A Vida é Bela!

One by one, the players stepped onto the stage, surrounded by a buzzing crowd anxious to see the celebrations commence. At the stadium’s west end, a sea of yellow were dancing and jumping, chanting the infamous.

First stepped Santos goalkeeper John Lukic. A former youth prospect from Gooners, the shot stopper would soon be etched into Santos folklore as the man who won the game against Kirkbride Strollers, stopping freekicks and a denying crucial breakaway to seal the victory and the title. Not called on many occasions over the course of the season, the young man would be burdened with Santos quest for the RMI title, as veteran keeper Alvar Rodenas lost form over the latter stages of the season. Lukic kept two clean sheets in crucial games, commanding the box with authority.

Next up were Felix Sandström and Maicon, Santos’ greatest and most valued defenders. The lynchpin of the defensive corps, the established X11 man gave a calming presence and Maicon slotted in at the heart of defence to form a formidable partnership, and setting an accomplished undefeated run at Estádio do Deus.

Per-Anders Fajersson was next to the stage, followed by Robbie Mitchell. The 33 year old’s first season with Santos was inspired, providing crucial goals and quality up top to shoulder opposition tactics. Robbie Mitchell’s breakout season was rewarded with a career best 12 goals, good for 3rd in the RMI, and the adulation of Santos supporters worldwide as an RMI legend in the making.

The away supporters roared when Rogério França’s name was called. The midfield prodigy began his football career within the modest confines of Santos youth academy in RMI’s first season, as a mere youth with promise. Six seasons later, his skill was on a meteoric rise, as he lead the squad to an offensive force, winning the accolades as top point man in RMI season 6, yet falling short of the golden goose that was the RMI title. 22 matches later, the 29th minute would be the defining moment of the trequartista’s life, encapsulating drawn breaths of supporters, a career, a club’s success into a single kick.
Was there any doubt? França’s 5th goal of the season would be the most important of his career, giving Santos the lead, the win, and the title. Tears streamed down his face, the joy of a boy who someday dreamed of making it on the big stage.

Chants of ‘o capitão’ were sung, as Santos first and only captain, Marcelo Afonso was the final player to receive his medal. Part of the original eleven when Santos were created, Afonso had been through all the hardships and successes of Santos. From nearly winning the top division in season 3, to scraping through a relegation battle in season 6, the captain was the embodiment of Santos FC as a football club and institution. Watching old friends Asmar Golkas and Fredrick Winnerljung leave, the captain would lead a young but energetic core in the midfield. Fortune would be bitter to the Santos man as he was forced to leave the game early in the first half due to injury. However, his entire effort was capped off with the moment of his life. Needless to say, when asked the first name they think of when they hear Santos FC, Afonso is that name.

Quietly in the shadows, Sean7 the Santos manager stood. From relegation dogfights to last minute heartbreaking losses, now vindicated with the great victory of winning the RMI top division.

‘It’s been a journey, but this is what all the training sessions, the tactics prep, the winning bonuses is all for. I want to give a special thanks to Kev and Baz, certainly made it a challenging and nerve-wracking affair. Tactics, form, and a lot of luck were needed to reach this far. Thanks to all the supporters for sticking with Santos, this one’s for you! By the way, has anyone seen Panu Sarapää?’
The reporters chuckled, as Panu was brought in for 6 million econ as a 9 star MF, only to quit a season later to stalk Lady Gaga and form a dancing troupe.

The crowd noise reached a crescendo, as the chairman handed Marcelo Afonso the RMI trophy. Arms raised, sweat and blood staining the golden yellow jersey, the captain swung the trophy in the air, streamers of blue and yellow sailing in the wind, the jubilation of faces around him, eyes staring forward into the future, yet fixed in the present. It’s not easy playing Xpert Eleven, but rewards like these make the experience worth it. Santos FC!!!!