Become A Football Legend Chapter 374: The Love

Lukas looked up from his coffee.

"To Manchester?"

She nodded.

"Classes don’t start until October anyway. I can sort out my accommodation and everything online, so there’s really no reason for me to rush back."

A smile spread across Lukas’ face.

"I’d really like that."

"I figured you might."

He looked at her for a moment before another thought crossed his mind.

"Will your parents be okay with you staying with me?"

"They will."

She smiled reassuringly.

"I’ll talk to them, but I already know what they’re going to say."

"Which is?"

"They trust you."

Lukas couldn’t help smiling.

"I’d love to have you there."

"Even if it’s only for a couple of months?"

"Especially if it’s for a couple of months."

Their eyes met across the table.

Neither of them spoke for a few seconds.

They simply smiled at one another before slowly leaning across the table.

Just before their lips met—

"Ahem."

João cleared his throat as loudly as humanly possible.

"Guys."

Both of them froze.

"I’m still sitting right here."

Lukas looked at him.

"So?"

"So?"

João threw his hands into the air.

"At least wait until I leave the room."

Lukas made a shooing motion with both hands.

"Then what are you waiting for? Shoo."

João burst out laughing.

"Unbelievable."

Still chuckling, he picked up another slice of bread in one hand and his mug of coffee in the other.

"I’m going for a walk."

As he reached the door, he looked back over his shoulder.

"You’ve got 10 minutes. After that I’m coming back."

The door closed behind him.

Lukas and Joanna looked at each other and leaned in for a kiss.

* * *

23 July 2025

Lukas’ flight landed in Frankfurt shortly after midday.

By early afternoon, the black SUV carrying him rolled through the gates of the Eintracht Frankfurt training complex, the ProfiCamp. It felt strangely familiar. Only a few weeks had passed since he had left, yet returning already felt different. The club was preparing for preseason, so the facility wasn’t at full capacity yet, but several players had already reported back early after Lukas had mentioned in the team group chat that he would stop by to say goodbye properly before beginning his new Chapter in Manchester.

As soon as he stepped inside the main building, familiar faces greeted him.

Can Uzun was the first to spot him.

"Lukas!"

The young midfielder walked over with a grin before pulling him into a quick hug.

"Manchester City, huh?"

Lukas laughed.

"Looks that way."

Kevin Trapp followed, shaking his hand firmly before congratulating him, while Nathaniel Brown wished him luck and jokingly reminded him not to forget where he had come from.

Then Hugo Larsson appeared.

Unlike the others, he didn’t say anything immediately.

He simply opened his arms.

Lukas smiled and stepped forward, returning the hug.

"Congratulations, man," Larsson said, patting him twice on the back. "Honestly, after everything you did in only 6 months, I think the move happened too late."

Lukas laughed.

"I couldn’t have done any of it without you guys."

"You would’ve found a way."

"I doubt it."

Before Larsson could answer, another familiar voice joined the conversation.

"I’m proud of you."

Dino Toppmöller walked over with a warm smile before extending his hand.

Lukas shook it respectfully.

"Go over there and show those Englishmen what you’re capable of. Don’t change the way you play because of the badge on your shirt. Make them adapt to you."

"Thanks, coach."

"I’ll be watching every game."

Their conversation was interrupted by another arrival.

The entrance doors opened once more.

Hugo Ekitiké walked inside carrying a small travel bag over one shoulder. His transfer to Liverpool had already been completed, and just like Lukas, he had returned one last time to say goodbye properly.

Several players welcomed him before he eventually made his way over.

The moment he saw Lukas, he grinned.

"I don’t need to say goodbye to you."

Lukas smiled.

"No?"

"I’ll see you in the Premier League."

The French striker crouched slightly to wrap Lukas in a hug before straightening back up.

"I watched your Club World Cup matches," Ekitiké said. "You’ve settled in quickly."

"I’m sure you’ll do the same too once the season starts," Lukas responded.

"I can’t wait until we play each other."

"Neither can I."

Ekitiké chuckled.

"My job is to help Liverpool defend the Premier League title."

Lukas folded his arms.

"I’m sorry to say this, but you’ve got no chance."

Both of them laughed.

Toppmöller shook his head.

"At least wait until you’re both in England before starting your rivalry."

That only made everyone laugh harder.

A little later, the group left the training ground together and headed into the city for an early farewell dinner.

Stories from the previous season flowed naturally around the table. Someone brought up the Europa League final, another mentioned the impossible comeback against Bayer Leverkusen, and before long everyone was laughing over old dressing-room jokes that only they understood. For a couple of hours, it almost felt as though nothing had changed.

By the time they left the restaurant, the evening sun had begun dipping toward the horizon.

It was just after 7 p.m.

Larsson had offered to drive Lukas back afterward, so the two of them walked side by side toward the nearby parking garage while the rest of the group followed behind.

Then Larsson suddenly slowed.

"...That’s a lot of people."

Lukas looked up.

Outside the barriers surrounding the restaurant, a massive crowd had gathered.

Hundreds of supporters filled the pavement.

Then hundreds became what looked like close to a thousand.

Lukas instinctively stopped walking.

For weeks he had avoided reading too much about his transfer. Every now and then curiosity got the better of him, and he would scroll through supporter forums or social media. Some fans thanked him for helping deliver the Europa League. Others couldn’t forgive him for leaving after only 6 months, convinced that one more season could have brought even greater success. He had prepared himself for whistles, angry banners, maybe even insults.

Larsson noticed the hesitation.

"Stay here," he said quietly. "I’ll check what’s going on first."

Lukas shook his head.

"It’s okay."

He took a breath and walked outside.

The moment the supporters saw him, the entire street erupted.

"LUKAS!"

The roar hit him like a wave.

Scarves shot into the air.

Flags began waving.

Supporters pushed against the barriers, not to get at him, but simply to get closer.

Some held banners thanking him for bringing European glory back to Frankfurt. Others carried homemade signs wishing him luck in Manchester. Several scarves had his face knitted into them alongside the Europa League trophy, while countless supporters wore shirts with his name still printed across the back.

Lukas froze.

He hadn’t expected this.

Not even close.

His vision blurred as tears gathered in his eyes.

Slowly, he raised both hands and applauded the supporters.

Then he blew them a kiss.

Another.

And another.

The noise somehow became even louder.

"LUKAS! LUKAS! LUKAS!"

The chant echoed through the street as he continued walking toward Larsson’s car, turning every few steps to wave again.

He had only spent 1 year at the club.

He had only worn the first-team shirt for 6 months.

Yet standing there, surrounded by thousands of grateful Frankfurt supporters, Lukas understood something he would never forget.

Some clubs measured a player by the number of seasons he stayed.

Eintracht Frankfurt had measured him by what he gave while he was there.