Cherreads

Touchline Evolution: My Football System

Magicsaint26
14
chs / week
The average realized release rate over the past 30 days is 14 chs / week.
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Synopsis
What do you do when the universe decides to flip you a middle finger? Valen Alarcon was a promising young footballer with the Manchester United U9s. He was supposed to be the next big thing and had a talent that was undeniable even at a young age. Unfortunately, an ACL injury shattered his dreams. From the golden boy at Manchester United's U9s to being unable to get scouted at a League One club's academy. Still, Valen worked hard and managed to get himself into Birmingham City's academy and was working hard to make it into the first team. And then the universe fucked him in the ass... again. He had another ACL injury and he was released. When all seemed lost and his football career down the drain, Valen got struck by lightning, and then something strange happened. [Ding! Synchronization complete] [Football System activated!]
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Chapter 1 - Football System Activated!

The sound of raindrops smashing against the rough texture of the ground from which several strands of grass sprouted formed a disorganized cacophony that reverberated across the empty field. Each drop hit the earth with a dull smack, some of them sliding down blades of grass before vanishing into the mud. The soil was uneven, soft in some places, puddled in others, but none of that mattered to the boy standing alone in the middle of it all.

This disorganized symphony, a chaotic duet of water and grass, produced a rhythm that, despite its randomness, might've been considered pleasant to the average listener. But the boy didn't seem to hear any of it.

Under the merciless cascade of rain, an eighteen-year-old boy stood still, unmoving, his eyes locked onto the football at his feet. Every so often, his gaze flicked toward the rusting goalpost far ahead, slightly to his left. The nets had holes in them, almost worn enough to be considered obsolete. But they were there, and that was all that mattered.

His hair, soaked and flattened against his forehead, covered half his face, giving him a look that bordered between worn-out and unhinged. The rain had drenched his shirt and joggers, which clung to his frame, highlighting an impressive physique, not the bulky type, but the kind honed through years of intense drills, daily training, and rehab. He looked like someone who was born to play football. A dream prospect. A coach's fantasy.

But that was the illusion. The fantasy.

The truth was far less glamorous.

In the end, I was... released.

Valen let out a hoarse chuckle as he recalled events of the last few weeks. He was released from his club, Birmingham City. Not in the we don't need you any more way. No, his contract was forcefully terminated and he didn't even know about what was happening until he saw a farewell post on the club's Instagram page.

He laughed again.

Well, it's not like I blame them.

Valen's football career was nothing short of a tragedy. When he was ten, he ended up getting an ACL injury which severely altered the course of his career. From training with Manchester United's U-9s to trying out for a League One's club academy, and he still didn't get in.

After that, it was a fight. Not against opponents, but against his own body. He trained with one leg for a year, taught himself to become left-foot dominant just to stay relevant. He made highlight reels of himself, paid to enter open trials, got laughed at once or twice.

But he pushed. Hard.

With that, he managed to get scouted by a few League One clubs and even earned himself a move to Birmingham City's U16 when he was fifteen years old.

But then... as if once wasn't enough, the universe decided to fuck him in the ass again.

He got another ACL injury.

This time, there was no coming back from it. He continued to regress, only getting promoted to the U18s because he was too old. In the end, the club decided that he wasn't worth it and terminated his contract.

"Oi, kid, get out of there!"

Valen turned to the direction the sound was coming from. It was an old man wearing a coat. 

"You'll catch a cold if you keep playing under this weather".

Valen turned his attention back to the football and let out a bitter laugh.

I wish... I wish I was able to be concerned about the possibility of getting a cold.

"Kid, this is the last time I'll say anything. Fuck off from there".

Valen laughed again.

You still don't get it? I don't give a fuck what happens to my body. It's already failed me twice, so why should I give a fuck about it

Valen ignored the warnings of the old man who just shrugged and walked away. He ran towards the ball and started driving it forward, running towards the goal post.

That touch was too heavy.

Now it's too light.

He kept having so many thoughts as he reached the front of the post and positioned himself for a shot from the left. His left foot hit the ball as he let rip a venomous strike... that sailed over the bar.

"Can't even hit a target now". Valen muttered, shaking his head. "That's just sad".

Valen walked over to get the ball from the stands. Right as he reached where the ball landed, the sound of thunder assaulted his ears. This time, it was much more venomous than the previous sounds that he had been hearing.

Maybe I should go bac-

Unfortunately, Valen didn't get to finish that thought. With a flash of light, he was struck by lightning and his body which was burnt to a crisp was twitching on the floor.

So this is how I go? This is all I ever amounted to. A was- What the fuck?

[Ding! Football System Activated]

[Synchronizing with Host]

[Synchronization complete!]

[Downloading Hosts' Stats]

[Name: Valen Alarcon]

[Age: 18]

[Club: None]

[Attributes:]

[Speed: D-]

[Acceleration: D-]

[Pace: E+]

[Dribbling: D+]

[Shooting: E+]

[Passing: D]

[Control: C-]

[Crossing: E]

[Overall Player Rating: 41]

[Overall Player Potential: 55]

[Skills: Stepovers, Body feint, Roulette]

[Titles: Nil]

[Awards: Nil]