The Borussia Dortmund training complex crackled with anticipation on August 1, 2008. Neil Goyal stood outside Jürgen Klopp's office, heart racing, palms slick with sweat.
His hat-trick against FC Bayern München's mixed squad a week ago, a stunning 3 to 1 victory, still echoed in his mind, the Signal Iduna Park crowd's chants of "Neil! Neil!" fueling his fire.
Klopp's sharp gaze, his pen racing across a notepad, had hinted at something monumental.
Now, summoned with academy coach Thomas Tuchel, Neil felt the weight of a life-changing moment. A main team spot and a new contract were within reach.
Klopp's office was a shrine to Dortmund's legacy: yellow and black crests, photos of past heroes, a tactics board etched with arrows.
Klopp leaned back, cap tilted, a sly grin spreading.
Tuchel stood beside him, arms crossed, a proud nod on his face. "Sit, Neil," Klopp said, voice warm but commanding, pointing to a chair.
Neil sat, pulse pounding, eyes catching a squad list on Klopp's desk: Roman Weidenfeller in goal, Neven Subotić and Felipe Santana at center back, Marcel Schmelzer at left back, Sebastian Kehl in midfield, wingers Kevin Grosskreutz and Tamas Hajnal, striker Nelson Valdez, and young Mario Götze.
Neil's name was absent, but not for long.
Klopp tapped a pen. "Three goals against Bayern, kid. Lahm, Van Buyten, Schweinsteiger could not stop you. Your touch, your control, your finishing are top class.
You are 18, but you play like you know the game inside out." He leaned forward, eyes intense. "I want you in the main squad. Training with us, sub for friendlies, maybe the Bundesliga opener. You in?"
Neil's breath caught. The main squad, training with Dortmund's core, not just academy or mixed teams. "Yes, sir," he said, voice steady despite the storm in his chest. "I am ready."
Klopp's grin widened. "Good. Your academy deal will not do. We are offering a pro contract, two years, with options. Solid wage, goal bonuses."
He slid a document across: €12,000 monthly, a signing bonus, and performance incentives. For Neil, flung back from 2025, it was a fortune. He signed, hand firm, heart soaring.
Tuchel nodded. "You have earned this, Neil. The Bundesliga is tough. Stay hungry." Klopp shook his hand, grip strong. "Welcome to the first team, Goyal. Training tomorrow, 8 AM sharp."
In his dorm, Neil clutched the contract, adrenaline pulsing. He summoned his system, the blue panel glowing.
Neil Goyal. GOAT System Interface
Finishing: 20 (MAX)
Ball Control: 20 (MAX)
Dribbling: 13
First Touch: 20 (MAX)
Pace: 8
All Other Stats: 7
Stat Points Available: 9
Legacy Counter: 0.18%
Current Global GOAT Rank: Unlisted
Next Rank: Recognized Academy Talent (1.00%)
Overall Rating: 85/200
"Nine points from Bayern," the system's female voice purred. "Allocate now or save?" Neil paused. Three maxed stats, Finishing, Ball Control, First Touch, made him lethal, his Bayern goals proof.
Pace at 8 helped, but Stamina at 7 left him winded, and Composure at 7 faltered in tight moments. Dribbling at 13 was solid, but boosting it could dazzle.
With a main team spot locked, he needed flair and resilience. "Four to Dribbling, three to Composure, two to Stamina," he said, balancing attack and grit.
The panel shimmered.
Finishing: 20 (MAX)
Ball Control: 20 (MAX)
Dribbling: 17
First Touch: 20 (MAX)
Pace: 8
Stamina: 9
Composure: 10
All Other Stats: 7
Stat Points Available: 0
A spark ran through him. His feet felt sharper, Dribbling at 17 promising flair. Stamina at 9 eased his lungs. Composure at 10 steadied his nerves. He grinned, ready for the main squad.
August 2, 2008, dawned crisp. The first-team pitch buzzed with pros: Weidenfeller barking, Subotić towering, Grosskreutz sprinting. Klopp ran training, voice booming. "Neil, with the subs! Prove Bayern was no fluke!"
Neil joined a scrimmage, a friendly against Hannover 96's mixed squad, an equal team per the 2007-08 table, 49 points, 8th, versus Dortmund's 40, 13th. Goals would earn 2 stat points each.
The whistle blew. Hannover fielded youth and fringe players like Hanno Balitsch and Jan Schlaudraff. Neil, on the bench, watched Götze weave, Hajnal probe.
Hannover struck first, Schlaudraff slotting past Weidenfeller, 1 to 0, 12 minutes in. Klopp shouted, "Wake up, lads!" At the 28th minute, he waved Neil on. "Valdez, off! Neil, spark us!"
Neil sprinted on, crowd buzzing. Kehl lofted a ball. First Touch at 20 tamed it, Ball Control at 20 kept it close. Balitsch charged.
Neil danced, Dribbling at 17 a blur, and broke free. He passed to Götze, who crossed. Neil darted to the box, Composure at 10 calm, and struck, Finishing at 20 lethal.
The ball ripped past Hannover's keeper, 1 to 1. The stands roared, Klopp nodding.
"Two stat points," the system buzzed. "Hannover are equal." Grosskreutz grinned. "Nice one, kid!" Hannover pressed. Balitsch fed Schlaudraff, Subotić blocking.
Neil tracked back, Stamina at 9 holding. At the 55th minute, Schmelzer crossed. Neil sprinted, Pace at 8 straining, but First Touch plucked the ball.
A defender lunged. Neil twisted, Dribbling at 17 sharp, and fired, a curling shot to the top corner. 2 to 1.
"Two more points," the system sang. Four total. Klopp clapped, shouting, "That's it, Neil!" The crowd chanted, "Goyal! Goyal!" Hannover rallied, Schlaudraff's shot grazing the bar.
Neil ran, Stamina fading but enough. At the 75th minute, Götze lobbed a ball. Neil trapped it, Ball Control flawless, and turned. Two defenders swarmed.
Composure held, he laid it off to Hajnal, who shot, the keeper parrying. Neil pounced, 10 yards out, and struck, a low drive. The keeper caught it. No goal, but the crowd roared.
The whistle blew, 2 to 1. In the locker room, Subotić nudged him. "Two goals? You are one of us now."
Klopp approached, eyes gleaming. "Neil, you fit right in. Sub for the next friendly, maybe a start soon. Bundesliga's coming, be ready." Neil nodded, heart pounding.
The system flared.
Finishing: 20 (MAX)
Ball Control: 20 (MAX)
Dribbling: 17
First Touch: 20 (MAX)
Pace: 8
Stamina: 9
Composure: 10
All Other Stats: 7
Stat Points: 4 Available
Legacy Counter: 0.20%
Overall Rating: 88/200
Neil exhaled, saving points. Three maxed stats, a pro contract, and Klopp's trust, his path burned bright. The Bundesliga loomed, and he was ready to conquer.