The moment Daniel had been waiting for had finally arrived. His hard work, resilience, and raw talent had earned him a place in CF Igualada's senior team. It was a milestone he had dreamed of since stepping onto the pitch in Spain, but before he could settle into the new reality, another surprise awaited him—an opportunity to go on loan to Manchester City.
Sitting in Coach Morales' office, Daniel could barely process the news. His heart pounded as the words left the coach's mouth.
"Manchester City wants to take you on loan, Daniel. They've been watching you since the tournament, and they believe you have the potential to develop further in the Premier League system."
Daniel's mind raced. Manchester City. The club of his idol, Erling Haaland. A team that dominated England and Europe. The very thought sent a thrill through his veins. But there was also hesitation. Leaving Spain meant leaving Sofia, Miguel, Luis, Uncle Mateo, and everything he had built at CF Igualada.
Coach Morales leaned forward, studying Daniel's reaction. "I won't force you. But think about what this means for your future. You'll train under world-class coaches, play against some of the best in the world, and return here an even better player."
Daniel took a deep breath. He wanted to stay, to see CF Igualada rise, but deep down, he knew this was an opportunity he couldn't refuse. He clenched his fists and nodded. "I'll do it."
A week later, Daniel stepped out of Manchester Airport, the cold English air hitting his face. Unlike the warm climate of Igualada, Manchester was cloudy, and the sky looked like it could pour rain at any moment.
A Manchester City representative greeted him and took him straight to the club's training ground. The Etihad Campus was massive—state-of-the-art facilities, perfectly maintained pitches, and players he had only ever seen on TV.
As he walked through the corridors, he spotted a familiar figure in the gym. Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker was working out, his presence dominating the room. Daniel's breath caught in his throat. This was real.
Later, he met Pep Guardiola, the legendary manager who had built Manchester City into a football powerhouse. Guardiola smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Welcome, Daniel. We have big expectations for you."
The journey had only just begun.