Blue lock: Legacy

Chapter 63: Spot

CHARLIE
The bench.

Some may say that the bench is a curse to all footballers.

People who were on this bench were there for a reason.

They might be preparing for the next game instead, and like some Portuguese player you would not be named, they might not perform at the level they used to.

I'm only joking.

Or they would be like you—someone too inexperienced and young to play.

Put it, they didn't think you were ready.

You were currently in the locker room, standing there, looking at the list of players who would be playing the opening friendly game.

As you said, you were on the bench and would likely not be part of this game.

But that wasn't the worst part of it all; what was worse was that you felt relieved that you weren't playing.

You agreed with their thinking that you weren't ready for this friendly match. Not only that, but the constant demeaning words of Leonardo Luna were constantly replaying in your head as if it were some curse.

The stress was getting to you; you didn't know how to deal with Leonardo Luna.

He was living in your head rent-free, that part you hated the most.

The chatter died out in the locker room when your manager walked in to say some things before the game started.

You could feel the nerves and tension building as you stood in the locker room with your teammates. It was a friendly game, but we all knew we needed to perform at our best. We were representing Royale, after all.

He had a severe look, and you could tell he had something important to say.

"Gentlemen," he began, "I know this is just a friendly game, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't give it your all. Every time you step onto that pitch, you represent this club and everything it stands for. So go out there and give it your best effort."

We all nodded in agreement, and you could feel the energy in the room shift. The manager's words had a motivational effect on all of us. We were now more determined to give it our all and perform strongly.

Leonardo Luna also speaks to the team when you think that is the last.

We huddled together before the match; he began to speak.

"Boys," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "I know that we are all nervous. But we have the talent and the determination to win this match. We are Royale, and we do not lose."

Your teammates erupted into cheers after hearing that from him.

It would help to admit you weren't a big fan of Leonardo Luna. He had always seemed arrogant to you, and you had never really connected with him. But as he spoke, you could see the passion in his eyes and knew he truly believed in what he was saying.

You finally see why Josh said he is a good leader; you see it with your own eyes.

———

Spectacular.

It was your first time seeing Royale play against another team.

And they did not disappoint.

It was nearly full-time, and they dominated whenever they possessed the ball.

Ours was just that good.

We had scored two goals, and of course, our captain, Leonardo Luna, scored those two goals.