Rise of a Football God

Time moved fast.

While the rest of the world moved on with their lives, Sam continued enjoying his vacation in Nigeria with his family, his best friend, and Kayla.

Since beginning to manage Sam's social media accounts, managing his posts, Sam's followership on social media began to surge with Kayla's management, so much that she finally managed to secure him his very first endorsement deal.

Kayla was a model, her initial journey to Fulham was to fulfill her part to take a modelling photoshoot on a cosmetics endorsement deal.

With her connections, she managed to help Sam secure an endorsement deal with the same cosmetics company.

To complete the deal, Sam, Kayla, and his best friend took another trip to Fulham where he engaged in the photoshoot session.

Unlike with a model though, the money they paid Sam was even more.

Immediately after the photoshoot session, satisfied with what they got, a large sum of money was wired into Sam's domiciliary account.

Beep!

(You have received a wire transfer of 5 million Euros!)

5 million Euros, for just an endorsement deal!

The reason why Kayla managed to find such a deal for him was due to certain factors. First and foremost, Sam was a star Fulham player who recently drove the local club to the center of fame and the cosmetics company was also in Fulham.

Another reason was because Kayla was able to convince them that next season, Sam would become even more popular.

Then, even more lucrative endorsement deals would naturally come to him. Getting him now when others were yet to pounce was actually an opportunity.

When you argued your point like this, not even the best deal negotiators of big companies in London could kill your argument.

The day he received the wire transfer was one of the best days of Sam's life.

Before returning to Nigeria, secretly, not letting his best friend know, Sam did something with Kayla. Having been thinking about it for some time already, Sam used his money to work a school transfer for his best friend.

Before Ian knew it, he suddenly received a transfer message transferring him from UNIBEN, his current school in Edo State, Benin City in Nigeria to the esteemed University of London.

It came unexpected, like a breeze; Ian never saw it coming.

And now it was the best friend's turn to well up in tears. "Sam," he stared at his best friend. "D-did you do this for me?"

Sam cringed. "Stop it man, that's embarrassing, men don't cry!"

"You bastard!" Ian punched him before hugging him excitedly.

What was the point of being successful and making a lot of money if he didn't spend it on those he loved? This was Sam's philosophy.

By these actions, he felt even more happy than his friends and family whom he did it for, and then with his mind free, he finally started focusing on preparing for the new premier league season.

Despite his vacation that started since, not one day did Sam ever fail to complete his daily system quest which kept him in shape.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Now though, he ramped up his training and preparation.

Sam didn't just stop with that, to motivate his teammates, he started taking pictures of himself training and sending it to Fulham's WhatsApp group chat for the players with provocative captions.

Afterall, he alone could not do anything, he needed his teammates if he wanted to accomplish his ambitious plans for next season.

(Are you guys still sleeping? Come on! WAKE UP!!! It's time to start grinding for a new premier league season boys!)

(This time, we're going for the league title!)

(You guys better not wimp out on me or I'll kill you myself!)

At first, Sam got no response but after doing it for consecutive days without stopping, some of his teammates had no choice but to respond.

They were used to his ways after spending 5 months with him. They knew how dedicated and how much of a workaholic he was, but this?

They still underestimated Sam's mentality.

The season was not even close to starting but the Fulham squad was already getting fired up by the updates from their star attacking midfielder.

None of them were about to let loose and lose shape due to the vacation.

While all that happened, in another big footballing news of 2024, the Euro 2024 tournament finally started.

Its opening game was scheduled for 14th June 2024, and it was a game between the hosts, Germany and Scotland.

On that day, back in Nigeria already, Sam watched the first game of the Euro 2024 tournament with his family, Kayla, and Ian.

Sam wondered how Kayla's parents let her move around the world so carefreely. 'I guess European parents are really a different breed'.

Just like the whole world expected, on that first game, Germany set a marker to the rest of the elite teams in the tournament.

They thrashed Scotland 5-1 after a scintillating display from their 2 prodigies, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. It was a typical German attacking masterclass. Explore hidden tales at empire

After that game, all the people who watched the game threw their support behind Germany, including Sam. "Germany are definitely the favorites". He gushed.

"They are literally stacked on every side of the pitch".

"At the back there's Antonio Rudiger and the others, literally imposing defenders. In attack, they have the likes of Leroy Sane and Kai Harvertz".

"They have Manuel Neuer in-between the posts, yet despite all of these players and even legends, their midfield is somehow the most stacked part of their squad, both in the starting XI and bench".

"With the likes of Toni Kroos, Ikay Gundogan, and Thomas Muller, all veterans, they are a fearsome side already but add the exciting duo of Musiala and Wirtz and you have world beaters!"

"I don't see any team stopping them!"

This was what Sam said, till he watched the next day's group stage games. Of the 3 games that were played, the one between Spain and Croatia stole all the attention, announcing another heavyweight in form in this tournament.

Spain put out a statement display, dazzling with their formidable team anchored by the Manchester City stalwart, Rodri.

With the young duo of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and 21-year old Nico Williams unleashing destruction from the wings, Spain tore a Luca Modric-led Croatia apart with reckless abandon.

"What a game!" Sam gushed.

"I change my mind; Spain are the favorites!"