No gametime?

Isaac felt frustrated.

He wanted some sort of impact on the game, but he had failed. He had failed to register a goal or assist.

He just walked into the tunnel silently, after shaking his opponent's hands. He sat down, before covering his face with his hands.

He would get another chance, but he had to make the most of it. What if next time came, and he did not make an impact again? Would he again claim that he could do so the next week?

No.

He needed to be hungry. He needed to be an animal. Only then, could he become the king of the jungle. Only then could he become the best football player in the world? Only than... Could he be good enough to carry his country to winning a World Cup?

Very soon, but the manager walked in. After they had dressed, they left the stadium to their homes.

Isaac felt dejected, and when he reached home he decided to watch the match highlights. Maybe then he could find out what mistakes he had made.

Isaac opened his phone, to find it exploding with notifications. He had left it at home since it could act as a distraction. Now, he found it full of messages.

He opened his social media accounts to find that he had gained a ton more followers. He realized that maybe it was because he had made his professional debut.

"Well, it's only in the hundreds..." he muttered. He had gained about 200 or so followers. He decided to ignore that and went onto YouTube, before searching for the game highlights. He then indulged himself in watching videos.

~~~

The next morning, Isaac received a call from his agent informing him that he had landed a job with the B team of a big football team. Isaac sleepily congratulated him before waking up.

The next few days, Isaac trained personally through jogging or ball exercises and he also trained with the team. This was until the game against OHL. To his disappointment, Isaac was not given a chance to play in the game, with it ending 1-1.

That weak he trained twice as hard, hoping to make the team. Despite the coach witnessing his skill, he chose to leave Isaac out for both the 1st and 2nd leg of the Champions League qualifications playoffs. Though the team made it through, beating AEK Athens 1-0 in the first leg and 2-0 in the second leg, Isaac grew anxious. It seemed like the manager did not trust him to handle the pressure of a big game.

The next game was against R union S. G. and, though Isaac made it to the starting 11, he did not get a chance to play. He was at this point feeling the frustration of not playing but he understood, that he was less experienced than other footballers. That meant that despite his skills, the manager wasn't sure he'd be able to execute them under the pressure of a game.

Isaac however, didn't give up hope. He was sure he'd make a difference the next time he entered a field.

The next game was against Westerlo, It was an away game at Westerlo's Stadium Het Kuipje. Isaac found himself in the starting lineup, and he sat down anxiously, waiting to see if he would play.

He could not hear the shouts of the crowd, nor could he see the proceedings of the game. He listened and waited for the coach. The coach made 3 substitutions in the 64th minute of the game but Isaac still never entered. However, in the 85th minute, Isaac finally got a chance.

A chance to impress! 5 minutes... That was all he had!

Isaac entered the game, his shirt number 76 noticeable amongst the smaller numbers. His tall figure was seen jogging into the field, his facial features full of concentration. Nobody understood, but Isaac was in the zone. He was going to fight, just so he could prove HIMSELF.

Isaac waited for the whistle to blow while bouncing on his toes. He wasn't even nervous. Just focused. He knew if he did enough, he would be able to make the team, for the match against Barcelona.

He was ready to fight.

FWEE!