The Football Legends System

The atmosphere inside the team plane heading to Madrid was different from any other away trip. It wasn't just anticipation; it was a silent, simmering resolve. One goal down from the first leg against Real Madrid, and now they were going to the Santiago Bernabéu, a fortress of football. Nathan's Overall Rating: S felt like a badge of honor, but it also weighed on him. Being the GOAT meant delivering when it mattered most.

"It's just one goal, lads," Erik ten Hag had told them before they left. "One goal. And we scored at Old Trafford. We know how to score away goals." His voice was calm, but his eyes conveyed the immense challenge ahead.

Nathan spent the flight mentally replaying moments from the first leg, searching for weaknesses in Real Madrid's majestic play. He also focused on his Glide of Messi (31%) mastery. He could feel the ball glued to his foot more than ever, his turns crisp, his acceleration fluid. He needed to hit that 50% milestone, and tonight was the perfect stage for it.

During the final training session at Real Madrid's training ground, Nathan continued to observe his opponents through his "Talent Scout" ability, now familiar with their strengths.

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

Still the master of midfield. Always pulling strings.

Toni Kroos – Ability: A+ | Potential: B | Overall Rating: A+

Every pass is a laser. Never gives the ball away.

Karim Benzema – Ability: S | Potential: B+ | Overall Rating: S

The clinical finisher. Give him an inch, he takes a mile.

"We have to be ruthless," Harry Kane emphasized in the changing room before the match. "Every chance counts. Every single one."

The Santiago Bernabéu was immense. The roar from the Real Madrid faithful was deafening, a passionate sea of white, confident in their team's home advantage. As the teams walked out, the sight of the Champions League anthem, the shimmering floodlights, and the sheer scale of the arena sent shivers down Nathan's spine. This was the stage where legends were truly forged.

Pheeeeeep! The whistle blew, and the Champions League Quarter-final second leg was on.

Real Madrid started with their characteristic composure, passing the ball with authority, trying to dictate the tempo. Modric and Kroos were immaculate in midfield, spraying passes left and right, trying to find Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo on the wings.

United, knowing they had to score, pressed higher, trying to disrupt Real's rhythm. Casemiro was immense, breaking up play, and Lisandro Martinez threw himself into every tackle.

Minute 10. Real Madrid almost extended their lead. Vinicius Jr., with a dazzling run down the left, skipped past Aaron Wan-Bissaka and curled a shot towards the far post. David de Gea, with a fantastic fingertip save, pushed it wide. A collective sigh of relief from the United fans.

The tension was palpable. United needed a goal, and quickly.

Nathan received the ball in midfield, instantly swarmed by Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos. He spun, using his enhanced ball control from the Glide of Messi (31%) mastery to shield the ball, but they were tight, aggressive. He felt the frustration building. They needed a moment of genuine brilliance, a magical touch.

Just then, the familiar System chime resonated in his mind, cutting through the stadium's roar.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Your team requires a moment of sublime touch and precision to unlock a resolute defense and create an unmissable scoring opportunity.]

[You may request one random legendary finishing touch skill in the style of a football icon, ensuring absolute precision even in chaotic situations.]

[Do you wish to activate it?]

Nathan's heart pounded. Finishing touch? Absolute precision? This was it. This was the skill that could turn a half-chance into a game-changing goal.

Yes! Activate!

Ding!

[Random Skill Activated: Golden Touch of Bergkamp]

[Effect: For the next 5 minutes of in-game time, your first touch, close-range finishing, and ability to control seemingly impossible passes are significantly enhanced. Every touch will be exquisite, setting up perfect shots or intricate plays.]

A strange calm washed over Nathan's hands and feet. It wasn't about power or speed, but about exquisite control, a delicate yet firm touch that made the ball stick and obey. He felt like he could kill any pass, no matter how wild, and place it exactly where he wanted it. This was about artistry, about turning chaos into beauty.

A moment later, Bruno Fernandes threaded a sharp pass towards Nathan, who was making a run into the box. The pass was slightly behind him, difficult to control. But with the Golden Touch of Bergkamp active, Nathan didn't hesitate. He stuck out his right foot, seemingly impossibly, and pulled the ball back, bringing it under instant control in one fluid motion, leaving Éder Militão a step behind.

He was now facing Thibaut Courtois, who had rushed out, making himself a massive presence. Nathan looked up, seeing the small gap between Courtois's left arm and his body, a sliver of space so tiny it was almost non-existent. With a delicate, almost casual flick of his left foot, Nathan chipped the ball.

It wasn't a powerful shot; it was a perfectly weighted, feathery touch that floated over Courtois and nestled precisely into that tiny gap, hitting the back of the net.

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

The stadium fell silent for a split second, then the small pocket of Manchester United fans erupted in an explosion of ecstatic noise! Manchester United 1 - Real Madrid 1! (2-2 on aggregate, with United now having the away goal advantage). Nathan roared, pumping his fists, his teammates mobbing him. The Golden Touch of Bergkamp had delivered. A thing of beauty.

The goal stunned Real Madrid. They seemed momentarily shaken by the sheer elegance of the equalizer. United, now leading on away goals, played with renewed confidence. Nathan felt the Golden Touch fade after five minutes, but the memory of that flawless control, that absolute precision, was etched into his footballing brain.

The rest of the first half was a frantic battle. Real Madrid pushed forward, trying to regain their lead, but United defended resolutely. Casemiro was a titan, winning tackle after tackle.

The second half began with Real Madrid throwing everything at United. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos launched wave after wave of attacks. Vinicius Jr. was a constant menace, his speed terrifying.

Nathan found himself tracking back more, using his improved agility from his Glide of Messi (31%) mastery to help out in defense. He also continued to try taking players on when he had the chance, pushing that mastery higher.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Skill Mastery Progress: Glide of Messi (35%)]

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

Every bit counts, Nathan thought, even as he chased a Real Madrid midfielder.

Minute 70. Real Madrid equalized. A moment of brilliance from Vinicius Jr., who finally managed to beat Aaron Wan-Bissaka and whip in a low cross. Karim Benzema, with a poacher's instinct, tapped it in.

Real Madrid 2 - Manchester United 1 (3-2 on aggregate).

Old Trafford's hopeful roar was replaced by the triumphant cheers of the Bernabéu. United were behind again. They needed another goal to force extra time or win it.

The final 20 minutes were a whirlwind of action. Both teams pushed, exhausted but driven. Harry Kane had a shot saved. Rodrygo had a clear chance for Real, but Lisandro Martinez made a heroic block.

Nathan was everywhere, fighting for every ball, trying to create. He made a dazzling run in the 85th minute, leaving two Real Madrid players behind with a series of quick changes of direction, his Glide of Messi mastery shining. He tried a shot from outside the box, but Courtois saved it.

The clock ticked into injury time. Four minutes. United threw everyone forward.

Then, in the 92nd minute, a moment that would be replayed for years. Bruno Fernandes won a tackle in midfield, the ball spilling to Nathan. Nathan looked up. He saw no clear pass, no open shot. But he saw the space, a tiny gap, between two Real Madrid defenders, Militao and Alaba. And he saw Marcus Rashford making a desperate, diagonal run.

With the ball seemingly glued to his feet, Nathan took two quick touches, then unleashed a pass with the outside of his right boot. It was a no-look, perfectly curved, audacious through ball. It sliced through the heart of the Real Madrid defense, curling perfectly into Rashford's path.

Marcus Rashford, with only Courtois to beat, took one touch and then, with ice in his veins, calmly slotted it past the despairing dive of the Real Madrid keeper!

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

The net bulged! Manchester United 2 - Real Madrid 2! (3-3 on aggregate, with United now winning on away goals!)

The stadium was silenced. Only the small pocket of United fans could be heard, a cacophony of disbelieving screams and joyous roars. The Real Madrid players collapsed, stunned.

Pheeeeeep! The whistle blew.

MANCHESTER UNITED HAD DONE IT! THEY HAD KNOCKED OUT REAL MADRID AT THE BERNABÉU! They were through to the Champions League Semi-Finals!

The United players piled on top of each other, Marcus Rashford buried under a mountain of red jerseys. Nathan was at the bottom, laughing and shouting, tears of pure triumph mixing with the sweat. This was a miracle. This was what being a GOAT was all about.

In the euphoric changing room, Erik ten Hag clapped Nathan on the back, his face beaming. "That pass, Nathan! That last pass! Unbelievable! Pure class!"

Nathan, still breathless, just grinned. "Just saw the space, boss."

He checked his system, his heart still thumping.

[Overall Rating: S+]

His eyes widened. S+! He had truly reached the pinnacle! Beating Real Madrid, with that last-minute assist, had pushed him beyond S. He was now in the same league as Messi and Mbappé on his system. The GOAT. It felt… incredible.

His Glide of Messi mastery had also reached 38%. Slowly but surely, he was integrating those legendary skills.

The Champions League Semi-Finals awaited.