The team noticed something
He stopped laughing
Stopped dancing
No more stepovers just for fun
Everything he did now had edge
Purpose
Ruthlessness
Cristiano had changed
Before
He wanted to prove he belonged
Now
He wanted to become untouchable
He arrived before the coaches
Left after the janitors
He started doing workouts alone
Strength
Agility
Shooting
When trainers told him to rest
He found ways to train without getting caught
Ice baths at midnight
Push ups in his apartment
Sprint drills through empty stadium corridors
One day an assistant coach caught him after hours
You're pushing too hard
Cristiano didn't stop
Just kept juggling the ball
You think greatness comes with sleep?
Off the pitch
He stopped going out
No parties
No distractions
Even his teammates said he was too intense
He just shrugged it off
They can chill now
I'll chill when I retire with history in my name
The media started noticing too
Stats were climbing
Fitness unmatched
His body looked carved from stone
Fans called him a machine
Opponents called him a problem
Sir Alex called him into the office again
You want to be great?
Cristiano nodded
Then listen
Keep this fire
But don't let it burn everything around you
Even machines need care
Cristiano didn't answer
But he heard it
Deep down
The team made it to a cup final
Big night
All eyes on him
The pressure was louder than ever
But when the whistle blew
He played like it was just another training session
Scored once
Assisted once
Lifted the trophy with hands that once carried concrete blocks in Madeira
Back in the locker room
He didn't party
Didn't drink
He sat in silence
Phone in his hand
One photo open
His mom smiling
His family watching from that small island
He whispered under his breath
This is just chapter one