The sheer euphoria from the 3-2 victory over Arsenal, sealed by Leon's incredible last-minute chip, still hummed through Villa Park. Leon Fischer, his 'Current: 84' pulsing with every beat of his heart, felt on top of the world.
He'd not only scored a match-winner against the league leaders but had secured Villa's place in the coveted top six.
The next few days were a blur of media frenzy.
His goal was replayed endlessly, pundits raving about his 'vision', his 'composure', and that 'audacious chip'.
Leon's phone was constantly vibrating. He picked it up, curiosity piqued by the sheer number of notifications. His Facelook account, which he'd mostly just used to post a few pictures, now displayed a truly mind-boggling number:
One million! Just from that Arsenal match! Leon stared, speechless.
He'd gone from 850K to 1M in a single game! He scrolled through the comments, seeing a flood of new fans, new praise, even a few verified accounts from famous footballers congratulating him.
It was overwhelming, surreal, and incredibly cool. He texted Byon (Current: 85): "Guess who just hit 1 MILLION followers?!"
Byon's reply was instant: "NO WAY! ALREADY?! You're catching up, Leo! Told you that Premier League exposure is wild! Congrats, mate! Guess I need to score another solo goal to stay ahead!"
Leon laughed. Their playful social media rivalry was just as intense as their on-pitch one.
That evening, Leon was in the common room at the academy, slumped on a sofa, when Byon burst in, clutching a bag of snacks.
"Leo! You're not going to believe what's on tonight!" Byon's 'Current: 85' radiated pure excitement. "It's the Champions League Quarter-Final! Barcelona versus Real Madrid! The Clásico!"
Leon's eyes lit up. "No way! I completely forgot! Grab a seat!" He moved over, making space for Byon. This was a rare treat, watching the biggest club match in the world with his best friend.
They settled in, surrounded by a few other academy players and some coaches who had gathered to watch. The atmosphere in the room, even for a televised match, was electric.
The screen flashed with the iconic Champions League anthem, then showed the lineups. Leon's 'sight' immediately activated, focusing on the players.
For Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski (Potential: 89, Current: 88), their lethal striker.
Frenkie de Jong (Potential: 89, Current: 87), a masterful midfielder. And then, the new kid everyone was talking about:
Lamine Yamal (Potential: 94, Current: 86), a dazzling young winger.
For Real Madrid: Vinicius Jr. (Potential: 90, Current: 88), a blur of speed and skill.
Jude Bellingham (Potential: 92, Current: 89), their midfield engine.
Kylian Mbappé (Potential: 93, Current: 91), the fastest player in the world, a force of nature.
And the new wonderkid, Emre Demir (Potential: 94, Current: 86), on the bench.
The match kicked off, and it was a whirlwind. Real Madrid and Barcelona traded blows, the pace relentless. Leon and Byon barely blinked, completely engrossed.
Lamine Yamal (Current: 86) for Barcelona was phenomenal. His movements were fluid.
Leon saw the 'quick body feints' and 'rapid accelerations' that were his signature.
Yamal scored a stunning solo goal in the first half, weaving through two Real Madrid defenders before slotting it home.
GOOOAL! Barcelona 1 - Real Madrid 0!
"UNBELIEVABLE!" Byon yelled, jumping up. "He's only, what, sixteen?! And he's doing that against Real Madrid!"
Leon nodded, his 'Current: 84' acknowledging Yamal's astonishing talent. Potential: 94, Current: 86. He was exploding.
Real Madrid equalized just before halftime through a powerful header from Jude Bellingham (Current: 89).
The second half was even more intense. Both teams fought for every ball. Real Madrid brought on Emre Demir (Current: 86). Leon watched him closely. E
mre's 'Current' immediately looked sharp, his touches precise, his passes incisive. He didn't score, but his presence clearly added a new dimension to Madrid's attack.
"He's good, isn't he?" Byon commented, watching Emre. "That kid is going to be a problem."
"He already is," Leon agreed. "His 'Current' is 86 now. He grows so fast."
The match ended 1-1, a thrilling draw, setting up an epic second leg.
TV Sports News - Champions League Quarter-Final Previews
The next day, the news channels were hyping up the other Champions League Quarter-Finals.
"Tomorrow, we have a clash of titans!" the presenter announced.
"Bayern Munich vs. Manchester City! Robert Lewandowski (Potential: 90, Current: 89) against Erling Haaland (Current: 92)! Pep Guardiola's tactical genius against Thomas Tuchel disciplined Bayern!"
Leon and Byon were watching together again, this time at Leon's place. Byon's 'Current: 85' was buzzing with pride for his new team.
"And the other Quarter-Final sees Inter Milan take on Paris Saint-Germain!"
"Mbappé is a cheat code," Byon said, shaking his head in awe as they showed highlights of Mbappé's blistering pace.
Leon nodded, his 'Current: 84' acknowledging the challenge. He thought about his own 'Flair Dribbling' experience. Could he replicate Mbappé's pace if the 'Help System' offered it? The possibilities were endless.
They spent the rest of the evening debating the matchups, predicting outcomes, and marveling at the incredible talent on display in world football.
"You know, Leo," Byon said suddenly, grabbing a FIFA game controller.
"All this talk about these superstars... it makes me want to show them what we're made of."
Leon grinned. "What are you thinking?"
Byon's eyes twinkled. "Let's play FIFA. You're Real Madrid, I'm Manchester City. Let's see whose 'Current' ratings are better when we control them ourselves. Haaland versus Mbappé, Byon versus Fischer. What do you say?"
Leon chuckled, picking up the other controller.
"You're on, Mr. 48 Millionaire. But just so you know, my virtual skills are just as good as my real ones. You might be more expensive, but I'm still the best!"
The playful challenge was exactly what they needed. It was a reminder that amidst the dizzying heights of professional football, the biggest games in the world, and the constant pressure, at its heart, it was still just a game they loved.