More than a match | Alexia Putellas

The sun hung low over the training pitch, casting everything in gold. The last drills were winding down, cones being gathered, voices rising in post-session chatter. Gracie jogged through her cooldown laps, the ache in her thighs a familiar burn, the kind that meant she'd done her job.

Still, she could feel it, the looks, the restraint in conversation. Nobody had said anything directly. But the air was thick. Heavier than usual.

She'd just finished her final stretch when her Coach Romeu called her name.

"Gracie. A moment?"

She turned, her pulse skipping slightly. His tone wasn't sharp, but it wasn't casual either.

She followed him toward the bench near the edge of the training grounds, just out of earshot of the others. He sat. Waited for her to join him. When she did, he folded his hands together, elbows on knees, and looked straight ahead at the field.

"I got a call from London this morning." he began. "From Arsenal. From Renée Slegers."

Gracie didn't move. Just breathed. Slowly.

Romeu didn't drag it out. "She wants to speak with you. About your future. They're asking for a meeting."

Gracie looked down at her hands, dirt smudging her palms from the turf. "Did she say when?"

"This week, if you're willing." he said. "We're rotating the squad for the next match. You weren't in the lineup. So... it's your call."

Silence settled between them. Not uncomfortable. Just full.

Gracie finally nodded. "Yeah. I think... I think I want to go."

Romeu turned to her then, studying her expression. Not judging, just reading.

"You don't owe anyone an apology for that." he said gently.

She tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I don't know how to tell the girls. I don't want them to think I'm just bailing."

He exhaled slowly. "This team is a family. But even in families, people grow. Move. Find out who they are somewhere else. No one here will resent you, Gracie. Not for making the choice that's right for you."

"But what is right for me?" she whispered, eyes still on the field. "Everyone keeps telling me to go home, but... I'm not sure if home is still the same place it used to be."

Romeu leaned back, looking up at the darkening sky. "Then think with your heart. Not your head. One of them is louder, but the other one's honest."

She let the silence stretch. Then finally gave him a soft, "Thanks, coach."

He smiled. "We'll cover you for the trip. Just let me know the day. And Gracie?"

She looked up.

"Whatever happens next... no one here doubts your loyalty. Or your love for this badge."

Gracie stood slowly, shoulders a little heavier but spine a little straighter. She headed back toward the others, who were still lingering by the water coolers and benches, half-laughing, half-stretching.

Jana was tying her shoelace, half-crouched near the gear bags.

Gracie slowed. Then sat beside her.

"Hey." she said softly.

Jana glanced up. "Hey. You alright?"

Gracie hesitated. Then nodded. "Yeah. Just... had a chat with Coach."

Jana's eyes flicked to hers, reading something in the pause.

"Arsenal?"

Gracie didn't answer out loud. She didn't have to.