The Football Legends System

The euphoria of beating Real Madrid at the Bernabéu was a high that Nathan hadn't come down from. His Overall Rating: S+ shimmered in his mind, a constant reminder that he was now officially in the same league as the titans he'd only dreamed of facing. He was the GOAT. And now, the challenge was to prove it, again and again.

The draw for the Champions League Semi-Finals landed with a thud: Manchester United vs. Manchester City.

A Derby. In the Champions League Semi-Finals. The tension in the changing room at Carrington was thick enough to cut with a knife. This wasn't just about European glory; it was about city pride, bragging rights, and a rivalry steeped in history.

"This is it, lads," Erik ten Hag stated, his voice calm but firm during a tactical meeting. "The biggest derby you'll ever play. Forget the league, forget everything else. Two games. Win them, and we're in the Final."

Nathan felt a surge of adrenaline mixed with pure excitement. City were champions, a machine of a team. To be the GOAT, you had to conquer even your closest rivals on the biggest stage.

During training, Nathan pushed himself relentlessly. His Glide of Messi (38%) mastery felt more ingrained than ever. The ball was practically glued to his foot, his turns so tight they left teammates scrambling. He could almost feel that 50% milestone, the next permanent benefit, within his grasp.

He spent extra time analyzing City's players through his "Talent Scout" ability. Their squad was packed with world-class talent.

Kevin De Bruyne – Ability: S+ | Potential: B+ | Overall Rating: S+

The conductor. His passing vision is unreal. Every ball finds its target. Nathan felt a familiar respect. He'd faced playmakers before, but De Bruyne was in a league of his own.

Erling Haaland – Ability: S+ | Potential: S | Overall Rating: S+

The goal machine. Pure power, incredible instincts in the box. A nightmare for defenders. Nathan knew John Stones and Lisandro Martinez would have their hands full.

Rodri – Ability: A+ | Potential: A | Overall Rating: A+

The anchor. Breaks up play, dictates tempo, rarely loses the ball. Just as important as Casemiro for United.

"Their midfield is a nightmare to get through," Casemiro grunted to Nathan during a tackling drill. "And Haaland… you give him a sniff, he scores."

Nathan nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "We need to hit them hard, and fast. Don't let them settle."

The night of the first leg at Old Trafford was an inferno. The stadium was a swirling vortex of red, the chants of "UNITED! UNITED!" shaking the foundations. The blue half of Manchester was there too, vocal and defiant, ready for battle. The Champions League anthem swelled, then vanished as the whistle brought a new roar.

Pheeeeeep! The match began.

Manchester City, true to their style, started with relentless possession. They moved the ball with incredible speed and precision, a blur of sky blue passing triangles. De Bruyne was pulling the strings, spraying passes, constantly looking for Haaland's runs.

United pressed high, trying to disrupt their rhythm, but City's control was almost suffocating. Nathan found himself chasing, trying to win the ball back, but their passes were just too quick, too intricate.

Minute 20. City broke the deadlock. A brilliant one-two between Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne on the left wing saw De Bruyne cut inside. He threaded a perfect pass to Erling Haaland, who shrugged off Lisandro Martinez and fired a powerful shot past David de Gea.

Manchester United 0 - Manchester City 1.

The blue section of the stadium erupted, a defiant roar in the red fortress. Old Trafford fell into a stunned, frustrated silence. Scoring an away goal in the Champions League Semi-Finals was huge for City.

Nathan felt a bitter taste in his mouth. They needed a response. They needed something unexpected, something to throw City's perfect rhythm off balance. They needed chaos.

Just then, the familiar chime resonated in his mind, sharp and urgent.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Your team is facing a dominant, possession-based opponent with an impenetrable structure.]

[You may request one random legendary direct attacking skill in the style of a football icon to create chaos, break defensive lines with explosive power, and score from seemingly impossible situations.]

[Do you wish to activate it?]

Nathan's eyes widened. Explosive power? Breaking lines? Scoring from impossible situations? This was exactly what they needed against City's clinical control.

Yes! Activate!

Ding!

[Random Skill Activated: Blaze of Ronaldo (Nazário)]

[Effect: For the next 5 minutes of in-game time, your explosive acceleration, direct dribbling power, and ability to bypass multiple defenders with raw pace and skill are significantly enhanced. Your shots will carry unexpected power and curve.]

A sudden surge of electrifying energy coursed through Nathan's entire body. He felt a primal hunger to run, to dribble directly at opponents, to smash through defenses. This wasn't about finesse like the Glide, or vision like the Eye. This was about raw, unstoppable forward momentum. He felt like a coiled spring, ready to explode.

A moment later, United won the ball back in midfield. Casemiro made a crucial tackle, the ball squirting loose to Nathan. Manuel Akanji and Rodri immediately closed him down, trying to box him in.

Nathan didn't try to pass. With the Blaze of Ronaldo (Nazário) active, he just went. He took two explosive touches, pushing the ball forward, then burst past Rodri with incredible acceleration, leaving the defensive midfielder stunned. Akanji slid in, but Nathan was too fast, too powerful. He rode the challenge, maintaining possession, his sheer drive carrying him past the defender.

"Oooohhh!" Old Trafford gasped, then roared.

He was now surging into City's half, bearing down on their defense. Rúben Dias stepped up, the formidable center-back, trying to block his path. Nathan didn't hesitate. He shifted the ball slightly, then unleashed a shot from outside the box. It wasn't a finessed shot; it was a pure thunderbolt, struck with incredible power and an unpredictable swerve.

Ederson, City's goalkeeper, threw himself across, a blur of yellow. But the shot was too fast, too powerful, and dipped just at the last second.

BOOM!

The ball slammed into the back of the net, hitting the inside of the post and bouncing in!

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

Old Trafford absolutely erupted! The sound was deafening, a wave of pure, unadulterated ecstasy! Manchester United 1 - Manchester City 1! Nathan roared, punching the air, sprinting towards the fans, his teammates piling on him. The Blaze of Ronaldo (Nazário) had answered Haaland's goal with a moment of terrifying, direct brilliance.

The equalizer completely changed the game's dynamic. City, usually so composed, looked rattled. United, fueled by the goal, pressed even harder. Nathan felt the Blaze of Ronaldo fade after five minutes, but the memory of that explosive forward momentum, that unstoppable drive, was now etched into his game.

The rest of the first half was a frantic, end-to-end battle. Both teams pushed, but the score remained 1-1.

The second half was a tactical chess match. City tried to reassert their control, but United's confidence was high. Nathan continued to be a threat, constantly probing City's defense, trying to use his Glide of Messi (38%) mastery to create openings.

In the 70th minute, he made a dazzling run, leaving Nathan Aké flat-footed with a quick feint and burst of acceleration. He got into the box, but his shot was blocked by a desperate slide from Dias. It was a high-pressure dribbling situation.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Skill Mastery Progress: Glide of Messi (42%)]

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

Closer and closer, Nathan thought, a grin forming despite the missed chance.

The final minutes of the match were agonizingly tense. City pushed, bringing on Julian Alvarez for more attacking threat. De Gea made a couple of crucial saves, and the United defense, led by Lisandro Martinez, threw their bodies on the line.

Then, in the 88th minute, a moment of pure magic from Bruno Fernandes. He picked up the ball outside the box, looked up, and unleashed a curling shot that flew past Ederson and nestled into the top corner.

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

Manchester United 2 - Manchester City 1! Old Trafford was in pandemonium! They had taken the lead!

The whistle blew a few minutes later, signaling the end of the first leg.

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - MANCHESTER CITY 1!

The stadium erupted in pure delirium. The players embraced, exhausted but ecstatic. They had won the first leg of the Derby, and they were going into the second leg with a crucial lead.

In the triumphant changing room, Erik ten Hag clapped them all. "Fantastic fight, lads! Fantastic! But it's only half-time. One goal. One more game."

Nathan, drenched in sweat, felt a thrill like no other. He had scored, he had contributed, and he had helped his team take a crucial step towards the Champions League Final.

He checked his system, his heart still thumping.

[Overall Rating: S+]

Still S+. He knew maintaining it at this level would require constant performance. His Glide of Messi mastery was at 42%. And the Blaze of Ronaldo (Nazário) was a new, exciting tool in his arsenal.

But the biggest challenge still lay ahead. The second leg. At the Etihad. City's home ground. And Nathan knew, with a mix of dread and anticipation, that City would come at them with everything they had.