purchase, a rush of heat spread through his body, making every muscle feel sharper, lighter, stronger. His mind felt clearer, his instincts more refined.

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September 5, 2007

A few days had passed since Julio had unlocked his SSS-Rank Football Talent, and though he didn't feel any drastic changes, he knew that talent alone wouldn't make him the best. Hard work, discipline, and persistence were the key ingredients to greatness.

That morning, after finishing breakfast, his father, Fernando Sky Iglesias, placed a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder. There was a rare glint of excitement in his father's usually composed eyes.

"Come on, Julio," Fernando said with a small smile. "It's time for you to meet someone important."

Julio, his curiosity piqued, followed his father through the sprawling villa. Their destination was the private training facility—a state-of-the-art gym and practice field located within their massive estate. Though Julio had been here many times before, today felt different.

As they stepped inside, his eyes landed on a tall, well-built man standing near the weights. He looked to be in his mid-30s, with bronzed skin, sharp brown eyes, and a neatly trimmed beard. His muscular frame and confident stance radiated the aura of a former athlete, someone who had been through the grueling trials of professional sports.

The man turned toward them and smirked.

"Julio, this is your new fitness coach, Javier Solano," Fernando introduced. "He'll be helping you build the physical foundation you need before you try out for La Masia."

Javier extended his hand, his grip strong but not overwhelming. Julio, despite being much smaller, shook it confidently.

"It's an honor to train you, kid," Javier said with a small chuckle. "Your father tells me you want to play for Barcelona one day."

Julio met his gaze without hesitation, his emerald-green eyes burning with determination.

"Not just play for them. I want to become the best footballer in the world."

For a moment, silence filled the training hall. Then, Javier let out a low whistle, raising an eyebrow in intrigue.

"Ambitious," he mused. "I like that."

Crossing his arms, he studied Julio for a moment before speaking again.

"Listen, kid. I've trained a lot of young athletes, but I'll tell you this right now—talent alone won't get you there. If you really want to be the best, you're going to have to work harder than anyone else. And I mean harder than anyone else in the world."

Julio didn't even flinch.

"I'm ready," he said firmly.

Javier chuckled, clearly impressed.

"Good. Because starting tomorrow, we train at sunrise."

A grin spread across Julio's face. He had been waiting for this moment. The journey toward greatness had officially begun.

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The Next Three Years (2007 - 2010): 

For the next three years, Julio devoted himself to an excruciatingly intense training schedule under Javier Solano's guidance. From the age of seven to ten, his daily life revolved around school, training, and rest—nothing else mattered.

His father had promised him a chance to try out for La Masia at 10 years old, but Julio knew one thing—he had to be ready.

Morning Training – Building the Foundation

Every morning, while the city of Madrid was still asleep, Julio was already awake, stretching and preparing his body for the brutal training ahead. At 5:00 AM sharp, he met Javier at the private training facility inside the Sky Family Estate.

1. Leg Strength & Explosiveness

Javier always told him, "Footballers live and die by their legs." If Julio wanted to dominate on the pitch, he needed explosive power, so his mornings started with:

Sprint Training – 50m, 100m, and 200m sprints to increase acceleration and top speed. Plyometrics – Box jumps, depth jumps, and hurdle hops to develop explosive lower-body strength. Resistance Band Drills – Strengthening the hamstrings and quads to prevent injuries and improve endurance. Weighted Squats & Lunges – Building power in his legs for balance, stability, and stronger kicks. Stair Running – Enhancing stamina and endurance. 2. Core Strength & Stability

Javier emphasized that the core is the center of everything—if Julio wanted balance, power, and agility, his core had to be as strong as steel.

Hundreds of Crunches & Leg Raises Daily – Strengthening the abs and lower core. Planks – Starting at 1 minute, increasing to 5+ minutes over time. Medicine Ball Twists – Improving rotational strength for shooting and passing. Hanging Knee Raises – Sculpting his lower abs and increasing endurance. 3. Stamina & Endurance

A football match lasts 90 minutes—if Julio wanted to dominate, he had to last longer than anyone else.

5 km Morning Runs – Before even starting his drills. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) – Mimicking the short bursts of speed needed in a game. Altitude Training (Later) – Preparing his lungs for elite-level endurance.

By the time morning training ended at 7:30 AM, Julio was already sweating bullets and gasping for air. But he never complained—not even once.

After a quick shower, breakfast, and school, he returned in the evening for another round.

Evening Training – Refining the Athleticism

After school, Julio was back in the training ground, ready to push himself even harder. Evening sessions were all about agility, balance, and flexibility—the elements that would turn him into a complete athlete.

1. Agility & Footwork

Football is a game of milliseconds. The faster he reacted, the better.

Ladder Drills – Increasing foot speed and reaction time. Cone Dribbles – Mastering close control and ball-handling at speed. One-Legged Balance Drills – Enhancing coordination and recovery ability. Resistance Sprinting – Improving acceleration and quick changes in direction. 2. Flexibility & Injury Prevention

Julio's greatest weapon would be his durability. He couldn't afford injuries if he wanted a long career.

Dynamic Stretching Routines – Preventing muscle tightness and improving flexibility. Yoga Sessions – Increasing range of motion and reducing stress on joints. Ice Baths & Massage Therapy – Enhancing muscle recovery after intense workouts. 3. Core & Abs – The Final Piece

By age 9, his abs were already defined, a rare sight for someone his age.

By age 10, his 8-pack was fully visible, something that even most adults couldn't achieve.

1,000 Sit-ups Per Week – A legendary core endurance routine. Advanced Hanging Ab Workouts – To sculpt deep core muscles. Resistance Training – To maintain a shredded physique without excess bulk. 

By the time Julio turned 10 years old, the transformation was almost superhuman.

His legs were lean but packed with explosive strength. His stamina was already on par with teenagers. His sprint speed and agility had skyrocketed. His core was as solid as iron, giving him elite balance. His recovery time was absurdly fast.

Most importantly, his mind had been forged in fire.

Javier, who once saw him as just a gifted kid, now looked at him with awe.

One evening, after an especially brutal sprint session, Javier crossed his arms, watching Julio catch his breath.

"Julio… this isn't normal," he admitted, shaking his head in disbelief. "Kids your age don't train like this. They don't survive this."

Julio, wiping sweat from his forehead, only smirked.

"I'm not like other kids."

Javier laughed. He knew, deep down—this boy was going to be a monster.

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July 15, 2010.

A warm morning sun cast golden hues over the streets of Barcelona as a sleek, black Rolls-Royce Phantom cruised through the city, its engine humming smoothly. Inside the luxurious vehicle, Julio Sky Iglesias, now ten years old, sat between his parents, his emerald-green eyes staring out at the passing buildings, though his mind was elsewhere.

Today was the day.

The La Masia U-10 trials.

It was a day he had been preparing for since he first understood what football meant to him. The past three years of relentless training—early mornings spent sprinting up hills, evenings of strengthening his core until his abs burned, and countless drills to refine his technique—all led to this moment.

Beside him, Fernando Sky Iglesias put down his phone and glanced at his son, studying him with an amused expression. His sharp brown eyes gleamed with a mixture of pride and curiosity.

"So, hijo... Today's the big day," Fernando said, leaning back into the plush leather seat. "Nervous?"

Julio turned his gaze from the window to his father, shaking his head immediately. "No. I've worked too hard for this." His voice was calm, steady—completely certain.

Fernando smirked at the confidence in his son's tone. "Good. But remember, talent alone isn't enough. Every kid there will be talented. What will make you stand out?"

Julio met his father's gaze without hesitation. "I'll show them that I'm not just talented… I'm built differently."

That response made Fernando chuckle. "That's my boy."

On his other side, Alina Ivanov, his mother, had been listening quietly, a gentle smile gracing her lips. Her radiant emerald eyes, the same ones Julio had inherited, shone with warmth and encouragement. She reached out, brushing a hand through his jet-black hair, her touch soft and comforting.

"Just remember to enjoy it, Julio," she said, her voice carrying a melodic kindness. "Football is supposed to be fun. Don't forget why you love it."

Julio nodded, offering a small smile to his mother, but deep down, this wasn't just about fun.

This was about proving that he belonged among the best.

As the car neared Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, the state-of-the-art training facility of FC Barcelona, Julio straightened his back. The moment he had been waiting for was finally here.

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