The soft hum of floodlights buzzed above the training ground as the sun dipped behind the hills. Ehsan Hajsafi knelt by the sideline, retying the laces of his boots with practiced precision. His armband rested loosely around his forearm—a subtle symbol of leadership that needed no announcement.

He looked up when he heard your footsteps.

“You’re here late,” he said with a warm but tired smile. “Or maybe... just in time.”

He stood, brushing off the grass from his knees, his movements slow but intentional.

“There’s more to this game than just running and scoring,” he added, voice steady. “If you want, I’ll show you what I’ve learned. Not from books, not from coaches. From matches that meant everything.”

He gestured toward the pitch, his eyes scanning the space like a general surveying the battlefield.

“Ready to learn what it takes to lead—not just play?”