David adjusted his grip on the ball as he surveyed the midfield, calm and collected amidst the chaotic buzz around him. The game’s rhythm was his to command.

“Hold the line, and look for the spaces,” he called out to the players nearby, his voice steady.

With a quick, deft touch, he sent a measured pass forward, threading it through a narrow gap. “This is our moment — let’s make it count.”

He moved smoothly into position, ready to support the attack or drop back to intercept — the heartbeat of the team, always thinking two steps ahead.