Starting With Real Madrid

Courcouronnes is a small town located on the southern outskirts of Paris, France. With a population of just over 10,000, the town is home primarily to North African immigrants.

Unlike other immigrant-heavy neighborhoods, Courcouronnes has none of the chaos one might associate with such areas. The streets are clean and orderly, and although the single-story houses lining the roads are somewhat old, they exude a sense of community and warmth. It's a place where visitors rarely leave with a bad impression, despite the stereotypes that might surround immigrant areas.

In fact, the town has relatively good public safety.

Like many other small towns in France, Courcouronnes has no shortage of sports facilities, especially football-related ones.

In the northwest part of town is the Robert Robin Stadium, which hosts most of the region's major sporting events. To the south lies a training camp for amateur teams, equipped with excellent facilities.

To the east is the town's central park. South of the park, there's a sports center that boasts two football fields, a basketball court, and a swimming pool. Across the street, there's even a climbing gym.

Every afternoon, young people from the town gather at the sports center to play football after work.

They've formed their own informal teams, and matches often erupt spontaneously. There's no concern for strict rules or regulations, whoever is available plays. Spectators gather on the sidelines to cheer, adding to the lively atmosphere.

But lately, the football fields have been more crowded than usual.

Because the town's biggest star has returned.

...

Thuram Ulien is a goalkeeper.

Currently part of Ligue 1's AS Monaco youth team, the 19-year-old has been touted as a strong candidate to join Monaco's first team next season.

Not only that, but Thuram is also a member of France's U20 national youth team.

As a goalkeeper of African descent, Thuram has been a local hero in Courcouronnes since he was a child. He is the town's second football prodigy to successfully make it into the prestigious Clairefontaine Academy, where he received elite-level training. In Courcouronnes, he's the embodiment of the "ideal son" families constantly brag about.

After the season ended, Thuram returned home to Courcouronnes.

Every afternoon, as long as he had time, he would head to the fields where he used to play as a kid, joining old friends for informal matches.

For a professional player like Thuram, these games were just a way to relax and enjoy himself.

Although he's a goalkeeper by trade, Thuram is more than capable of playing in almost any positionwhether as a defender, midfielder, or forward.

Eventually, the locals found it unfair to let him play outfield, as it was too one-sided. So, they restricted him to playing in goal.

Even then, scoring against him was a near-impossible task.

This was the difference between amateurs and professionals.

Every day before joining the game, Thuram would first visit another nearby field to check on someone else who was training there. Sometimes he'd chat with the person, and occasionally, they'd kick a ball around together.

However, this individual never joined the games and quietly stuck to his own training.

At first, the locals tried inviting him to join, but after being turned down a few times, they stopped asking.

The man's training sessions didn't seem particularly intense, and his pace appeared relaxed. But according to Thuram, he was undergoing rehabilitation.

"Knee ligament tear," Thuram explained when asked.

Hearing those words, anyone remotely familiar with football or sports injuries immediately understood the severity of the situation.

The man in question was Madhi Benatia, Courcouronnes' first football prodigy to make it to the Clairefontaine Academy. Since childhood, everyone in the town believed he was destined for greatness, perhaps even as a future French international.

And for a while, it seemed like he was living up to the expectations. Benatia was selected for the French youth national team at an early age.

At 16, he signed with Marseille, one of France's most prestigious clubs. The news caused a stir in Courcouronnes, and many believed he was on the path to becoming a football legend.

Marseille valued Benatia highly, initially loaning him to Ligue 2's Tours FC, where he quickly became a regular starter. His performances were solid, but Tours struggled and ended up relegated from Ligue 2.

After returning to Marseille, Benatia was loaned out again, this time to Ligue 1's Lorient. Lorient even paid a €100,000 loan fee, a sign of their faith in the young defender.

However, his time at Lorient was short-lived. He played only one match, a cup game against Paris Saint-Germain, where Lorient suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat. Benatia bore significant responsibility for the loss.

To make matters worse, shortly after the match, Benatia tore his knee ligaments, a severe injury that prematurely ended his season.

At just 21 years old, Benatia's promising career took a sharp downturn.

He lost his place in the French national youth team, and Marseille, concerned about his injury and age, chose not to renew his contract, allowing him to leave as a free agent.

He was left without a club.

Disheartened, he returned to his hometown of Courcouronnes.

For someone who had once basked in praise and adulation, the shift to skepticism and ridicule was overwhelming.

He became withdrawn and quiet.

But every day, he showed up at the field to train alone. Deep down, he still held onto his dream.

He believed he could make a comeback.

His close friend from Marseille, Samir Nasri, often called to check in on him. Nasri had become a full-fledged international player for France and was preparing for the upcoming European Championship, something the two had once dreamed of doing together.

Nasri was living that dream. Benatia, on the other hand, had no club, no team, and no opportunities.

Still, Benatia knew his injury was healing well. He knew his abilities hadn't faded. He believed he could play professionally again.

But no one else believed in him. No club was willing to give him a chance, not even a trial.

The rejection was bitter, and the frustration built up inside him.

He refused to accept that this was the end.

He wasn't ready to give up.

...

"Madhi, we're short a player. Come join us!"

Thuram's voice echoed from the adjacent field.

Benatia, having just finished his training, looked over at Thuram and the group of players.

"Don't just train by yourself all the time. Football is about teammates and matches," Thuram urged with a grin.

"Come on, Madhi! Play with us!"

"Yeah, join us!"

The other players, many of whom were old friends from childhood, joined in. Benatia hesitated but eventually gave in, nodding his agreement.

The decision caused a stir among the spectators.

This was the town's first football star. However, rumors of his severe injury had left many doubting whether he could still play.

Everyone was curious to see him back on the pitch.

"Show us what you've got, Madhi!" Thuram encouraged with a laugh.

Benatia stood holding the jersey they'd handed him, staring at it in silence.

It had been so long since he'd last worn one. The feeling was indescribable nostalgic, yet bittersweet.

Taking a deep breath, he slipped the jersey over his head and walked onto the field.

...

The match drew applause from the crowd on several occasions.

It didn't take long for everyone to realize: whether injured or not, talent like his doesn't disappear overnight.

Playing as a central defender, Benatia demonstrated his strength, speed, and precise timing. His ability to intercept passes and disrupt attacks left his opponents frustrated.

He was decisive, quick, and intimidating. Even when his opponents made no errors, his physical presence alone pressured them into mistakes.

And when mistakes happened, Benatia pounced, recovering the ball with ease.

What stood out even more was his tactical awareness and vision. Time and time again, he anticipated the flow of the game, cutting off attacks before they could develop. After winning possession, he seamlessly launched counterattacks with pinpoint passes, often creating opportunities for his teammates.

On and off the pitch, it became clear to everyone.

Who said he was finished?

Who said he couldn't play anymore?

He was still the same Madhi Benatia, the player Courcouronnes had once been so proud of.

Thuram had suspected Benatia was recovering well, but even he was shocked by how good his friend looked.

Although the match was just a casual game among amateurs, Benatia's skill and instincts were undeniable.

This was the same player who had once competed alongside France's brightest talents—Nasri, Benzema, Ben Arfa—and held his own.

...

By the end of the game, Benatia's side had only conceded one goal.

He was smiling again. Though breathing heavily, his expression was one of excitement and pride.

"Well done, Madhi!"

Thuram and the other players surrounded him, showering him with compliments.

It may have been just an amateur game, but Benatia's performance was nothing short of outstanding.

"I'll call our coach tonight," Thuram said. "If you don't find a club before the training camp starts, comeback with me to Monaco. I'm sure with your level, you'll not only stay on the team but might even outperform some of our first-team players."

"Thank you," Benatia replied with a faint smile.

Finally, a chance to play again.

Even though it was just an amateur game, he felt a renewed sense of confidence.

He remembered his coach's words: confidence is built through games, one match at a time.

"Count me in for future games," Benatia said decisively.

Thuram and the others were momentarily stunned, but soon broke into wide smiles and enthusiastically agreed.

Deep down, they all wanted to see Benatia rise again after all, he had once been the pride of Courcouronnes.

Just then, applause erupted from the sideline, followed by a familiar voice.

"Great performance, Madhi. Looks like you've fully recovered."

Benatia froze and turned toward the voice.

It was his agent, standing beside a stranger. The applause had come from the man next to him.

Thuram and the others looked on curiously. Strangers were rare in their small town.

"I'd like to introduce you," the agent said. "This is a scout from Napoli. He's been sent by the coach to invite you to join their team."

As soon as those words left his mouth, the field fell silent.

Thuram and his friends were dumbfounded.

Napoli?

The Serie A champions?

The double winners?

***

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