After the Villarreal match, Azul's name spread beyond La Masia's walls. Articles began to appear on youth football blogs: *"Barça's New Midfield Prodigy?"* *"Reyes — The Eye of La Masia."*
He tried not to read them, but curiosity was human. One night, he found himself scrolling through the headlines under his blanket, heart beating fast. Seeing his name in print was surreal — validation and danger wrapped into one.
The next morning, Morales called him into his office.
"You've been doing well," Morales said. "But fame at your age can be poison. You understand?"
Azul nodded. "Yes, coach."
"Good. Then prove it. Next week, we're playing against the older division. You'll captain your squad."
Azul blinked. "Captain?"
Morales's eyes softened. "You've earned their respect. Now earn their trust."
---
The announcement sent ripples through the team. Some cheered him on. Others — especially the older boys — looked skeptical. Being captain wasn't just about wearing the armband; it meant leading in the heat of pressure.
Training grew more intense. Azul pushed himself harder than ever, analyzing, adapting, guiding. But late at night, he found himself alone in thought, wondering if he was ready.
One evening, as he sat in the courtyard under the orange glow of the lights, Pablo joined him.
"Scared?"
Azul smiled faintly. "A little."
"Good," Pablo said. "That means you care."
Azul looked up at the stars. "Messi once captained La Masia, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then maybe… I can learn to do what he did."
---
The match arrived. Their opponents were the U15s — bigger, faster, stronger. Morales's only instruction before kickoff was simple: "Lead through example, Reyes. Show them what vision really means."
From the first whistle, Azul commanded play. He didn't shout — he directed with movement, gestures, subtle looks. When the older players pressed, he found space. When panic threatened the younger boys, he slowed the tempo.
By halftime, they were holding a draw — an achievement in itself.
In the second half, a counterattack broke loose. Azul received the ball near halfway, two defenders closing in. He didn't panic. One glance — and he saw Pablo sprinting wide. Another flick — Nico cutting central.
Azul passed between the two defenders, a perfect diagonal split. Nico collected, squared it to Pablo, and the net rippled.
Final whistle: 2–1 to Azul's squad.
As they celebrated, Morales smiled from the sideline. "You led like a Barça player today," he told Azul. "Quietly, intelligently, beautifully."
For the first time, Azul didn't doubt that he belonged.
---
## **Chapter 14 – Between Shadows and Light**