World football system

The morning sun filtered through the linen curtains, painting golden patterns across the wooden floors of the Oliveira home. Tobi stirred gently beneath the sheets, the soft weight of his wife Emilia curled against his chest, her breathing slow and even. The muffled sounds of early baby coos echoed from the nursery room down the hallway — a familiar symphony that had become the rhythm of their lives over the past few months.

Four babies. Four miracles.

Ava. Luna. Liam. Thiago.

Each one so different, yet each carrying a piece of him and Emilia — pieces of a love that had weathered storms and now stood firm.

Tobi pressed a kiss to Emilia's forehead before slipping out of bed, careful not to wake her. She deserved the rest. She'd been a warrior — in pregnancy, in birth, and in motherhood. Every time he looked at her now, he saw not just the woman he fell in love with, but the mother of his children, the heart of his home.

Padding barefoot to the nursery, Tobi peeked in. The warm scent of baby lotion hung in the air. The sight brought a gentle smile to his face. Ava, the oldest by two minutes, was already fussing quietly. Her big brown eyes stared up at him with that familiar Oliveira defiance. Liam lay in his cot with a tiny fist clenched, sleeping soundly. Thiago had kicked off his blanket again — a routine Tobi had learned to expect. And Luna... Luna was awake, watching the world with those deep, piercing hazel eyes, so much like Emilia's.

"Hey," Tobi whispered, picking Ava up gently and cradling her against his chest. "You're gonna be a troublemaker, aren't you?"

He laughed under his breath as Ava let out a tiny wail. That was the cue. Within seconds, Thiago joined in, followed closely by Liam. Luna, of course, just blinked and waited patiently — the calm in the storm.

Tobi carried Ava to the changing table and expertly began the process — something he never thought he'd get used to, yet now felt like second nature. The moment he was done, Emilia appeared in the doorway in her robe, hair messy but eyes glowing with warmth.

"You let me sleep longer than usual," she said with a smirk, moving toward Thiago.

"You earned it," Tobi said, walking over and kissing her. "Besides, I think Ava likes my technique."

"She's just biding her time," Emilia teased. "She's a mama's girl."

"Luna's got my back," he replied, handing over a fresh bottle.

It wasn't long before the kitchen was buzzing with activity. Tobi had taken to making breakfast every morning — something grounding, something that reminded him he was more than a footballer, more than the man on the pitch. He was a father now. A husband. And every slice of bread he toasted, every bottle he warmed, was a small testament to that.

Later that day, after the babies were fed and Emilia was taking a well-earned nap, Tobi stepped outside with Liam and Thiago in a double stroller. His boots crunched against the gravel path that led to the quiet private garden behind their house — a space he'd come to love more than any training ground.

His phone buzzed.

It was a message from Mikel Arteta.

"Hope the kids are doing well. Pre-season physicals start next week. Take your time, but we're looking forward to having you back, Captain."

Captain.

That word hit differently now. Not just because of the armband — but because of the life he now led off the pitch.

Tobi typed back:

"Thanks, boss. Can't wait to be back. Need the cardio after chasing four around."

Arteta replied with a laughing emoji and a simple:

"You're already doing the hardest job in the world."

As Tobi looked at his two sons napping in the stroller, he felt that truth settle in his bones. The hardest, but also the most fulfilling.

Back inside, he helped Emilia with bath time. Ava splashed like a champion, soaking both of them. Luna watched with a regal stillness, blinking solemnly as if contemplating the secrets of the universe. Thiago bit his rubber duck with all the fury of a future striker, and Liam tried to escape the tub like he was training for a 100-meter sprint.

By nightfall, the house was quiet again. Babies asleep. Dishes done. Emilia curled against him on the couch, watching an old movie neither of them really paid attention to.

"You're ready to go back, aren't you?" she asked softly.

"I miss it," he admitted. "But I'm scared too."

"Of?"

"Missing this," he whispered, pressing his hand to her belly. "Missing moments."

Emilia took his hand and placed it over her heart. "You're not going to miss anything. You've already made more memories in these months than most fathers get in years. And we'll be right here when you're back from training."

Tobi closed his eyes.

She was right. He didn't have to choose.

He could be both.

A world-class footballer.

And a world-class dad.

As the lights dimmed and the night wrapped around their home like a warm blanket, Tobi knew the next chapter of his life was just beginning — not just in football, but in legacy.

And it was beautiful.

North London — Arsenal Training Grounds

The sun clung lazily to the horizon as Tobi jogged alone across the pristine training field. The familiar scent of freshly cut grass, the rhythmic thud of his boots meeting turf, and the distant buzz of coaches and staff formed the backdrop of his mental escape. He wasn't just prepping for another season—he was rebuilding a new version of himself.

Physically, he was in top form. Mentally? The chaos of raising four newborns while balancing the weight of being Arsenal's talisman had left him frayed. For the first time in his career, he felt the pull of home more than the pitch.

He stopped mid-run, panting, hands on his knees.

"Tobi," a voice called out.

He turned to see Mikel Arteta walking toward him, hands behind his back.

"I didn't call a session for you today."

Tobi wiped sweat from his brow, smirking. "Couldn't sleep. Thought I'd get ahead of the curve."

Arteta studied him for a moment. "You haven't been yourself this week."

Tobi's jaw clenched. "I'm trying."

"I know," the coach said quietly. "That's why I'm here. I need you at 100%. Not just for us. For you."

Tobi nodded slowly. "I'll get there."

Later That Morning — Oliveira Residence

Inside their modern London home, Emilia stood barefoot in the nursery, gently rocking Ava while Luna wailed for attention. The boys were quieter, mercifully asleep in their cribs—Thiago with his tiny fists clenched, Liam curled in a fetal pose.

"Tobi should've been home by now…" she muttered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

She didn't resent him. Not truly. But the loneliness of four-on-one parenting some mornings chipped away at her strength.

Just as Luna's cries peaked, the front door creaked open.

"Babyyy!" Tobi called out, voice laced with exhaustion.

"In here!" Emilia replied sharply.

He entered the nursery to a battlefield—diapers, rattles, blankets, and a very overwhelmed partner.

"God…" he exhaled. "Let me take over."

She handed him Ava wordlessly and left the room.

By the time he got Luna soothed and the room in order, he found Emilia curled up on the living room couch, arms crossed, eyes closed.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he sat beside her.

She didn't look at him. "You missed the morning feed. Again."

"I know. Training—"

"Tobi, I'm not mad. I'm tired. And I need you more present. Not just in moments where you 'have time.'"

That stung more than any defender's tackle ever had.

He reached over, lacing his fingers with hers. "Then we figure out how to do this together. You, me, and our four miracles."

She finally looked at him, tears brimming. "Promise?"

"Promise."

Three Days Later — Team Meeting Room, Emirates Stadium

The Arsenal squad had reconvened for their first full preseason meeting. New signings, old veterans, and a buzz of curiosity surrounded the room.

Tobi arrived five minutes late, looking both elite and exhausted. Ben White gave him a mock salute. "Father of the Year finally joins us."

Tobi grinned. "I brought life into this world. What's your excuse?"

Laughter broke the tension.

Kai Havertz leaned over. "Seriously though, how's it going with quadruplets?"

Tobi exhaled. "Imagine four El Clásicos. Every night."

Even Arteta chuckled from the front. "Alright, gentlemen. Let's get to business."

That Evening — After the Twins Were Put to Sleep

Tobi and Emilia shared tea on their balcony. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her face as she leaned against his shoulder.

"You ever think about retiring early?" she whispered.

Tobi froze. "Sometimes."

"Just sometimes?"

"I still love the game. But I love this—us—even more."

She turned toward him. "What if you didn't have to choose?"

His heart thudded in his chest. "What do you mean?"

She hesitated. "I mean… you've done it all, Tobi. Twice. What if your next season is your last?"

He didn't answer immediately. Because deep down… he had wondered the same.

And for the first time, it didn't feel like giving up. It felt like letting go at the right time.