Third Person POV:

Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro

Copa Libertadores Final, July 2008

Fluminense x Liga de Quito

The night was draped in the shadows of anticipation as the colossal Maracanã Stadium hosted the 2008 Copa Libertadores final. Eight-year-old Y/N L/N, with wide-eyed innocence, stood among the roaring crowd with his mother, Alessandra. In the heart of the chaos was Y/N's father, Diego L/N, an important, experienced player in the remarkable Fluminense squad of that unforgettable year. The air was thick with tension as Fluminense clashed with LDU in a battle that would mark South American football history

As the final whistle blew, the score remained tied in the aggregate, and the stage was set for a dramatic penalty shootout. Y/N clutched his mother's hand, their collective hopes and dreams pinned on the players who would step up to the penalty spot

The Maracanã trembled with every heartbeat as the penalty shootout unfolded. Diego L/N, a key player for Fluminense, stood amidst the pressure. Fate, however, had a different script for that night. The penalties slipped away, leaving a bitter taste of defeat for Fluminense, with Diego among the players who missed the crucial kicks

"E a LDU...é campeã da Libertadores da América(And LDU are the champions of the Libertadores da America)"

In the midst of the heartbreak, young Y/N witnessed not only the agony of defeat but also the resilience that defined his father's character. Beside him, his mother Alessandra L/N, a striking supermodel whose beauty was only matched by her love for Diego L/N, hugs Y/N as tears welled up in his eyes, reflecting not just the pain of his father's missed penalty but the shattering of a dream that had danced on the edges of possibility

Alessandra: Tá tudo bem, amor. É só um jogo.(It's okay, sweetie. It's just a game)

Little did Y/N know that, in the years to come, this very pain would become the fuel for his own journey, a catalyst that would drive him to rewrite the narrative and fulfill the unfulfilled dreams that lingered in the Maracanã's echoing corridors

However, Y/N and the rest of the fans feel like that night was the one that never ended

...

Fifteen Years Later...

Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro

November 4th, 2023

Copa Libertadores da America Final

Fluminense x Boca Juniors

https://youtu.be/wZegagEBw6U

The atmosphere in the Maracanã had changed over the years, but the echoes of the past still resonated within its walls. Fifteen years after that fateful night, Y/N, now a 23-year-old man, stood in the locker room donning the iconic Fluminense jersey. The Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors was not just a match; it was a chance for redemption, a shot at rewriting the narrative that had haunted his dreams for so long

The locker room buzzed with a unique blend of nerves and determination as Coach Fernando Diniz addressed the team. The weight of history hung in the air, tangible and heavy. Y/N's gaze focused on the coach, absorbing every word as if it were a battle cry

Fernando spoke passionately about the significance of the moment. He acknowledged the historical weight of the match, the ghosts of the past that lingered in the stadium. His words, a mix of motivation and tactical wisdom, resonated with each player, none more so than Y/N

Diniz: CORAGEM! CORAGEM! CORAGEM! CORAGEM PRA ERRAR! CORAGEM PRA VIBRAR! CORAGEM PRA SER PARCEIRO DO OUTRO! NÃO TEM CANSAÇO, NÃO TEM TEMPO PRA LAMENTAÇÃO...SÓ TEMPO DE VITÓRIA! DE CORRER, DE LUTAR, DE GRITAR E DE ENCANTAR O MUNDO. Vocês tão prontos, vamo nessa!(COURAGE! COURAGE! COURAGE! COURAGE TO MAKE MISTAKES! COURAGE TO VIBRATE! COURAGE TO BE A PARTNER OF OTHERS! THERE IS NO TIREDNESS, THERE IS NO TIME FOR LAMENTATION... ONLY TIME FOR VICTORY! TO RUN, TO FIGHT, TO SCREAM AND TO ENCHANT THE WORLD. You're so ready, let's go!)

As the coach's words hung in the air, the adrenaline surged through Y/N's veins. The gravity of the situation was not lost on him, and the Maracanã's pulse seemed to synchronize with his own racing heartbeat. The ghosts of that night fifteen years ago were still present, but now they stood not as specters of defeat but as witnesses to a potential tale of redemption

Players: VAMO!(LET'S GO!)

The Maracanã's tunnel, a symbolic passage between dreams and reality, released Fluminense's warriors onto the sacred battlefield. Y/N, along with his teammates, emerged into the dazzling light of the stadium, their eyes adjusting to the sea of green, white, and garnet that stretched out before them.

(A/N: I was there that day...fucking majestic)

The roar of the crowd engulfed the players, a chorus of anticipation and unwavering support. As Y/N stepped onto the pitch, the echoes of Coach Diniz's rallying cry still resonated in his mind. The warm-up session had prepared them physically, but the sight of the Fluminense faithful, waving flags in the iconic colors of the club, injected a surge of emotional energy into the atmosphere

With the wave of the referee's whistle, the Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors began. The Maracanã, adorned in green, white, and garnet, transformed into a canvas where history would be painted anew. The journey toward redemption had begun, and the Fluminense players were determined to make the colors they wore synonymous with triumph

The match unfolded with the rhythm of a high-stakes symphony, each player contributing to the flow of the game. Y/N, known for his attacking prowess, found himself in an unfamiliar role at the heart of Fluminense's defensive efforts, alongside Andre, the team's midfield enforcer

In a moment of intensity, Y/N lunged into a robust challenge against famous striker Edinson Cavani, disrupting the his advance. The referee's whistle pierced the air, signaling a foul, and the Maracanã erupted in a mix of cheers and protests. Cavani, known for his own physical style of play, shot a stern look in Y/N's direction

Y/N: ¿Qué vas a hacer, eh? Estás lavado, viejo (What you gonna do, huh? You're washed, old man.)

Minute 36

Keno, with the ball at his feet, executed a perfectly timed give-and-go with Arias, a dazzling display of teamwork that left Boca Juniors' defense scrambling

Arias's precise pass found Keno in stride, and with a burst of acceleration, he outwitted the opposition. The Boca Juniors' defense, caught off guard, could only watch as Keno threaded a perfect pass to the waiting feet of Cano. The Maracanã, painted in the green, white, and garnet hues of Fluminense, held its collective breath as Cano, with finesse and precision, unleashed a beautiful finish to the back of the net

"Recebe a bola Keno, no fundo. Pro Cano! GOOOOOOOL!(Keno gets the ball, goes deep. To Cano! GOOOOOOOAAAAL!)"

With that, German Cano scored his 13th goal in that edition, being considered by many a historic performance throughout the competition

The Maracanã, bathed in the glow of victory, awaited the unfolding drama of the second half, driven by the historic performance of German Cano

The fans, draped in green, white, and garnet, celebrated not only the lead in the final but also the embodiment of Cano's historic contribution. In this Copa Libertadores' history, the name German Cano became synonymous with goal-scoring excellence, a figure leading Fluminense's charge to the eternal glory

Halftime...

Back in the locker room, the players are gathered for a halftime talk. The air was charged with a mix of determination and anticipation. The scoreboard reflected a 1-0 lead, and the team, draped in the colors that symbolized their identity, knew that the journey toward redemption was far from over

Andre: Vamo falar com os caras, mano. Pra a gente continuar, pra a gente não baixar, mano. Continuar com a bola, continuar atacando e continuar pressionando.(Let's talk to the guys, bro. So that we can continue, so that we don't go down. Keep holding the ball, keep attacking and keep pressing)

Marcelo, the legendary left back also decides to have a word:

Marcelo: Aí, a gente tem 45 minutos pra ser campeão. Mas ainda não tá nada decidido, vamo seguir como se ainda tivesse zero a zero. Tranquilidade até o final.(Hey, we have 45 minutes to be champions. But nothing has been decided yet, we will continue as if there is still zero to zero. Peace of mind until the end)

After that, Coach Diniz has his talk with the squad

Diniz: NÓS TAMO EM BUSCA DO TÍTULO. E NÃO É SENTANDO NO 1 A 0 QUE A GENTE VAI CONSEGUIR. É SENDO AGRESSIVO NA MARCAÇÃO E SENDO AGRESSIVO NO JOGO! É ASSIM QUE A GENTE VAI SER CAMPEÃO.(WE ARE FIGHTING FOR THE TITLE. AND IT'S NOT BY SITTING AT 1-0 THAT WE'LL ACHIEVE IT. IT'S BEING AGGRESSIVE IN MARKING AND BEING AGGRESSIVE IN THE GAME! THIS IS HOW WE WILL BE CHAMPIONS)

Second half:

The second half began with heightened anticipation, but an unexpected twist happened. As Fluminense pressed forward, Marcelo, the legendary left-back, found himself caught in a moment of hesitation during defensive duties. The Maracanã, once buzzing with excitement, fell momentarily silent, giving space for the Boca Juniors' fans, who were in the stadium as well

Luís Advincula, the Peruvian right back, who was also Boca's leading goalscorer in the competition cuts inside and shoots with his left foot, leaving no chance for the keeper

"Vai tentar o chute pro gol. Advincula bateu...Gooool do Boca.(He's going to try to shoot towards the goal. Advincula shoots...Goooaaal from Boca)"

Marcelo, who had failed in the man-to-man marking, lowers his head in frustration, recognizing his role in the opposing team's goal

However, Y/N, with the spirit of a true leader, approached Marcelo, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder

Y/N: Aí, levanta essa cabeça. A gente ainda vai ganhar essa porra. Não desmotiva, caralho!(Hey, raise your head. We're still going to win this shit. Don't be demotivated, dammit!)

Coach Diniz, responding to the dynamics of the match and aiming to infuse fresh energy into the team, made a strategic move by introducing four substitutions for Fluminense

The one that called the most attention was the 21-year-old John Kennedy, who had scored in almost all the games in the knockout stage

Diniz then calls him to the side for a talk before subbing him in

Diniz: John, vem cá, caralho! Tu pode fazer história pra América. Só tem um que leva o título. E você vai fazer o gol do título!(John, come here, damn it! You can make history for America. There is only one that wins the title. And you will score the winning goal!)

Diniz made a pivotal decision, substituting Y/N out of the match and sending in the other young sensation, John Kennedy

Y/N hugs John as he gets out of the pitch

Y/N: Entra lá e resolve essa porra desse jogo.(Get in there and solve this fucking game)

End of regular time

Fluminense 1 x 1 Boca Juniors

The colors of green, white, and garnet, represented by the jerseys of Fluminense, reflected the intensity of the battle waged on the pitch. The fans, their emotions riding a rollercoaster of highs and lows, rallied behind their team with unwavering support

The fans awaited the unfolding drama with bated breath. The quest for the coveted title continued, and the colors of Fluminense stood as a testament to a legacy that transcended individual matches, a legacy written in the collective spirit of a team and its loyal supporters

Minute 99

In the 8th minute of extra time, the prophetic words of Coach Diniz materialized into reality. John Kennedy, with a burst of determination, found the back of the net, beating goalkeeper Romero and sending the Maracanã into ecstasy

"John Kennedy...devolve no Diogo Barbosa. Tentou levantar pro Keno...Keno arrumou pro John Kennedy...QUE GOLAAAAAÇOOOO! GOOOOOOL.(John Kennedy...returns to Diogo Barbosa. He tries to lift it for Keno...Keno got it for John Kennedy...WHAT A GOAL. GOOOOOOAAAAL)"

On the bench, the substitutes who had played their part in the earlier stages of the match: Felipe Melo, Y/N, and Marcelo were moved to tears. Their emotions mirrored those of the passionate fans in the stands, a collective sense of joy and relief

Amidst the euphoria of his supposed match-winning goal, John Kennedy, fueled by the overwhelming emotion and adrenaline, made a spontaneous decision to celebrate with the crowd. However, in the middle of the chaos, the youngster violated one of the rules and was punished with a second red card, being sent off

Minute 123

Despite the dramatic turn of events with John Kennedy's red card, Fluminense had endured Boca Juniors' efforts, and the dream of winning their first-ever Copa Libertadores da America had finally been realized. 

The final whistle not only marked Fluminense's triumph but also symbolized the exorcism of a haunting ghost from the past. The bitter memories of the 2008 Copa Libertadores final, where victory slipped away in penalties, were finally laid to rest. The wound that had remained open for years, causing heartbreak and disappointment, was now closed with the sweet taste of redemption

Y/N, who was still crying on the bench, sees his family coming towards him

He hugs his father with tears in his eyes. Diego, a veteran of the game who had experienced the heartbreak of the 2008 Copa Libertadores final, now witnessed his son achieving what had eluded him

Y/N: É nosso, pai! A gente ganhou!(It's ours, dad! We won!)

Diego: Você não foi campeão só hoje, meu filho. Você é campeão todos os dias.(You weren't just champion today, my son. You are a champion every day.)

They keep hugging each other until Alessandra comes by with Camilla, his younger sister, join in the family hug

Camilla: Parabéns, Irmão!(Congratulations, brother!)

After that, Marcelo comes over to Y/N to call him so they can go to the stage. But Diego, who knew Marcelo since 2006, when he first started as a pro, hugs him tight

As Y/N and the other players made their way to the stage, the Maracanã erupted in cheers. The vibrant colors of green, white, and garnet filled the stadium, a beautiful scene. The players, now with their medals, stepped onto the platform

After that, the Captains, Nino and Felipe Melo receive the trophy and lift it, to finally be eternalized in the history of the club

...

Meanwhile, in one of the Maracanã VIP boxes...

In one of the Maracanã VIP boxes, Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter enjoyed the electrifying atmosphere as Fluminense celebrated their historic victory

Amidst the festivities, Taylor, with a playful glint in her eye, pulled out her phone, launching a unique game between the two. The game was Tinder, but with a twist...it featured the players of winning squad of Fluminense. Taylor would show Sabrina a picture of a player, and Sabrina would decide whether to swipe right or left.

The duo, both musical sensations, shared a moment of relaxation before their upcoming performances in the city of Rio. The Eras Tour promised another spectacular event, but for now, they found joy in the shared excitement of the football festivities unfolding before them

Taylor: So...how about this one?

She shows Sabrina a picture of John Kennedy

Sabrina: Isn't he married? And got kids?

Taylor: Oh, right! Let's avoid the drama. Swipe left! Uh...this one.

She shows her a picture of Andre

Sabrina: No...I don't think so.

Taylor: Come on, girl...when was the last time you went out with anybody? I'm trying to help you here. Okay...last one. Him.

It's now a picture of Y/N 

Sabrina, taking a moment to examine the photo, couldn't help but smile.

Sabrina: Well, he looks like trouble. But you know what they say about trouble... swipe right! He's cute...