From Reject to Legend

The next match of La Liga was here, and Malaga prepared their celebratory materials as they poured in La Rosaleda. Even the streets were packed, and some offices and businesses closed after half a day. Everyone gathered near the stadium to be a part of history.

The stadium roared with anticipation as the clock ticked down to kickoff at La Rosaleda, Málaga's fortress, where today's match held the promise of destiny. It was the 37th round of La Liga—a day when our performance could secure the championship for the first time in the club's storied history. The mood in the air was electric; every fan present knew they were part of something historic.

As I walked along the tunnel on matchday, my heart pounded in sync with the rhythmic chants that echoed off the concrete walls. The blue-and-white colors of our team shone brightly, and the passionate support of the fans was palpable even before we stepped onto the pitch. Coach Pellegrini's eyes, reflecting both determination and pride, met mine with a silent message: today, everything we have worked for is within reach. There was no room for hesitation—only focus, resolve, and the burning desire to win.

Outside, the fans assembled in a sea of vibrant scarves, banners, and unwavering cheers. Families, old-timers, and young children filled the stands, their voices rising in unison with chants of "¡Vamos, Málaga!" and "¡El campeón está aquí!" Every shout, every clap, and every drumbeat reverberated through the air, blending into a symphony of hope that transformed the stadium into a living, breathing monument to our club's aspirations.

The whistle blew, and the match commenced with a ferocity that left no doubt: Almería, though determined, were prepared to defend with every ounce of their strength. They set up in a compact formation, using all 11 men as a solid wall of resistance. Their strategy was simple—absorb our attacking pressure and rely on counterattacks to catch us off guard.

But we had come too far and were too hungry to be denied. We have come to make history. From the very first minute, our players surged forward with relentless energy.

The midfield dictated the pace; passes were played with precision and speed, and every player moved with the purpose of unlocking the stubborn defense. I could feel the passion in my veins as I tracked every play, every sprint, every heartbeat of this epic battle.

In the 15th minute, our first significant chance arrived. Griezmann, with his ever-present spark of genius, received the ball on the edge of the penalty area. He pivoted swiftly, his eyes scanning for an opening.

In that fleeting moment, time seemed to slow as he unleashed a perfectly weighted cross that skimmed the top of the box. Our defenders scrambled, but Almería's wall held firm. The shot was saved, but the intent was unmistakable—we were here to win.

It wasn't long before our persistence bore fruit. In the 27th minute, a well-orchestrated move set our breakthrough in motion. A quick, incisive pass from the midfield found its way to me near the edge of the box. I remembered all those mornings, all those hours of training and sacrifice, and with a calm clarity born of purpose, I struck a precise shot that curled into the far corner of the net. 

Goaaallll ! 1-0 for Malaga! Who else but our young magician, who steps up to put Malaga one step closer to history! This is it, folks! Malaga is on their way to becoming champions tonight if this score stands! - The announcer jumped and shouted in excitement.

The stadium exploded. I heard the roar of the crowd swell into an overwhelming chorus of jubilation. For a brief, glorious moment, I felt as if every heartbeat in Málaga was echoing my own—our dreams had inched closer to reality. I rushed to the sidelines as my teammate followed with cheers and laughter.

I slapped the corner flag and roared, " This is Malaga!" The crowd went berserk with cheers and roared , "The King is Here!"

As I jogged back to join my teammates, the flood of emotions was overwhelming.

I saw tears glistening in the eyes of some elderly fans, and children waved handmade banners in the air. The joy was contagious. My teammates clapped me on the back, their smiles wide and genuine. Coach Pellegrini's approving nod from the sidelines spoke volumes. That first goal wasn't just a number on the scoreboard—it was the spark that ignited our determination, the turning point that would propel us toward destiny.

The match continued with an intensity that was almost tangible. Almería fought valiantly, using every ounce of strength to repel our attacks, but our momentum was unstoppable.

In the 55th minute, another opportunity presented itself. This time, it was Joaquín who seized the moment. With his trademark pace and the wisdom of years spent in fierce battles, he broke free down the right flank. His eyes locked onto an unmarked space near the penalty area—a space that begged to be exploited.

In a seamless display of teamwork, Joaquín swung a cross into the area with the precision of a master craftsman. I found myself in the right place at the right time, and with a swift, decisive header, I sent the ball crashing into the net.

The scoreboard flashed 2–0. 

Goooaaallllll! It's 2-0 for Malaga! They have done the unthinkable! Malaga with clear dominance on the field as they write their name on the La Liga trophy !

At that moment, the roar of the crowd intensified into a deafening explosion of sound, as if every soul in the stadium were celebrating a shared dream becoming reality.

I felt my heart swell with pride and gratitude as my teammates rushed to embrace me. In the midst of that celebration, I saw the faces of our supporters—smiling, crying, and chanting with unabashed joy. The energy was electric, each cheer a declaration of belief, each wave of hands a symbol of unity. We were not just playing for show; we were fighting for history.

As the minutes dwindled, Almería's resistance crumbled. They fought bravely, but our performance was simply too strong. The referee checked his watch, then brought the whistle to his lips. The sharp blast echoed through the stadium.

The match was over.

The score was 2–0 in our favor, and with that, the unthinkable had happened—we had secured the championship, the first-ever La Liga title in Málaga's history.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, like a tidal wave, an eruption of sound engulfed La Rosaleda. Fans poured onto the pitch, their voices blending into a chaotic yet beautiful symphony of joy. Strangers embraced as tears streamed down their faces. Blue and white flags waved wildly in the air, a sea of Málaga's colors painting the night sky.

I stood there, dazed, drinking in the scene. This was it. We had done it. Málaga CF were La Liga champions for the first time in history. I even ignored the familiar Ding! sound of notification that buzzed in my head.

Coach Pellegrini embraced several players as he rushed the center of the pitch, their faces glowing with elation. His voice choked with emotion. "We did this together, boys. every pass, every tackle, every goal—this victory is ours, and it belongs to every single one of you. I am proud to coach you all."

Before I could fully process it, my teammates swarmed around me. Griezmann clapped me on the back, grinning like a madman.

"Adriano! We did it! Do you hear that? They're chanting your name!" he yelled over the deafening noise.

I blinked, suddenly aware of the crowd surrounding me. The chants became clearer now:

"¡Rey Adriano! ¡Nuestro Héroe!"

("King Adriano! Our Hero!")

Before I could react, strong arms lifted me off the ground. I yelped in surprise as my teammates hoisted me onto their shoulders, parading me around the pitch like a conquering hero. The fans followed behind , laughing and cheering, while some threw flowers on us.

Joaquín, laughing breathlessly, looked up at me. "You better get used to this, amigo. The city is never going to forget what you did this season."

Samuel, running beside us, smirked. "Enjoy it, Adriano. Nights like this? They don't come often."

I could barely respond. It felt unreal. The floodlights, the roaring crowd, the scent of fresh grass mixed with the perfume of thousands of flowers being thrown onto the pitch—it was overwhelming. I stretched out my hands, brushing my fingers against the petals falling around me.

Among the crowd, an old man caught my eye. His wrinkled face was streaked with tears, but he was smiling. He clutched a Málaga scarf tightly, his knuckles white. When our eyes met, he pressed his fist to his heart and nodded.

That did it. A lump formed in my throat. This wasn't just a victory. This was history. We had given this city a memory that would last for generations.

A young boy, barely ten, darted through the crowd and grabbed my wrist. "Adriano, you're my hero!" he shouted, his voice trembling with excitement.

I leaned down, ruffling his hair. "No, kid—you're ours. This victory belongs to all of you."

Coach Pellegrini appeared beside us, clapping his hands to call the team together. His voice, hoarse with emotion, cut through the noise. " I thank the players and all our fans for this achievement. We couldn't have done it without your unrelenting support despite the odds. This victory belongs to all of us, and our young hero," he pointed towards me as I felt tears forming in my eyes.

The stadium shook with cheers from the response.

I have come a long way from a reject discarded by La Masia, and meant to disapper into obscurity and fade away. I have grown into to a good player, a hero who have taken a small team in La Liga to beat the giants like Real, Atletico and Barca, achieve unbelievable personal feats of 33 goals and 37 assists from 30 games, and take Malaga to win their first ever La Liga trophy. And the best part, everybody acknowledged and agreed with that fact I was the one who made it happen mostly. I was no longer just a passing wonder, I have truly become a football star who made a mark on history and the record books! I could imagine the joy my parents must be feeling right now, I'm sure they are watching with a proud smile on their face. 

I took a deep breath, then threw my fists into the air and roared, "¡Málaga, esto es para ustedes!"

("Málaga, this is for you!")

The explosion of sound that followed nearly knocked the breath out of me. I let myself go in the moment, cheering, laughing, basking in the euphoria of a dream realized. This was no longer just my journey—it was our triumph, our story, one that would be told for years to come.

Outside the stadium, the city of Málaga was alive with celebration. Crowds poured into the streets, their voices rising in triumphant chants. Cars honked, people danced, and banners fluttered in the night air. Everywhere I looked, I saw the joy and pride of a city that had waited a lifetime for this moment. It wasn't just a football match; it was a celebration of hope, resilience, and the power of unity.

Local news channels captured every moment. Reporters interviewed elated fans who couldn't stop crying and laughing at the same time. "I've never seen anything like this," one elderly supporter exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down his face. "Our boys did it! Málaga has won!" Social media exploded with hashtags like #MálagaChampions, #AdrianoMakesItReal, and #DreamComeTrue, each post a tribute to the historic victory.

I took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. The celebration has been epic—more than I had ever imagined possible. It was a day of dreams fulfilled, of a city united, and of a team that had defied the odds. I looked around at my teammates, the memories of every intense training session and every battle on the pitch flashing before my eyes. In that moment, I knew that this victory was ours forever.

In the post-match press conference, Coach Pellegrini and several key players were interviewed. His voice, still trembling with emotion, carried the weight of the moment. "This victory is more than just a title—it's the result of our hard work, our unity, and our belief in each other," he said, eyes shining with unshed tears. My own thoughts drifted back to the moment I scored that decisive header, the surge of adrenaline, and the overwhelming feeling that I was exactly where I belonged.

Outside , the city of Malaga was still celebrating, and looks like they would continue the whole week as most places declared holiday for the next day. The city would never forget what thwy achieved today, for history isn't made evry day.

*** And there you go folks! Malaga is the winners of 2013-2014 La Liga ! I have never thought I would write this far when I started this fic on a whim. It's been a mixed journey, kinda like Adriano, with lots of supporters cheering me on, and some haters trying to hold me back. 

I am thankful to all of you. I tried my best to capture a footballer's journey as real as possible while keeping the fiction in check, and I hope I have achieved at least 80% of that. I will try to improve further as I go on. Next chapter you will get a surprise with the system and 3rd template, look forward to it!

And Like Adriano said, "This one's for you all!" ***