From Reject to Legend

The atmosphere at La Rosaleda was nothing short of electric. Málaga CF's preseason campaign had taken a dramatic turn after their emphatic 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, and the fans were buzzing with anticipation. The star of that match, Adriano Riveiro, had become the talk of the town.

His stunning performance—two assists and a stunning goal—had not only secured the win but also ignited hope among the Málaga faithful. The young Portuguese midfielder, once written off as a lost cause, was now being hailed as the next big thing. The streets of Málaga were adorned with posters of the rising star, and local cafes buzzed with conversations about his meteoric rise.

But the real test was yet to come. Sevilla, one of La Liga's most consistent and formidable teams, was next on the schedule. Known for their high-intensity pressing, tactical discipline, and attacking flair, Sevilla posed a far greater challenge than Bilbao.

For Adriano, this was another opportunity to prove himself—not just to Málaga, but to the entire footballing world. The media had already begun drawing comparisons between him and some of the game's greatest midfielders, and the pressure was mounting.

Meanwhile, the transfer saga surrounding Isco had reached its climax. Real Madrid had finally confirmed the signing of Málaga's charismatic midfielder for a fee of €35 million. The news sent shockwaves through Spanish football. Isco, who had been instrumental in Málaga's recent successes, was leaving for the Santiago Bernabéu. While the fans were sad to see him go, they understood that it was an inevitable step in his career. What they didn't expect, however, was how quickly his replacement would emerge.

Adriano's rise had been meteoric. From a trialist with no professional experience to a key player in Málaga's preseason squad, his journey was nothing short of extraordinary. With Isco's departure confirmed, the spotlight was now firmly on Adriano. Could he fill the void left by the Spanish maestro? The match against Sevilla would provide the answer.

In the days leading up to the Sevilla match, the media frenzy surrounding Adriano reached new heights. Local newspapers ran headlines speculating about his potential, while national outlets began to take notice.

**Marca** published an article titled *"The Next Isco? Adriano Riveiro's Rise to Stardom,"* detailing his journey from obscurity to becoming Málaga's new hope.

**AS** followed suit with a piece highlighting his technical prowess and composure on the ball, dubbing him "The Diamond in Málaga's Rough."

Social media was equally abuzz. Fans took to Twitter, Instagram, and football forums to express their excitement.

One fan tweeted, "Adriano is the real deal. That goal against Bilbao was pure class! Can't wait to see him tear Sevilla apart."

Another wrote, "Isco who? Adriano is the future of Málaga!"

The hashtag #KingAdriano began trending in Spain, with fans sharing clips of his preseason performances and expressing their hopes for the upcoming season.

Adriano, however, remained grounded. In an interview with 'El Desmarque', he said, "I'm just focused on helping the team. The fans have been incredible, and I want to repay their faith. But I know I have a lot to learn, and I'm ready to work hard."

His humility endeared him even more to the Málaga faithful, who saw in him not just a talented player, but a young man with the right attitude.

The teams walked out onto the pitch at La Rosaleda, greeted by a roaring crowd of over 25,000 fans. Adriano, wearing the number 22 jersey, looked calm and focused. He had spent the past week studying Sevilla's tactics, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. He knew this would be a tough game, but he was ready.

From the first whistle, Sevilla imposed their style of play. Their midfield trio of Ivan Rakitić, Geoffrey Kondogbia, and José Antonio Reyes pressed high, forcing Málaga into mistakes.

The home side struggled to maintain possession, and Sevilla's attacking duo of Álvaro Negredo and Kevin Gameiro looked dangerous every time they surged forward.

But Adriano was undeterred. He dropped deep to collect the ball, using his composure and vision to navigate through Sevilla's press.

In the 12th minute, he showcased his ability with a moment of brilliance. Picking up the ball near the halfway line, he evaded Rakitić's challenge with a quick turn and played a perfectly weighted through ball to Joaquín on the right flank. The winger's cross found Juanmi in the box, but the striker's header was saved by Sevilla's goalkeeper, Beto.

The crowd erupted in applause, chanting Adriano's name. His ability to create chances out of nothing was already becoming a hallmark of his game.

In the 25th minute, Málaga won a free-kick just outside the box. Adriano stepped up to take it, his eyes fixed on the goal. The stadium held its breath as he curled the ball over the wall, only for it to crash against the crossbar and flew over .

The fans groaned in disappointment, but Adriano's confidence remained unshaken. He turned to the crowd, clapping his hands and urging them to keep the energy high.

Sevilla responded with a goal of their own in the 33rd minute. A quick counterattack saw Reyes release Negredo, who slotted the ball past Willy Caballero to make it 1-0. The visitors celebrated, but Málaga refused to be disheartened.

Adriano took charge of the midfield . In the 40th minute, he received the ball in midfield, turned away from Kondogbia, and played a sublime pass to Duda on the left wing. The veteran winger cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot that Beto could only parry into the path of Juanmi. The striker made no mistake, tapping in the equalizer.

1-1.

The crowd erupted in cheers , and Adriano was at the heart of the celebration. His vision and passing had once again unlocked the opposition's defense. But the game was still far from over. The first half ended in 1-1 draw.

The second half began with Málaga looking more composed. Adriano's influence grew as he dictated the tempo, pulling the strings in midfield. His ability to read the game and make quick decisions was on full display.

In the 58th minute, he produced another moment of magic. Picking up the ball near the center circle, he spotted Joaquín making a run behind Sevilla's defense. With a single touch, he lofted a perfectly weighted pass over the top. Joaquín controlled it effortlessly and slotted it past Beto to give Málaga the lead.

2-1.

The stadium erupted in cheers. Adriano's assist was a thing of beauty, and the fans were beginning to believe that they had found their new star.

Sevilla pushed for an equalizer, but Málaga's defense held firm.

In the 75th minute, Adriano put the game beyond doubt. Receiving the ball just outside the box, he feinted to shoot, sending two defenders sliding past him. With a quick shift of his body, he created space and unleashed a powerful curling shot into the top right corner.

3-1.

The crowd went wild. Adriano's goal was a masterpiece—a combination of skill, composure, and precision. He ran to the corner flag, arms outstretched, as his teammates surrounded him. The fans chanted his name, their voices echoing through the stadium.

The final whistle blew, and Málaga emerged victorious. Adriano's performance—a goal and an assist—had been the difference. He was named Man of the Match, and the media couldn't stop talking about him.

The headlines the next day were dominated by Adriano's heroics. Spanish newspapers hailed him as the "King of Midfield " with some even suggesting that he could surpass the departed Isco. Social media was abuzz with clips of his goal and assist, and fans praised his composure, vision, and technical ability.

Marca: "Adriano Riveiro: The Rising Star Who Filled Isco's Shoes"*

AS: "Málaga's New Maestro: Adriano Shines Against Sevilla"

El Desmarque: "From Trialist to Talisman: Adriano's Fairytale Continues"

The fans were equally effusive in their praise. On forums and social media, they celebrated Adriano's emergence and expressed their excitement for the upcoming season.

"Adriano is a gem! We've found our new Isco, and he's only 17!"

"That pass to Joaquín was pure class. This kid is special."

"I can't wait to see him in La Liga. He's going to be a star!"

As Adriano's star continued to rise, it wasn't just the fans and media who took notice. Scouts from top European clubs were reportedly in attendance at La Rosaleda, keeping a close eye on the young midfielder.

Rumors began to swirl about interest from Premier League giants like Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as Serie A powerhouse Juventus.

One scout, speaking anonymously to Sky Sports, said, "Adriano has everything you look for in a modern midfielder—technical ability, vision, and composure beyond his years. He's a special talent, and it's only a matter of time before the big clubs come knocking."

Adriano, however, remained focused on his immediate goals. When asked about the transfer rumors, he said, "My focus is on Málaga. I owe this club everything, and I want to help them achieve something special this season."

With Isco's transfer finalized, Málaga moved quickly to secure Adriano's future. The club offered him a new contract, increasing his salary to €10,000 per week and inserting a release clause of €5 million. He also received the Jersey number 10 , which previously belonged to Isco.

The deal was a testament to their belief in his potential. The release clause was however, suggested by Pellegrini, as he insisted that they should protect this rising star before other clubs snatched him away.

Adriano signed the contract with a sense of pride and determination. He knew that this was just the beginning. The preseason had been a platform for him to showcase his talent, but the real challenge lay ahead.

As he walked out of the club's offices, he was greeted by a group of fans chanting his name. He stopped to sign autographs and take photos, his casual friendliness endearing him to the supporters.

"Thank you for believing in me,"* he said to one fan. "I'll give everything for this club."

The fans cheered, their faith in him unwavering.

Málaga's preseason campaign had been a resounding success, and Adriano's emergence was the highlight. With Isco gone, the team now looked to him to lead the way. The pressure was immense, but Adriano was ready.

As he stood on the pitch after the Sevilla match, soaking in the applause, he knew that this was just the start of his journey. The road ahead would be challenging, but he was determined to make the most of it.

The fans chanted his name, their voices echoing through the night.

"Adriano! Adriano!"

He smiled, his heart filled with gratitude and ambition. This was his moment. And he was just getting started. He will soon show La Liga teams that they should not write off Malaga.