24. Backstage Fire, Halftime Gospel
On their way to the dressing rooms, Caos jokes with Mbape and Vini, pouring water on the head of Courtois, which makes him feel hyped. The playful banter and laughter echo through the hallway, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie among the team. As they approach the dressing rooms, the excitement for the upcoming match builds, fueling their determination to perform their best on the field.
“J'en ai ras de cul. Pourquoi as-tu fait cela? Je m'en bats les couilles,” says Courtois as he chases after Caos in the backstage. The intensity of Courtois's frustration only adds to the charged atmosphere, making the stakes feel even higher. His teammates exchange amused glances, knowing that this playful rivalry only strengthens their bond as they prepare to face their opponents.
When he gets in the dressing room, he is greeted by Xabi Alonso, hugging him.
“You have been epic out there, smashing like a real gamer. I thought you were done, King Kong. You have made a great contribution to the team,” says Xabi Alonso. His heart swells with pride at the compliment, and he can't help but return the embrace with a grin. “Thanks, Xabi! Just trying to keep up with the legends,” he replies, feeling the camaraderie of his teammates fueling his determination for the next challenge ahead.
“Hell yeah. He has been the best addition to the team. I would love to try his training the next season,” says Mbappe, along with Vini, who bluntly says, “Caos goes nuts during every match, making me wonder if he is really human. No wonder he has no girlfriend. Btw, I need no girlfriend either,” making the other Valverde laugh. “Maybe the two of you should start a club,” Valverde jokes, earning a playful glare from Vini. As the laughter subsides, they all begin discussing strategies for the upcoming matches, eager to build on their recent successes.
"It is not the size of the dog in the fight that counts, but the fight in the dog that wins." This is an important lesson to remember when you're having a bad day, a bad month, or a shitty year. Things will change: you won't feel this way forever. And anyway, sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the ones your soul needs most. I believe you can't feel real joy unless you've felt heartache. You can't have a sense of victory unless you know what it means to fail. You can't know what it's like to feel holy until you know what it's like to feel really fucking evil. And you can't be born again until you've died." Says Caos, spreading his words of wisdom to prepare his teammates for the second half of the match. As the game resumed, the intensity on the field mirrored the weight of his words. Each player, fueled by a newfound resolve, pushed forward, determined to turn their struggles into triumphs.