They put on sothing that looked like a small makeshift stage, but with all those logos behind , just like the interviews I saw on TV with professional players. Sponsors, brands, colors, and lights flickering slightly, reflecting on my sweaty, shining face.
The caras started turning on. One reporter extended a microphone, another adjusted the cara, and Rafael took a step back, smiling. “Go ahead, Kelvin. Just speak from the heart”, he said. I took a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts, but I could still hear the shouts, hugs, and celebrations on the field behind .
“Kelvin, what does it feel like to win the regional title in such a dramatic and exciting way?”, asked the first reporter, his voice upbeat, trying not to reveal his excitent.
I looked at the cara, swallowed hard, and said, “It’s... unbelievable. We trained so hard for this, every practice, every match, every mistake, every success... it was all worth it. Seeing the whole team celebrating, hearing the fans cheer... it’s a mix of happiness, relief, and pride that I can’t really explain, but it’s amazing”
As I spoke, I caught a glimpse from the corner of my eye of the Zenkai team leaving the field. So players were looking down, others still huffing in anger, and Diego showed no reaction at all, walking with his gaze fixed on the ground. Luquinhas, the only one keeping his head up, passed nearby without saying a word. It was strange to see their defeat so close to ours, and at the sa ti, realize that our victory felt even greater because of it.
Another reporter asked, pointing the microphone: “Kelvin, your first goal was very important. Can you tell us what was going through your mind at that mont?”
I swallowed hard again. The air seed heavier, as if I could feel every mory that had brought here—but I couldn’t speak about the system.
“Well, I just felt it. My body moved on its own, it’s natural, you know? When you practice sothing for a long ti, you get used to it, and sotis you just know exactly what to do at the right mont”
The lights reflected in his eyes and on my sweaty forehead, and I felt the tension of the cara, the weight of the mont, but also the energy of the victory behind on the field. I could still hear the laughter, the shouts, and the hugs of my team, even through the caras. Murilo was shouting sothing to Dante, Felipe was running around laughing with Kazana, and Ian... well, Ian looked like he was about to take off flying from so much happiness.
“Kelvin, you’ve beco the standout of the championship. How do you handle all the pressure of being the key player for Sanu in the state tournant?”, asked another reporter, with a light smile.
I stepped forward, trying to keep my hands steady on the microphone. Maybe I should say sothing catchy? Like the professional players do? That might make them stop asking questions.
“Pressure? I don’t know that word”, I replied, trying to hide the nervous smile forming at the corner of my mouth. I took a deep breath, noticing the cara lens fixed on , as if every glance counted more than any words I could say, “I think... it’s all about enjoying the mont. You train, you learn, you make mistakes, you succeed, and when the ti cos... you do what needs to be done. Simple as that”
The reporter nodded, satisfied, while another approached, holding the microphone firmly: “And about the winning goal... did you feel anything different, sothing that made you believe it would go in?”
I looked at the field behind , where Sanu was still celebrating, hugs and jumps everywhere, Murilo and Dante leaning on Kazana, Felipe running from side to side laughing, and Ian... Ian seed to defy gravity, like he wanted to fly from so much joy. I smiled, feeling their energy, “At that mont, it was instinct. Like I said, it’s pure habit. When you do sothing for a long ti, you get good at it.”
Another reporter raised his hand, the microphone almost shaking with excitent. “Kelvin, now that you’ve won the regional title, what’s your ssage to the Sanu fans?”
My heart beat faster, but not from nervousness—pride. I looked at the stands, where a few people were still celebrating, children holding signs, parents shouting and crying, “Yamu better watch out, because... the state championship belongs to Sanu.”
The last reporter smiled, satisfied, “Thank you, Kelvin. Enjoy the victory and congratulations on your incredible performance”
I nodded, grateful, finally breathing a little more relaxed. I looked at Rafael, who waved, indicating it was ti to head to the stage set up on the field. I stepped away from the caras, and each step toward the stage was accompanied by the cheers and applause of the fans, still echoing throughout the stadium. The sun was lowering on the horizon, tinting the grass golden, and it seed to illuminate every smile of my team.
When I reached the stage, I saw the space arranged with dals, trophies, and special awards. My eyes lit up—MVP of the final, top scorer of the championship, best forward. It was more than I expected. Murilo, Kazana, Felipe, Dante, and everyone else were nearby, smiling and applauding , celebrating as if each award was theirs too.
A guy I had no idea who he was started calling the winners, and I stepped onto the stage, chest puffed out and adrenaline still running high. I received the MVP dal first, feeling the symbolic weight of recognition.
Then ca the top scorer trophy. I held it tightly, still unable to believe that the boy who slipped and lost the ball in elentary school was now being seen as the best in the region.
Finally, I received the award for best forward, completing what seed to be the pinnacle of my journey in this regional tournant. The crowd erupted even more, the sound crossing the stadium, applause echoing like thunder. I felt my teammates surrounding , Murilo patting my back, Kazana smiling proudly, Felipe lifting slightly from excitent, Dante making exaggerated celebration gestures, and Ian... Ian jumping in circles without stopping.
I think he’s going insane.
With all the trophies and dals handed out, I paused on the stage, taking a deep breath, waiting for the 2025 regional champion trophy. Rafael approached and gave a light tap on my shoulder, “I’ll hold your trophies, Kelvin.”
I nodded as Kazana received the champion trophy. He called everyone to the stage, holding the trophy low, almost near the floor, and started the count.
“1”
“2”
“3”
He raised the trophy while letting out an extrely loud shout, and we started cheering as the fans did the sa.
We clapped, shouted, laughed together—the stage seed small compared to all the emotion. Sanu had won, and I knew that day, that victory, would be forever etched in my mory.
The sun was disappearing completely on the horizon, painting the stadium in orange tones, as I looked at my teammates and realized that, no matter the challenges ahead, none would feel as intense as what we were feeling now. It was the peak of the regional tournant, and finally, we were champions.
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