The Football Legends System

The air hummed with a different kind of tension. Less about despair, more about destiny. The win against Iran had patched some of the cracks left by Argentina, but the big one loomed: Wales. This wasn't just a group stage match; it was a rivalry carved deep into the very soil of British football. Bragging rights, national pride, and a guaranteed spot in the knockouts were all on the line.

Nathan felt a buzz in his veins that wasn't just adrenaline. It was the thrill of the chase. His Overall Rating: B+ flashed in his mind, a constant reminder of the journey ahead. He wanted that 'S'. He wanted to be the GOAT. And beating Wales was a necessary step.

The pre-match warm-up was sharper than usual. Every touch, every sprint, every pass carried an unspoken message: We're ready. He watched as Bukayo Saka zipped through a cone drill, his movements crisp and effortless.

Bukayo Saka – Ability: A+ | Potential: S | Overall Rating: A-

He's stepping up, Nathan noted. That A- is well-deserved.

Then he saw Declan Rice, calmly orchestrating a passing drill, directing traffic with a quiet authority.

Declan Rice – Ability: A | Potential: A+ | Overall Rating: A

Always reliable, always growing, Nathan thought, feeling a wave of respect. Declan was the anchor, the calm in the storm.

As he jogged past the Welsh side, he couldn't help but glance at their star player, Gareth Bale. Even though Bale had officially retired from club football, he was still a formidable presence for his national team, a true legend.

Gareth Bale – Ability: A+ | Potential: B | Overall Rating: A

Still got it, Nathan acknowledged. A true threat. This match wouldn't be easy. Wales would fight tooth and nail.

The roar when the teams walked out was deafening. Red versus white, a clash of traditions. The stadium was a kaleidoscope of flags and passionate faces. Nathan took a deep breath, the smell of freshly cut grass and excited crowds filling his lungs. This was it.

Pheeeeeep! The whistle sliced through the noise, and the game exploded.

Wales, as expected, came out swinging. They were physical, direct, and incredibly passionate. Their midfield harried England, pressing high, not allowing a moment's peace on the ball. Joe Rodon and Ben Davies in defense were like brick walls, shutting down any attempted through balls to Harry Kane.

England, for their part, responded with resilience. Jude Bellingham was everywhere, battling in midfield, winning aerial duels, and trying to drive forward. Nathan found himself dropping deeper to help link play, trying to use the lingering insights from the Vision of Xavi to find pockets of space.

Minute 20. Still 0-0. The tension was palpable. Every tackle was met with a roar, every misplaced pass with a groan. Wales were holding their own, and even creating a few nervy moments with long balls over the top.

Suddenly, a Welsh attack surged down the right wing. Daniel James, lightning fast, skipped past Luke Shaw. He whipped in a low, dangerous cross.

Panic.

The ball flashed across the six-yard box. Aaron Ramsey lunged, just missing it. Harry Kane had dropped back, trying to cover, but he was a step too slow.

Then, from out of nowhere, Nathan appeared. He'd sprinted back from midfield, anticipating the danger. His slide tackle was perfectly timed, nicking the ball away just as Kieffer Moore wound up for a shot. The ball ricocheted out for a corner.

A collective sigh of relief swept through the English fans.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Your team requires a spark of inspiration to break the deadlock and assert dominance.]

[You may request one random legendary dribbling skill in the style of a football icon to unlock creative freedom in attack.]

[Do you wish to activate it?]

Nathan's eyes widened. A dribbling skill? That was exactly what they needed against a packed defense. They needed someone to take players on, to create chaos.

Yes! Activate!

Ding!

[Random Skill Activated: Glide of Messi]

[Effect: For the next 5 minutes of in-game time, your close control, agility, and ability to weave through tight spaces are significantly enhanced. Opponents will find it difficult to dispossess you, and your changes of direction will be exceptionally fluid.]

Nathan felt a strange lightness in his feet. It wasn't just speed; it was an incredible sense of balance and control. He felt like the ball was glued to his boot, a part of him. He looked at the Welsh defenders, and suddenly, their movements seemed a fraction slower, their angles of approach more predictable.

The corner came in, headed clear by John Stones. The ball fell to Nathan, deep in his own half. He looked up, and instead of passing, he decided to run.

He took a touch, then another, accelerating into the midfield. Two Welsh midfielders, Harry Wilson and Ethan Ampadu, closed in. Nathan dipped his shoulder, a feint, then pushed the ball past Wilson with the outside of his foot, leaving him scrambling. Ampadu came across, bodying up. Nathan shifted his weight, a quick sidestep, and the ball rolled effortlessly past the Welshman's outstretched leg.

"Oooohhh!" the crowd roared, sensing something special.

He was in the Welsh half now, driving forward. Connor Roberts, the right-back, rushed to meet him. Nathan didn't slow. He approached Roberts, then with a quick flick of his foot, he rolled the ball under his own studs, spun, and left Roberts turning in circles. It was so fluid, so unexpected.

He was inside the box now, three defenders converging. He saw Harry Kane, marked, but just a yard of space between him and a defender. Nathan didn't shoot. He continued to glide, drawing the defenders, then at the last second, a subtle touch, a gentle push with the inside of his foot, laid the ball off perfectly into Kane's path.

Harry Kane, seeing the sudden opening, took one touch, composed himself, and lashed it into the top corner!

BOOM!

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

The stadium erupted! England 1-0! The energy was electric, a release of pent-up tension. Kane pointed at Nathan, a wide grin on his face, and Nathan gave a confident nod back. The Glide of Messi had paid off.

The goal seemed to deflate Wales a little, and England found their rhythm. The remaining minutes of the first half were dominated by England's possession.

The second half saw Wales push harder, desperate for an equalizer, but England held firm. Nathan's dribbling skill faded, but his confidence, and the team's, was soaring. Gareth Bale managed a brilliant free-kick that rattled the crossbar, a reminder of Wales's quality, but it wasn't enough.

In the 75th minute, Phil Foden, after a brilliant one-two with Bellingham, cut inside and unleashed a fierce shot that nestled in the bottom corner, making it 2-0.

The final whistle blew, and England had secured their spot in the knockouts! The fans were ecstatic, singing and cheering, finally letting go of the doubt that had lingered since the Argentina match.

In the celebratory huddle, Harry Kane clapped Nathan on the back. "That run, mate. Filthy! Reminded me of... well, you know who!" He winked, clearly referencing Messi.

Nathan just grinned. "Just trying to make things happen, Skip."

Later, back in the locker room, as Nathan was unwinding, the system's familiar chime echoed in his mind, followed by a new notification.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[You have successfully utilized a legendary skill to directly impact the outcome of a match.]

[A new feature has been unlocked within your System: Skill Mastery.]

[You may now choose ONE previously activated legendary skill to begin its mastery progression. Mastering a skill will permanently integrate a portion of its effect into your base abilities, even outside of direct activation.]

Nathan's eyes widened. Permanent integration? This wasn't just a temporary boost; this was evolution. He thought of the Vision of Xavi, the calm, precise understanding of space. Then he thought of the Glide of Messi, the effortless control and dazzling agility. Both had been incredible.

He knew what he had to do. The GOAT wasn't just about vision; it was about the impossible, the unexpected. It was about making magic with the ball at your feet.

He took a deep breath, a decision already forming. This was the next step.

The path to the GOAT was starting to look clearer. He just had to keep pushing.