August 8, 2025Barrow vs BradfordSO Legal Stadium, a venue with a capacity of 5,000, was already buzzing with a unique atmosphere. Despite its small size, the Barrow supporters were shouting and echoing their prideful chants.

  They didn’t forget to mock Matias once hailed as the future of the club, now a failure who ended up pying for Bradford, a team predicted to be relegated this season.

  Barrow fans were ecstatic, especially since their team was shaping up to be the dark horse of the league, starting the season against a supposedly weak team that relied on young pyers like Bradford City.

  Cheers erupted from every direction as Reinhart stepped forward in front of his pyers.“Today is your league match. I only have one wish: to win. There is no such thing as losing in my life, especially against teams that are beneath us.”

  After saying that, Reinhart gnced at Matias, smirked a little, then continued, “Let’s bury them at the bottom of the table.”

  With that, the Bradford pyers walked onto the pitch.

  [Commentator 1]:“Welcome to the opening match of League Two, promising a night full of intensity! Bradford City, the team many predict will be relegated, once again relies on its young squad. They’ll be pying a 4-2-2-2 offensive formation.

  There’s a bit of a surprise in goal where they’ll be starting Ryan Elmer, who hasn’t pyed a single match in preseason. At right back is Lucas Lecir, with veteran center-back duo Conrad Walsh and Thomas Rhield. At left back, they’ll stick with Mike Langkhsear, who impressed as a starter against Bolton.

  In midfield, Ismael Boukari and Eden Mirza will be paired up centrally. On the left wing is Duvant, with Lucien Ito in the middle—who had a great preseason partnering with the striker who had the worst record during the friendlies, scoring 0 goals: Matias Alvez.

  Oops, will he be able to find the net tonight? On the right wing will be Harry Shalked.”

  [Commentator 2]:“Unlike Bradford City, Barrow will be pying their full professional squad, using an offensive 4-3-3 formation. In goal, they’ve got Tom Jenskin, backed by a solid defense: from left to right, Leon Paredes, Luis Veriko, Pale, and Luiz Endrik.

  In midfield, the captain and team icon Marco Valencio will anchor the py, supported by Michael Antonio and Thom Buiten. Up front, there’s Jude Ericko, Felipe, and Curtis Jhon.

  Can Bradford hold off Barrow tonight?”

  “Without further ado, the opening whistle blows! Kick-off of League Two begins: Barrow vs Bradford City!”

  To everyone's surprise, Bradford came out swinging pying wild and aggressively attacking.

  Their quick short-passing game, initiated by Eden and then followed by a long ball to the fnks by Lucas, caused Barrow to be statistically outpyed.

  On the left wing, Duvant’s fshy dribbles and tricks became a problem. On the right, Harry’s explosive sprints drained Barrow’s left-back’s stamina.

  However, despite attacking from all sides, Bradford still couldn’t score.

  In the first five minutes, they repeatedly failed to capitalize on chances—because of Matias. He was constantly marked, so every time he tried to shoot, the ball was taken away.

  Barrow even occasionally countered quickly, taking advantage of Matias' missed chances. Fortunately, Ryan Elmer stepped up and performed well in goal.

  Mike also exceeded expectations, pying even better than he had in preseason, completely neutralizing Jude Ericko.

  Frustrated by his failures, Matias was visibly agitated. His frustration grew worse after hearing a familiar voice—a voice belonging to the captain of Barrow, Marco Valencio.

  Marco whispered to him:“Hahaha, you always fail, huh? Reminds me of that time you failed with that girl. What was her name… oh yeah, Catalina. Want me to tell you something? She was quite the treat, you know.”

  Hearing that, Matias was enraged, ready to punch Marco. But then, a voice came shouting from the bench:Reinhart screamed, “MATIAS, REMEMBER YOU’RE NOT ALONE. YOU’RE WITH US. RISE, MATIAS! SHOW THEM WHAT A TRUE NUMBER 9 IS!”

  Marco just ughed again,“Hahaha, what’s that amateur coach on about? Number 9? This 0-goal joke?”

  But Matias wasn’t listening anymore. He was focused on something else.

  At that moment, memories began fshing in his mind.

  A year ago, the young Uruguayan star began his career by accepting an offer from Barrow. At just 17 years old, he flew to Engnd to start his professional football career.

  Confident and determined, he traveled to Engnd with his childhood friend—Catalina.

  Just hearing her name made Matias’ heart race. She wasn’t just a friend; Catalina was the living portrait of beauty.

  Her beauty wasn’t only about her face it was the light in darkness, ughter in silence, and warmth in Matias’ cold days.

  Catalina was three years older than him, but that didn’t matter Matias liked her regardless.

  She was an orphan, raised and supported by Matias’ parents. That’s why he brought her along to Engnd to help provide a better life for them both.

  When he first arrived in Barrow, the first face he saw wasn’t the coach’s, but the captain, Marco.

  Marco, then only 25, helped him adapt, taught and guided him. At the time, Matias saw Marco as a big brother.

  During those days, he also often took Catalina around Barrow, and eventually, they became a couple.

  Under the starry sky, they promised to always be together. Matias worked tirelessly training and taking side jobs to support their life together.

  He lived for her smile, the joy she showed when receiving small gifts from him.

  Then came the preseason. Matias exploded 12 goals in 4 matches. A hat-trick per game at just 17.

  Praises poured in, boosting his confidence. He believed his future in Engnd was bright.

  Then, when everything seemed perfect… something completely unexpected happened.

  The tragedy struck when Matias wanted to surprise Catalina. At the time, he had told her he was going to visit a retive in Engnd and would be gone for five days. He had informed her he’d be back after those five days but to surprise her, he decided to return a day early.

  He imagined her shocked and happy expression as she received the surprise gift he had brought for her. Quietly, he tiptoed toward the house, walking slowly on purpose. But the first thing he noticed was strange there was a pair of men’s shoes at the front door.

  At first, he thought positively, assuming it might be one of Catalina’s friends.

  However, the moment he heard moaning sounds, his heart stopped. There she was Catalina, his childhood friend, the person he loved most, the one who had promised to always be with him kissing and engaging in adult acts with someone in the living room.

  He was furious, but he forced himself to stay calm and find out what was truly going on. That’s when he heard another voice:

  “As always, you're so wild, Catalina.”

  A voice he knew all too well. He refused to believe it, hoping, praying that it wasn't who he thought it was.

  But his worst fear became reality when he saw the reflection of the man’s face in the mirror.

  The man who had helped him, guided him, cheered him on the one he had seen as an older brother.

  It was Marco.

  In that moment, his heart shattered. He ran away, dropping the gift he had prepared for Catalina.

  A beautiful gold ring, adorned with a single precious gem. A ring he bought with his entire savings. He had skipped treating himself, saved every penny all to give Catalina a gift that would make her happy.

  That day, the pure heart of a young man was deeply wounded.

  That night, he went to a bar and, for the first time in his life, drank himself into unconsciousness.