The referee's face was a mask of fury.
He stormed into the chaos, shouting orders and flashing cards like weapons.
First, a red card for Nicolás Rivas — direct expulsion for violent conduct.
Then, after a moment's hesitation, he turned toward Mateo.
Another red card.
The stadium roared with confusion.
Some booed.Others cheered.Reporters furiously scribbled notes, cameras flashing from every angle.
From the sidelines, Coach Cárdenas folded his arms, his expression unreadable —but he made no move to defend Mateo.
Not a word.
Not a glance.
Mateo stood still, fists trembling at his sides, his mind spinning.
He hadn't thrown a punch.
He had defended himself.
But none of that mattered now.
The narrative was already written.
He walked off the field slowly, head held high despite the crushing weight on his shoulders.
The Uruguayan players watched him go with a mixture of pity and respect.
Some of them even clapped softly — a small, silent tribute only Mateo seemed to notice.
But from the Argentine bench,only cold stares.
Only silence.
The match continued without him.
But it didn't matter anymore.
The real battle had just begun.
By the time Mateo reached the locker room,his phone was already blowing up.
News alerts.Headlines.
"Mateo González EXPLODES in Brawl!""European Ego Can't Handle Argentine Pressure!""From Wonderkid to Trouble-Maker?"
He slumped onto the bench, burying his face in his hands.
The noise was deafening.
The betrayal, absolute.
Across the ocean, in Germany, Klara stared at the TV in horror.
She gripped her phone tightly and called her father instantly.
"We have to help him," she said, voice trembling with emotion.
Her father — serious, calm — nodded grimly.
"I'll move immediately. We'll reveal the truth."
Already, he was contacting trusted reporters, legal advisors, and Bayern's press team.
Mateo might have been alone inside that stadium —but outside,his true team was mobilizing.
Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires, the real enemies celebrated.
Hidden away in private offices, the agent controlling half the Sub-20 squad smiled coldly.
One of his lackeys muttered:
"With that, Mateo's reputation in Argentina is dead."
The agent only chuckled.
"For now."
Back in the empty locker room, Mateo finally raised his head.
Tears burned at the corners of his eyes — not of sadness.
Of anger.
Of injustice.
Of resolve.
The System, silent until now, finally spoke:
[Special Quest Unlocked: "Rise from the Ashes."]
Prove your worth despite betrayal.Overcome media slander.Rebuild your reputation on the global stage.
Reward: Legendary Passive Skill — "Unbreakable Spirit."
Mateo stared at the glowing panel.
His jaw tightened.
They thought they had buried him.
They were wrong.
He would rise again — stronger, smarter, and unstoppable.
This was no longer just about football.
This was war.