Chapter 27 : Group Stage

The referee blew the final whistle, and the Etihad erupted in celebration. Manchester City had secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chelsea, with Nico Cruyff's moment of brilliance in the dying minutes proving to be the decisive factor.

Players from both teams shook hands, some exchanging words of respect after a grueling battle. As Nico walked across the pitch, Eden Hazard approached him with a smile. The Belgian star extended his hand, and Nico shook it before they exchanged jerseys.

"You're special, kid," Hazard said with a grin. "Keep doing what you're doing."

Nico simply nodded, offering a polite smile. Compliments didn't get to his head, but coming from a player of Hazard's caliber, he acknowledged the sentiment.

Inside the tunnel, the post-match euphoria continued as City players celebrated their win. But for Nico, the night wasn't over yet. Pep Guardiola had taken him along to the post-match press conference—his second-ever interview, the first having been months ago during his time at Real Betis.

The media room was packed, buzzing with excitement. The reporters had been eagerly waiting to hear from Guardiola, but more than that, they wanted to hear from the 15-year-old who had just announced himself to the Premier League in the most spectacular fashion.

Guardiola took his seat first, Nico beside him, his face calm and composed as cameras flashed in his direction. The press conference began with a few routine questions directed at Guardiola—about the team's performance, the tactics, and what he thought of the overall match.

"It was a very intense game," Guardiola said, his tone measured as he leaned forward. "Chelsea are a top team, and they made it very difficult for us. Both sides had chances, but in the end, one moment of quality made the difference."

The next question was more direct.

"Pep, Nico has now scored three goals and provided an assist in just two matches. Did you expect this kind of immediate impact from a 15-year-old?"

Guardiola smiled, shaking his head slightly. "You never expect a 15-year-old to be doing this at the highest level, but with Nico, nothing surprises me anymore. He has the talent, the work ethic, and most importantly, the right mentality. Football is not just about talent—it's about making the right decisions under pressure, and so far, he has done that exceptionally well."

The next reporter followed up quickly. "What makes him different from other young talents you've worked with?"

Guardiola glanced at Nico before answering. "Many young players have potential, but very few have the discipline and understanding of the game that he does. He plays like someone who has been in the first team for years. He doesn't get fazed by the occasion, and he plays for the team, not for himself."

The attention then shifted to Nico.

"Nico, this is just your second Premier League match, and you've already been decisive in both games. How are you handling all the attention at such a young age?"

Nico adjusted his posture slightly, keeping his expression calm and composed. "I just focus on football," he said simply. "I don't think too much about the numbers or the attention. My job is to play, to enjoy the game, and to help the team win. That's all that matters to me."

A different reporter jumped in. "We saw you hug Guardiola after the goal—what was going through your mind at that moment?"

Nico smiled slightly. "Pep trusted me. He told us before the game that if we got a free kick, we could change the match. When I saw the ball go in, I wanted to thank him for believing in me."

A reporter quickly followed up. "What did you think about your free kick? It was simply magical. The ball moved like it was being carried by something."

Nico chuckled lightly before responding. "This was something I was looking to master since I was eight. Today, it sort of clicked."

There was a brief silence before another journalist spoke. "So, you're saying this wasn't luck?"

Nico shook his head. "No, not at all. I practice these every day. If you train something enough, eventually, it becomes second nature."

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Back at home, Nico sat comfortably on the couch, Valentina curled up beside him with her head resting on his arm, while Marius sat on the floor in front of them, leaning forward with interest. The living room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the television casting a warm hue over the trio.

The CBS post-match analysis was in full swing, with Kate, Jamie, Henry, and Mich dissecting every moment of the game. The screen showed a freeze-frame of Nico's free kick, the ball mid-air, bending unpredictably as it swayed past the Chelsea wall.

Jamie was the first to react. "This is outrageous. The way the ball moves—I've seen Juninho, Beckham, and Pirlo do it, but for a 15-year-old to execute something like this on such a big stage? That's unreal."

Henry, leaning back with a smirk, nodded. "And it's not just the free kick. Let's talk about the pass to Agüero. That wasn't just good vision—it was world-class. He saw the play before it even happened. This kid isn't just talented, he's thinking two, three steps ahead."

The footage shifted to Pep Guardiola's reaction after the goal. The moment Nico's free kick hit the net, Pep was caught smiling, shaking his head as if he himself couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.

Kate, clearly impressed, added, "And let's not forget the context. This was the 89th minute, at Stamford Bridge, against Chelsea, in just his second Premier League game. Most 15-year-olds are worried about school exams, and this kid is out here deciding games for Manchester City."

Micha chuckled. "Mark my words, if he keeps this up, we're not just looking at a future star—we're looking at a generational talent. I mean, three goals and an assist in two games? At 15?"

Valentina looked up at Nico with wide, admiring eyes. "You're famous, Nini!" she giggled, hugging his arm tightly.

Marius smirked. "The way they're talking, you'd think you've been playing in the Premier League for years."

Nico just chuckled, shaking his head. "It's only been two games," he said casually, though deep down, he felt satisfaction.

As the analysts continued praising his performance, the highlight reel played again, showing his long pass to Agüero, the foul, and finally, that stunning free kick.

Jamie leaned forward. "I don't know about you guys, but this feels like the start of something special. He's just getting started."

Valentina grinned, poking Nico's cheek. "See? Even the TV says you're the best!"

Nico just smiled, pulling his little sister closer. "We'll see, Val," he murmured. "We'll see."

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As they all sat at the dinner table, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the room. Nico sat with Valentina comfortably on his lap, feeding her while she happily kicked her feet. Marius leaned forward with an eager expression, while Maria, sitting across from Nico, rested her chin on her hand, watching him with a curious look.

Maria, her voice laced with curiosity, asked, "So, how exactly did you score that free kick? It looked unreal."

Valentina, always full of excitement, nodded rapidly. "Yeah, Nico! Tell us! The ball moved like magic!"

Marius, arms crossed, added, "I watched the slow-motion replay, and even then, I couldn't figure out how you did it."

Guardiola remained silent, calmly eating while listening to the conversation unfold.

Nico smiled slightly as he placed another spoonful of food into Valentina's mouth before answering. "Alright, I'll explain. An S-shaped free kick isn't just about power or curve—it's about manipulating the airflow around the ball. When you strike it in a certain way, with just the right balance between spin and power, the ball starts to shift mid-air, making it unpredictable for goalkeepers."

Maria raised an eyebrow. "So, it's not just random luck?"

Nico chuckled. "Not at all. I've been trying to master it since I was eight. You have to hit the ball off-center with a mix of inside and instep contact. Too much spin, and it becomes predictable. Too little, and it won't move properly. Timing, angle, and technique all have to be perfect."

Marius's eyes widened. "So, it's more about finesse than brute force?"

"Exactly," Nico nodded. "You have to make the ball dance."

Valentina giggled. "I want to make the ball dance too!"

Nico ruffled her hair. "When you start practicing free kicks, I'll teach you."

Valentina beamed at him, hugging him tightly. Maria, who had been quietly watching Nico, smirked. "So, if I try kicking the ball like that, will it move the same way?"

Nico smirked back. "Only if you don't break your ankle in the process."

Marius laughed, and Maria rolled her eyes. "I'll have you know, I have strong legs."

Nico raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? Maybe you should be a footballer instead of a model."

Maria leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. "Maybe I'd consider it if I had a certain world-class player as my coach."

Nico just shook his head with a smile. "I think you'd rather be in front of a camera than on a football pitch."

Maria playfully flicked a piece of bread at him. "And I think you talk too much."

Guardiola, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up. "Nico's explanation was correct. But what he didn't say is that it's a shot only a few players in history have been able to master."

Marius nodded. "So, basically, I have years before I can do that."

Nico smirked. "If you work hard, maybe I'll let you score one against me in training."

Marius grinned. "Oh, it's on."

The table was filled with laughter, and as dinner continued, the conversation moved on, but Maria occasionally glanced at Nico, a small smile on her lips.

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August 24, 2015 – The day after Manchester City's dominant 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. Nico had provided all three assists, further cementing his growing reputation.

Maria and Nico sat on the couch, the TV playing in the background. Maria flipped through the channels absentmindedly before finally settling on something.

"You know, school's been kind of boring lately," she admitted, turning her head toward him. "Same old classes, same old people. The only thing that makes it interesting is modeling practice and the fact that my friends won't shut up about you."

Nico, dressed in a simple hoodie and joggers, glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. "About me? What did I do?"

Maria scoffed, lightly shoving his shoulder. "Oh, come on, don't act dumb. You got three assists against Everton, and now every girl in my school is suddenly a City fan."

Nico chuckled, shaking his head. "That's ridiculous. They probably don't even watch football."

Maria smirked. "They don't. But they watch you."

Nico rolled his eyes, leaning back into the couch. "That's their problem, not mine."

Maria studied him for a moment before sighing. "You really don't care about all the attention, do you?"

Nico shrugged. "Not really. I mean, I get it, but at the end of the day, I just want to play football. The rest of it… doesn't matter much to me."

Maria hummed in response, resting her chin on her hand. "Must be nice… knowing exactly what you want to do and actually being good at it."

Nico turned to her, his gaze softening. "You know what you want too, don't you? Modeling?"

She nodded slowly. "Yeah, but… it's different. In football, if you're the best, nobody can deny you. But in modeling, it's all about perception. One day they love you, the next, they move on to someone else."

Nico tilted his head, thinking. "Maybe. But if you're really passionate about it, none of that should matter. You just have to keep going, no matter what people say."

Maria smiled slightly, looking at him with something unreadable in her eyes. "That's easy for you to say, Mr. Football Prodigy."

Nico chuckled. "It's true, though."

Maria sighed dramatically. "Maybe. Either way, I'm stuck listening to my friends gush about you until they find their next obsession."

Nico grinned. "Tell them I appreciate the support."

Maria rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure that'll make them faint on the spot."

They both laughed, the atmosphere light and easy. But as Maria glanced at Nico again, her smile lingered just a little longer, and her thoughts drifted to things she wasn't quite ready to say out loud.

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August 27, 2015 – Nico sat in a high-end restaurant in Manchester, surrounded by his Manchester City teammates. The air buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the occasional clinking of glasses as they enjoyed a team dinner while watching the UEFA Champions League draw unfold on the big screen.

Sergio Agüero leaned back in his chair, swirling his drink as he glanced at the screen. "Alright, let's see if we finally avoid a 'Group of Death' this time."

David Silva chuckled. "You know that never happens, Kun. We always get a tough draw."

Nico sat between Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany, watching the names being pulled out of the pots. This was his first time experiencing a Champions League draw as a City player, and he could feel the excitement in the room.

"Man, I can't wait to play in the Champions League," Raheem Sterling said, rubbing his hands together. "The anthem alone gives me chills."

"You'll get used to it," Yaya Touré said with a grin. "But trust me, the knockout rounds… that's when it really feels like war."

The draw continued, and suddenly, Manchester City's name was pulled. The restaurant quieted slightly as the team leaned in to see which teams they'd be grouped with.

"Here we go," Joe Hart muttered.

The first team drawn into their group was Juventus.

"Great," Kompany sighed. "We're starting off strong."

"A rematch from last year's Round of 16," Silva noted. "They knocked us out back then."

"Different season, different City," De Bruyne said confidently.

The second team drawn was Sevilla.

Sterling whistled. "They're dangerous, man. Won the Europa League, what, twice in a row now?"

"Three times," Fernandinho corrected him. "They know how to win in Europe."

"And the last team…" Nico watched the screen as the final ball was opened.

Borussia Mönchengladbach.

A collective murmur spread through the table.

"Not the worst group," Bacary Sagna said. "But definitely not easy."

"Juventus is the biggest threat," Kompany said, thinking aloud. "But Sevilla is tricky, and Gladbach… they can be unpredictable."

Nico, who had been mostly listening, finally spoke up. "It's a strong group, but it's perfect for us. If we want to win the Champions League, we need to beat teams like this. No easy paths."

Kompany gave an approving nod. "Well said, kid. No excuses this year."

Pep Guardiola, who had joined them at the dinner, smiled slightly but didn't say much. He just sipped his wine, already calculating the best way to approach each opponent.

"Either way," Agüero grinned, "I just want to score against Buffon."

Laughter erupted at the table, and as the UCL draw concluded, the team shifted their focus back to their meal, discussing their potential matchups, tactics, and the excitement of the competition ahead.

As the draw ended and the table settled down, Raheem Sterling leaned forward with a grin.

"Alright, let's make it interesting. If you could pick one team you don't want to face this season, who would it be?"

He didn't even wait for a response before answering his own question. "For me, it's Real Madrid. I don't need to deal with Modrić, Kroos, and Benzema cooking us up."

The players started throwing out their choices.

"PSG," De Bruyne said. "Too many individual threats."

"Bayern," Kompany added. "They suffocate you with possession."

"Atleti," Silva said. "They'll just kick us for 90 minutes."

"Inter," Yaya Touré shrugged. "Those Italian teams know how to defend."

When it was Nico's turn, he leaned back in his chair and smirked. "Barcelona."

The table went quiet for a second before Kompany raised an eyebrow. "Why? You afraid of Messi?"

Nico chuckled. "Obviously, that's part of it. But more than that… I'm on loan from Barcelona. I can't be the guy to knock out my favorite club."

A few of them laughed, but Kompany gave him a serious look. "So if we meet them, what happens? You gonna go easy on them?"

Nico smirked. "Not at all. If I have to, I'll score. But I'll make sure to miss a few chances, just to keep things fair."

The table burst into laughter, but Guardiola, who had been listening silently, simply shook his head and muttered, "No chance you're missing anything."