Training grew colder
Not because of the weather
But because of the tension
Cristiano had started to rise
And some teammates didn't like it
He could feel the stares
Hear the mutters behind his back
"Too much show"
"Thinks he's bigger than the team"
He wasn't trying to be arrogant
He just refused to shrink himself to fit in
One day in training
A scuffle broke out
Cristiano had dribbled past three players again
Too easily
Too clean
One of the defenders, older, tougher
Shoved him hard from behind
Cristiano fell but didn't stay down
He got up slowly
Eyes sharp
No words spoken
Sir Alex blew the whistle but said nothing
He watched
Everyone did
Cristiano jogged back into position
And on the very next play
He took the ball again
Went straight at the same defender
Nutmeg
Gone in a flash
The squad let out a low "oof"
No cheers
Just tension
That night Cristiano stayed after practice alone
The staff turned off the lights around the pitch
But one corner remained lit
He kept shooting
Over and over
Left foot
Right foot
Crossbar
Volley
Turn and shoot
The kitman came out to tell him it was time to go
Cristiano just nodded but kept hitting shots
He knew what was happening
When you rise too fast
People want to pull you back down
But Cristiano wasn't trying to be liked
He wasn't there to make friends
He was there to win
And he knew
One day
Even the ones who hated him now would celebrate his name
So he trained alone under the last floodlight
Like a soldier sharpening his sword
Preparing for the next battle
Where love or hate wouldn't matter
Only results would