Berg

<Flashback >

Jorge Mendes leaned back in his plush leather chair, surveying the faces of his top associates gathered around the conference table. The Lisbon skyline stretched out behind him through floor-to-ceiling windows, a fitting backdrop for one of football's most powerful figures.

"Gentlemen," Mendes began, his voice calm but filled with purpose, "we need to talk about Luka Zorić."

A murmur went through the room. One of the younger associates spoke up, "The Croatian kid at Dortmund? He's only played one match for them."

Mendes smiled, a knowing glint in his eye. "One match was all it took. Did you see his performance in the DFB-Pokal? Fifteen successful dribbles. A goal and two assists. At seventeen years old."

He pulled up some footage on the large screen behind him, showing highlights of Luka's performance. The room watched in silence as the young player danced past defenders with ease.

"This boy isn't just talented," Mendes continued. "He's special. The kind of player we see once in a generation. And right now, he's unrepresented."

An older associate leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "Jorge, we usually don't go after players this young. There's a lot of risk involved."

Mendes nodded, acknowledging the point. "True, but there's also tremendous potential. Think about it - he's already performing at this level in the Bundesliga. Imagine where he could be in two, three years."

He stood up, pacing slowly around the room. "We're not just looking at a future star. We're looking at someone who could reshape the football landscape. His playing style, his marketability, his potential - it's all there."

Another associate chimed in, "But what about his current situation? He's on loan from Manchester United, isn't he?"

Mendes grinned. "Exactly. And that's where we come in. United let him go too easily. They're going to regret that decision. We can help Luka navigate his next moves, whether that's staying at Dortmund or moving to an even bigger club."

He pulled up some more data on the screen - projected career trajectories, potential transfer values, marketing opportunities.

"Look at these numbers. If Luka continues on his current trajectory, we're looking at one of the most valuable players in the world within five years. And that's a conservative estimate."

The room was silent for a moment, taking in the information. Finally, one of the senior partners spoke up. "So what's our move, Jorge?"

Mendes returned to his seat, leaning forward intently. "I'm meeting with him next week. We need to show him that we're not just agents - we're career architects. We can open doors for him that he doesn't even know exist yet."

He looked around the room, making eye contact with each person. "I want a comprehensive plan on my desk by tomorrow. Potential club moves, sponsorship deals, media training - everything. We need to show Luka that signing with us isn't just a good move - it's the only move."

<>

Days later, after he had offically chosen Jorge as his agent Luka sat alone in his spacious apartment, phone pressed to his ear as he chatted with his little sister.

"Yeah, it's been quite a week, Emma," Luka said, his voice wary. "I still can't believe everything that's happened."

He glanced around the large, modern apartment. Despite the luxurious furnishings, it felt empty and cavernous.

"I miss you guys too," he admitted, a hint of loneliness creeping into his voice. "It's... it's different here. Exciting, but different."

Emma's cheerful voice on the other end of the line brought a smile to his face. She was chattering about her day at school, the latest gossip among her friends.

As he listened to his sister, Luka's eyes wandered to the window, taking in the Dortmund skyline.

"How's Mom and Dad?" he asked when Emma paused for breath. Her response was reassuring - they were doing well, proud of his achievements but missing him terribly.

The conversation drifted to football, as it inevitably did these days. "We're playing Freiburg later today," Luka explained. "I'm feeling good about it. The team's been training hard."

He didn't mention the pressure he felt, the weight of expectations that had settled on his young shoulders. Instead, he found himself running through his stats almost unconsciously.

"Two goals and four assists in one game," he mused, more to himself than to Ana. "It's... it's what's expected, I guess. These abilities, these gifts..."

It wasn't that he was overreacting or being boastful - it was simply a fact. His performances had been plastered across sports pages and social media ever since his debut. He was, by any measure, operating at a world-class level in many aspects of the game.

"I think I might be the best player at Dortmund now," he said quietly, almost hesitant to voice the thought aloud. "I mean, I still have weaknesses, areas I need to improve. But in a lot of ways... I'm playing at a level I never thought possible."

Emma's excited squeal made him chuckle.

As the call wound down, Luka found himself in the kitchen, eyeing the meal his nutritionist had prepared for him. Grilled chicken, quinoa, a variety of steamed vegetables - all carefully portioned and balanced for optimal performance.

"I've got to eat and start getting ready for the match," he told Emma. "I'll call you guys after, okay? Love you, sis."

After hanging up, Luka sat down to his meal, his mind still racing. As he ate, he couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in his physique. The workouts were definitely paying off - his muscles were becoming more defined, though he wasn't bulking up significantly. Just a leaner, more athletic build.

His thoughts drifted to FIFA, the video game he'd spent countless hours playing to cope with being alone. "I wonder what my stats would be," he mused aloud. "Probably pretty high in dribbling and ball control. Maybe not so much in physical attributes yet."

The thought made him smile. It was surreal to think that kids around the world might soon be playing as him in the game, arguing over his ratings and potential like he once did.

As he finished his meal, Luka's mind turned to the upcoming international break. The thought of playing for Croatia filled him with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"I can't wait," he said to the empty apartment. "Playing in the World Cup qualifiers... it's a dream come true."

He stood up, clearing his plate and heading to his bedroom to start packing his match day bag.

<>

As the 53rd minute ticked by at Signal Iduna Park, the atmosphere was tense. Borussia Dortmund, usually so dominant at home, found themselves trailing 2-0 to SC Freiburg. The commentators' voices filled the stadium, their analysis punctuated by the frustrated groans of the home crowd.

"Well, Derek, this is certainly not the start to the season Dortmund fans were hoping for," the lead commentator began. "After their convincing against Wehen Wiesbaden in the DFB-Pokal and that thrilling 4-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in their Bundesliga opener, many expected them to continue their fine form against Freiburg."

Derek, the color commentator, chimed in. "You're absolutely right, John. Dortmund have had the upper hand in recent meetings with Freiburg, winning four of their last five encounters. But Christian Streich's men have come here today with a clear game plan, and they're executing it to perfection."

The camera panned across the Dortmund bench, where a visibly frustrated Luka Zorić sat, his eyes fixed on the pitch. The commentators didn't miss the opportunity to discuss the young sensation.

"And there's Luka Zorić on the bench, John. The 17-year-old Croatian wonderkid who's taken the Bundesliga by storm. Two goals and four assists in his debut so far for Dortmund, and a goal and two assist in his Bundesliga debut - a performance that had everyone talking."

"Indeed, Derek. It's surprising to see him on the bench today, especially given Dortmund's struggles. But Marco Rose has opted for experience in this match, with Reus, Haaland, and Malen leading the line."

Back on the pitch, Freiburg won another corner. As the ball was swung in, the commentators continued their analysis.

"You have to wonder if Rose is regretting his decision not to start Zorić," John mused. "The youngster's creativity and dribbling ability could be just what Dortmund need to break down this Freiburg defense."

"Absolutely, John. And let's not forget, Dortmund have a history of nurturing young talent. From Mario Götze to Christian Pulisic, and more recently Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland. Zorić seems to be the latest in that line."

As Freiburg cleared their lines and launched another attack, the camera once again panned to the Dortmund bench. Marco Rose stood at the edge of his technical area, arms crossed, a look of concern etched on his face.

"Rose needs to make changes, and fast," Derek observed. "Dortmund have been second-best in every department today. They're missing the creativity of Sancho, who of course made his big-money move to Manchester United this summer."

"Speaking of Manchester United," John interjected, "it's worth noting that Zorić is actually on loan from the Red Devils."

The action on the pitch continued, with Dortmund struggling to create any clear-cut chances. Haaland, usually so clinical, found himself isolated up front, starved of service.

"You have to feel for Haaland," Derek said. "He's scored 62 goals in 61 appearances for Dortmund since joining in January 2020. But today, he's barely had a sniff. Freiburg's defensive duo of Nico Schlotterbeck and Philipp Lienhart have done an excellent job of keeping him quiet."

As the clock ticked past the hour mark, the frustration in the stadium was noticable. The Yellow Wall, usually so vocal in their support, had grown increasingly restless.

"Dortmund need a spark, John. They need someone who can unlock this Freiburg defense. And you can't help but think that Luka Zorić might be that someone."

The camera once again found Zorić on the bench. The young Croatian was now on his feet, warming up along the touchline. His eyes never left the action on the pitch, studying the movements of both teams intently.

"And it looks like we might see Zorić soon, Derek. He's warming up now, and given Dortmund's performance so far, it can't come soon enough."

"Absolutely, John. And let's talk about what Zorić brings to this team. His performance against Wehen was nothing short of phenomenal. Fifteen successful dribbles - that's a DFB Pokal record."

As the commentators discussed Zorić's abilities, Freiburg launched another attack. Lucas Höler found space on the right wing and whipped in a dangerous cross. Dortmund's defense scrambled to clear, but the ball fell kindly to Vincenzo Grifo on the edge of the box.

"Chance for Freiburg!" John exclaimed. "Grifo shoots... and it's just wide! Another let-off for Dortmund, but they can't keep riding their luck like this."

The miss seemed to finally spur Marco Rose into action. He turned to his bench and called out a name. The fourth official raised his board, showing the number 11 in red and the number 37 in green.

"And here comes the change, Derek. Marco Reus is coming off, and it's Luka Zorić who's going to replace him. A big call from Rose, taking off his captain, but Dortmund desperately need a change."

As Zorić jogged onto the pitch, replacing the frustrated figure of Reus, a ripple of anticipation went through the crowd. The young Croatian immediately took up a position on the left wing, with Gio Reyna shifting to a more central role.

"This is a big moment for Zorić, John. He's not just coming on to see out a comfortable win - he's being asked to turn this game around. It's a lot of pressure for a 17-year-old."

"Indeed it is, Derek. But if his performance against Frankfurt is anything to go by, he's more than capable of handling it. The question is, can he provide the spark Dortmund so desperately need today?"

As play resumed, all eyes were on Luka Zorić. The young Croatian immediately demanded the ball, his confidence apparent despite the difficult situation. With his first touch, he flicked the ball past his marker and burst down the left wing, leaving the Freiburg defender in his wake.

"And Zorić is straight into the action!" John exclaimed. "He's beaten his man with ease there. This is exactly what Dortmund have been missing today - someone who can take on defenders and create space."

Zorić reached the byline and looked up, spotting Haaland's run into the box. He whipped in a cross, but it was just too high for the Norwegian striker.

"Better from Dortmund," Derek observed. "Zorić's introduction has already given them a different dimension. Freiburg's defenders suddenly look a bit more hesitant."

As the game approached the 70-minute mark, Dortmund began to build momentum. Zorić was at the heart of everything, his quick feet and vision creating problems for the Freiburg defense.

"It's remarkable how one player can change the complexion of a game, John," Derek mused. "Zorić has only been on the pitch for ten minutes, but Dortmund look like a different team."

"Absolutely, Derek. And it makes you wonder why Rose didn't start him today. Hindsight is 20/20, of course, but given his performance against Frankfurt, it seems like a missed opportunity."

In the 72nd minute, Zorić received the ball on the left wing once again. This time, instead of taking on his marker, he cut inside onto his right foot. The Freiburg defense shifted to close him down, but with a sudden burst of acceleration, Zorić slipped between two defenders.

"Zorić's through!" John shouted. "He's in the box... he shoots... GOAL! Luka Zorić has done it! What a fantastic individual effort!"

The stadium erupted as Zorić wheeled away in celebration, his teammates rushing to mob him. The scoreboard updated: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 SC Freiburg.

<>

As the ball nestled into the back of the net, Luka felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. His teammates engulfed him in a celebratory huddle, their jubilant shouts ringing in his ears. The roar of the Yellow Wall was deafening, a tidal wave of sound washing over the pitch.

Despite the exhilaration of the moment, Luka could feel the fatigue in his muscles. He had wanted to stay on the bench, to conserve his energy for the upcoming matches. But the team needed him, and he couldn't resist the call to action.

"We can do this," he thought, his mind racing. "We can win this game, and maybe... maybe we can even end Bayern's dominance this season."

The idea took root in his mind, growing stronger with each passing second. He glanced around at his teammates - Akanji, Jude, Reus, Haaland, Hummels, Guerreiro, and Kobel. Together, they formed a formidable unit, one capable of challenging for the title.

As the Freiburg players prepared to kick off, Luka's determination hardened. He knew that it would take until the 2023-2024 season for Bayer Leverkusen to finally break Bayern's stranglehold on the Bundesliga. But why wait? Why not rewrite history here and now?

The whistle blew, and the game resumed. Freiburg, stung by conceding, pushed forward aggressively. A dangerous cross into the box had hearts in mouths, but Kobel punched it clear. The ball fell to Luka near the edge of Dortmund's penalty area.

In that split second, time seemed to slow down. Luka's senses sharpened, his eyes scanning the field. He saw Haaland already on the move, anticipating a counter-attack. The Norwegian's powerful strides were eating up the ground, creating space between him and the retreating Freiburg defenders.

Luka's first touch was deliberate, cushioning the ball and setting it slightly to his right. A Freiburg midfielder lunged in, but Luka was already moving, his body twisting away from the challenge.

He accelerated, sweat trickling down his forehead, but he paid it no mind. His focus was absolute, his awareness of the players around him almost preternatural.

A defender stepped up to confront him. Luka feinted left, then quickly shifted the ball to his right, leaving the player wrong-footed. Another opponent approached, but Luka was ready. He executed a quick step-over, then pushed the ball through the defender's legs, collecting it on the other side.

Three players beaten, but he wasn't done yet. Luka could hear the crowd's excitement building, feel the electricity in the air. He glanced up, saw Haaland still making his run. The timing had to be perfect.

Two more Freiburg players converged on him. Luka dipped his shoulder, selling a move to his left. As the defenders shifted their weight, he suddenly cut back to his right, leaving them stumbling.

Now in the center of the pitch, Luka had a clear view of Haaland's run. The Norwegian was timing it perfectly, staying just onside. But there was still one defender in the way, positioned perfectly to intercept any straightforward pass.

"Erling, now!" Luka shouted, his voice carrying across the pitch.

In that moment, Luka made his decision. He shaped his body as if to play a straight pass, but at the last second, he opened up his right foot. The ball left his boot with a perfect spin, curling around the defender in a beautiful trivela pass.

The Freiburg defender desperately stretched out a leg, trying to intercept the pass. For a heart-stopping moment, it looked like he might make contact. But the ball's trajectory was too perfect, curving just beyond his reach.

Haaland, reading the pass perfectly, accelerated into the space behind the defense. The ball landed right in his path, its spin dying away as it settled at his feet. Now through on goal, with only the keeper to beat.

With cool efficiency, Haaland took one touch to set himself, then fired a powerful shot past the onrushing goalkeeper. The net bulged, and the stadium erupted once again.

As his teammates rushed to celebrate, Luka felt a mixture of exhaustion and elation. Haaland reached him first, wrapping him in a bear hug that lifted him off his feet. The Norwegian's enthusiasm was infectious, his grin wide as he playfully roughed up Luka's hair.

The game resumed after Haaland's equalizer, the momentum had clearly shifted in Dortmund's favor. Luka, still buzzing from the assist, was determined to push for the win. He constantly sought out spaces, trying to find pockets where he could receive the ball and create chances.

In the 78th minute, Luka dropped deep to collect a pass from Akanji. As he turned, he spotted a gap between Freiburg's midfield and defense. He accelerated into the space, but a Freiburg midfielder quickly closed him down, bodying him off the ball. Luka stumbled but managed to stay on his feet, looking expectantly at the referee. The official waved play on, much to Luka's frustration.

A few minutes later, Luka received the ball on the left wing. He jinked past one defender with a quick step-over, but as he tried to cut inside, another Freiburg player came crashing in with a shoulder charge. Luka went down, and this time the referee blew for a foul. As Luka got to his feet, he could feel the physicality of the game taking its toll.

The Freiburg players had clearly identified Luka as a threat and were determined to disrupt his rhythm. Every time he got on the ball, he found himself surrounded by opposing players, all eager to put in a strong challenge.

In the 83rd minute, Luka thought he'd found a breakthrough. He received a quick pass from Jude Bellingham and spun away from his marker. As he drove towards the box, he felt a tug on his shirt. He tried to stay on his feet, stumbling forward, but the referee once again waved play on. Luka threw his hands up in frustration, but quickly refocused on the game.

Despite the physical treatment, Luka kept pushing. He was drawing fouls, but the referee seemed reluctant to produce any yellow cards. The Freiburg players were walking a fine line, but so far, they were getting away with it.

As the clock ticked into the 88th minute, tension in the stadium was palpable. Dortmund had been pushing hard for a winner, but Freiburg's defense had held firm. Luka, despite his best efforts, was feeling the effects of the constant physical attention from the opposition.

Then, in a moment of brilliance, Jude Bellingham received the ball in midfield. He looked up and spotted Luka making a run into the box. With pinpoint accuracy, Bellingham threaded a pass through the Freiburg defense.

Time seemed to slow down as Luka saw the ball coming towards him. He could hear the crowd holding its collective breath. This was it. The chance to win the game.

As the ball reached him, Luka took one touch to control it, setting himself up perfectly. He could see the goal in front of him, the keeper advancing off his line. In his mind, he was already picturing the ball nestling in the back of the net, imagining the roar of the crowd, the celebrations.

Luka struck the ball cleanly, aiming for the bottom corner. For a split second, he thought he'd done it. But then, almost in slow motion, he saw the Freiburg keeper diving full stretch. The keeper's fingertips made contact with the ball, deflecting it away from goal.

Luka's heart sank, but then he saw Donyell Malen rushing in for the rebound. The goal was open, the keeper still sprawled on the ground from his save.

But as Malen connected with the ball, Luka watched in disbelief as it sailed over the crossbar, high into the stands behind the goal. The crowd groaned in unison, a sound of collective disappointment that echoed around the stadium.

Luka put his hands on his head, unable to believe what he'd just witnessed. He'd done everything right, created the perfect opportunity, only for it to slip away at the last moment.