Rise of a Football God-Chapter 292: First training session at the Spotify Camp Nou [2]

***

[Name: Samuel Moses]

[Age: 20]

[Club: FC Barcelona]

[Preferred Position: Attacking Midfield]

[Statistics:]

…

[Enyimba FC:]

Goals: 41

Assists: 31

Games: 54

…

[Fulham FC:]

Goals: 55

Assists: 43

Games: 63

…

[FC Barcelona:]

[nil=]

…

[Total Games Played: 117]

[Total Goals Scored: 96]

[Total Assists Provided: 74]

[Total Combined Goals + Assists: 170]

Explore more stories at novelbuddy

…

[Trophies won:]

>NPFL title ×1<

>CAF Champions League trophy ×1<

>EFL Cup title ×1<

>Premier League title ×1<

>FA Cup title ×1<

***

In all of Europe, Sam’s numbers were some of the best and most ridiculous.

It presented an interesting read.

Until just this month on the 6th, he was a 19-year-old and despite being that young, he already outputted total-career numbers of certain professional football players already.

His 96 goals in 117 games averaged an incredible ratio of 0.82 goals per game.

Add in his 74 assists to the equation and the numbers became absolutely ridiculous, averaging 1.45 goal contributions a game!

Sam’s numbers were just borderline crazy.

Even the best forwards in all of Europe struggle to produce numbers like this, this was the caliber of player that FC Barcelona managed to snap up during the transfer window. They were the envy of other top clubs.

And with it, FC Barcelona was able to complete a star-studded lineup that was tipped to go all the way this season.

After reaching the semifinals of the UEFA champions league last time out, maybe Sam was the last piece of the puzzle that would finally help FC Barcelona to break their champions league trophy drought in recent years.

With the likes of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Pedri all in the same squad with Sam, FC Barcelona was a fearsome side once again.

And during today’s training session, it showed.

Bam! Bam!

Fluent, silky-smooth football was played on the pitch by the players.

After their session in the gym, Hansi Flick led his players to the pitch before letting them loose as they showcased their brilliance on the training pitch.

’Damn!’

’Damn!’

’Damn! These guys are good!’

In Fulham, Sam got the privilege of playing with players that were better than those he teamed up with in Enyimba FC but in this training session, Sam no longer felt like a lone maverick anymore.

He was now in a team of players of even more elite players than what he played and trained daily with at Craven Cottage.

Lamine Yamal’s electric dribbling ability that reminded of a prime Neymar Jnr, Pedri’s first touch and sheer class in possession, Gavi’s relentless energy that matched Sam’s, even eclipsing it, Lewandowski’s lethal shooting skills, and Raphinha’s relentless brilliance, all of it mesmerized Sam.

FC Barcelona didn’t just have attack and midfield though. Against the defensive players, despite the fact that this was just a training session, Sam was constantly pushed to his limits.

Up against the likes of Jules Kounde, Inigo Martinez, Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi, Sam was forced to toil hard before getting any results.

Sprawled on the ground, he gorged down a bottle of water even as his eyes shone with a fiery competitive spirit. "I love this!" He muttered.

"Hola!" A sweaty Lewandowski walked up to him again, using his gestures to ask what Sam thought about the training session.

"Intense," Sam replied immediately, grinning. "Very intense!" With his gestures, he also made sure that Lewandowski also understood what he meant.

At that moment, Lamine Yamal also walked up to him, grinning. "Hola Sam!" The young Spanish winger waved.

"You’re really good". He complimented in Spanish.

"You too!" Sam praised in a heartfelt manner.

Back in Fulham, Sam was always the focal point of attention, the out and out best player of the squad but here, he felt like just 1 part of a powerful machine again. There were crouching Tigers and hidden Dragons everywhere.

This reality induced a yearning to improve again in him.

His competitive spirit was burning like a furnace. ’I’m loving this!’

By the end of the training session, the rest of the squad already accepted him. From this 1 training session, it was clear that he was the real deal, he was not just all talk and no action.

’Under talk and over deliver’. Sam thought, intending to surprise his teammates with what he could do in their next training session.

Just as they approved him after their first training session together, he also approved them.

This was a squad brimming with talent and potential.

That evening, on getting home, laying down on his bed, Sam could not help but think of his career and its potential trajectory here in FC Barcelona.

’This is an elite squad under Hansi Flick’.

’I wonder how much my career can improve in this time; I wonder if my trophy cabinet can swell again come season end’. He rolled on his bed, grinning even as he clenched his fists excitedly.

Before retreating to sleep, he called his girlfriend who was already back in Netherlands, narrating how his day went to her and how exciting training was.

Kayla could hear the excitement in her boyfriend’s tone.

Kayla also narrated her own day to her boyfriend, the ups and downs, including how a new student annoyed her in school, shamelessly professing his lover to her.

"Give me his number!" Sam demanded jokingly.

Kayla laughed and agreed. "You better insult his 10 generations!"

"I will".

They both laughed.

In the end, before cutting the call, she asked him an important question. "When will you finally make your debut for FC Barcelona?"

Sam hesitated a bit before answering. "This is unlike when I signed for Fulham when I was just a prospect from Nigeria".

"I have an established career already and after my performance in training today. If I was Hansi Flick, I’ll make my debut in the next game".

"Who will you guys be playing against?"

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com.

"…"

"You don’t know?"

Sam chuckled awkwardly. "Come on babe, you can’t really blame me. I’m just coming to FC Barcelona, I’m even yet to see the schedule for the new season".

"Anyways, goodnight, I love you".

"I love you too".

Before sleeping, Sam called his mom.

"Holo son!" His mom’s energetic voice sounded through the iPhone.

"…"

At first, Sam was confused but when he understood what she meant, he palmed his face. "Mom…! It’s hola. God…, you’re learning Spanish?"

His mom chuckled. "How was my Spanish?"

"It’s horrible!"

"Hmph! You unfilial son, I’ll cut that tongue of yours off!"

Sam chuckled.

He discussed different topics with his mom that night, including when she’ll finally get to visit him in Spain before ending the call.

That night, Sam slept with a big smile on his face.

…

The next moment, Sam woke up only to see a notification on his phone.

Ding!

(NEW! Unread message from Coach Hansi Flick…)