Butterfly Effect [Football Fanfiction]

"I wish I could go back to 25 or 26 and enjoy the career I once had."

Messi said this in an interview with Argentine media.

In 2012, the young prodigy from Rosario, Argentina scored 91 goals that year, completing an unprecedented fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or and fourth consecutive FIFA World Player of the Year award. His career was at its peak.

That year, Lionel Messi was 25.

In 2013, injuries struck repeatedly, the season's goals went unmet, and pressure and doubt piled up like mountains.

That year, Messi was 26.

Life can't make you young again, but if you could see the future in advance, perhaps you could take a smoother path.

Warnings in advance:

1. This is a fanfic universe, with a slight everyone-loves-him tendency. No wife, no children!!! (Pay attention!)

2. The opening has a weird pairing: the Big and Little Bears.

3. Messi's career is already a wish-fulfillment novel in its own right, so don't ask why this is so Gary Stu.

4. The timeline differs from reality. If you're wondering why so-and-so isn't at such-and-such club, or how so-and-so ended up at another club, see this point.

5. I know nothing about tactics. If you know more than I do, then you're definitely right.

6. I'll delete insults and tired memes. I recommend reading more Le Bon and George Orwell, and less long-winded social media posts.

7. I'll add more if I think of anything.

Theme: Don't let your talent go to waste.