Chapter 44 : Interview(2)

Emma smiled warmly, clearly moved by Nico's heartfelt answer about Barcelona. "It's clear from your answers that you love the club more than anything in the world, Nico," she said before transitioning to the next segment. "Now, let's move on to the fun part. So, Nico, you've already picked the 10 things you can't live without. I won't be in the camera's view for this segment—just you and the camera. You can pick one by one and tell us about them. Are you ready?"

Nico nodded, a slight grin forming on his face. He was always a little more relaxed when talking about things that meant something personal to him. As the cameras shifted, focusing entirely on him, he began to pick out the items one by one.

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The first thing Nico picked up was a chain with a Barcelona pendant. He looked at it for a moment, holding it up for the camera to see. "This is something very special to me," he said, his voice softening as he spoke. "This chain was worn by my grandfather when he was playing for Barcelona. He gave it to me when I went on loan to Real Betis."

He paused for a moment, his fingers gently brushing the pendant. "It's not just a piece of jewelry. It's a symbol of my roots, of everything my family has given me. My grandfather was one of the most influential people in my life, both in football and in how I approach everything. This chain is a reminder of him, of Barcelona, and of where it all began for me."

Nico smiled as he placed the chain down on the table, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and reverence. It was clear how much it meant to him.

"This is a connection to my family, to the history of Barcelona, and it keeps me grounded, no matter how far I go in my career," he added, glancing at the camera, as if sharing a personal story with the viewers.

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Nico continued to pick up the items one by one, each with a special meaning.

The second item he selected was a PS4 controller. He chuckled lightly as he held it up. "I like playing FIFA in my free time," he said, with a mischievous smile. "It's my escape from football. But there's one thing I don't understand. I always ask the developers why 15-year-olds can't be in the game. I have to wait until I'm 16 to play myself in it. It's a bit unfair, right?" he joked. The staff laughed along with him. "It's fun, but I still can't play as me," he added with a grin.

The third item was a pair of Nike Phantom S-Strike boots. He lifted them up with a sense of pride. "These have been my go-to boots for the games," he explained. "Something very dear to me. They're more than just boots. They represent a part of my journey and my hard work. Every time I step onto the pitch with these, I feel ready to take on anything."

For the fourth item, Nico reached for a framed photo of him with his grandparents, Johan Cruyff and Danny Coster. He held the photo in his hands, and for a moment, his expression softened. "This one means the world to me," he said quietly. "I've not seen my parents much, but my grandparents, they're like parents to me. They've supported me in ways I can't even explain. They are everything to me." He paused, his voice carrying a sense of deep emotion. "This photo is a reminder of where I come from and the people who have always been there for me, no matter what."

Nico placed the photo carefully back down, his eyes lingering on it for a second before turning back to the camera, clearly appreciative of the deep connection he had with his family.

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Nico continued with the next items, each reflecting a different part of his life.

The fifth item he picked up was his water bottle. "This is something I use every single day," he said, holding it up. "Hydration is key, especially with all the training and games. It's not just a water bottle to me—it's a reminder of the hard work I put in to stay at my best. I can't afford to slack off, and this little bottle is part of my routine."

Next, he grabbed his headphones. "These are my go-to headphones," he explained. "Music is a big part of my life, especially when I need to get focused or just unwind. I listen to everything, but before matches, I love to get into the zone with some good beats." He smiled, adding, "It's one of those things that helps me escape from the pressure and just focus on the game ahead."

Then he reached for the ball he plays with every day. "This ball," he began, "has seen more training sessions than I can count. Whether I'm at home or with the team, I'm always working on my touch, my shooting, or my dribbling. It's not just about the games—it's the daily grind, and this ball's been with me every step of the way."

The sixth item he picked up was a photo with Maria. Nico's face softened as he looked at the picture. "She's more than just a girlfriend to me—she's my best friend, and we share so much. This photo is a reminder of that connection."

The next photo was one with his Manchester City teammates. "This one's from when we beat Juventus" he said with a proud smile. "Man City has become my family. Every single one of them pushes me to be better, and I know I've learned so much from them. From Aguero to De Bruyne, they've made me a better player, and I hope to do the same for them."

Lastly, Nico picked up a framed photo of him kneeling next to all the individual trophies and awards he had won for La Masia in the youth leagues. There were at least 11 trophies in the photo, along with several top scorer and top assist awards. Nico paused, holding the picture close. "This is where it all started," he said, his voice a little quieter. "La Masia is my foundation. These trophies represent the years of hard work, the countless hours spent perfecting my craft. To be the top scorer, the top assister—it means a lot, but it's not about the trophies. It's about the journey. And I'll always carry that with me."

He placed the photo back gently, clearly appreciative of the legacy he had built.

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As Nico stepped out of the studio, he felt a sense of relief and accomplishment. The interview had gone well, and he was pleased with how he had handled the questions. The staff had been impressed, and the applause as the segment ended was a clear sign of their respect for the 15-year-old prodigy.

He smiled to himself, appreciating the recognition, but also staying grounded, just as he had been taught by his grandfather. He thanked Emma, the interviewer, for her professionalism and warmth before leaving the studio.

In the car, as the vehicle made its way back to the hotel, Nico pulled out his phone and dialed Jorge. It rang for a few seconds before his agent picked up.

"Jorge, it's done," Nico said with a satisfied tone. "Everything went great. I just wrapped up the shoot."

"That's awesome, Nico!" Jorge responded, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "I'm sure you did an amazing job. As always. You've got this incredible ability to connect with people, even in interviews."

Nico chuckled, appreciating the compliment. "Thanks, man. So, when will it be uploaded?"

Jorge paused for a moment, then answered, "It's set to go live tomorrow on the GQ Sports YouTube channel. I'm sure it'll get a lot of views, especially with your performance and the way you carry yourself. You've got a massive fan base now."

Nico nodded, feeling the weight of the responsibility but also the excitement of knowing that his story was reaching more and more people. "Good to know. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out."

After a few more brief exchanges with Jorge, Nico hung up and leaned back in his seat, reflecting on the path that had led him here. It was just the beginning.

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Back at home, Nico walked through the door, still processing the interview. As he entered the living room, he saw Maria sitting on the couch, looking at him expectantly. Her eyes met his, and a soft smile tugged at her lips.

"So, how did it go?" she asked, her voice warm with curiosity.

Nico grinned, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "It went well. Emma was great, and the staff were really cool. It wasn't as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be."

Maria leaned forward, clearly interested. "Did you talk about Barcelona? About us?"

Nico chuckled, sitting down beside her. "Yeah, of course. I told them how much Barcelona means to me, and I did mention you too," he added with a teasing smile. "I had to. They asked, so I had no choice but to tell them."

Maria's smile widened, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "You didn't have to, you know," she said softly, looking down at her hands for a moment before meeting his gaze again.

Nico laughed, nudging her gently. "I know, but I wanted to. You're important to me, Maria. It was weird not mentioning you when they asked about my life."

She smiled back, her eyes sparkling with affection. "Well, I'm glad you mentioned me," she replied, leaning in slightly closer to him. "It's funny, though, hearing you talk about Barcelona like that... like it's your home. It's always been your dream."

"Yeah," Nico said, his tone growing serious. "It's still my dream. But right now, I'm focused on here, on playing for City. It's amazing to be here, but Barcelona will always be where I want to be."

Maria nodded, understanding the depth of his words. "And when you go back, you'll be ready," she said quietly.

"Yeah," Nico agreed, his voice filled with determination. "I'll be ready."

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The next day, Nico went through his usual routine—waking up early, doing his yoga, jogging, leg and core exercises, and practicing free kicks. After finishing up, he found himself sitting on the couch with Maria, both of them preparing to watch the interview that had just been released on GQ Sports' YouTube channel.

As the video started, Nico leaned back, hands behind his head, while Maria sat beside him, watching intently. The intro played, and Nico could hear Emma's voice as she introduced him and the segment began. He couldn't help but feel a little weird watching himself on screen, but Maria was clearly enjoying it.

"You looked so professional," Maria teased, nudging him with her elbow. "Are you sure you're just 15? You sound like you've been doing this for years."

Nico rolled his eyes, a playful smirk on his face. "What can I say? I'm a natural."

Maria laughed, her eyes still fixed on the screen as the interview progressed. The questions came and went, and Nico answered them smoothly. When Emma asked about his time at La Masia and his connection to Barcelona, Maria looked over at Nico with a mischievous grin.

"You were so smooth when talking about Barcelona," she teased. "You made it sound like it was all just a walk in the park. I bet you're their favorite grandson."

Nico chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm not that special. I just speak the truth."

Maria raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying teasing him. "Sure, sure. Just humble Nico. But honestly, how do you manage to keep your cool? It must be all that fame getting to your head, right?"

Nico shot her a sideways glance, rolling his eyes playfully. "No, I just try to stay grounded. I've still got a lot to prove."

Maria smiled, leaning closer. "Well, I think the whole world knows you're a big deal already. You were talking like you're already a legend. Can't wait for the Golden Boy ceremony. Will you be wearing sunglasses when you pick it up?"

Nico laughed, shaking his head. "I'll try to keep the sunglasses to a minimum, but no promises."

The interview wrapped up, and Maria paused the video. She gave him a teasing look. "You know, for someone who doesn't like attention, you sure handled that well. Almost like you were born to be on camera."

Nico shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "Guess I've had a lot of practice," he said with a grin.

Maria just shook her head, chuckling. "You're impossible, you know that?" She nudged him again. "But seriously, you did great. You're a natural at this."

Nico gave her a small smile. "Thanks. I just answered the questions, nothing special."

Maria smirked, giving him a playful push. "Modesty. I like it. Keep it up, Golden Boy."

Nico rolled his eyes at the nickname, but couldn't help but smile. "You're never going to let that go, are you?"

"Not a chance," Maria said with a grin, as she playfully nudged him again. "You might be humble, but you can't escape your greatness."

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Maria smiled, still teasing, as she looked at Nico. "So, if you were to have a choice—only me or the Golden Boy award—what would you choose?"

Nico didn't hesitate for long, his playful smirk showing. "You," he said confidently.

Maria raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by his answer. "Really? You'd choose me over the Golden Boy?" She leaned in a little closer, a sly smile forming on her lips. "Do you love me that much?"

Nico chuckled, shaking his head. "No, I'm just kidding," he teased, his tone light.

Maria's grin grew, and she slowly moved closer, sitting down on Nico's lap. "Okay, then tell me," she asked softly, looking into his eyes. "How much do you really love me?"

Nico felt a shift in the air between them, the playful banter giving way to something deeper. He pulled her closer, his arms gently wrapping around her waist. Without thinking too much, he leaned in, pressing his lips against hers for the first time.

Maria was surprised at first, but quickly melted into the kiss, her heart racing. It was the first time she had ever kissed anyone, and she could feel the rush of emotions flooding through her. For Nico, it was the same—he had never kissed anyone before. It was new, exciting, and he couldn't quite explain the feeling.

After a few moments, Nico slowly pulled away, both of them still a little breathless. He smiled at her, his hands resting gently on her waist as he whispered, "This much."

Maria's cheeks flushed a deep red as she looked at him, her smile soft but full of warmth. "You really mean it?" she asked, her voice a little shy but filled with affection.

Nico nodded, his grin never faltering. "Yeah, I do."