Rise of a Football God

"Congratulations Sam! You played an amazing game today on the pitch, helping your team win with your 2 incredible assists, how do you feel?"

"I feel great!" Sam answered in a bubbly manner, wiping off his sweat as he could not contain his excitement.

"I wanted to score but it doesn't matter, I still contributed with 2 assists". He smiled. "Setting up Lamine Yamal to rescue a point already left me satisfied, to assist Raphinha too in such a manner to rescue all 3 points, there's nothing better I could have asked for in my return game".

"What a statement performance it was from you!"

"A lot of people doubted Hansi Flick's decision to push you straight into the deep end immediately after coming out of such a damaging scandal".

"I won't lie, even I was skeptical at first about your match fitness and readiness but after what you pulled off out there on the pitch, I must confess, Hansi Flick didn't make the wrong decision".

"The wrong decision would have been not playing you from the start".

Sam chuckled. "I may still be very young but it's already my 3rd year in professional football. By now, I am already used to people's opinion".

"No matter what you do in this life, people will always have their own opinion so trying to live by their standards and validation is pointless. I try not to think about other people's opinion too much".

"I only think about my opinion and those of my loved ones".

"That way, I am able to focus more on what matters, football a good example". He smiled.

The male reporter also smiled. "Sam, today on the pitch, we could not help but notice a certain connection between you and Lamine Yamal, is there anything that we don't know about?"

Sam chuckled. "Just say what you want to ask, stop beating around the bush. Not like I have any reason to hide it in the first place".

"You must have seen the videos and pictures that trend online a few days ago. Yes, I've built a close friendship with Lamine Yamal these days".

"Not just him, Pedri and Gavi too".

"In a big club like FC Barcelona, I believe that maintaining good relationships between the squad members can keep the vibes positive which can reflect positively in our performances on the pitch".

"Anyways, today is just the prelude," he grinned. "Get ready for more".

"Really? Then I can't wait". The reporter's smile widened.

He looked at his book before asking his next question. "Sam, in your almost 3-year career, you've played for Enyimba FC and Fulham FC, both clubs that do not compete in the UEFA Champions League before this season".

"Due to your heroics last season in the premier league, Fulham are now in the UEFA champions league but even for you, this is your first time facing the prospects of competing in the elite tournament of club football".

"FC Barcelona's next game is a UEFA champions league home game against Brest of France, and it will be your first ever UEFA champions league game".

"Sam, how do you feel about it?"

Sam took a deep breath, going over his thoughts before answering; he laughed. "Honestly, I won't lie, I'm giddy in joy".

"Playing in the UEFA champions league…, it has always been one of the greatest dreams of my football career aspirations".

"The first football game that I ever watched was a UEFA champions league game after all".

"Really? Which one?"

Sam grinned. "2011, Wembley Stadium, FC Barcelona vs Manchester United!"

"Ouch!" The reporter laughed. "That brings memories man, fond memories for FC Barcelona fans and forgettable ones for fans of the Man United persuasion".

"I had the privilege of watching that game live in Wembley Stadium".

"Then do well to watch us live this season too," Sam grinned. "Because we'll be playing the final of the UEFA champions league this season".@@novelbin@@

"So bold," the reporter clicked his tongue. "I like it from young players like you, it makes our ageing bones burn with fire again".

"How do you think you would perform in front of your home supporters for your first home game since your confinement".

Sam took a deep breath. "I try not to overthink things too much, but I'm definitely going to give my all to create a memorable moment for the fans".

"I promise them, no matter what happens, they will enjoy the game".

With that, the interview finally came to an end. Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library Empire

Getting home, Sam learned that his girlfriend already made his favorite dish, Banga soup and starch. He was left salivating on getting home.

Quickly devouring the food and kissing his girlfriend, he started his post-match recovery in preparations for his very first UEFA champions league game.

Sam was hyper for his first UEFA champions league game.

From the days of watching Iniesta, Xavi, Busquests, and Messi don the famous blue and red of FC Barcelona, to the days of Neymar, Suarez, and Messi, to think that it was already the days of Raphinha, Lewandowski, Yamal, and Sam.

Sam was hyped for his club's next game, too hyped to relax.

All this abundant energy, he channeled it into what he knew how do to best, working out and playing football.

From just jogging alongside his new friends in the city of Barcelona, they graduated to organizing personal training sessions between themselves outside the normal training sessions scheduled by their coach, Hansi Flick.

Like this, the camaraderie and chemistry between the 5 FC Barcelona players improved crazily even as their fitness gained the sharpness of a qi-infused sword.

Like this, the days moved fast and in no time, it was October 1st already.

It was D-day.

…

(UEFA Champions League:)

(Matchday 2 of 8:)

(FC Barcelona – Brest)

(Date: 1st October, 2025)

On the 1st of October, in the matchday 2 fixture of the newly revamped UEFA champions league format that was used to substitute the group stage, FC Barcelona welcomed the France-based club Brest to Barcelona.

It was poised to be an exciting game.