𖥻 ׁ ׅ LAMINE YAMAL

The stadium was still full when the final whistle blew across the field. The scoreboard showed Spain 0 x 0 Cape Verde, and the fans began to leave the stands little by little.

Her boyfriend, Lamine Yamal, ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. He had waited so long for this moment. After weeks recovering from the injury that almost kept him out of the World Cup, he was finally back on the pitch. Even starting on the bench, he was eager to get in and help his team.

When the coach called him to warm up in the second half, his eyes lit up with happiness. He ran to the sideline and came on determined to change the game. He tried dribbling, created plays, and even attempted a shot, but the ball simply wouldn't go in.

Now, all he felt was exhaustion.

As he walked off the pitch, he held a water bottle and greeted some teammates. Photographers snapped pictures nonstop, but Lamine barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere.

"We tried..." he murmured to one of his colleagues.

He walked into the hallway leading to the locker room and let out a long sigh. Sweat still dripped down his face, and his legs felt heavy.

As soon as he reached his locker, he grabbed his cell phone.

There were several notifications, but he ignored them all.

The only person I wanted to talk to was you.

Without thinking twice, he opened his conversation.

Lamine: "Love..."