Harbinger Of Glory

In the exchange, Bruno looked visibly frustrated as he spoke.

There was no attempt to disguise the result or pretend that United had been unlucky.

"Honestly, he was everywhere," he said.

"You would think you had closed one space, and then he was in another. If we tried to press him, he found the pass.

If we dropped off, he had time to turn and carry the ball. It was very difficult to play against him."

The interviewer asked whether Leo’s influence had surprised him.

"Of course, you prepare for the opponent, you look at the players, you understand what they can do. But doing that on a screen and facing him on the pitch are different things.

He sees things very quickly, and he doesn’t seem to need much time to make a decision. We were not good enough as a team, that is clear, but he made it very difficult for us."

Bruno paused before the interviewer raised a different question: how could a club with an academy and scouting network as extensive as Manchester United’s allow a player like Leo to get away?

The change in Bruno’s expression was slight, but noticeable. He looked down briefly before answering.

"That is a question for the club, not for me. We have a very good academy. We have people who watch young players, who work with them, who are supposed to understand what they can become.

So when you see a player like that, and you know he was once connected to this club, naturally you ask how it happened."

He shifted in his seat, despite standing.

"But I don’t know the full story. I don’t know every decision that was made, so I cannot sit here and say exactly who was wrong.

What I can say is that when you see his level now, you have to ask the question."

"I do not want to know the history between the two sides since that is not my job. Seeing a kid like him, you cannot help but think what he can bring to this Manchester United side.

And with how he is playing, put him in any good side and they can win everything."

Within minutes, the quote was being shared across football media, attached to highlights of Leo’s performance.

Some focused on Bruno’s admission that Leo had been difficult to contain.

Others returned to his comments about United’s academy, treating them as another uncomfortable question for a club already facing intense scrutiny.

But the final line travelled furthest.

With Leo at the base of a team, a team could win anything.

It was a striking statement from a player who had just been on the receiving end of Leo’s performance.

It was also the sort of praise that could not easily be dismissed as hype from an admirer or an enthusiastic pundit.

Bruno had faced him, tried to stop him, and watched his team concede eight goals.

As Manchester United searched for answers and Wigan’s supporters continued celebrating, Leo Calderon’s name had become one of the biggest stories in world football.

And the player himself was becoming impossible to ignore.

....

[Farnworth]

Leo sighed into his pillow.

"I am too tired for this, Mia."

When he said that, Mia, who was across the room, abandoned any pretence of being reasonable.

She gripped a pillow with both hands and made a short run towards the bed, apparently intending to launch herself at him.

Leo didn’t even bother sitting up.

He watched her approach with weary resignation.

At the last moment, Mia changed her mind and threw the pillow instead.

It struck him across the chest before she came to a halt beside him.

"Oi!"

She planted her hands on her hips.

"How did you know it was me?"

"I heard your voice. And the door opened a few minutes ago."

Mia snorted as Leo pushed the pillow aside and settled back against the headboard.

"Of course you did."

He glanced towards the bedroom door.

"Who did you come with, anyway? I heard someone else talking."

"Who else would I come with?" Mia said, looking at him as though the answer should have been obvious.

"Sofia."

Leo’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

"What are you two doing here so early?"

"First of all, it’s twelve p.m."

When she said that, Leo raised a brow and then reached for his phone on the bedside table, squinting at the screen as he checked the time.

"Shit."

Leo threw the covers aside and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

The sudden movement made his muscles protest, a dull stiffness lingering from the previous day’s match.

He ignored it, grabbed the clothes he’d left nearby, and started getting dressed all while Mia watched him with growing amusement.

"Anyway, Sofia brought you some food. She said she’d made too much again, so she thought she’d bring some over before it went to waste."

"Again?"

"Again."

Mia followed him towards the door.

"Apparently, she can’t cook for a normal number of people. She makes enough to feed an entire neighbourhood, then acts surprised when there’s food left over."

Leo pulled his shirt straight and reached for his watch.

"I know she just keeps us in mind and uses it as an excuse to bring us food."

Mia leaned against the doorframe, watching him gather his things.

"Why are you in such a rush, anyway? You just played yesterday."

"Recovery."

He picked up his phone and checked for any messages from the club.

"We don’t have the luxury of resting for too long. The season’s coming to an end, and we’ve still got work to do."

"You’ve just beaten Manchester United eight-two."

"And?"

Mia stared at him for a second before laughing under her breath.

"Guess I was thinking something unnecessary."

Leo gave her a brief, tired smile and headed out of the bedroom.

When he stepped into the hallway, the smell of freshly prepared food reached him before he reached the kitchen, where Sofia and Vittoria stood on opposite sides of the counter, talking while a few containers sat open between them.

Vittoria noticed him first and instantly, her face brightened.

She then turned towards him as he approached.

"Morning," Leo said, leaning down to kiss Sofia on the cheek.

"Thanks for bringing food, Aunty."

"Of course, sweetheart. I thought you might—"

Before she finished, he crossed to Vittoria and kissed her on the lips, cutting off the conversation before Sofia could finish.

Vittoria smiled against his mouth, briefly catching his hand before he pulled away.

"Hey," she murmured.

"Hey. I’d love to stay, but I’ve got to run."

Sofia blinked.

"Leo, wait. I was actually going to tell you—"

"Sorry, Aunty. I’m already late."

He was halfway towards the door before she could finish.

He grabbed his keys from the counter, slipped them into his pocket, and pulled the door open.

"Leo!"

"Love you! Thanks for the food!"

The door shut behind him, and for several seconds, Sofia and Vittoria remained where they were, staring at the closed door.