The academy felt… quiet.
Not empty.
Not silent.
But different.
Like something had already ended—even though no one had said it out
Lamii arrived early.
As always.
But today, the gates didn't feel like an entrance.
They felt like a memory.
He stepped onto the pitch slowly.
The grass.
The lines.
The goalposts.
Everything looked the same.
But it didn't feel the same.
Because this time—
He knew.
This is the last time.
Papii arrived next.
No loud entrance.
No jokes.
No energy like before.
He walked straight onto the field.
Stopped a few steps away from Lamii.
Looked around.
Then said quietly—
"Feels weird."
Lamii nodded.
"Yeah."
No more words.
None needed.
Enzo came last.
Same calm steps.
Same controlled presence.
But even he—
Paused.
Just slightly.
As he stepped onto the pitch.
As if he was acknowledging it too.
No coach yet.
No whistle.
No instructions.
Just the three of them.
Standing.
Looking.
Remembering.
Papii broke the silence.
"So… this is it."
Lamii glanced at him.
"For now."
Enzo added:
"No."
They both looked at him.
"This is the end of this version."
A pause.
"Next time…"
His eyes sharpened.
"It's different."
Coach Salva eventually stepped onto the field.
But even he—
Didn't speak immediately.
He looked at them.
All of them.
Longer than usual.
Then simply said:
"Play."
No structure.
No teams.
No rules.
Just—
Play.
The ball rolled.
And something unexpected happened.
It wasn't chaos.
It wasn't aggressive.
It wasn't desperate.
It was… pure.
Players moved freely.
Passed naturally.
Played without fear.
Because this time—
No one was trying to prove anything.
They already had.
At one moment—
It happened.
Lamii got the ball.
Papii made a run.
Enzo moved into space.
No hesitation.
No conflict.
Lamii passed.
Enzo redirected.
Papii finished.
GOAL.
Silence.
Then small laughter.
Not loud.
Not wild.
Just… real.
They didn't celebrate.
They didn't argue.
They didn't compete.
Because for that one moment—
They weren't rivals.
They were just players.
Playing.
Time passed.
No one counted.
No one rushed.
Because deep down—
Everyone wanted it to last.
Just a little longer.
After training—
They sat on the bench.
Together.
Sweat drying.
Breathing steady.
Looking at the field.
The same field that changed everything.
Papii leaned back.
Hands behind his head.
"So…"
A small smirk.
"Next time we meet…"
He turned slightly toward them.
"It won't be like this."
Lamii nodded.
"No."
A pause.
"We won't be teammates."
Enzo added calmly:
"We won't be friends on the pitch."
Silence.
Then—
Papii smiled.
"Good."
Lamii raised an eyebrow.
"Good?"
Papii leaned forward.
"Because I don't want it easy."
Lamii looked at the field.
Then said quietly:
"Next time…"
They both listened.
"It's going to be in the Champions League."
Papii laughed softly.
"Of course it is."
Enzo didn't laugh.
He just said:
"That's the only place worth meeting."
Papii stood up.
Turned to them.
Eyes sharp.
"Let's make it clear."
Lamii stood too.
Enzo followed.
Papii continued:
"We don't stop until we reach the top."
Lamii nodded.
"No matter what."
Enzo added:
"No excuses."
Papii extended his hand.
"Ballon d'Or."
Lamii placed his hand over it.
"Number one."
Enzo placed his last.
"Only one."
They stood there.
Hands together.
Not smiling.
Not joking.
Serious.
Because this wasn't just talk anymore.
This was a promise.
Lamii stepped away slowly.
Looked at the field again.
And memories hit him.
First day.
First touch.
First mistake.
First argument.
First goal.
Everything.
All of it—
Here.
Players started leaving.
One by one.
No announcements.
No goodbyes.
Just quiet exits.
Because words weren't enough.
Lamii stayed a little longer.
So did Papii.
So did Enzo.
But eventually—
Even that had to end.
Papii picked up his bag.
"See you at the top."
Lamii nodded.
"You better be there."
Enzo walked past them.
"I will."
Papii left first.
Confident steps.
Forward.
Always forward.
Enzo followed.
Calm.
Focused.
Precise.
Lamii stayed for one last moment.
Then—
Turned.
And walked.
The field was empty.
The sun lowering.
Shadows stretching.
Silence returning.
That day wasn't just the end of training.
It wasn't just the end of the academy.
It was the end of their beginning.
And next time they met—
It wouldn't be here.
It would be under the brightest lights in football.
Where dreams aren't imagined—
They are proven