Chapter 16 : Farewell Real Betis

The dining room was filled with a warm, celebratory atmosphere as Nico ate with his grandparents. The soft clinking of cutlery against plates and the occasional laughter made the house feel more alive than ever.

Johan leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes watching Nico as he ate. "So, how does it feel?"

Nico looked up, chewing his food before swallowing. "Winning the league? It feels amazing. But honestly, I think it hasn't fully sunk in yet."

Danny chuckled as she poured him some juice. "That's because you never stop thinking about what's next. Even as a child, you never sat still."

Johan smirked. "He's still a child."

Nico scoffed, shaking his head. "Come on, Grandpa. You just watched me dominate a professional league at fourteen, and you still call me a child?"

Johan laughed, nodding. "You're right. Maybe you're more of a monster than a child."

Danny playfully tapped Johan's arm. "Don't call my grandson a monster!"

The table erupted in laughter before Johan leaned forward, his expression turning a bit more serious. "Jokes aside, today you showed why you're different. You had the entire stadium under your spell, and that free kick… I've seen a lot in football, but the way you hit that ball, the way it moved... It's special."

Nico leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table. "I've always wanted to be a difference-maker, Grandpa. I want to be the kind of player that fans remember decades from now. And free kicks? They're one of the few moments in a game where you have total control. Just you, the ball, and the goal."

Johan nodded approvingly. "Spoken like a true footballer."

Danny smiled warmly. "We're proud of you, Nico. Truly. But you have to tell me—what was that celebration? Lifting an invisible trophy?"

Nico grinned. "The fans have been incredible to me all season. I wanted to share the moment with them. And let's be honest, it was fun seeing everyone copy me."

Johan chuckled. "That was quite the sight. But tell me, what happens next? Are you going to Barcelona next season?"

Nico sighed, pushing his plate slightly forward. "I don't know yet. I need to talk to the coach first. If he sees me as a starter, I'll go. If not, I'll go on loan again. I need to play, Grandpa. Sitting on the bench isn't an option for me."

Johan watched him for a moment before nodding. "Good answer. Keep that hunger."

Nico smirked. "Always."

Danny then clapped her hands together. "Enough football talk for tonight! Eat up, Nico. You have a trophy to lift on June 7th, and you'll need all your energy!"

Nico smiled and picked up his fork again. "You're right, Grandma. And I want you both there, front and center."

Danny squeezed his hand gently. "We wouldn't miss it for the world."

__________

The next morning, Nico woke up feeling refreshed after the historic win. As he rubbed his eyes and sat up, he reached for his phone on the bedside table. His notifications were going crazy.

Curious, he unlocked the screen and opened Twitter. His name was trending in Spain. Clips of his ridiculous rainbow flick and volley, as well as his stunning free kick, were being shared everywhere. Fans were debating his future, discussing whether Barcelona should call him back or let him develop further on loan.

One tweet caught his eye:

"A 14-year-old with numbers like this in professional football? We're witnessing something special."

Another one read:

"Betis fans better enjoy this kid while they can. He's heading straight for the top."

Feeling intrigued, Nico switched over to Instagram and saw that MARCA had posted a clip from his post-match press conference. The part where he talked about his free kicks, hard work, and Barcelona's future plans had gone viral.

Scrolling down, he saw comments from footballing legends.

Xavi Hernández: "A 14-year-old with this level of maturity? Unbelievable. Keep going, Nico."

Carles Puyol: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard—but Nico has both. A future star."

Andrés Iniesta: "Incredible technique, composure, and mentality. Barcelona has something special here."

Even some current Barcelona players had dropped comments.

Sergio Busquets: "He's already playing like a pro. Can't wait to see what's next for him."

Jordi Alba: "Bro, if he comes back next season, La Liga's defenders are finished 😂🔥."

But what caught his attention the most was a comment from Cesc Fàbregas.

"This reminds me of the first time I trained with a 16-year-old Messi. Something special is happening."

Nico stared at the screen for a moment, letting those words sink in.

He knew he was talented. He knew he was working harder than anyone. But seeing these legends acknowledge it? That was different. It wasn't just about proving himself anymore—he had expectations to meet.

Smirking to himself, he put his phone down and whispered:

"Let's see if I can prove them right."

____________

The date was June 7, 2015—a day that would be etched in Real Betis' history.

The match against Sporting Gijón had ended in a 1-1 draw, but it didn't matter. The final whistle had confirmed what was already expected—Real Betis were the Segunda División champions.

As the stadium buzzed with energy, the podium was being set up at the center of the pitch. The Betis players stood together, waiting for the trophy presentation. Nico, standing near the touchline, leaned over the barrier and began chatting with a few young fans from the stands.

A boy, no older than ten, stared at him wide-eyed. "Nico! Can I be like you one day?" he asked, holding onto the railing with excitement.

Nico chuckled and ruffled the kid's hair. "Of course! Just keep working hard, listen to your coaches, and never stop loving football."

Another teenage fan, wearing a Betis jersey with Nico's name on the back, leaned forward. "Bro, you're 14 and already carrying the team. You better stay at Betis next season, man!"

Nico smirked. "We'll see, we'll see… But no matter what, I'll always be grateful to Betis."

An older fan, a man probably in his late 40s, gave Nico a proud nod. "Kid, I've been watching Betis for decades. I've never seen a youngster like you. Whatever happens next, just know this city will always love you."

That made Nico pause for a second. He glanced around at the packed stadium, the sea of green and white, the fans singing and chanting, celebrating the title.

This club had given him his first taste of professional football.

This city had embraced him like one of their own.

Whatever happened next… he wouldn't forget this moment.

__________________________

The captain of Real Betis, Bruno González, walked up to receive the Segunda División trophy. The moment the silverware was placed in his hands, he turned back towards his teammates, lifting it high into the air.

The stadium exploded with cheers as the Betis fans roared in celebration. Confetti rained down from above, and cameras flashed to capture the historic moment—Real Betis were officially champions of the Segunda División!

As the players jumped and embraced each other in pure joy, the stadium's giant screen suddenly displayed a message:

"Today is Nico Cruyff's 15th Birthday!"

The commentators, noticing the screen, immediately explained to the fans watching at home:

"And what a special day it is for young Nico Cruyff! Not only has he played a key role in leading Betis to the title, but today is also his 15th birthday! What a way to celebrate!"

The realization spread through the stadium like wildfire, and soon, the entire crowd broke into song:

"Cumpleaños feliz, cumpleaños feliz…!"

More than 40,000 fans were singing Happy Birthday to him in Spanish.

On the pitch, Nico stood there, slightly stunned but touched beyond words. His teammates gathered around him, some patting his head, others ruffling his hair. The captain even handed him the trophy for a moment, encouraging him to lift it.

As Nico raised the trophy above his head, the stadium roared once more. This was his moment.

A champion at 15, an entire stadium singing for him, and a future that looked brighter than ever.

______________

The next day, Nico arrived at Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol, the training ground of Real Betis. The sun was shining brightly over Seville, and despite the celebrations from the night before, the energy around the facility was still buzzing with excitement.

As he stepped onto the pitch, many of the coaches and staff were already there, chatting amongst themselves. Some were reviewing training schedules, while others were still reveling in the victory that secured their promotion to La Liga.

Nico took a deep breath, then walked towards the group of coaches who had guided him throughout the season. With a respectful nod, he extended his hand to Pepe Mel first, then to his assistant coaches.

"Thank you for everything, coach," Nico said sincerely. "For believing in me, for helping me improve, and for trusting me in the team. I wouldn't be here without all of you."

Pepe Mel chuckled, shaking Nico's hand firmly. "You've earned everything yourself, Nico. You were incredible this season."

One of the assistant coaches patted him on the shoulder. "You're a special player, Nico. No matter where you go next, always remember—Betis is your home."

After thanking the coaches, Nico made his way towards the locker room, where most of the players were gathered, chatting and unwinding after a long season. As soon as he stepped inside, a few of them noticed him and grinned.

"Ah, here comes the superstar!" one of the defenders joked, nudging Ranella. "Still feels unreal that this kid just turned 15 yesterday!"

Nico chuckled and shook his head. "Come on, guys, don't start."

But before he could say anything more, Ranella stood up and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Nah, but for real, Nico, we're all proud of you. You came in, played like a veteran, and helped us win the league. No one's forgetting what you did here."

Nico's expression turned serious for a moment. He looked around at the faces of his teammates—the players who had welcomed him into the squad, supported him, and made him feel like family.

"I just wanted to say thank you," he said, his voice firm yet sincere. "You guys took me in when I was just some random kid from La Masia. You never treated me differently, and because of that, I got to grow as a player and a person. I owe you all for that."

The locker room was silent for a second before one of the midfielders, Xavi Torres, stood up and clapped. Soon, the rest of the squad followed, applauding and cheering for the young prodigy who had made such an impact in such a short time.

"You're one of us, Nico," another player called out. "No matter where you go, you'll always be Betis!"

Nico grinned, feeling a swell of emotion in his chest.

He was going to miss this team.

_________________________

Back at home, Nico sat on his bed, his phone in his hands as he scrolled through the countless pictures from the season. Every image held a memory—his debut, his first goal, the hat-trick against Mallorca, the crucial assists, the game-winning free kicks. Every moment flashed before his eyes, filling him with a deep sense of gratitude.

But one picture stood out the most—the one from the incredible 3-2 comeback against Mallorca, when he had taken off his jersey and raised it towards the roaring Betis fans. It was the moment he truly felt like he belonged to them. The passion, the energy, the love from the crowd—it was something he would never forget.

With a deep breath, he selected that photo and uploaded it to Instagram and Twitter, captioning it simply:

"Gracias por todo, Real Betis. 💚🤍" (Thank you for everything, Real Betis.)

The moment he hit "post," his notifications started flooding in.

Betis fans immediately filled the comments section, pouring their hearts out. Some thanked him for his incredible performances, others called him a legend in the making. Many refused to believe he was leaving, begging him to return one day.

"Eres uno de los nuestros, Nico. Siempre Betis. 💚" (You are one of us, Nico. Always Betis.)"Gracias por todo, niño maravilla! Te esperamos de vuelta!" (Thank you for everything, wonder boy! We're waiting for your return!)"Vayas donde vayas, siempre te recordaremos. Suerte, campeón!" (Wherever you go, we will always remember you. Good luck, champion!)"Volverás algún día, lo sabemos. Aquí siempre tendrás tu casa." (You'll come back one day, we know it. Here, you will always have a home.)

Even his teammates and Betis staff left comments. Players who had shared the pitch with him, who had fought alongside him, all expressed their love and appreciation.

"Ha sido un honor jugar contigo, crack. No tengo dudas de que serás uno de los más grandes." (It has been an honor playing with you, crack. I have no doubt you'll be one of the greatest.)"Un talento especial y una gran persona. ¡Mucho éxito, Nico!" (A special talent and a great person. Wishing you much success, Nico!)

Some of the Spanish football legends also took notice, leaving words of encouragement. Even a few current Barcelona first-team players commented, welcoming him back with open arms.

Nico couldn't help but smile as he read through the messages. He had spent only half a season at Betis, yet the bond he had formed with the club and its fans was something truly special.

No matter where his journey took him next, Real Betis would always have a place in his heart.