The Football Legends System

The flight back from Milan had been triumphant, another vital Champions League win secured. Nathan, an Overall Rating: S+ player, felt a quiet confidence settling deep within him. He was at the pinnacle, but the new Legacy Archive category, "The All-Encompassing Footballers," whispered of an even higher plane – a mastery of every facet of the beautiful game. He yearned to truly understand the holistic influence, how a player could dominate from anywhere on the pitch.

He spent hours in the Legacy Archive, studying legends who truly seemed to transcend positions: Alfredo Di Stéfano, who could score, defend, and create; Franz Beckenbauer, the libero who initiated attacks from deep defense. It was like looking at the game through a new lens, seeing not just roles, but a fluid, interconnected symphony.

During a tactical walk-through, Nathan found himself automatically anticipating moves on both sides of the ball. He would notice a defender pushing too high, and simultaneously see the attacking run that could exploit that space. It was a seamless integration of offensive and defensive thought.

"You're seeing the whole pitch, aren't you, Nathan?" Casemiro commented, observing him. "Like you're playing chess and everyone else is playing checkers."

Nathan chuckled. "Just trying to stay a step ahead, Casi."

He observed his teammates, knowing their strengths were crucial to this all-encompassing approach.

Harry Kane – Ability: S | Potential: B+ | Overall Rating: S

The ultimate striker. His hold-up play and finishing are unmatched.

Luke Shaw – Ability: A | Potential: A | Overall Rating: A-

Solid defensively, incredible attacking output. A true modern full-back.

The next challenge: a home Premier League fixture against Brentford. The "Bees" were known for their disciplined, hard-working approach, their physical presence, and their dangerous set-pieces. They were not a team to be underestimated, even at Old Trafford.

Nathan used his "Talent Scout" on Brentford's key players.

Ivan Toney – Ability: A | Potential: A | Overall Rating: A-

Clinical striker, excellent penalty taker, strong hold-up play. Always a threat.

Bryan Mbeumo – Ability: A | Potential: A | Overall Rating: A-

Pace, directness, and a powerful shot. A constant danger on the wing.

Christian Norgaard – Ability: A | Potential: B+ | Overall Rating: A-

Midfield anchor, breaks up play, good passing range.

"They'll be tough, physical," Erik ten Hag warned the team in the pre-match meeting. "They'll try to bully us in midfield and hit us on the break or from set-pieces. We need to be switched on for ninety minutes."

Nathan nodded. Physicality. He'd countered that with the 'Power of Drogba' and the 'Steel of Vieira'. Now, he had to blend it all.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was vibrant, a packed house expecting another dominant display. The roar as the teams walked out was deafening.

Pheeeeeep! The whistle blew, and the Premier League clash was underway.

Brentford started with their characteristic intensity. They pressed high, their midfielders engaging quickly, trying to disrupt United's passing rhythm. Ivan Toney was a handful up front, strong in aerial duels and holding off defenders.

United tried to play their expansive game, but Brentford's defense, particularly Ethan Pinnock and Ben Mee, was resolute. Nathan, despite his Masterful Dribbling and Unparalleled Agility (from his Glide of Messi (73%) mastery), found little space in the congested midfield.

Minute 20. Brentford struck first, from a set-piece. A corner kick was swung in, and Ivan Toney, with a powerful leap, rose above Lisandro Martinez and headed it forcefully past David de Gea.

Manchester United 0 - Brentford 1.

Old Trafford groaned. Another set-piece goal conceded. Nathan felt the frustration. They were dominating possession, but Brentford had been ruthlessly efficient with their one chance. They needed a way to break this deadlock, not just through individual brilliance, but through a complete understanding of the game, influencing both attack and defense seamlessly.

Just then, the familiar System chime cut through the air, sharp and clear.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Your team is vulnerable to set-pieces and struggling to break down a physical defense, requiring a player capable of influencing both defensive solidity and offensive creativity simultaneously.]

[You may request one random legendary all-encompassing field general skill in the style of a football icon to command play across all areas of the pitch, seamlessly transitioning between defensive and offensive dominance, and elevating the team's overall strategic execution.]

[Do you wish to activate it?]

Nathan's eyes widened. All-encompassing field general? Simultaneously influencing both ends? This was it. This was what the "All-Encompassing Footballers" category was about. The ultimate mastery.

Yes! Activate!

Ding!

[Random Skill Activated: Omnipresent Genius of Beckenbauer]

[Effect: For the next 5 minutes of in-game time, your ability to read the entire game, orchestrate both defensive solidity and offensive fluidity, and seamlessly transition between deep defensive roles and advanced attacking positions is significantly enhanced. You will become the complete footballing entity on the pitch.]

A profound, almost overwhelming sense of interconnectedness washed over Nathan. He felt like every player on the pitch, both red and white, was an extension of his will. He could see how to plug defensive gaps while simultaneously identifying attacking overloads. He was no longer just a midfielder or an attacker; he was the entire game, commanding every movement, every pass, every tackle.

He immediately dropped deep, directing his teammates with subtle nods and gestures, guiding them to form a tighter defensive block, pressing Brentford's midfielders with newfound cohesion. Then, the moment United won the ball, he exploded forward, not in a straight line, but weaving through spaces, pulling defenders out of position with his presence alone.

In the 28th minute, United launched an attack. Nathan, with the Omnipresent Genius of Beckenbauer active, was initially deep, breaking up a Brentford pass. He then surged forward, bypassing two midfielders with a stunning display of his Masterful Dribbling. He reached the edge of the box, seeing Marcus Rashford making a run to his left and Harry Kane making a run to his right. But he also saw a tiny, almost invisible gap right down the middle, caused by his own relentless forward movement.

He didn't shoot. He executed a sublime, no-look through ball, a gentle curve that split Brentford's two center-backs and landed perfectly at the feet of Bruno Fernandes, who had made a late, surging run from midfield, completely unmarked. Bruno took one touch and fired it into the roof of the net!

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

The net bulged! Manchester United 1 - Brentford 1! Old Trafford erupted in a thunderous roar, a mixture of disbelief and pure jubilation. Nathan screamed, rushing to embrace Bruno. The Omnipresent Genius of Beckenbauer had created that goal, not just through a pass, but by orchestrating the entire offensive movement from start to finish.

The goal completely stunned Brentford. Their defensive discipline wavered. United, fueled by the equalizer and Nathan's holistic influence, pressed harder. Nathan felt the Omnipresent Genius fade after five minutes, but the feeling of complete control, of truly influencing every aspect of the game, was now deeply ingrained.

Just before halftime, United took the lead. A brilliant piece of skill from Antony on the wing saw him beat his man and deliver a pinpoint cross. Harry Kane rose highest and headed it powerfully past David Raya, making it 2-1.

The second half was a showcase of United's dominance. Brentford pushed for an equalizer, but United's defense, influenced by Nathan's earlier tactical guidance, held firm. David de Gea made a couple of crucial saves from long-range shots.

Nathan continued to influence the game, even without the active skill. He made intelligent runs, created space for others, and linked play beautifully, constantly pushing his Glide of Messi (73%) mastery. He had several complex solo runs.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Skill Mastery Progress: Glide of Messi (75%)]

[Permanent Benefit Unlocked: Unrivaled Dribbling (Your base dribbling ability is elevated to an unprecedented level, allowing you to bypass multiple defenders with effortless grace, unpredictability, and complete control in any situation).]

[Next Mastery Milestone: 100% (Requires continuous, sustained application of unrivaled dribbling in every match scenario and the execution of truly impossible solo efforts).]

Nathan felt an electric surge, a profound sense of lightness and absolute control in his feet. Unrivaled Dribbling. Seventy-five percent! He had unlocked the next level of his signature skill. The ball was now truly a part of him, an extension of his will, flowing with his thoughts.

The final minutes of the match were comfortable for United. Brentford, disheartened, couldn't find a way back into the game.

The final whistle blew.

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - BRENTFORD 1!

Old Trafford cheered, celebrating a hard-fought win that maintained their strong Premier League title challenge.

In the jubilant changing room, Erik ten Hag was beaming. "Another tough test, lads, another three points! Nathan, your influence today... you were everywhere! From defense to attack, you controlled everything!"

Nathan, breathless but beaming, just grinned. "Just trying to do my part, boss."

He checked his system.

[Overall Rating: S+]

Still S+. The Glide of Messi mastery was now at a staggering 75%, granting him Unrivaled Dribbling. And the Omnipresent Genius of Beckenbauer had given him a taste of ultimate game control.

As he walked out of Old Trafford, the cheers of the fans feeling like a warm embrace, a new thought solidified in his mind. He had achieved the ultimate rating, mastered incredible skills, learned tactical and artistic influences, and even redefined roles. He truly was an all-encompassing footballer. But the Legacy Archive had one final, elusive truth to reveal. What did it mean to be not just the GOAT, but to be truly Immortal?

Ding!

[Legacy Archive Update: New Category Unlocked - "The Immortals and Record Breakers"]

[Description: Delve into the exclusive pantheon of players whose achievements transcended their era, breaking seemingly unbreakable records, inspiring generations, and etching their names into football history as eternal legends.]

Nathan's eyes widened. Immortals and Record Breakers. This wasn't about current ability; it was about leaving an everlasting legacy. His GOAT journey had just found its ultimate, final, and most profound direction – to become an eternal legend. The Premier League season was long, the Champions League group stage continued, and he knew there would be many more challenges, many more chances to learn and evolve. The next match, an away Premier League fixture against Everton, awaited.