Become A Football Legend Chapter 346: Introduction

June 16th.

Philadelphia.

A gentle touch on his shoulder roused Lukas from his slumber.

"Mr. Brandt," the flight attendant stated softly, her smile professional, "we have arrived."

Lukas’s eyes fluttered open, a momentary confusion clouding his gaze as he surveyed the dimly lit interior of the private jet. Most of the other passengers had already roused themselves.

Across from him, João was engaged in a languid stretch.

Aaron was absorbed in his phone, tapping away at the screen.

Javi, meanwhile, stood near the aisle, conversing in hushed tones with a member of the cabin crew.

Beside Lukas, Joanna shifted slightly, the blanket on her lap rustling.

"We're here?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

"Appears so."

The flight attendant beamed. "Welcome to Philadelphia."

"Thank you," Lukas responded politely. He then slowly rose, retrieving his backpack from its spot beside the seat.

Within a few minutes, the cabin door was opened.

A wave of warm air immediately flooded the interior.

It was the American summer heat.

As Lukas descended the jet stairs, the sunlight struck his face with surprising intensity, causing him to instinctively raise a hand to shield his eyes for a brief moment.

This heat felt distinct from that of Europe, somehow.

Heavier.

Brighter.

The tarmac seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction, with private aircraft sparsely dotting the grounds near the hangars at Philadelphia International Airport.

A convoy of black SUVs was already positioned nearby, awaiting their arrival.

Adjusting the strap of his backpack over one shoulder, Lukas pulled a black baseball cap lower on his forehead. Sunglasses followed moments later.

João emerged from the jet behind him and let out an audible whistle.

"Alright," he murmured, gazing around. "This actually feels like America."

Aaron chuckled softly beside them.

"Just wait until you see the highways."

The driver stationed by the lead SUV promptly stepped forward.

"Welcome to Philadelphia," he greeted them courteously, taking some of the luggage.

Lukas offered a handshake. "Thank you."

Soon, they were all settling into the vehicles, their bags stowed in the back as the convoy initiated its movement away from the private terminal.

As the cars exited the airport's vicinity and merged onto the expansive American roadways, Lukas observed the unfolding scenery through the tinted windows.

Philadelphia presented a different urban flow compared to European cities.

The roads were exceptionally wide.

The vehicles seemed larger.

Everything possessed a sense of greater spaciousness.

Even the distances between buildings felt unfamiliar.

This marked Lukas's inaugural visit to the United States.

Not just in this current existence, but even in his past life, he had never set foot in the country.

Meanwhile, João remained fixated on the view outside his window.

"Bro," he whispered, "this seriously looks just like the movies."

Aaron, seated in the front passenger seat, responded with laughter. "That's about the most 'European' reaction possible."

Lukas offered a faint smile, continuing his observations.

American flags fluttered outside shops and service stations. Gigantic billboards commanded attention along the highways. Basketball courts were interspersed among residential buildings. Vibrant murals adorned sections of brick facades as the convoy ventured deeper into the city.

Gradually, the dense urban landscape began to yield as they traveled further.

Aaron turned slightly in his seat.

"The squad is currently staying near the training facilities set up for the tournament," he explained. "While the club's main base camp is in Florida at Lynn University, our initial match is here in Philadelphia, hence the temporary relocation of operations."

Lukas offered a quiet nod.

His thoughts were already returning to the realm of football.

The squad.

Training sessions.

Pep Guardiola.

Initial assessments.

As their SUV navigated the streets of Philadelphia, Aaron turned again from the front passenger seat, glancing back towards Lukas.

"There’s something important I need to mention before we reach the hotel," he said.

Lukas shifted his gaze from the window. "What is it?"

Aaron nodded slightly. "You won't be officially registered for the group stage matches."

João's eyes widened. "What?!"

Aaron quickly elaborated.

"The deadline for submitting the initial squad list was June 10th. At that time, your transfer had not yet been finalized, so FIFA regulations prevented City from including you on that roster."

Lukas absorbed this information with a slow nod.

It made perfect sense.

"However," Aaron continued, "there is a subsequent registration period that opens on June 27th, just before the knockout stages commence. Once that window opens, the club will formally add you to the squad."

"So, I'll be eligible to play from the knockout rounds onwards?" Lukas inquired.

"Precisely."

Aaron offered a slight smile. "For the time being, the plan is for you to settle in, get acquainted with the entire squad, train alongside the team, and offer your support during the initial three matches."

João leaned back dramatically in his seat. "That sounds like torture."

Lukas chuckled softly.

"It’s perfectly fine," he stated truthfully. "I anticipated something along those lines anyway."

And in all honesty—

He was still incredibly excited.

The luxury SUV finally halted in front of one of the grand hotels FIFA had secured for the clubs participating in the tournament. Barriers partially cordoned off the entrance area, and a handful of fans were gathered near the designated viewing spots outside.

The instant Lukas exited the vehicle, shouts erupted from the crowd.

"LUKAS!"

"BRANDT!"

Several Manchester City supporters, clad in club jerseys, waved enthusiastically from behind the barriers. Some of them were already holding signs bearing his name, despite him not being officially eligible to play yet.

Lukas offered a slight smile and waved back at them. Then, adjusting the cap on his head, he followed Aaron into the building.

Inside, the hotel lobby hummed with muted activity as club staff moved between the elevators and various conference rooms.

And waiting near the center, anticipating their arrival—

was Pepijn Lijnders.

"You’ve finally arrived," Lijnders declared with a wide grin, stepping forward to give Lukas a brief hug.

Lukas chuckled, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected warmth.

"It’s nice to meet you."

"I'm Pep," Lijnders responded promptly. "But don't mix me up with the other Pep."

This remark elicited a laugh from João, who was just behind them.

Lijnders gestured dramatically upwards.

"He gets quite jealous."

Lukas finally broke into a genuine smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, coach."

"Just call me Lijnders," he said casually. "Or Pep. Whatever feels right."

After exchanging brief greetings with the others, Lijnders gestured towards the elevators.

"Guardiola is upstairs. The team meeting is just concluding."

Moments later, they arrived on the fourth floor and proceeded down the hallway toward a spacious conference room at the far end.

As the doors opened,

applause erupted throughout the room.

Players clapped from their seats, some rising to their feet, others letting out playful whistles as Lukas entered.

For a fleeting half-second, he paused, a little stunned.

Not from apprehension.

But simply from the sheer, almost surreal, nature of the moment.

Then, Pep Guardiola himself walked directly over.

"At last," Guardiola said warmly, offering Lukas a firm handshake before pulling him into a quick embrace. "Welcome to the club. How was your flight?"

"It was good," Lukas replied.

Pep nodded with approval before turning back to address the room.

"Alright, everyone," he announced, clapping his hands together once. "Tomorrow, we begin proper training. We have a match in two days, so get some good rest tonight."

The meeting dissolved almost instantly, with conversations starting and people moving around the room.

And then, Lukas's gaze fell upon a familiar face.

Omar Marmoush.

The Egyptian forward was already beaming as he made his way toward Lukas.

"There he is," Marmoush exclaimed with a laugh, giving Lukas a brief hug. "A Manchester City player now."

Lukas laughed in return, a sense of relief washing over him now that there was at least one familiar face present.

"It feels quite strange to hear that."

"You'll get accustomed to it."

Marmoush gave him a light pat on the shoulder before turning to the nearby teammates.

"Everyone, meet little Messi."

"Oh, here we go again," Jeremy Doku groaned playfully from a short distance away.

"No, seriously," Nico O’Reilly chimed in with a laugh, pointing at Marmoush. "This guy has been raving about you for months."

"Every single training session," Rico Lewis added. "He kept saying, 'Just wait until Lukas arrives. Just wait until Lukas arrives.'"

Marmoush immediately pointed back at them. "Just you wait, you'll soon see how right I was."