Chapter 38 : Will You.....

The press conference room was packed with journalists, all eager to hear from both managers after the historic 7-0 victory. Pep Guardiola, standing with a calm yet satisfied demeanor, was flanked by Louis van Gaal, who looked dejected and beaten after the humbling defeat.

Pep was the first to speak as the room fell silent.

Pep Guardiola: "It was a brilliant performance from my team tonight. We came here with a plan, and the players executed it to perfection. The way we moved the ball, our pressing, our speed in transition—it was a joy to watch. But most importantly, we showed respect to the game, respect to Manchester United, and respect to the fans who support us. I'm incredibly proud of the players, and especially Nico."

The room shifted its attention to Guardiola as a few questions began to come through, but it was clear the press had their eyes on the 15-year-old wonderkid who had torn apart United's defense.

Journalist 1: "Pep, you've mentioned Nico many times in the past. Tonight, he was simply extraordinary—scoring a hat trick and providing three assists. Do you believe that Nico is already at a level where he can become the next best player in the world?"

Guardiola smiled, a glimmer of pride in his eyes as he looked down at his hands.

Pep Guardiola: "Nico has an incredible work ethic. He's always eager to improve, to learn, to help the team, and that's rare at his age. He doesn't just have the talent—he has the mentality. He is 15, yes, but if he continues with his attitude and determination, there's no limit to what he can achieve. He's already among the best players in the world at this age, and if he stays grounded and keeps working hard, he can reach the very top."

Journalist 2: "Pep, can you tell us how you manage to keep a young player like Nico grounded, especially with the immense pressure and hype surrounding him?"

Guardiola paused, his face serious as he considered the question.

Pep Guardiola: "It's not about pressure, it's about perspective. We help him understand that he's part of a team. We're all working towards the same goal. Nico's success is our success, and that's something he's learned early on. It's all about keeping him focused on the right things: hard work, discipline, humility, and not getting distracted by the outside noise. He has a strong family supporting him, and that makes a huge difference."

A few more questions were asked about the team's performance, but the journalists soon turned their attention to Louis van Gaal, who was sitting stoically at the other end of the room.

Journalist 3: "Louis, 7-0, a historic defeat at home to your archrivals. What went wrong?"

Van Gaal's face was impassive as he adjusted his glasses, taking a deep breath before responding.

Louis van Gaal: "There's no denying that the scoreline is disappointing. We were not good enough today. Manchester City played brilliantly, yes, but we made too many mistakes. We gave the ball away too easily, we didn't defend well enough, and we didn't show the necessary aggression. This is a result that can't happen again, and we have to learn from this."

A journalist pressed on.

Journalist 4: "What do you think of the young player, Nico Cruyff? He seems to have made an impression tonight."

Van Gaal's eyes briefly flickered towards Guardiola, and he nodded begrudgingly.

Louis van Gaal: "Nico is a very talented player, there's no doubt about that. He is impressive for his age. But today, it wasn't just him. City's whole team played as one, and we couldn't match them. That's something we need to fix as soon as possible."

The press conference continued with more questions, but it was clear that despite the loss, the star of the show was Nico Cruyff, who had not only secured his place as one of the most talented young players in the world, but had also put on a performance that would be remembered for years to come.

As Guardiola and Van Gaal walked out of the room, the journalists were still buzzing about the game—and especially about Nico.

________

In the CBS Sports post-match analysis, the atmosphere was electric as the team of experts—Kate Abdo, Micah Richards, Jamie Carragher, and Thierry Henry—gathered around the desk, eagerly discussing the incredible 7-0 victory by Manchester City over Manchester United.

Kate Abdo started the conversation with a smile, clearly impressed by the dominance displayed on the field.

Kate Abdo: "What a game, what a performance! Manchester City has truly humiliated their archrivals today. A complete and utter dismantling of United at Old Trafford, and what a way to announce yourself to the world, especially with the young Nico Cruyff—what a talent!"

Micah Richards, sitting next to her, grinned, clearly proud of the way the team had performed and especially impressed by Nico's contribution.

Micah Richards: "Absolutely, Kate. This kid, at just 15 years old, has just scored a hat trick and assisted three goals in a game like this. It's unbelievable. He's got the world at his feet. The way he moves on the ball, his vision—he's already playing at a level beyond his years."

Jamie Carragher, ever the critical observer, nodded in agreement but couldn't help but point out the significance of the win.

Jamie Carragher: "It's one thing to score and assist at 15, but it's another thing to do it in a game like this. City were clinical, yes, but Nico was the standout player. The maturity he showed, the way he handled the occasion, it's like he's been playing at this level for years."

Thierry Henry, who had been quietly nodding throughout the discussion, added his thoughts, speaking about how impressed he was with Nico's growth and how it could change the trajectory of his career.

Thierry Henry: "The thing that stands out to me about Nico is not just his ability on the ball, but his mentality. He's got the right attitude, he works hard, and he's been surrounded by the right people. With manager like Guardiola guiding him, there's no doubt he could be one of the best in the world."

Kate Abdo turned the conversation to the team as a whole.

Kate Abdo: "And let's not forget about the rest of the team. City was ruthless today. De Bruyne, Aguero, Silva—everyone played their part. But, as you said, Micah, Nico was the star of the show. It's not often we see such a young player having such a big impact in a match of this magnitude."

Micah Richards: "Definitely. It's great to see how City have built this team around not just experienced players but also younger talent like Nico. I think the future is very bright for this club."

The analysts then discussed the implications of this performance for Manchester City's season and Nico's impending Golden Boy award.

Jamie Carragher: "Let's talk about the future now—Nico's performances have put him in a position to be the frontrunner for the Golden Boy. Honestly, at 15, the way he's playing, it's basically known to everyone that he'll be winning that award. The way he's been playing so far—he's already on the path to becoming one of the best players in the world."

Thierry Henry: "Absolutely, Jamie. There's no doubt in my mind. We're witnessing a player who could dominate for the next decade. He'll be competing for the Golden Boy every year. He's already ahead of his peers at this age. It's his world right now."

Micah Richards: "No doubt. The moment he steps onto the pitch, he owns it. I can see him winning the Golden Boy this year and multiple times in the years to come. It's just a matter of when, not if."

Kate Abdo: "And his mentality. He's handling the pressure like a seasoned pro, but he's only 15. To be this calm and collected, it's clear that he's got the right mindset to achieve all of this and more."

As the conversation continued, it was evident that Nico Cruyff's dominance at such a young age had not only secured him the admiration of his teammates, coaches, and pundits but had also set him on a path to football greatness, one that would likely see him win the Golden Boy award sooner rather than later.

__________

After the thrilling victory over Manchester United, Nico made his way to the restaurant where he had promised to meet Kylie Jenner for dinner. The atmosphere was lively, but Nico's mind was still buzzing from the match. He had been aware that this dinner was more than just a casual meeting—it was Kylie's chance to get to know him better, but he had a lot to think about.

As they sat down at a cozy table, Kylie smiled warmly at him, clearly excited, but Nico couldn't shake the feeling that things were a bit more complicated than he anticipated. As the conversation flowed, Nico decided it was time to be upfront with her.

"Kylie, I want to be honest with you," Nico started, his voice sincere. "I really appreciate you inviting me out tonight, but I need to make it clear that I just want us to be friends. I don't want to lead you on, and I don't want you to get the wrong idea."

Kylie's smile faltered for just a moment, her eyes betraying a hint of disappointment, but she quickly recovered. "I respect that, Nico," she replied, a smile returning to her face. "At least you're being honest with me, and I appreciate that more than anything. I won't press anything, but I'm happy we can still be friends."

Nico smiled, relieved that she took it well, but also feeling a little guilty for disappointing her. "Thank you for understanding," he said.

After a pleasant dinner, where the two continued chatting about their lives and other topics, Nico paid the bill, and they parted ways amicably. Kylie was understanding, and Nico was grateful for that. He headed back to Guardiola's house, feeling a little lighter despite the conversation earlier.

_________

As Nico rang the doorbell, the sound echoed through the quiet house. The door creaked open, and Maria appeared in the doorway. Her expression was unreadable, and she said nothing as she looked at him for a brief moment. Without a word, she simply turned around and walked back inside, leaving the door slightly ajar for Nico to follow.

Confused, Nico stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He looked at her, unsure of what had just happened, but Maria was already walking toward the living room, her back turned to him. Nico stood still for a moment, trying to process the situation, before he decided to follow her.

As he entered the living room, he saw Maria sitting on the couch, staring at the TV screen, her posture stiff. Nico felt an odd tension in the air, something different than usual. He hesitated for a moment before taking a seat next to her.

"Hey," Nico said softly, trying to break the silence. "What's wrong?"

Maria didn't respond immediately. Instead, she just kept her gaze fixed on the screen. Nico's mind raced as he tried to think of what might have caused this sudden shift in her behavior.

After a long pause, Maria finally turned to face him, her eyes holding a mixture of confusion and something else—something he couldn't quite place. She didn't say anything, but her silence was heavy.

Nico shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to proceed. He knew something was off, but he had no idea what was going on in her mind.

"Maria," he began again, a bit more cautiously, "are you upset with me?"

Maria's lips pressed together for a moment before she sighed, clearly battling with her thoughts. Still, she didn't respond. The tension in the room felt almost tangible, and Nico could only wonder how to bridge the growing distance between them.

________

Nico sat down beside Maria, his heart racing with confusion. The tension in the air was thick, and he could sense something was wrong. He glanced over at her, his brow furrowed as he asked softly, "What happened, Maria?"

She didn't look at him immediately. Her gaze was fixed on the floor, her expression unreadable. Nico could feel the silence between them growing heavier by the second.

Then, Maria spoke, her voice shaky. "Why did you lie to me?"

Nico blinked, taken aback by the question. "What do you mean?" he asked, genuinely confused.

Her eyes finally met his, and he could see the hurt there. Her lips trembled slightly before she spoke again, her voice thick with emotion. "You told me the shoot was just about you dribbling, doing some tricks and stuff, but you filmed the commercial with Kylie Jenner... and you came back late. Where were you, Nico?"

The question hit him like a punch to the gut. Nico felt his heart sink as he realized what was bothering her. He didn't want to lie to her, especially not now. He opened his mouth to speak, but for a moment, he couldn't find the right words.

Maria's eyes were starting to tear up, and Nico felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He hated seeing her upset, and it hurt to know that she was feeling this way because of something he didn't even know how to explain.

Taking a deep breath, Nico gently placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her. "Maria, I swear to you, I didn't know about the changes in the shoot," he said earnestly. "I thought it was just me practicing, doing the usual drills. They didn't tell me about Kylie being there or any of the changes until I got there. I didn't want to lie to you, and I'm sorry for making you feel like this."

He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice softer now. "As for the dinner... I told her, Maria, I told her that we're just friends. I made it clear from the start, and I really meant it. She's just a friend, and that's it."

Maria looked at him for a long moment, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears. Nico's heart tightened as he saw the sadness in her expression.

"I promise you," he continued, his voice full of sincerity, "I never meant to hurt you. I didn't know this would upset you, and I didn't want to hide anything from you. You mean a lot to me, Maria."

He reached out and gently wiped away a tear from her cheek, his heart aching as he tried to reassure her. He didn't know what else to say, but he hoped she could see how genuine he was.

Nico held her tightly, the weight of everything settling in the air between them. He could feel Maria's heartbeat against his chest as she cried, and his heart ached for her. He pulled away slightly, gently cupping her face, looking deep into her eyes, and said, "Look, Maria, you know I don't lie."

He paused, giving her a soft smile as he continued, "I don't want to hurt you, ever. So I'm asking you now, genuinely. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Maria was quiet for a moment, her eyes still glistening with tears, and Nico waited, feeling the tension in the air. After what felt like forever, Maria sniffled, her voice shaking slightly as she replied, "You told me that you weren't ready for a relationship... I'm sorry for doubting you, Nico."

Nico's heart softened, and he wiped away her tears with his thumb, his face filled with sincerity. "Maria," he said gently, "I'm asking you again, right now. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Maria stared at him, her eyes searching his for any trace of doubt, and when she found none, she nodded slowly. "Yes."

Nico's heart soared with relief and happiness. He pulled her back into his arms, holding her tight, and whispered, "I'm so sorry for hurting you. I never wanted to make you feel this way."

Maria, still in his arms, hugged him back with all the warmth she had. "It's okay, Nico. I'm just glad we're here now."

As they held each other, Nico smiled, feeling the weight of everything finally lift. He had never been more certain of anything in his life. Maria was right where she needed to be, and so was he.

______

Nico woke up at 4:30 AM, as always, his body moving on instinct after years of discipline. He stretched lightly before rolling out of bed, slipping into his workout gear. The room was quiet, the rest of the house still asleep as he stepped out onto the balcony, taking in the crisp morning air. 

He started with thirty minutes of yoga, his body bending and stretching smoothly as he focused on his breathing. Flexibility was just as important as strength, and it helped keep him agile on the pitch. 

Once he finished, he put on his running shoes and stepped outside for his daily jog. The cold air hit his face, but he relished it. He jogged through the quiet streets of Manchester for an hour, his breath steady, his mind focused. 

Back at the house, he went straight to the gym in the basement, working on his leg and core strength. Weighted squats, lunges, planks, and various resistance exercises filled the next hour. He needed to be stronger if he wanted to dominate in the Premier League. 

Finally, he walked to the backyard pitch, where the floodlights illuminated the goalpost. He placed the ball down, taking a deep breath. This was his favorite part of the morning—free kick practice. He lined up his shots, taking them one by one, hitting the top corners with precision. 

For an entire hour, he struck the ball over and over, perfecting his technique. By the time he finished, the sun was rising, casting a golden glow over the field. His shirt stuck to his body with sweat, his breath heavy, but he felt alive. 

As he walked back into the house, he could hear movement inside—everyone else was finally waking up.

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