Rise of a Football God

Chapter 81 A date with Manchester City

(FIFA Club World Cup!)

(Semifinal result:)

>Fluminense 2-3 Enyimba FC<

>Date: 18th December, 2023<

In a sporting event that sent the whole footballing world reeling in shock, after an impressive display that stole headlines all over the world, a young 18-year-old midfielder called Samuel Moses sent his local club to the final of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

If the footballing world across Europe didn't know of the name Samuel Moses before now, after the game against Fluminense, they definitely knew now.

And unexpectedly, Sam scooped his second successive man of the match award in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup tournament.

And as was expected, he presided over the post-match interview.

With sweat all over his face, still breathing rapidly from how much he exerted himself in the game, Sam faced the male reporter with a big smile on his face.

The male reporter grinned. "I can see someone is in a good mood".

Sam grinned back at him. "Who wouldn't be?" He chugged down a gulp of water down his throat. "I mean, come on, not even I scripted it like this, my performance today was beyond my expectations". Sam chuckled.

"Well, to sum up my view of your display today, first of all, there is a tradition that I once learned from a movie, you should watch it at your free time, 3 Idiots".

"I learned this from the movie".

Telling his cameraman to pay attention, the male reporter removed his face cap before bowing in Sam's direction. "Your highness, thou art great oh!"

"Receive this humble offering".

"Stop it". Sam laughed loudly, including the other people available for the interview, but then he grinned. "Actually, I've watched the 3 Idiots and if my memory doesn't fail me, you're supposed to remove your pants".

"Stop!" The reporter burst out laughing.

After their light-hearted exchange, the interview finally started officially. "Honestly, words can't express the magnitude of your performance today Sam. I finally understand why they call you the African Zidane, how do you feel?"

Sam grinned. "I feel great, honestly, I feel like I'm floating".

"My teammates are literally worshipping me at this point," he chuckled. "During the game, I didn't know how cool it looked but watching the replay after the game, I finally understand how ridiculous my last goal was".

"Honestly, I don't know how I did it, I just did it".

The reporter grinned. "Well, Sam, congratulations, because that's the mark of great footballers. They simply do things on the pitch, incredible things that even they themselves can't explain".

"After your performance today, I believe that you're now on the radar of some European clubs. Some of my sources tell me you've already been approached by a European club, is that true?"

Sam shook his head. "I can't say, my father is in charge of all contract-related matters. All I care about is playing football".

"If an acceptable offer do comes my way to play in Europe though," he grinned. "I won't hesitate, I want to prove my talent to the world".

"I wish you good luck in that endeavor Sam". The reporter smiled again, looking at his paper before continuing the interview.

"After your heroics today, at the expense of Fluminense, you just bought yourself a date with Manchester City in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup. Do you think your club stands a chance against the best club in the whole world?"

"Do you think you can put out this same performance against Manchester City in the final?"

Sam smiled. "First, the last finalist of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup final is not decided yet, Manchester City still has to play their first game tomorrow".

"Do you think Urawa Reds stand a chance against them?"

Sam shook his head. "It's not a matter of what I think, it's football and in football, anything can happen".

He rubbed his chin, contemplating his words. "If we do meet Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup final though, I can't promise anything, the only thing I can promise the Enyimba fans is that we will give our best like we always do".

"Last season, against all odds, we made it all the way to the final of the CAF champions league, going all the way and winning it in the end".

"Are you saying…?"

Sam shook his head again. "I'm not saying anything, I'm simply saying that I won't reject another miracle if it comes".

He grinned. "Afterall, this is football".

"What about you? Do you think you can put out the same performance today against Manchester City in the final?"

Enjoy new chapters from empire

"Who knows?" Sam shrugged. "But I'll give it my best shot, believe that".

"I do believe Sam". The male reporter smiled again, and then he looked at his wristwatch. "My time is over Sam; I wish I had more time with you".

"You'll have another time another day Mr. John".

The reporter smiled. "It was a nice time with you Sam, do have a nice day".

"You too".

With that, Sam finally returned to his teammates in the dressing room. To his surprise though, immediately after he entered the room, Austin burst a bottle of champagne, pouring it all over him as the team celebrated their victory again.

Raising Sam up, they threw him up and down excitedly in the air, acknowledging his big role in their incredible comeback today.

After returning to their hotel rooms, later in the day, Sam had a video call with his family as he spoke with his overexcited mom and sister.

Mr. Moses was just proud of his son.

That same day, his contacts from Lille finally contacted him again including delegates from 3 other European clubs, leaving this middle-aged man ecstatic but he did not bother his son with the contact talks for now.

He let Sam focus on his football, the final for now.

The next day, Manchester City finally took on Urawa Reds in the other semifinal game and just like the whole world expected, the reigning European champions blew their opponents away completely.

And finally, the semifinal results were ready.

(FIFA Club World Cup!)

(Semifinal results:)

>Fluminense 2-3 Enyimba FC<

>Date: 18th December, 2023<

…

>Urawa Reds 0-3 Man City<

>Date: 19th December, 2023<

…

(Match for 3rd place:)

>Urawa Reds – Fluminense<

>Date: 22nd December, 2023<

…

(Final fixture:)

>Man City – Enyimba FC<

>Date: 22nd December, 2023<

Enyimba FC got their date with Manchester City.