Tuesday came like an exhale.
The draw against Santos was still fresh in everyone's minds—pundits dissecting every minute, fans rewatching clips, headlines spinning narratives. But at the Palmeiras training ground, things had slowed. Regeneration day. No media access. No public drills. Just breath.
Thiago arrived early, more from habit than obligation. The halls were quieter. The weight room echoed with the soft clatter of dumbbells. The physio rooms hummed with machines and whispered consultations. Even Eneas kept a low profile, allowing players to reset.
Thiago moved through the motions. Light stretches. Pool therapy. Ice. No cleats today—just recovery slides and the stillness of routine.
But his mind wasn't still.
That afternoon, he called home.
His mother answered on the second ring, voice a familiar warmth that made his throat tighten.
"Thiago? You're calling in the middle of the day—is everything alright?"
