Lukas, understanding the magnitude of the moment, had quietly stepped out to give Mateo privacy for his phone conversation. When he returned, he carried two bottles of sparkling water and wore a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
"We need to celebrate," he announced. "This is the biggest news in German football since... well, since you arrived here! My brother is going to be so jealous. He's been capped for Poland, but he never got called up at sixteen!"
The evening that followed was a blur of phone calls, messages, and preparations. Klopp called personally to offer his congratulations and support, emphasizing that Dortmund would handle all the logistics to ensure Mateo could join the Spanish camp without any complications.
"This is what we've been working toward," Klopp said, his voice filled with paternal pride. "Not just your individual success, but recognition at the highest level. Spain doesn't call up players as a favor they call up players who can help them win matches. That's what you've become."
Sebastian Kehl's message was characteristically thoughtful: "Remember that this opportunity comes because of your performances for Dortmund. Stay humble, learn from the experienced players, and show them the same intelligence and work rate that made you indispensable here."
The call to Casa de los Niños was perhaps the most emotional of all. Sister María Elena's tears of joy were audible even through Sarah's translation, and Don Carlos's pride was evident in every word he spoke.
The old director said, his voice thick with emotion, "This is what we always knew was possible. Tell him that every child in this house will be watching, that we believe in him, and that he carries our dreams with him onto that pitch."
Elena: "We're going to have the biggest viewing party Spain has ever seen. Tell him that he's still our brother, no matter how many countries he represents."
As the night wore on and the initial shock began to settle into excited anticipation, Mateo found himself reflecting on the journey that had brought him to this point. From the silent boy in the courtyard of Casa de los Niños to a Spanish international it was a path that had seemed impossible just months earlier.
"Psychological assessment: subject processing life-changing information with appropriate emotional response," the System observed. "Stress levels elevated but manageable. Cognitive function optimal for decision-making and preparation. Assessment: ready for next phase of development."
The packing process was surreal. Folding his Dortmund training gear to make room for Spanish national team equipment, preparing for a journey that would take him back to his homeland not as a discarded prospect but as a recognized international player.
Lukas helped with the practical preparations while providing a constant stream of encouragement and excitement. "You know what the best part is?" he said as they organized Mateo's travel documents. "You're going to show everyone in Spain what we already know here in Germany. You're going to show them that they made the biggest mistake in football history when they let you go."
The final phone call of the evening came from an unexpected source Andrés Iniesta, the Barcelona and Spain midfielder who had been one of Mateo's heroes during his time in La Masia. The call was facilitated through the Spanish Federation's media department, but the message was personal and heartfelt.
"I remember you from the academy," Iniesta said, his words translated by Sarah. "You were very young then, but even the senior players noticed your understanding of the game. I'm looking forward to working with you and seeing how you've developed."
Mateo's written response was humble but confident: "Thank you for remembering me. I've learned so much since leaving Barcelona, and I'm excited to contribute to the team's success in any way I can."
As the evening finally wound down and Lukas settled into his bed, the room fell quiet except for the gentle hum of the air conditioning and the distant sounds of the city beyond their window. Mateo lay awake, staring at the ceiling, trying to process the magnitude of what had just occurred.
In less than twelve hours, he would board a plane to Madrid and join the Spanish national team. He would train alongside players he had watched on television, learn from coaches who had won the World Cup, and potentially earn his first cap for his country.
"Sleep cycle optimization recommended for peak performance preparation," the System advised. "REM sleep crucial for memory consolidation and emotional processing. Recommend relaxation techniques to facilitate rest despite elevated excitement levels."
But sleep seemed impossible. Every time he closed his eyes, Mateo saw images of himself in the Spanish national team jersey, playing in stadiums filled with supporters singing the national anthem, representing not just himself but everyone who had believed in him when belief was all they had to offer.
"Mateo?" Lukas's voice was soft in the darkness. "Are you awake?"
"Yes," Mateo signed, knowing his roommate couldn't see the gesture but somehow understanding that his wakefulness was obvious. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥
"I just wanted to say," Lukas continued, "that I'm proud to be your friend. Not because you're famous now, but because you've never changed. You're still the same person who helped me with my homework, who listens when I talk about my problems, who makes everyone around him better just by being himself."
The words were simple, but they carried a weight that statistics and accolades could never match. This was what mattered most not the recognition or the opportunities, but the relationships and the person he had become through this incredible journey.
As Mateo finally drifted off to sleep, his last conscious thought was of the boy he had been just months earlier silent, uncertain, carrying nothing but hope and determination. Tomorrow, that boy would wake up as a Spanish international, ready to represent his country on the world stage.
The call that changed everything had come, and Mateo Álvarez was ready to answer it with the same quiet confidence and unwavering dedication that had brought him this far. The dream of wearing his country's colors was about to become reality, and the boy from Casa de los Niños was prepared to show the world that some gifts are worth waiting for.