Rise of a Football God-Chapter 428: Ballon d’Or favorite

That afternoon, not just Pedri, other FC Barcelona players who reported to the stadium were haunted by the referees, all asking the same question and all of them had the same answers.

Sam was the sole favorite for the ballon d'or this season.

Lamine Yamal's response was even more dramatic. "Huh?"

"Did your really just ask that?" He asked in Spanish. "4 goals in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League, and against Manchester City".

He raised an eyebrow. "65 goals and 35 assists in just 46 games, and its not even the end of the season yet. That's 100 goal contributions!"

The teenage Spanish winger chuckled. "Show me another striker with anywhere near these statistics and we'll talk".

The reporter only laughed, agreeing with him.

Well, you could not blame the young Spanish winger's enthusiasm.

Sam was truly having an all-time great season. 65 goals in 2 seasons was a solid return for any striker in Europe, and yet Sam already had it in one season, in his debut season for FC Barcelona to boot.

Not just that, added with his 35 assists in just 46 games, making a total of 100 goal contributions in a single season, he was currently recording the single most prolific season in football history since Lionel Messi.

A few more of those and he'd eclipse the mercurial Argentine.

It was already 4 days since the epic UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash against Manchester City. And during this time, Sam was the talk of the town.

Heck, not just the talk of the town, the talk of all Europe.

His fame was already at an all-time high, and yet, somehow, he became even more famous. Sam was now an idol of football, a bonafide footballing superstar.

That game took a lot out of FC Barcelona fans but here they were again, preparing for the start of another game, this time a La Liga game.

The players were tired, but they were in the deep end of the season. They had no choice than to keep on playing. Hansi Flick believed in his players' resilience, he believed they could handle it.

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And so, Sam made the lineup again.

Just before the game started at the Spotify Camp Nou though, Sam received one of the biggest surprises of his life from the Catalan club.

Joan Laporta, the club President himself walked into the pitch carrying a golden plaque with the number 100 engraved in bold.

It was a golden plaque to honor Sam's legendary debut season, to honor his 100 goal contributions in just 46 games this season.

The date he scored the 100th goal contribution was engraved in the plaque, including the date that he scored his first goal contribution for FC Barcelona.

Sam… felt honored.

FC Barcelona was one of the biggest football clubs in the world. To be honored by them in this manner, it showed how amazing of a season he was having since his debut for the Catalan club.

Sam was happy, but his move was made even more giddy by the fact that just yesterday, he finalized contract talks with the club.

After that Manchester City game, a lot of things changed for Sam, mostly his status in the football world.

He was now one of the biggest players in the world of football.

And with that label, a lot of other big clubs now showed interest in him. And to secure their prized asset, despite the fact that it was not even one year since he signed for the club, FC Barcelona upgraded Sam's contract, making him the highest-earning player in the club.

And with this golden plaque honor to booth, Sam was in a great mood. And when the game started, his mood reflected on the pitch.

(La Liga:)

(Barcelona – Celta Vigo)

(Date: 19th April, 2026)

FWEEE!

The referee's whistle cut through the noise of the stadium like a blade, and with it, FC Barcelona's composed destruction started.

Knowing just how fatigued their opponent must be, Celta Vigo hoped to pressure the home side and get a result.

After the referee's whistle, during the first few minutes of the game, Celta Vigo actually had the better chances, pressuring Barcelona and eventually in the 19th minute, their pressure bore fruit as they scored the 1st goal of the game.

But that was where their luck ended because in the 28th minute, Barca started its comeback, Pedri assisting Lamine Yamal for the first Barcelona goal.

The midfielder slipped in a delicious through pass for the winger who didn't make a mistake, taking the ball in his strides and poking it past the goalkeeper.

The first half came to an end 1-1.

The second half was more dramatic, as FC Barcelona bared their fangs more with Celta Vigo threatening at opportune moments.

In the end, Inigo Martinez scored the 2nd goal of the game from a Raphinha corner kick in the 84th minute just wen it seemed like Celta Vigo was about to run away from the Spotify Camp Nou with a point.

And even with that, Barca was not satisfied yet.

In the 90th minute, Sam finally got his name on the scoresheet, scoring from close range from a sweet Lamine Yamal cross.

The game ended 3-1 in Barcelona's favor.

Lamine Yamal got the man of the match award, but Sam played a starring role once again, solidifying his position as the best player in the world.