Chapter 18: Helder Xerxes Substitute?

Helder called his family right after the game was over.

"Have you watched me?" he asked excitedly.

His family was happy.

They hadn't missed a single minute of the game.

"Yes son, we are proud of you." they said.

"But I was so scared you wouldn't be able to save the shot in one position." his father said.

He was right.

If he was one step too late, he wouldn't be able to save the shot.

But fortunately, he blocked shots in this game and did a great job in his first game.

"Don't worry dad, I'll do my best, don't be afraid. I will continue to proudly represent you. " Helder said.

They talked for a long time.

Later, they returned to Roma with his team.

Then they took the team bus to the facility.

Nobody except Helder lived in the facilities.

Normally the lights of the facilities should have been off, but there was something odd.

It was also nighttime...

Helder opened the door.

Confetti was blown towards him.

Helder was extremely puzzled.

Initially, he could not understand what was happening.

The lights suddenly came on.

All facility employees were there.

Even all the youth team coaches were there.

They said in unison.

"Congratulations on your first game, Helder."

Helder was very moved when he saw this happy painting.

He felt a sense of belonging to the bone.

"I would like to thank everyone who is here with my deepest feelings. I'm here thanks to you. Thanks to you, I was able to come to these days. Thanks to you, I managed to play my first game. I bow respectfully in front of you all… "Helder said.

These sentences touched everyone there.

And the Facility employee bought a cake from Susan.

She came to Helder.

"Not without cake, right?" she asked. Tears were running down his eyes.

She also continued to speak.

"My son wants a signature ... And you know what? He has never asked anyone for a signature until today. You are the only person he takes as an example." Susan said.

"I will gladly give my signature. He will be the first person I will sign." Helder said, laughing.

Of course, he had distributed hundreds, if not thousands, of signatures in his previous life.

But it was the first time he was so emotional.

***

After a day off, training started again.

Everyone was working like crazy.

First, the team ran straight.

They played 2 to 5.

Later they studied tactical training. This tactical training was the most important thing for Luis Enrique.

Goalkeeping coach Lee, on the other hand, was working on reflexes with Curci and Helder.

A week had passed quickly.

The squad of the match was announced to the players 1 day in advance.

Luis Enrique began to speak.

"This week our goalkeeper will be Curci." said.

Several players were surprised, including Totti.

Goalkeeping coach Lee has been providing reports to the boss since summer training sessions, especially for Helder to play in the team.

And Helder had a great performance in the first game.

"Did I disrespect the boss without knowing it?" Helder thought.

Or did he not like his performance in training?

Still, Helder respected this situation.

After all, he was only 16 years old and had an experienced goalkeeper in front of him. He understood the boss.

But there were a lot of things he didn't know ...

And over time he would understand everything better. When he did, it would be a heavy loss for the Roma club!