World football system

The sun filtered softly through the curtains of the Oliveira household, casting a warm, golden hue over the living room. Tobi sat on the edge of the plush sofa, gently rocking Thiago in his arms. Across from him, Emilia sat barefoot on the floor, giggling as Liam tried to crawl over her leg, while Ava and Luna babbled noisily from their twin carriers on the playmat. The house was full — full of light, full of laughter, full of life.

This was victory too. Not the kind you lifted above your head in a stadium of thousands, not the kind that came with medals or champagne-soaked jerseys. But the kind that crept into your soul slowly and rewired what happiness meant.

Tobi adjusted Thiago's blanket, careful not to wake him. He'd had a rough night, crying and fussing until almost 3 a.m. But now, he looked like an angel — his tiny chest rising and falling, a hand curled up against Tobi's chest.

"You haven't slept," Emilia said softly, brushing strands of hair away from her face.

Tobi shook his head with a gentle smile. "I did. For twenty-seven minutes. It was glorious."

She laughed. "You know you don't have to wake up every time one of them cries. You have preseason starting soon, babe. Your body needs rest."

"Yeah, but I missed their first kicks, their first heartbeat. I was there when they were born, but these moments… feeding them, rocking them to sleep… I'm not trading that for a nap."

Emilia crawled over and leaned her head on his shoulder, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "You're the best dad, Tobi."

His heart swelled with pride. "I'm trying."

The doorbell rang, startling Liam, who let out a startled cry. Emilia quickly scooped him up while Tobi padded to the door, still rocking Thiago. Opening it, he found Mikel Arteta standing with a wide grin and a box of diapers under his arm.

"Boss?" Tobi raised a brow in surprise.

Arteta stepped in. "I heard you were in survival mode. Thought I'd drop these off and remind you you're still technically an Arsenal player."

Tobi chuckled and stepped aside. "Come in. I hope you're ready to be drooled on."

Arteta walked in and greeted Emilia with a respectful nod. "Congratulations, both of you. And quadruplets? That's not a team — that's a tactical setup."

"4-4-2, coach," Tobi said proudly, bouncing Thiago as he spoke. "We've got width."

Emilia groaned playfully. "He's been making baby football jokes for two weeks straight."

Arteta grinned. "Good. At least he hasn't lost his sense of humor. How are you feeling, Tobi? Honestly?"

Tobi's smile faltered slightly. "Tired. But… good. This house feels alive, and it makes me feel like I'm part of something bigger than just football."

Arteta nodded slowly. "We're giving you the full preseason to settle at home. You'll rejoin just before the Emirates Cup. No pressure, just fitness and catching rhythm."

Tobi exhaled in relief. "Thanks, boss. That means a lot."

Arteta turned toward the playmat. "I'll leave the diapers here. I won't stay long — I remember how chaotic things get at this stage. But… we're all proud of you, Tobi. Not just for your trophies. For being the man you are now."

As the door shut behind the Arsenal manager, Emilia came beside him and leaned against the wall. "You're really loved, you know that?"

Tobi looked down at the baby sleeping in his arms, then back to his wife.

"I'm starting to."

---

That night, after a long day of feeds and burp cloths and lullabies, Tobi sat on the balcony with Emilia. The city glittered in the distance, and the soft cooing of Ava and Luna from the nursery speaker was the background music of their quiet moment.

He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "You think we'll survive this?"

"We already are," Emilia murmured. "One night at a time."

He leaned down and kissed her gently.

One night at a time.

The warm summer sun bathed the Arsenal training ground in golden light, casting long shadows across the freshly trimmed grass. After weeks spent bonding with his newborn children—Ava, Luna, Liam, and Thiago—Tobi Oliveira had returned, his mind sharper, his body rejuvenated, and his heart fuller than ever before. The birth of his children had not weakened his resolve; if anything, it had intensified it.

Now, standing in the middle of the pitch, lacing up his boots, Tobi felt a new purpose. He wasn't just playing for trophies anymore. He was playing for his family.

Mikel Arteta clapped his hands as the squad gathered around. "This preseason isn't just about fitness. It's about mentality. We go again. We go harder. We defend our titles and we conquer new ones."

Tobi met the gaze of several of his teammates—Odegaard, Saka, Saliba. They had all been through the fire together. Champions League winners. Premier League winners. And now, the target on their backs was bigger than ever.

Preseason started with high-intensity drills, tactical refreshers, and plenty of conditioning. Tobi moved with characteristic fluidity, his passing crisp, his pressing relentless. Yet there was an edge to him now—a maturity sharpened by fatherhood and fueled by legacy.

The club had arranged a set of preseason fixtures: Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Ajax, and finally a charity match against Sporting CP—Tobi's boyhood club. The symbolism wasn't lost on anyone.

Before the first game against Juventus, Emilia arrived at the training ground with the children. Tobi took a moment, holding Ava and Liam in each arm while Luna and Thiago giggled in Emilia's embrace.

"You'll be watching daddy today, yeah?" he whispered to his children.

On the pitch against Juventus, Tobi showed no rust. His vision sliced through the Italian defense, his touch magnetic. A sublime assist to Saka followed by a goal of his own sealed a dominant 3-1 win. The media sang his praises: "Oliveira returns with fire in his boots and a smile on his face."

Each preseason match was another step toward greatness. Against Atlético, he drew fouls like a magnet, outwitted defenders, and even got into a verbal spar with Morata. Against Ajax, he scored a brace, both goals dedicated with a cradle celebration.

But it was the match against Sporting CP that brought tears to his eyes.

As he stepped into the tunnel, memories of a teenage boy filled his mind. The boy who had once stood in this very stadium, scared, hungry, and dreaming.

Sporting fans gave him a standing ovation. Tobi placed a hand over his heart. When he scored, he didn't celebrate—instead, he bowed to the crowd, a nod to where it all began.

Back at Arsenal, preseason wrapped up. The squad looked ready, sharp, and hungry. Tobi, despite his personal life being fuller than ever, had not lost an inch of drive. In fact, he had become the emotional cornerstone of the team.

As he tucked his babies into bed that night, Emilia curled beside him, he whispered, "This season, it's for them."

And so, with fire in his veins and four little reasons in his heart, Tobi Oliveira looked to the horizon. The season awaited.