The Football Legends System

The changing room was quiet again, but this time, it was a peaceful hush. The shouts of victory against Wales still echoed faintly in Nathan's mind, a happy memory. His gaze was fixed on the shimmering words of the System notification.

[Skill Mastery Unlocked!]

[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.]

He had two choices: Vision of Xavi and Glide of Messi. Both were incredible. The Vision had unlocked passing lanes he'd never seen, turning him into a playmaker. The Glide had made the ball an extension of his foot, letting him dance past defenders like they were statues.

But the GOAT wasn't just about passing, or even just about finding space. It was about individual brilliance, that spark of magic that only a few players in history possessed. Messi's goal against Argentina, that "soft touch" that changed everything, had burned itself into Nathan's brain. It was effortless, impossible, pure genius.

He took a deep breath.

Master Glide of Messi.

Ding!

[Skill Mastery Progression Initiated: Glide of Messi]

[Current Mastery: 0%]

[Benefits: Upon reaching certain mastery milestones, permanent enhancements to your close control, agility, and dribbling ability will be integrated.]

A warm tingle spread through his feet and legs, not a jolt, but a subtle, almost imperceptible shift. He closed his eyes, imagining the ball stuck to his boot, weaving through defenders with impossible ease. This was it. This was the next step on his path.

The next few training sessions felt different. Nathan focused intensely on his close control drills, on changing direction quickly with the ball, on keeping it impossibly close to his feet. He felt a subtle improvement, a fraction of a second faster in his reactions, a slightly stickier touch. It wasn't the full "Glide" yet, not like the activated skill, but it was a beginning. It was his beginning.

He watched his teammates, too. He saw Marcus Rashford burst past Kyle Walker in a one-on-one drill, his acceleration explosive.

Marcus Rashford – Ability: A | Potential: A+ | Overall Rating: A-

Explosive pace, sharp finisher, Nathan thought. He's going to be key in the knockouts.

Then there was John Stones, calm and collected at the back, pinging accurate passes from defense.

John Stones – Ability: A+ | Potential: B+ | Overall Rating: A

Reads the game so well, brings the ball out elegantly, Nathan admired. A modern center-back.

The final group stage match was against the USA. This was more than just football for the fans; it was a transatlantic rivalry, a chance for both nations to show their strength. England was already through, but topping the group meant avoiding some of the stronger teams in the Round of 16. The USA, for their part, needed a win to guarantee their own progression.

The stadium vibrated with excitement. The American fans, loud and proud, matched the energy of the English faithful. Red, white, and blue mixed with the sea of red and white, creating a truly global atmosphere.

Nathan looked across at the American lineup during the warm-up. He spotted their captain, a true star.

Christian Pulisic – Ability: A | Potential: A+ | Overall Rating: A-

The American Messi, Nathan mused, remembering the nickname. Fast, agile, great with the ball. He knew Pulisic would be a handful.

Then there was the energetic midfielder, already making a name for himself.

Weston McKennie – Ability: B+ | Potential: A | Overall Rating: B+

Box-to-box engine, Nathan observed. He'll run all day.

Pheeeeeep! The whistle rang out, and the battle began.

The USA came out with incredible intensity. They pressed high, harrying England's midfield, not allowing them to settle. Their energy was relentless. England found it hard to get into their usual passing rhythm. Nathan felt the pressure immediately, surrounded by two or three blue jerseys every time he touched the ball.

Minute 15. The USA had the better of the opening exchanges. Their direct play and quick transitions were causing problems. Harry Maguire had to make a crucial block, and Jordan Pickford made a smart save from a curling shot by Pulisic.

England needed a moment of brilliance, something to calm the storm.

Nathan received the ball deep in England's half, near the touchline. He was instantly closed down by two American players, Timothy Weah and Tyler Adams. There was seemingly no way out. He glanced up, scanning for a pass, but all his teammates were marked.

This was it. A challenge. An opportunity for the Glide.

He took a quick, almost imperceptible touch. The ball felt like it was stuck to his laces. He feigned a pass down the line, drawing Weah slightly wide, then with a quick shift of his hips and a tiny push of the ball with the inside of his foot, he darted past Weah as if the American wasn't even there.

Tyler Adams lunged, but Nathan was already gone, a blur of white. He shifted his weight, a subtle shimmy, and the ball rolled effortlessly past Adams's outstretched leg. It wasn't the full, activated "Glide" from the Wales match, but it was closer, smoother, more confident than he could have managed before. This was the effect of his newly initiated mastery.

"Oooohh!" the crowd gasped, a collective intake of breath at the sudden burst of skill.

He was now surging into the USA half, leaving two defenders in his wake. As he approached midfield, a powerful new system notification flashed in his mind.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Skill Mastery Progress: Glide of Messi (10%)]

[Permanent Benefit Unlocked: Minor Agility Boost (Your base agility is slightly increased, allowing for quicker changes of direction with or without the ball).]

[Next Mastery Milestone: 25% (Requires sustained application of improved dribbling in high-pressure situations).]

Nathan felt a genuine jolt of excitement. Ten percent! And a permanent benefit already! It wasn't huge, but it was real. His feet felt even lighter, his movements more fluid. The system wasn't just a cheat; it was a guide, showing him where to push, how to grow.

He continued his run, drawing another American defender. He spotted Phil Foden making a run down the left wing. With a quick glance and a perfectly weighted through ball, Nathan split the defense, putting Foden clean through on goal.

Foden took one touch, looked up, and coolly slotted it past Matt Turner, the American keeper.

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

The stadium erupted in English cheers! England 1-0! Nathan pumped his fist, a grin spreading across his face. That was his assist, born from his growing mastery of the Glide.

The goal settled England down. The USA's high press became less effective as England started to find more space. Nathan continued to challenge defenders, not always successful, but each attempt was a learning experience, each near-miss feeding into his mastery progress.

Just before halftime, England doubled their lead. A corner from Jude Bellingham found Harry Maguire, who powered a header into the net, making it 2-0.

The second half was more controlled. The USA tried to rally, bringing on Reyna for more attacking impetus, but England's defense held firm. Nathan saw Christian Pulisic make a dazzling run, twisting and turning, but Luke Shaw and Declan Rice managed to shepherd him away from danger.

The final whistle blew, signalling a 2-0 victory for England. They had topped their group, moving into the Round of 16 with confidence.

Back in the changing room, Gareth Southgate praised the team's resilience. "Good win, lads. We dealt with their intensity well. Top of the group. Now, the real work begins."

Nathan felt a quiet satisfaction. He had contributed, he had adapted, and he had learned. And his system had given him tangible proof of his progress.

As he packed his bag, Jude Bellingham walked over, clapping him on the shoulder. "Nice one today, Nathan. Some of those runs... proper silky, man. You were dancing out there."

Nathan just smiled. "Just getting warmed up, Jude. Plenty more dancing to do."

He checked his system again. His Overall Rating hadn't changed yet, still B+, but the Glide of Messi mastery was sitting at a solid 10%. He knew every training session, every touch, every challenge would push that number higher.

The next opponent for England in the Round of 16 would be a tough one. Group A's runner-up. And as the news flashed on the screens around the camp, a name appeared, confirming Nathan's next challenge and filling him with a mix of dread and exhilaration:

Senegal.

And their formidable defense, led by their towering captain… Kalidou Koulibaly.