Rise of a Football God

With the win over Coventry, Fulham did the incredible, booking a semifinal spot in the 2024/2025 FA Cup.

Since the other quarter final games were already played about a week ago, Fulham was able to see their next opponents in the FA Cup almost immediately.

(FA Cup:)

(Semifinal:)

(Man United – Tottenham)

(Date: 26th April, 2025)

…

(Newcastle – Fulham)

(Date: 26th April, 2025)

After 6 rounds of the FA Cup, in all of England, these were the 4 clubs remaining in the competition this season.

Despite Manchester United's horrible run of form in the premier league under their new manager, Ruben Amorim, in the FA Cup, they upheld their reputation as the reigning champions of the cup as they were the favorites.

In the semifinals, they were the favorites to progress to the final of the FA Cup over Tottenham Hotspur despite the North London club being in form too.

Fulham was competing in 2 fronts this season and it was safe to say that it was taking a toll on the players and their manager, but they relished the challenge.
Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire

After another electric display in the FA Cup, helping his team progress at Coventry's expense, just like in the Liverpool game, Sam was also exhausted.

Getting back to his home in Fulham, the first thing that he did was to call his girlfriend after enjoying a cold bath to relax.

"Hey big man, how are you doing?"

Sam chuckled. "I'm good, what of you?"

"I'm great!"

Sam could hear how excited his girlfriend sounded on the phone as she continued. "I know you needed to be focused as you told me the importance of the last 4 games for your club but I can't hide it this time, I'm impressed!"

Kayla did not hold back on her praise. "You managed to show up in 3 important games for Fulham where your team needed you the most, congrats love".

But then she complained. "I want to keep on congratulating you but you've only made my work even more hectic".

"Huh?" Sam was confused.

"What do you mean by huh?" Kayla pouted. "Of course, it's my job as your social media handler. The activity in all your social media accounts exploded after that Liverpool game, your followers and subscribers are skyrocketing again".

"But I like it though! It means you're growing in your career".

"So, will you guys win the premier league now?"

Sam palmed his face on hearing that question. "As if it was that easy," he chuckled. "Winning the premier league is even harder than other leagues among the top 5 European leagues in the world, it's not that easy".

"Liverpool are still leading at the top of the premier league table".

"Our win definitely demoralized them, breaking their momentum, all we can do is hope that it affects them psychologically for an extended period of time".

"Right now, they're still leading us with 4 points".

"All we need from them is to drop points in 2 different games, a loss and a draw is enough, we're ahead when it comes to goal difference".

"What's goal difference?"

"It's the difference in the number of goals scored and conceded by a team. This season, we have been really imperious when we win". Sam grinned, but then he sighed. "And it's not just about Liverpool dropping points too".

Sam looked at his ceiling, silently clenching his left hand into a fist. "While they drop points, we need to make sure that we also take all available points".

"That's the only way that we stand a chance of winning the premier league this season". Saying this, a smile could not help creeping into his face. "It's crazy that we're talking about Fulham and a premier league trophy side by side".

"If we can really do this, we'll become immortals in Fulham".

"You can do it!" Kayla motivated.

Sam smiled. "By the way, if we're able to stay perfect from now to the end of the season, we can do one more than just winning the premier league title".

"If we win the FA Cup too, that'd be a historic double".

Sam grinned. "If we can do that, that would undoubtedly be the greatest season in Fulham's history".

This time, Kayla hesitated. "Can you guys do it?"

Sam chuckled. "Nothing is set in stone; that's the nature of football and what makes it exciting. We can only do our best".

"Goodluck then".

Sam rolled on his bed. "Enough with the me talk, let's talk about you, how are you doing? How's school?"

With that, the conversation topic switched to his girlfriend and like he expected, Kayla had a lot of gist to tell him about.

That night, they spoke for almost 2 hours before the call came to an end.

Sam was dead beat tired but before sleeping, he dialed a number on his phone that he rarely spoke with these days.

{Outgoing call to My Superman…}

His superman… was his dad.

Click!

As soon as the call connected, there was silence for a few seconds before Mr. Moses spoke. "Hey son, how are you doing?"

"Hanging on". Sam replied.

Hearing that, Mr. Moses already knew what his son was feeling and this man already knew the best way to tackle it.

He chuckled. "The pressure is getting to you right?"

Sam sighed. "Yeah".

"We achieved our goal, we won all 3 games, we won against Liverpool but instead of the pressure reducing like I expected, it only increased".

"In that game against Coventry, I struggled more than I expected".

"It's a bit overwhelming dad…, I feel like a moving train that's moving so fast there's no checkpoint for me to slow down, stop, and reset".

He sighed again, staying silent for a few seconds and then he added. "I just want to win dad, I really want to win, and the scare of losing is wearing me out".

"Then don't think of it".

"Huh?"

Mr. Moses chuckled again, expertly trivializing the situation. "You're only scared because you think about it".

"You already have a gift that no other footballer in the world have," Mr. Moses hesitated. "I know it adds to the pressure of wanting to prove yourself, but Sam, what else do you want to prove?"

"You've done it all already, know that and believe it".

"Don't think of the future, focus on the now, the next game, that should be your only focus".

"Keep on doing what you've been doing before, approach every game like it's your last and I promise you with your ability and your teammates helping, you'll win every game".

"I'm rooting for you Sam!" Mr. Moses smiled behind his phone back in Nigeria. "You can do it!"

"And know, when it gets overwhelming, I'm always here to listen".

"Never hesitate to put a call, even if it's in the midnight, I'll pick".

Hearing that reassurance from his dad, Sam felt at peace as his smile returned to his face. "Thank you dad". He muttered. "I love you".

"I love you too son".

"Help me extend my greetings to mom".

"I will".

"Goodnight".

The phone call finally came to an end.

That night, after speaking with his girlfriend and his dad, Sam slept peacefully like a baby. He had a dream of lifting the premier league trophy and the FA Cup.

The next day, Sam woke up with a big smile on his face.

"It's going to be a great day!"