The buzz around Maradona Pérez had become deafening. After impressing everyone in the Copa del Rey, the press was already calling him the next great talent. Fans couldn't stop talking about him, and even the players on Real Madrid started to notice. It felt like the weight of the world had landed on his shoulders. But Maradona was used to pressure. From the day he was born, everyone expected him to be great. But now, the time had come. His first La Liga match with Real Madrid was just days away. Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabéu. No room for mistakes.
The days leading up to the match were a blur. Maradona spent the last few days in the locker room, listening to the murmurs of his teammates, but mostly staying focused. Every glance, every comment from the press had one question behind it: Would he live up to the hype? The night before the match, he sat in his room. Raúl had sent him a message earlier in the day:
"You've earned this. Just play your game. Don't let the noise distract you. – Raúl"
That was all he needed to hear. Raúl, the captain, had said it, so it had to be true. Maradona didn't need validation from anyone, but getting a message like that from someone who'd been through it all? That meant something. The next morning, he walked into the Bernabéu with a calmness that surprised even him. Schuster gathered the team in the locker room, his voice sharp and direct.
"Maradona, you're starting. Play smart, and don't try to be anyone else. Just play the way you know how."
He didn't say anything else, but the look in his eyes told Maradona everything. This was his moment. The Bernabéu was waiting for him to prove he belonged. He couldn't let them down. When Maradona Pérez stepped onto the pitch for the first time as a Real Madrid starter in La Liga, the world around him felt like it slowed. The roar of the crowd, the anticipation in the air—it was all so much, but he couldn't let it faze him. As the whistle blew, everything clicked into place. The Athletic Bilbao players were immediately on him, trying to close him down, but he just glided around them. It was like he was born to do this.
On his first touch, he sent the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, who took it up the wing. But Maradona's eyes were always scanning the field, seeing things no one else could. With one quick move, he read Ronaldo's intent and darted into space. The ball came to him, and in one smooth motion, he whipped in a cross. Benzema was there, but his header flew just wide. It was a near miss, but the crowd exploded with excitement. They were already starting to believe. They had seen the spark.
In the 24th minute, the ball was intercepted in midfield. Maradona immediately sensed the opening. He lunged forward, cutting through the defense like a blade through paper. He slid the ball over to Benzema, who took one touch before firing it into the net. "That's the way, Maradona!" Raúl shouted, clapping him on the back after the assist. "Keep it up, kid. You've got the right idea." Maradona didn't say anything. He just nodded, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him. This was real. He was part of the team now.
The game wasn't over yet. Athletic Bilbao wasn't going to just lie down. They came out in the second half with more aggression. In the 56th minute, they pulled one back with a header off a corner. The Bernabéu grew tense, but Maradona wasn't worried. He just focused. He could feel the pressure mounting, but he wasn't going to let it consume him. He caught a glance of Cristiano Ronaldo on the wing. With one quick move, he sent a through ball so precise that it looked like it was meant for Ronaldo's feet only. Ronaldo took the ball, cut inside, and blasted it into the top corner of the net. The stadium erupted.
"There it is! That's what I'm talking about!" Raúl shouted, punching the air. Maradona stood tall, expressionless, but inside, he was satisfied. He had helped seal the victory. After the match, the press was all over him. He couldn't go two steps without hearing his name. Headlines across Spain read:
"Maradona Pérez: The Next Big Thing at Real Madrid"
"A Star is Born: Maradona's Impact in His La Liga Debut"
But Maradona wasn't reading the papers. He didn't care about the spotlight. He was focused on his next challenge. Schuster had pulled him aside after the match.
"You've done well today, Maradona. But don't get comfortable. This is just the beginning." The coach's tone was calm, but there was a sharpness to it.
"I know, coach. I'm just getting started." Maradona answered, his voice steady.
"Good. I can see it in your eyes. You're a leader. Keep that mindset. The rest of the team respects you. They're starting to follow you." Schuster said with a rare smile.
Back in the locker room, the players congratulated him. Cristiano Ronaldo came up to him, a grin on his face.
"Kid, you've got something special. Keep it up, and you'll have this city at your feet."
And it wasn't just the players who were impressed. The media storm was only beginning. Maradona Pérez had just entered the world's spotlight, and there was no going back. But he didn't care. That night, as he sat alone in his room, he felt the familiar hum of the system kick in. He had just played his first senior match, and the rewards were already starting to come in. The system activated.
[New Ability Acquired!]
Steven Gerrard's Leadership & Long-Range Shooting
Mental toughness, shooting power, and leadership influence on and off the field.
Maradona leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment. He didn't need the abilities. He was already good enough. But the system wasn't just making him better. It was shaping him into something even greater. As the night wore on, Maradona Pérez couldn't help but smile. His first senior match. His first La Liga victory. It wasn't just about the goals or the assists—it was about the way he had played, the way he had handled the pressure, and the way he had stepped up when it mattered most. This was just the beginning