Rise of a Football God

Sam was jolted awake.

Kayla stared at her boyfriend on the bed, a worried frown on her face. "Are you ok? You've been staring into space for a while like a ghost".

"Erm, really?" He finally inclined his head to look at her.

Looking at her, the first thing that Noah noticed was the golden rays of the morning sun that were now peeking through the contours of the curtain into the room.

His eyes widened. "It's already morning?"

Kayla chuckled. "Ok, tell me the truth, are you drunk?"

"Me? Drunk?" Sam scoffed. "I don't even drink alcohol".

"I know," Kayla sighed. "Then why are you acting drunk?"

About a minute or 2 later, after Sam found a convenient excuse to distract his girlfriend's attention, Kayla finally left to make some food.

With Kayla gone, Sam could finally put his thoughts in order.

'What exactly was that?'

Despite the fact that this was not the first time that the system literally bent rules of reality for his sake, still, Sam could not help being spooked by the experience that he just had.

Afterall, back when he still just played for Enyimba, the system literally influenced the CAF champions league organizers and Nigerian FA to tweak the rules to enable his club participate in the competition.

All that was to facilitate his goal.

And when he got the memory orb that contained all the memories of Lionel Messi practicing his body feint skill, Noah's guess was that the orb was definitely not technology-driven.

The idea of some technological device that could enable you live through the memories of another human so thoroughly frightened Sam.

In the end, he concluded that it was some mysterious power.

But now, after the experience that he just had, Sam finally arrived at his conclusion. 'So, the system is really some force of nature'.

Sitting on his bed, Sam felt melancholic. 'Do you mean out of over 7 billion people in the world, I was the one who was chosen to inherit this?'

'Wait, am I really special?'

Yes, Sam knew that from a young age, he was stubborn and persistent.

If his mom didn't guilt trip he and his dad, he would have never stopped playing football despite how much football broke his heart.

That was how persistent he could be.@@novelbin@@

To think that stubbornness of his was what made him special, special enough to inherit a force of nature like the system.

'Some things finally make sense'. He sighed.

'Even in movies, there are certain people, either the protagonists or villains who inherit the will of the heavens to drive their era forward'.

'They are the nexus of growth of their world'.

"To think I will become the nexus of my era," Sam smiled bashfully. "I'm flattered". He muttered, not sure what better way to react to it.

Not everyone had the spirit to wake up every single day and go about your day, completing a daily quest like some robot.

Not everyone had the spirit of defiance like Sam did.

Sam's guess was that these traits were what the system looked for, and not just talent. In terms of talent, countless others were ahead of him.

By making all these realizations, Sam got a new identity.

His new identity was that of a trailblazer.

He was to wear the mantle of change and become a star that would drive this era into an unprecedented level of success.

It was just like Messi and Ronaldo.

Due to their sustained excellence and dominance for such a long time, they did the job in his stead, inspiring a whole generation of footballers and people.

They made most young boys want to train hard and become wingers just like them, and even outside of football, they inspired people.

A lot of people tell their success stories and mention Cristiano Ronaldo, that his unrelenting work rate and defiant determination was what kept them pushing and striving in their lowest and darkest moments.

Thinking of Messi and Ronaldo, Sam sighed. "To think they both did it even without a fragment of the system".

"They truly are mavericks".

Sam stood up, walking to the window as he looked down at the sprawling city of Abuja before him. "I guess, a new era is dawning". He muttered.

A few minutes later, Kayla finally arrived with breakfast.

After brushing his teeth and eating to his fill, Sam left to meet his dad.

His father already showed concerns about the origin of the system and now that he finally got the answer, he wanted his dad to know.

Meeting his father, Sam did not hide anything from him as he told him everything.

In the end, Mr. Moses chuckled. "I always knew that my son was destined for great things, to think that even nature agrees with me". He grinned.

"You have my blessings son," he patted Sam on the shoulder. "Keep on doing what you do best, take on the world and become the trailblazer that you were meant to be".

"Create your legend".

Sam smiled before hugging his father. "Thank you dad…, for everything".

That morning, after eating general breakfast with his family, Sam finally left with his girlfriend, taking the next trip to Spain.

On air, Sam reflected about what his dad told him.

While they discussed, Sam asked. "Dad, should I tell Ian about the origin of the system too?"

"Yes, you have to".

"He may have not said it to you yet but he's worried about you too, about the origin of the system. I believe he's searching for precedents in England even as he's focused on his medical studies".

Mr. Moses smiled. "Sam, you have a good friend, don't let go of him".

"Keep him close". The middle-aged man sighed. "Son, sometimes in our worst moments, close friends are the only ones who keep us believing in life".

Hours later, after arriving at Spain, Sam put a call to his bestfriend.

Click!

The call was answered.

"Hmm, calling me today, to what do I owe this honor?"

"Get lost!" Sam laughed. "Hey buddy, how are you doing?"

"I'm good Sam, I just feel like going crazy due to how much I'm learning. Sometimes, I feel that my brain would soon give way and burnout".

Sam chuckled. "It's part of life".

Ian sighed. "You're right. If it was easy, everybody would be a doctor, so will you tell me why you called me now?"

"Come on, can't I just call my best friend?"

Ian scoffed. "A busy bastard like you, nah man, try harder to fool me".

Sam chuckled. "Ok, you're right but in truth, I'm missing you man. I want to tell you something and I can't tell you through the phone".

"If you can, visit me in Spain sometime. I'll tell you when you come".

Ian groaned. "Can't you just tell me now?"

"No".

"Come on!"

"No".

Ian gave up. "Fine then, hope it's important, what you want to tell me".

"Trust me". Sam chuckled. "By the way, how's your girlfriend?"

Cough!

Ian coughed violently, almost choking on his spit but then he chuckled nervously. "Ah, why do you suddenly ask? Sophia is fine of course".

"I hope so". Sam growled. "You better make sure she finishes her university course before giving her a 9-months assignment!"

Ian chuckled again nervously. "Of course, of course".

"Good". Sam nodded. "Later then, go focus on your studies".

Thinking of something, Ian complained. "Aren't you just going to Spain now? Why did you and Kayla not just come visit me in England before going there? That way, you'll just tell me what you want to tell me".

Sam chuckled. "I can't". Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire

"Why?"

"You want Hansi Flick to skin me alive?"

"…" Ian was stunned.

Sam laughed. "Yesterday, he was already expecting me back in Spain to train with the team. If I delay any further, he'll truly lose it with me".

"Ah, I get it now," Ian sighed. "Troubles of being such a good player".

"Anyways, Goodluck man, and bye".

With that, the call finally came to an end.

After arriving in Spain, Sam went on an evening date with his girlfriend to different iconic tourist locations in the city of Barcelona.

After that, the next day, he resumed his daily workout activities with his training buddies, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, and Alejandro Balde.

The reason why Hansi Flick was desperate to have Sam back in the squad was because in his absence and Lewandowski's absence in the last game due to injury, FC Barcelona ended up playing a goalless draw against Alaves.

The German coach was desperate for his club to bounce back to winning ways, and he believed that Sam was the nexus for it.

After their workout that morning, they did another bet and Sam won, being the first to arrive at the Spotify Camp Nou for team training.

Training with his teammates, Sam's life quickly returned to default settings.

Their next game was a Spanish La Liga game against Sevilla and even as they trained, Hansi Flick trained his squad with their opponents in mind.

After his heroics out during international duty, Sam was in elite physical and mental shape as he was even sharper in training, satisfying his coach.

He was plunged straight to the starting XI for the next game.

For the first game in his life, Sam was to start as the striker, a false 9.

(La Liga:)

(Barcelona – Sevilla)

(Date: 20th October, 2025)