The week following the Supercup miracle was a whirlwind of media attention and public adoration. Mateo found himself on the cover of sports magazines across Europe, his game-winning performance dissected and celebrated in equal measure.

The narrative was irresistible: the 17-year-old mute prodigy, once rejected by Barcelona, had single-handedly dismantled the mighty Bayern Munich. It was a fairy tale, a legend in the making.

But inside the quiet confines of the Dortmund dorm, life remained blessedly normal. Lukas, ever the grounding force, treated Mateo with the same brotherly affection and gentle teasing as always. "Don't get a big head," he signed one evening, as they watched a news report praising Mateo's performance. "You still have to do your share of the laundry."

Mateo grinned, grateful for the normalcy. The dorm, with its simple furnishings and strict rules, had become his sanctuary, a shield against the growing storm of his fame. Here, he was not the "Supercup hero" or the "silent conductor." He was just Mateo, a seventeen-year-old boy living with his best friend, chasing a dream.

Klopp, too, was instrumental in keeping Mateo grounded. He limited his media appearances, deflected the more intrusive questions, and reminded him constantly that one great performance did not make a season.

"The Supercup is in the past," he told the team in a meeting before the Bundesliga opener. "Today, it means nothing. Today, we start from zero. Leverkusen will not be impressed by your medals. They will come here to fight, to win. And we must be ready."

His gaze settled on Mateo. "You played a great game. But now, the world is watching. They expect miracles every time you touch the ball. Do not try to be a hero. Just be a teammate. Play your game. The rest will follow."

Mateo nodded, the words sinking in. He understood the pressure, the weight of expectation. But he also felt a quiet confidence. He had faced the best and had not been found wanting. He was ready for the next challenge.

---

The Bundesliga opener at the Westfalenstadion was a different kind of test. There was no dramatic comeback, no last-minute heroics. It was a professional, controlled, and utterly dominant performance. From the first whistle, Dortmund was in control, their passing crisp, their movement fluid, their defense impenetrable.

Mateo, starting in his familiar CAM role, was the heart of the team, the metronome that set the tempo. He was not trying to force the issue, not trying to create a miracle with every touch. He was simply playing his game – smart, efficient, and always one step ahead of the opposition.

In the 34th minute, he received the ball in the center circle, turned, and saw Aubameyang making a run. He delivered a perfectly weighted through ball, splitting the Leverkusen defense. Aubameyang, with his blistering pace, latched onto it and slotted it past the goalkeeper. 1-0.

It was a simple, elegant goal, a testament to the growing partnership between the two players. Mateo didn't celebrate wildly. He simply jogged over to Aubameyang, offering a fist bump, a silent acknowledgment of a job well done.

In the second half, Dortmund continued to dominate. In the 67th minute, Mateo was involved again, this time with a clever one-two with Marco Reus that unlocked the Leverkusen defense. Reus, with his clinical finishing, made no mistake. 2-0.

The final whistle blew, and the stadium erupted in a chorus of cheers. It was a comfortable, convincing victory, a perfect start to the season. In his post-match interview, Mateo was asked about the pressure of living up to his Supercup performance. He signed his response, which was translated by the club's interpreter: "The Supercup was a great moment for the team. But today was a new game. We are happy with the three points, and now we focus on the next match."

It was a simple, humble answer, one that deflected praise and emphasized the team's collective effort. The media, hungry for a hero, was almost disappointed. But Klopp, watching from the sidelines, smiled. His young star was learning.

---

That evening, back in the dorm, Mateo and Lukas sat in their room, the sounds of the city a distant hum. Lukas, who had been on the bench but hadn't played, was still buzzing with energy. "You were amazing out there, Mateo. So calm, so in control. It was like you were playing a different game from everyone else."

Mateo smiled, signing, "It was a good team performance. Everyone played their part."

"But you were the one pulling the strings. That pass to Auba – it was perfect."

"We have a good connection. We understand each other's movements."

Lukas lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "I can't wait to get my chance. To play alongside you in the Bundesliga. It's going to be incredible."

"You'll get your chance soon. Just keep working hard. Klopp sees your potential."

Mateo's phone buzzed. A message from Isabella: "I watched the match. You were brilliant. So proud of you. Miss you more than words can say."

He replied, "Miss you too. Can't wait for you to visit."

Another message, this time from Don Carlos: "The children watched the match at Casa de los Niños. They were all cheering for you. You are their hero, Mateo. Never forget that."

Mateo felt a familiar warmth spread through his chest. This was why he played. Not for the headlines, not for the fame, but for the people who believed in him, who loved him, who saw him not as a football star, but as a son, a brother, a friend.

He looked over at Lukas, who was already asleep, exhausted from the day's excitement. He thought about the season ahead, about the challenges and opportunities that lay in wait. The Supercup had been a miracle, a moment of magic. But the Bundesliga was a marathon, a test of consistency, of character, of will.

And as he drifted off to sleep, the roar of the Westfalenstadion still echoing in his ears, Mateo Alvarez knew that he was ready.

He was ready for the pressure, ready for the expectations, ready for the long, hard road ahead. He was no longer just a boy with a gift. He was a champion, a leader, a cornerstone of Borussia Dortmund. And he was just getting started.

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