From Reject to Legend

** Bonus chapter for you guys as we are doing very good in the rankings as usual. I humbly thank you for the overwhelming support and encouragement I received from day 1. It's only been 2 weeks since I started this story, but the data stats are insane and greater than 90% books !! That does put a smile on my face. 😁 Enjoy ! **

As I made my way to my locker, I saw a ripple of excitement along the corridor. Cristiano, Bruno Fernandes, and a few other familiar faces had already arrived, their expressions a mixture of focused determination and friendly banter.

Soon enough, the unmistakable presence of Ronaldo graced the room. His arrival sent a fresh wave of energy through our ranks. Even before the official team meeting, I could sense that tonight's session with Coach Fernando Santos would set the tone for the coming battles.

We gathered in a large, glass-walled conference room that overlooked the training fields. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the room, as if marking time in anticipation of what was about to unfold.

Coach Fernando Santos, a man renowned for his keen tactical mind and unyielding determination, stood at the head of the table. His steely gaze swept across each of us, and I could see that his eyes had already calculated each player's potential role in the grand design.

" Gentlemen," he began, his voice calm yet commanding, "our strategy for the World Cup will be built on a 4-3-3 attacking formation. However, there's an important twist—we will operate on a dual core strategy."

A murmur ran through the room, and I could tell everyone was hanging on his every word. He continued, "Cristiano , you will be our primary core in attack. Your instinct, your vision, and your ability to break defenses are unparalleled.

But I know well that opponents will focus their efforts on shutting you down. That's why, if they manage to contain you, we will switch our attacking focus—Adriano, you will become the secondary core.

Your intelligence on the field and your ability to link up with the forwards will be critical. And you can also play as attacking midfielder when we switch the formation. You have scored quite a few goals, let's not stope there. "

I felt a mix of pride and nervousness at his words. The idea of sharing such a critical role was daunting, yet Coach's unwavering confidence in my abilities made me want to prove that I was indeed worthy of this trust.

I nodded and replied, " I will give it my all coach, as always."

Some of my teammates exchanged glances, expecting Ronaldo to protest at this sudden shift in focus. Instead, the Portuguese superstar's expression remained serious and resolute.

In a clear, measured tone he said, "I understand, Coach. I'm here to win. I trust your strategy, and if switching the attacking core means we can break through the opposition, I'm all for it."

His voice, steady and filled with determination, reassured us all. I couldn't help but smile as I nodded in silent agreement; here, among these giants of the game, every one of us was united by the same burning desire for victory.

Coach Santos then moved on to discuss our defensive setup. He emphasized that while our formation was designed to be aggressive, our defense needed to be equally disciplined. "Our midfield will be the engine of our defense," he explained.

"They will have to close down spaces quickly and ensure that our back four are never exposed to dangerous counterattacks. We will rely on swift transitions and coordinated pressing to force turnovers and catch our opponents off guard."

His voice lowered as he turned his attention to me. "Adriano, I'm placing the heaviest responsibility on you. You must maintain control in the midfield and push up for attacking when needed.

Your work rate and vision will be our link between defense and attack. I need you to be the conductor of our play. You will have to work the hardest out there. If you can't deliver, our forward momentum will suffer. Can I count on you?"

I met his gaze head-on, the seriousness of the moment sinking in. "Coach, I promise you—I'll give everything I have. I won't let you down. I want to win as much as you do," I replied, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach.

The coach smiled and replied, " I know you will. All of you working together will achieve something great in this world cup, I can feel it."

There was a brief silence, as if time itself were pausing to acknowledge the gravity of our conversation. Then, the room erupted in cheers and claps, not just for the tactical plans but for the unspoken camaraderie that had taken root among us.

It wasn't just about winning a tournament; it was about building something together—a team that believed in each other, both on and off the field.

After the strategy session, we retreated to a more informal setting—a large, comfortable lounge area where the tension of tactics slowly gave way to laughter, jokes, and the kind of easy banter that only teammates could share.

I found myself sitting next to Ronaldo, who, after the formalities, had a more relaxed demeanor. Over cups of strong Portuguese coffee, we began to chat about our playing styles, our training regimes, and even shared a few light-hearted anecdotes about past matches.

"Adriano," Ronaldo said between sips, his tone friendly and genuine, "I've noticed how you handle the midfield. Your passes, your anticipation—it's something else. Not to mention your scoring ability .

In a way, I see a reflection of a perfectly balanced player in you. I would be playing with less pressure with your presence . We'll have to watch each other's backs out there."

I grinned, feeling a warm surge of respect. "Thanks Cristiano . I've been studying your runs and your ability to find space. I think if we can play in sync well, we'll be nearly unstoppable.

I mean, they're going to focus on you, but if I can slip through and create those unexpected angles… It could change the game entirely."

Our conversation drifted from tactics to personal experiences—the sacrifices we'd made, the long hours of training, the moments of doubt before triumph.

It wasn't long before other teammates joined in, sharing their own stories. Cristiano recounted his journey from a small neighborhood in Madeira to the big stages of international football, while Bruno Fernandes joked about the endless cycle of press conferences and the occasional pranks that kept the locker room lively.

The more we talked, the more our individual stories wove together into a shared narrative of ambition, struggle, and hope. I realized that each of us carried our own battles—whether on the field or off it—and that it was this shared passion that bound us together. We were united by a common goal and an unwavering belief in our abilities.

Before we knew it, it was time to board our flight to Brazil for the final leg of our preparations. The atmosphere on the plane was surprisingly relaxed, a stark contrast to the intense strategy session earlier.

In the cramped yet comfortable cabin, the team's camaraderie shone through as we settled into our seats. Laughter, playful teasing, and discussions about tactics continued even as we soared above the clouds.

As the plane sliced through the sky, the conversation naturally branched into light-hearted banter about our shared experiences—the highs and lows of being in the limelight, the relentless schedule of training, and even humorous tales of travel mishaps.

Every joke and every shared laugh made the journey feel less like a chore and more like a reunion of kindred spirits. It wasn't long before the tension of competition gave way to genuine friendship. I talked and laughed with Bruno, Cancello, Nani , Postiga, Moutinho and the others as if we've known each other for years.

I found myself reflecting on those moments of laughter and connection. Despite the immense pressure of representing our country on the biggest stage in the world, there was something deeply human about these interactions.

In those fleeting moments, I wasn't just Adriano the football star—I was Adriano, a man who appreciated the simple joy of camaraderie and the importance of leaning on others during challenging times. That's what being part of a team is all about.

After a long, eventful flight filled with strategy talks and laughter, we finally touched down in Brazil. The familiar tropical heat and the vibrant energy of the country greeted us as we disembarked, our faces reflecting a mix of determination and anticipation.

We were soon ushered into a press conference room, where a throng of journalists awaited us, cameras flashing and microphones poised to capture every word.

The room was abuzz with questions and speculations. As the team's spokesperson began introducing our lineup and our tactical innovations, I could feel the collective heartbeat of our nation, all eyes on us, all hoping for a World Cup triumph.

Portugal World Cup Squad

1 Eduardo goalkeeper, Braga

2 Bruno Alves defender, Fenerbahçe

3 Pepe defender, Real Madrid

4 Miguel Veloso midfielder, Dynamo Kyiv

5 Fábio Coentrão defender, Real Madrid

6 William Carvalho midfielder, Sporting

7 Cristiano Ronaldo (captain) forward, Real Madrid

8 João Moutinho midfielder, Monaco

9 Hugo Almeida forward, Besiktas

10 Joao Cancello midfielder, Atletico madrid

11 Éder forward, Braga

12 Rui Patrício goalkeeper, Sporting

13 Ricardo Costa defender, Valencia

14 Luís Neto defender, Zenit Saint Petersburg

15 Adriano Riveiro, midfielder, Malaga

16 Raul Meireles, midfielder, Fenerbahce

17 Nani midfielder, Manchester United

18 Bruno Fernandes, midfielder, Porto

19 André Almeida defender, Benfica

20 Rúben Amorim midfielder, Benfica

21 João Pereira defender, Valencia

22 Beto goalkeeper, Sevilla

23 Hélder Postiga forward, Lazio

Coach Santos stepped up to the podium first, his presence commanding silence. "We are here not just as individuals, but as one united team. Our strategy, our 4-3-3 attacking formation with a dual core, is designed to adapt to any challenge that comes our way.

"Our focus is on adaptability," he stated clearly. "We have the talent and the discipline to execute this plan. Our strength lies not only in our individual skills but in our ability to work as a cohesive unit."

When it was my turn to speak, I felt the weight of every eye in the room, every question that sought to pry into the inner workings of our strategy. I kept my tone measured and sincere.

"We are a team that trusts one another. Every player understands his role, and every moment on the pitch is a chance to support each other. We're here to win, and we're ready to face whatever challenges come our way," I said, meeting the gaze of reporters with calm conviction.

A ripple of murmurs passed through the crowd. Some reporters shot me curious glances, perhaps intrigued by the notion of a shifting tactical core. I maintained a calm exterior, but inside, my heart pounded with both the thrill of responsibility and the weight of expectations.

Ronaldo, ever the professional, nodded seriously. "I trust Coach's vision. I'm here to win, and if spreading our attack means we can break down their defense, then I'm all for it. Adriano is a great player—he has my full support," he stated clearly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. His words echoed in my mind, reassuring me that I was not alone in this journey.

The press conference continued with questions about our upcoming matches, the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents, and how we planned to handle the immense pressure of representing a nation with such rich footballing heritage.

Every answer was carefully measured, every word chosen to project unity and confidence. I could sense the trust of my teammates, the unwavering support of our coach, and the high expectations of the fans.

Once the formalities were over, we stepped out of the conference room as a cohesive unit, our spirits buoyed by the shared sense of purpose. The camaraderie we had built on the flight and in the strategy session now took on an even deeper meaning—a reminder that beyond the tactics and the media scrutiny, we were a brotherhood, united by our love for the game.

Later that evening, as the team gathered for a light dinner in a small, relaxed setting away from the official training facilities, the conversation turned to lighter topics. Stories of past tournaments, humorous anecdotes from previous training camps, and playful teasing about each other's quirks filled the room.

The tension of the day melted away, replaced by the warmth of shared laughter and the comforting knowledge that we were more than just colleagues—we were a family united by a common dream.

Ronaldo and I found ourselves in a quieter corner, discussing link-up strategies and how we would support each other on the pitch. "Adriano," he said quietly, "when they mark me, I want you to know that I'm counting on you to make those decisive moves. We'll have to be in perfect sync. If I'm caught out of position, you'll need to be there to pick up the slack, and vice versa. It's all about timing and trust."

I nodded, the seriousness of our exchange underscoring the gravity of the coming matches. "I've been working on my timing and positioning," I assured him. "We can't afford to let our opponents isolate either of us. It's about knowing when to push forward and when to hold back, covering for each other. I believe if we get that right, our link-up will be something truly special."

Ronaldo smiled, a rare moment of genuine camaraderie breaking through his usually stoic demeanor. "I've seen you in action, Adriano. Your vision on the field is remarkable. If anyone can help change the game when I'm under pressure, it's you. Ignore what others say, when we play together for Portugal we play as one."

The conversation lingered, blending tactical analysis with personal stories of perseverance and ambition. In that intimate moment, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the trust placed in me—not only by the coach and my teammates but by an entire nation that believed in our collective potential.