The Football Legends System

The shine of the World Cup winner's medal had dulled slightly, replaced by the glint of ambition in Nathan's eyes. The Premier League win against Arsenal was a good start, but now, the true test of his Overall Rating: S loomed: the UEFA Champions League. European nights at Old Trafford hit different. The roar was louder, the stakes felt heavier, and every opponent was a champion in their own right.

The Champions League draw was a tense affair, watched by the whole squad in the team lounge. When the computer finally flashed the name, a collective gasp went through the room.

Manchester United vs. Real Madrid.

A classic. The kings of Europe. Thirteen-time winners.

"Bloody hell," Marcus Rashford muttered, a mix of excitement and awe in his voice. "The big one."

Nathan felt a surge of exhilaration. This was it. To be the GOAT, you had to beat the best, not just once, but consistently. Real Madrid represented the pinnacle of club football.

Training sessions leading up to the first leg at Old Trafford were electric. Nathan pushed his Glide of Messi (28%) mastery, trying to feel that subtle shift towards 50%. The permanent Enhanced Ball Control was already making his close dribbling feel effortless, almost instinctive. He found himself trying more audacious flicks and turns in practice, feeling the Flair of Ronaldinho subtly influencing his natural game.

He spent time analyzing Real Madrid's players, his "Talent Scout" ability working overtime.

Vinicius Jr. – Ability: S | Potential: S | Overall Rating: S

Still S. Electric pace, unplayable on his day. A nightmare for any defender.

Federico Valverde – Ability: A+ | Potential: A+ | Overall Rating: A+

Engine, powerful shot, covers so much ground. He'll be crucial in midfield.

Luka Modric – Ability: S | Potential: B | Overall Rating: S-

Still at the very top. Controls the midfield, passes are pinpoint. A true legend.

Thibaut Courtois – Ability: S | Potential: B+ | Overall Rating: S

A giant in goal. Almost impossible to beat one-on-one. Scoring past him will be tough.

"Their midfield is insane," Bruno Fernandes commented during a tactical session, pointing at a diagram of Real Madrid's setup. "Modric, Kroos, Valverde... they dictate everything."

Nathan nodded. "We need to find a way to disrupt their rhythm. Can't let them have the ball for too long."

The night of the match was unforgettable. Old Trafford was a pulsating inferno of red. The roar as the Champions League anthem played sent shivers down Nathan's spine. This was what he lived for.

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

Real Madrid, dressed in their pristine white, looked every bit the champions. They started with their usual calm authority, stroking the ball around, patiently waiting for openings. Modric and Toni Kroos orchestrated from midfield, their passes precise, almost telepathic.

United pressed, but Real's movement was so fluid, so well-rehearsed. Vinicius Jr. was a constant blur on the left wing, forcing Aaron Wan-Bissaka into a desperate block early on.

Minute 20. Real Madrid scored. A beautiful passing move saw Vinicius Jr. weave past two defenders, then lay it off to Rodrygo inside the box. Rodrygo took one touch and slotted it coolly past David de Gea.

Manchester United 0 - Real Madrid 1.

The pockets of white in the stadium erupted. Old Trafford groaned, but it was a collective sigh of frustration, not despair. They knew Real Madrid's quality.

Nathan felt the sting of falling behind, but a familiar resolve hardened in his gut. They needed to find a way to break through Real's disciplined defense and midfield control. They needed a moment of genius, a pass that only a few could see.

Just then, the System chime resonated in his mind, clear as a bell.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Your team is facing a midfield masterclass, struggling to penetrate the opposition's defensive lines.]

[You may request one random legendary passing/vision skill in the style of a football icon to unlock defensive setups and create high-percentage scoring opportunities.]

[Do you wish to activate it?]

Nathan's heart pounded. A passing/vision skill! This was exactly what was needed to cut through Real's well-drilled lines. He had the Vision of Xavi in his memory, but what new legendary vision could he unlock?

Yes! Activate!

Ding!

[Random Skill Activated: Eye of Pirlo]

[Effect: For the next 5 minutes of in-game time, your deep-lying playmaking vision, ability to execute unexpected long-range passes, and tactical foresight in building attacks are significantly enhanced. You will see opportunities to switch play and launch devastating attacks from deep positions.]

A profound calmness settled over Nathan, even deeper than the 'Maestro of Zidane' had provided. It wasn't just seeing passing lanes; it was like seeing the entire game from above, understanding the flow, the subtle shifts, the way Real Madrid's defense moved like a single, connected entity. He could see how to unravel it, thread by thread. He felt the urge to drop even deeper, to collect the ball and dictate from there.

He immediately dropped back, almost alongside Casemiro. Bruno Fernandes, seeing Nathan's determined expression, played a risky back pass to him. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos immediately pressed, trying to swarm him.

Nathan didn't panic. With the Eye of Pirlo active, he didn't even look up. He felt the pressure, knew where his teammates were, and with a single, elegant touch of his right boot, he launched a long, arcing pass. It wasn't a powerful kick, but a perfectly weighted, almost gentle lob.

The ball sailed over the heads of the Real Madrid midfield, over the retreating defense, and dropped perfectly into the path of Marcus Rashford, who had made a blistering run down the left wing. It was a pass that seemed to defy logic, appearing out of nowhere.

Rashford took it in stride, one touch, then sprinted into the box, leaving Dani Carvajal behind. He came face to face with Thibaut Courtois, who rushed out to narrow the angle. Rashford unleashed a powerful shot, but Courtois, massive in goal, managed to get a hand to it.

The ball deflected off Courtois's outstretched arm, spun through the air, and hit the post with a painful clang!

"AAAAHHHHH!" Old Trafford screamed in collective agony.

The rebound fell to Bruno Fernandes, who had followed up the play. Bruno didn't hesitate. He smashed it into the empty net!

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

The net bulged! Manchester United 1 - Real Madrid 1! Old Trafford erupted, a deafening roar of relief and jubilation. Nathan ran towards Bruno, pumping his fists, a satisfied grin on his face. The Eye of Pirlo had created that chance, a moment of deep-lying genius that almost led to a direct goal.

The goal galvanized United. They pressed harder, buoyed by the equalizer. Nathan felt the Eye of Pirlo fade after five minutes, but the understanding of building play from deep, of dissecting defenses with long-range passes, had left a lasting impression.

The rest of the first half was a tense, end-to-end affair. Both teams pushed for a second goal, but the defenses held firm.

The second half began with renewed intensity. Real Madrid showed their champion's mentality, pushing higher, trying to regain control. Vinicius Jr. continued to be a menace, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka, supported by Casemiro and Nathan, managed to contain him.

Nathan, still feeling the permanent Enhanced Ball Control from his Glide of Messi (28%) mastery, found himself effortlessly turning away from pressure, creating space in tight areas. He tried a couple of ambitious dribbles, pushing his limits.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Skill Mastery Progress: Glide of Messi (31%)]

[Next Mastery Milestone: 50% (Requires extensive application of enhanced ball control and successful solo runs).]

Good, Nathan thought. Every little bit helps.

The game was a brutal tactical battle. Neither team gave an inch. De Gea made another crucial save from a Valverde rocket, and Courtois pulled off a stunning stop from a Harry Kane header.

The clock ticked past the 90th minute. It seemed destined for a draw.

Then, in the 93rd minute, Real Madrid launched one final attack. A quick corner, whipped in by Kroos. Éder Militão rose highest, flicking it on. The ball fell to Karim Benzema, unmarked at the far post. Benzema, ever clinical, tapped it in.

Real Madrid 2 - Manchester United 1.

The whistle blew almost immediately after the goal.

The Real Madrid bench erupted, jubilant. The Manchester United players collapsed, devastated. It was a gut-punch. A last-minute winner.

Nathan stood, hands on his head, staring at the celebrating Real Madrid players. They had fought so hard, equalized, and then, in the cruelest of fashions, lost.

In the quiet changing room, the mood was somber. Gareth Southgate had been right about Germany being a challenge, but this... this was a different kind of pain.

"Heads up, lads," Erik ten Hag said, his voice firm but calm. "It's only half-time. We go to Madrid, and we give them hell. We score, we win. We know what we're capable of."

Nathan nodded, looking at his teammates. The goal was painful, but the tie wasn't over. They had scored an away goal, and it was only a one-goal deficit.

As he packed his bag, the System remained silent. No new rating, no new skills. Just the constant reminder of his Overall Rating: S and his Glide of Messi (31%) mastery.

He had faced the Kings of Europe, and they had struck a blow. But the second leg, in their own fortress, Santiago Bernabéu, was still to come. This wasn't over.