The sun hadn't risen yet
But the boy was already running
Cristiano's breath came out in short sharp puffs as his feet pounded the gravel path that cut through the hill behind his house
His shoes were too old one lace kept coming loose and his shirt was three sizes too big
But none of that mattered
This was his training ground
His secret place
Every morning before school while the rest of Madeira slept Cristiano ran this same hill
Every morning he made a promise
One more step
One more second faster
One day I'll be more than this
He reached the top hands on knees gasping for air
From up here he could see the rooftops of Santo António
Small houses packed like matchsticks
And just beyond that the Atlantic Ocean stretching far into forever
You again
Cristiano turned
It was Tiago
Older taller stronger
A neighborhood kid who always laughed at his skinny legs and obsession with football
You think running this stupid hill gonna make you Ronaldo Nazário
Cristiano wiped sweat from his face
No I'm gonna be better
Tiago laughed
That'll be the day You With that chest problem
Cristiano's smile faded for a second
Yeah
The heart thing
Doctors said he had a racing heart
Something irregular
Mama had cried the whole night when she heard
Papa had whispered
Let him play If he dies on the pitch at least he'll die alive
Cristiano looked Tiago dead in the eyes
I'll show you All of you
He turned and ran back down the hill
Faster this time
He didn't feel his legs
He didn't feel the pain in his chest
He only heard one thing
One voice in his head screaming
Faster Stronger Again