England's Greatest

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With the conclusion of the group stage matches, the top 16 teams for this World Cup have been announced:

Brazil vs Chile

Colombia vs. England

Netherlands vs. Mexico

Costa Rica vs. GreeceFrance vs. Nigeria

Germany vs. Algeria

Argentina vs. Switzerland

Belgium vs. United States

Most of these matchups are battles between favorites and underdogs, with a notable gap in strength between the teams. Among these, the Costa Rica vs. Greece match is considered a underdog by some, a clash between teams not typically expected to progress this far.

But the most discussed matchup by far is the England vs. Colombia game, heavily hyped by the media.

Why? Because, as always, the British media has labeled England as a "favorite to win," a familiar narrative trotted out for every international tournament. "It's coming home!" is the mantra they've been chanting for nearly 50 years, despite football showing no signs of returning to England.

This time around, though, the football world and the media alike know that the Three Lions are in a transitional phase. With their current squad, even optimistic fans realize that England has slim chances of lifting the trophy. For many, reaching the quarterfinals would already be considered a success.

However, the emergence of Tristan Hale, the talented young midfielder, has given England fans someone to celebrate. His stellar performance in the group stage has unexpectedly raised hopes.

On the other hand, Colombia's offensive firepower has been one of the stories of the tournament. In their three group stage matches, they netted nine goals and conceded only two, second only to the Netherlands in goals scored. James Rodriguez has been nothing short of spectacular, leading Colombia's charge and helping them top their group.

Though England's squad value may be inflated due to the English media, the actual strength of the two teams wasn't that far off. This kind of close contest—between teams of equal standing—is exactly the type of football fans live for.

And the buzz doesn't stop at their on-field abilities. Both teams boast star players in Tristan Hale and James Rodriguez, which only added to the media appeal.

Tristan and James, with their incredible World Cup performances have seen their social media followings skyrocket, gaining millions of new fans in the process. Now, their upcoming duel has become the focal point of media coverage, promising an epic clash between two of football's brightest new stars.

[Dare lord, I deleted 3 fucking pagagraphs of the fucking chinese author glazing handsome man like get off their dick, original I kept some parts of reading but it just annoyed me even more, fuck this shit. The author is homophobic but then does shit like this like make up your mind.] 

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June 29th - The Day of the Competition

Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro

The atmosphere around Maracanã Stadium was electric. Known as the home of Brazilian football, this iconic stadium had borne witness to some of the most significant moments in the sport's history. Today, it was the stage for the showdown between England and Colombia. Over 70,000 fans had packed into the stadium, the highest attendance since the start of the tournament. The air was buzzing with the excitement of what was at stake.

Beyond the passionate supporters of both teams, the stands were filled with neutral fans eager to witness a matchup that had captivated the football world. Even among all the legendary moments this stadium had seen, today's clash promised something special.

In one of the VIP boxes, with the perfect view of the field, sat Tristan Hale's parents, proudly wearing their son's No. 22 jersey. Excitement danced in their eyes as they surveyed the scene below.

"Wow, the view here is unbelievable," Tristan's father, Ling , said, his voice filled with awe. He leaned forward, soaking it all in.

"Yeah," his mother, Julia, agreed, her voice tinged with pride. "We can see everything so clearly." She glanced at her husband, the stadium's energy making her feel as if they were part of something truly extraordinary.

Ling turned to the man seated next to them and smiled. "Mr. Mendes, thank you so much for everything. We really appreciate it."

Jorge Mendes, dressed casually in a black polo shirt, removed his sunglasses and gave a warm smile. "Mr. Ling, please, just call me Jorge. There's no need to be so formal." He leaned back in his seat. "After all, Tristan is an important client. It's my job to make sure everything is perfect for him and his family."

Tristan had emerged as one of the World Cup's breakout stars, and Mendes, as his agent, couldn't have been prouder. He had expected great things from Tristan, but even he hadn't anticipated how quickly the young player would become an irreplaceable figure in England's lineup.

"The way Tristan's been playing..." Mendes continued with a thoughtful smile. "He's gone from promising talent to a key figure for England in just three games. It's been incredible to watch."

Ling and Julia exchanged proud glances. Watching their son rise to stardom on football's biggest stage felt like a dream.

Mendes checked his phone, which buzzed on his lap. When he saw the name on the screen, his eyebrows lifted in surprise. He straightened in his seat before answering in Spanish.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman," Mendes said, his tone respectful.

On the other end of the call, Florentino Perez, the powerful president of Real Madrid, greeted him in his unmistakable gravelly voice.

"Good afternoon, Jorge."

Mendes knew that Florentino, a man who commanded respect across the footballing world, rarely made calls without purpose, especially during a World Cup. Whatever Florentino wanted, it wasn't a social chat.

After a brief greeting, the Real Madrid president got straight to the point.

"The number 10 kid from Colombia… James Rodriguez. He's your client, right?"

"Yes, he is," Mendes confirmed.

"I want him," Florentino stated, without hesitation.

Obviously, Florentino wanted to find a suitable new owner for Real Madrid's No. 10 jersey.

And James Rodriguez, the big star of this World Cup, became his choice.

Of course, in addition to competitive reasons and expanding Real Madrid's influence in Colombia, there are also personal reasons.

Through the deal with James Rodriguez, Florentino's ACS Construction Group can extend its reach into Colombia and secure many lucrative contracts.

In short, buying James Rodriguez will benefit both Real Madrid and Florentino himself.

[I researched this just incase the chinese author was making up some bullshit but yeah its true. There were lot of matters involved beyond just football. It's a interesting case but do be aware its a deep ass rabbit hole if you look into it] 

Mendes wasn't surprised. James Rodriguez had been one of the standout players in the tournament. His skill, vision, and flair had made him a sensation overnight. But it wasn't just his ability that caught Florentino's eye—it was everything else that came with it.

James wasn't just a footballer; he was a marketing dream. At 22, he had the technical brilliance that made him one of the best players of his generation, the looks that could sell jerseys, and an entire country, Colombia, behind him. For a club like Real Madrid, signing a player like James wasn't just about strengthening their squad; it was about expanding their brand globally.

And Florentino Perez was a man who knew how to build a dynasty. James Rodriguez, with his massive commercial appeal, was exactly the type of player who could be molded into the next global superstar in Madrid's famous white jersey.

Mendes spoke with a hint of caution, "James is definitely ready for Real Madrid. But Monaco won't let him go easily. He's their star, and last season, he almost led them to a league title."

Florentino wasn't fazed. "Monaco will come around. We'll take care of the negotiations. For now, I need James to agree to join us."

"That won't be a problem," Mendes replied smoothly. He knew James was a lifelong fan of Real Madrid. The young Colombian had even driven to Munich to watch Real Madrid's Champions League clash against Bayern earlier that season. If Florentino wanted James, there was no doubt in Mendes' mind that the player would be thrilled to join.

Although he already sensed the high commissions that could be earned from this deal, Mendes could feel Florentino's eagerness to get everything in place. This transfer wasn't just about football—it had deeper implications, both for Real Madrid and Florentino's business interests.

After some casual conversation about family matters, Mendes assumed that Florentino would soon hang up.

However, to his surprise, the Real Madrid president asked a question that caught him off guard:

"By the way, is that boy wearing number 22 for England also your client?"

Mendes' eyes widened for a brief moment, though he quickly masked his surprise.

Huh?

One James isn't enough? Now you're aiming for my two of most promising playerd?!

But Mendes knew better than to doubt Florentino's ambition and vision. 

Without skipping a beat, Mendes replied, "Yes, I just signed him this year."

Florentino's voice was decisive, as expected.

"He's not bad either. He can come to Real Madrid too!"

Mendes stifled a chuckle. Tristan? At Real Madrid?

Although Tristan's fame and career didn't yet fit the typical "Galactico" superstar profile, Florentino's interests were always multifaceted. He wasn't just looking for footballers; he was also looking for brands, and the British media had already labeled Tristan as "The New Beckham."

The mere mention of that nickname stirred memories for Florentino. Beckham's transfer from Manchester United had been a commercial masterstroke although on the field, it didn't yield much but that didn't matter. Signing Beckham unlocked massive profits and elevated Real Madrid's influence in England and around the world. And now, here was a young Englishman with Beckham-level looks and budding football talent. It was no wonder Florentino was tempted.

[All of this is true despite how much I bash Beckham, his influence and level of fame is fucking crazy.]

Recruiting superstars required boldness and came with high risks, but the potential rewards were enormous. Florentino knew this well—just look at Kaka, a costly gamble that hadn't paid off as expected. But there was another, less risky way to build a squad: buy young, unproven talent and develop it into something extraordinary.

For Florentino, Tristan was a low-risk, high-reward investment. Even if he didn't blossom immediately on the pitch, the commercial potential alone could justify the transfer fee. With the right marketing, sponsorship deals, and jersey sales, the investment could easily pay for itself.

However, Mendes, usually straightforward, hesitated this time.

"Mr. Chairman, that might be a bit complicated."

Compared to James Rodriguez, who already had years of European football experience under his belt, Tristan's situation was more... delicate. The young midfielder had only played half a season of professional football. Yet, his meteoric rise had been nothing short of remarkable. Despite not having played a single Premier League match, Tristan had already solidified his place in England's national team, thanks to three standout World Cup group stage performances.

Mendes knew that Tristan's current market value, hovering around €15 million, would easily double after the World Cup. Leicester City, where he was seen as a future star and midfield core, wouldn't let him go without a fight. Unless, of course, Tristan himself pushed for a move and Real Madrid made an offer Leicester couldn't refuse.

But Mendes wasn't sure if Real Madrid would really spend tens of millions on a player who had never set foot in a Premier League match. He didn't doubt that Florentino had the financial power; he just wasn't convinced that the shrewd president would make such a move at this point.

What's more, from Mendes' professional perspective, this might not be the best time for Tristan to join a club like Real Madrid. Young players needed consistent game time to grow, and Real Madrid, with its star-studded squad, didn't offer that easily. Entering a club of Real Madrid's stature, with its deep-rooted politics and fierce competition for places, could be like walking into a minefield.

Tristan might be exceptionally talented, but even talent wasn't enough to navigate the complexities of a top-tier locker room. Real Madrid had always been notorious for internal factionalism. If Tristan joined now, as a relatively unproven "small fish," he could easily get lost in the shuffle.

In Mendes' long-term career plan for Tristan, he envisioned the young midfielder spending another two seasons at Leicester, adapting to the Premier League. Afterward, he could transfer to a big six club, compete in European competitions, and perhaps win a cup. When Tristan is around 25, Mendes would guide him to a top club fully prepared to compete for titles.

Of course, given Tristan's rapid development, it was possible that timeline could be accelerated, but definitely not now.

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I feel like Gojo right now, had a big test today and I was one of the 12 who passed that shit out of 32,lmao, locked in and studied all night. And for people who suggested I combine red bull with coffee, are you tryna kill me?