Rivalries and Redemption

The return had been glorious. Afonso Duarte’s first goal after his injury echoed through the stadium like a

  thunderclap, a moment that Lisbon would never forget. For weeks, the headlines praised his resilience, his

  courage, his “miracle comeback.” His jersey sold out in hours, and children once again filled playgrounds

  chanting his name as they kicked battered footballs into rusty goals. He was no longer just a rising star—he

  was a symbol of hope.