Finding Love

Mateo

"Its now or never"

Brazil vs Serbia 

"Brazil! Brazil! Brazil"

The fans chants roared through the stadium as we walked in. Our countries flag soared through the stands as the cheers got louder. Standing on the filed we sang our national anthem and got ready for the match. 

"It's game-day! Everyone better do their best out there and remember what we practiced" coach  encouraged us as the starters headed to the field 

Neymar pulled us into a huddle before for a pep talk, "at the end of the day I consider you guys my family, we are here with the same goal in mind and I wholeheartedly believe in us" 

I couldn't have heard better words from a caption, we all hugged and went on the field once the ref blew his whistle. The first half started off slow with us in possession the crowded cheered as Vinicius lead the ball down the field. He passed to Richilarson throwing off the other team but they caught the ball and it turned over to them. 

Neymar came up quick and took the ball back as I was waiting on the other end for a pass as he was going to pass to me one of the players ran into Neymar knocking him down. 

"Hey! eso es una tarjeta amarilla" I screamed to the ref as Vinicius and I ran to Neymar

The idiot who knocked him down tried to argue back but the ref pulled out a yellow card calling a foul. We helped Neymar up and got back in. This game was getting aggressive and if they kept attacking like this things could get ugly. 

"They're playing dirty" I yelled 

"Ignore it Mateo" Neymar told me as we started again

Knowing Serbia were coming for any score Neymar tried to make we had to switch things up. Running down the field I caught the ball and sprinted to their goalie with a defender on my tail, I slowed down then made a fake dodge as the dude fell. Proud of my move I kept going and saw a line of defenders waiting for me, looking around I tried to find an opening but there were none. 

Out of no where I saw Richarlison wide open and I kicked the ball over to him as he scored immediately. The stands cheered as we made our first goal, I ran up to Richarlison slapping his neck. It was his first goal and I couldn't have been prouder.

"Yea!!! gran trabajo Richarlison" we all cheered as he smiled 

So far we were leading and I knew we had this in the bag. Resetting the ball was passed to Neymar and he sprinted down the field. I was right on his trail ready for a pass but noticed three players on him, I was sick of them tag teaming so I ran over to grab the ball before he got stuck. 

Running into the mix Neymar passed  but one of the players saw me coming he put his leg out causing me to fall into Neymar hard. We both fumbled and fell out on the floor as the dude that tripped me went for the ball. The ref blew his whistle and came over to check on us. 

Everyone got silent as I let out a loud cry. My ankle hurt so bad and I felt like I couldn't move it. The medic came quickly and asked if I could stand, I shock my head as tears spilled from my eyes. The pain was immbarble. 

"We're going to need a stretcher" one of the medics said 

Hearing him say that broke my heart, I didnt want to be pulled out the game

"No, I'm fine please let me stay" I begged as my team came over

"Mateo your ankle is swollen they need to take you back to make sure nothing is broken" Neymar told me limping on his leg

Hearing the words broken made my heart freeze. We just got here I couldn't accept a broken ankle. I stopped fighting and let them take me back stage. I could hear the crowd booing at the ref and other team as they watched me get taken off the field. 

"Is he going to be ok?" I heard coach ask

"We'll have to see sir" the man carrying me said 

I couldn't help but cry this must have been bad luck or something. I prayed my ankle wasn't broken and that I would be back on the field. They pulled me onto the bed as a doctor came inside to check my leg. 

After a few minutes he finished his examination, "Mr. Souza you're a lucky guy. If you ankle twisted further to the left it would have been broken but it seems you only have a sprain" he told me

I let out a huge breath thanking god for answering my prayers. 

"So I can go back on the field after icing it right?" I asked egger to get back out there

"Not quite son... you'll need to rest for a few days and you'll be benched for the next game" he told me 

"But don't worry I will prescribe you some medicine and give your coach some exercises you can do to recover" my face was distraught... I won't be able to play for 10 days. 

The doctor congratulated me before leaving saying my team had won and I wish I could have smiled but hearing him say 10 days  broke my pride. My team came in shortly after cheering from their victory they all ran up to me asking if I was ok and cursing out the dude who tripped me. 

"10 days isn't bad Mateo, lets be happy your ankle isn't broke" Antony tried to cheer me up 

All I said was thanks and grabbed my phone. There were over 10 messages from my mom asking if I was ok and a few missed calls from my brother. Scrolling through them I saw a message from Rosalie and i froze. Reading her message I wish she hadn't watched this game, I was embarrassed and disappointed in myself now knowing she witnessed the whole thing.

"Mateo, come on. I'm taking you back to your room to relax. You need all your strengthen for a speedy recovery" Vinicius said helping me off the table 

I called my mom back and explained what happened she cried for me but prayed I make a quick recovery. I left Rose on read because I didn't know what to say, part of me was still hurt and another part was too embarrassed to admit what happened. 

As I got comfortable in the bed she sent another message 

Rosalie Wright

Hey, I'm watching the game and saw what happened. Are you ok? 

Mateo, please don't ignore me. I know we aren't on speaking terms but i need to know that you're ok

Reading her message tears formed in my eyes again. This woman had broke my heart a week ago and now she's asking if I'm ok. I didn't want to be pitied by her or anyone right now, my ankle is in a boot and I'm going to be benched for our next game. 

Vinicius came back in the room and saw how stressed I looked, "Hey, everything is going to be ok. I know you'll recover" he said looking down at me then my phone 

"Why is she texting you?" he question

"She watched the game and wants to know if im ok" I scoffed 

He picked up my phone and read the messages, I watched his face soften 

"Are you going to answer, she seems pretty distressed" he said handing back my phone 

I don't know if I want to converse with Rosalie but Vinicius was right. If I didn't answer she would   blow up my phone up. 

Rosalie Wright

Hey, I'm watching the game and saw what happened. Are you ok?

Mateo, please don't ignore me. I know we aren't on speaking terms but i need to know that you're ok

I'm fine

I send her a one word answer and shut my phone off. I just wanted to be alone for now.