Over time, things began to shift. Journalists started calling out trolls more often. Fans began reporting offensive comments instead of amplifying them. Social media companies partnered with football associations to test stricter anti-hate measures. It wasn’t perfect, but there was progress.
On the night of the Cup Final, Daniel stood with his teammates during the national anthem. As the cameras panned across the crowd, he spotted Sofia and their son waving. He smiled. He knew the online world could still be cruel, but in that moment, surrounded by the energy of the game and the people who truly mattered, he remembered what was real — the love, the sport, and the courage to keep both alive despite the noise.
