Rise of a Football God

3 days later, in a press conference…

"Thank you for respecting our invitation and coming Sam".

"It's an honor to be here". Sam smiled at the reporter.
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What Fulham did this season; it was nothing short of legendary.

Despite the fact that days already passed since the FA Cup game, the celebrations still continued at full swing as excited Fulham fans simply could not forget their unreal fortune this season.

Sam already turned into a cult hero in the city of Fulham, he was literally worshipped in the town as his celebrity status rose even higher.

He truly was a superstar now.

On the wake of a massively successful season for Fulham, a record-breaking one in their history, a news platform that covered the premier league organized a press conference and Sam was invited to take part in it.

The purpose of the press conference was to delve more into his story and his life, to know the Nigerian who changed the fortune of Fulham as a city and a club.

"Sam, I already did my research before now and you know what?" The male reporter grinned. "I found some interesting data about you".

"I couldn't help but notice that despite the fact that you're still just 19 years old, you've won 5 official trophies already which is crazy, 4 of them being major trophies that are recognized in the world".

Sam chuckled. "Really? I didn't really count". He awkwardly scratched the back of his head, making the reporter chuckle.

"I won't even try to fathom how the brain of geniuses like you work," the reporter laughed. "Anyways, in case you forgot, in the past 3 seasons of your small career, you've won the NPFL title, the CAF champions league trophy, the EFL Cup title, the premier league title, and then the FA Cup title".

"At such a young age, winning so much already just underlines how talented you are," the reporter looked at him. "Sam, can you tell us which of these trophy wins was more important and exciting to you?"

"That's a difficult question," Sam smiled. "In terms of importance, obviously, I'll say the premier league title win this season".

"Fulham have never won a premier league trophy before now, so helping the club win a title of such importance, it's a thing of great pride to me and my teammates so that's obviously my answer".

"When it comes to the most exciting of them though," he rubbed his chin, smiling.

"That's difficult, right?"

Sam laughed. "Yeah, it's really difficult".

"I mean, the FA Cup and premier league race this season was tough. Even on the last matchday, I thought we lost till Crystal Palace handed us a lifeline," he wiped away imaginary sweat from his forehead sarcastically. "I can't thank them enough".

The reporter laughed. "About that, Liverpool are still launching a complaint to the premier league that Man City let you guys score so many goals against them".

Sam shrugged. "If they don't believe we won fairly, that's on them, they should keep on lodging complaints".

"I and my teammates do know we gave our all to win and it's only fair that we won, undermining our win is not nice but it's what it is". He smiled.

"So?"

"Huh?"

The reporter smiled. "You're yet to answer my question".

"Ah, ok," Sam rubbed his chin in thought before answering. "If I was to say it objectively, my most exciting trophy win has to be the CAF champions league win".

"I mean come on, I'm used to being the underdog but in that tournament, we were below underdogs, we were massive underdogs!" He laughed.

"Man, winning against the likes of Al Ahly in penalties to progress to the final, and then the win against Wydad AC, those are moments that I won't forget in my life even till my death bed".

"You think?"

"Yeah, I do think so". Sam laughed. "That tournament has a special place in my heart, I can say it helped in molding me into the player I am today".

The reporter smiled. "Talking about the player you are, Sam, we want to know more about you. Can you tell us your story?"

"Your struggles, how you started, and how you made it to this level".

Sam smiled, a reminiscing look coming over his face. "It's a long story…"

Sam took his time in the interview, telling his story to the reporter and the viewers who learned a lot about him that day.

His story was indeed long, and eventful, almost fantastical even.

That interview made Sam's reputation in the football world rise even more, making a lot more football fans to know about him.

Afterall, football fans loved to hear the story of an underdog who fought fate and overcame challenges before rising to prominence.

Even after the interview, for Fulham fans, the celebrations for their legendary season were not yet over, rather it was just starting.

The executives at the club didn't want to have a forgettable celebration as they planned an open bus parade around the city of Fulham, parading their 2 trophies before their fans.

The next day after Sam's interview, Wednesday, 4th of June, Fulham fans took to the streets as the open bus parade started.

Tens of thousands of Fulham fans flooded the streets.

Amid loud music and a boisterous atmosphere, the fans got the privilege of having a great time alongside their players as they wildly celebrated their trophy wins of the past season.

At the end of Sam's interview, the reporter asked him a sensitive question about his future since big clubs were already circling round for his signature.

Manchester City did not hide their interest in Sam, and they were just one of the numerous big clubs now gunning for Sam's signature after his record-breaking 2nd season with Fulham.

The reporter asked him about it and Sam's reply had one theme at the center of it, the theme of FC Barcelona.

He did not hide his love for the Spanish club, bringing some controversies in Fulham but the fans did not pay attention to it as their love for him eclipsed anything that could strain their relationship.

That day, they celebrated wildly through the streets of Fulham.

After the open bus parade, the celebrations extended to deep in the night as Coach Marco Silva took his players to a night club to continue the celebrations.

It truly was a memorable day for the players.

…

2 days after the open bus parade in Fulham, the world of football consolidated again to watch the greatest game of elite club football, the UEFA champions league final.

The final was to be played between 2 Giants of football, Liverpool of England and Bayern Munich of Germany.

The venue was Wembley Stadium in England.