Chapter 48 : With barcelona

After Nico landed in Zurich, he quickly made his way through security. As he walked out of the terminal, he spotted Jorge waiting for him outside, a warm smile on his face. 

"How was the flight?" Jorge asked as Nico approached.

"It was good," Nico replied, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. "Glad to finally be here."

Jorge nodded and led him to the car waiting outside. As they got settled inside, Jorge turned to Nico with a smile. "Your outfit for the ceremony tonight will be from YSL," he said, referring to Yves Saint Laurent, the fashion brand Nico was an ambassador for. "I've arranged everything, it'll be a tailored suit that will make a statement."

Nico smiled, appreciating the effort Jorge had put into making sure everything went smoothly. "YSL again, huh? Sounds perfect," he replied.

Jorge grinned. "You've become their poster boy, Nico. They love you. Also, the photoshoot we did—those will be released tomorrow. The world will see them soon."

Nico nodded, feeling the familiar excitement rise within him. "Great. Let's make sure everything is set for tonight."

As they drove through Zurich, Nico couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the night ahead. The Golden Boy award was within his reach, and this night was one he wouldn't forget.

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After Jorge dropped Nico off at his hotel room, he smiled and gave him a nod. "You're all set for tonight. Barcelona players are also staying here. It's pretty much known that Messi will win the Ballon d'Or this year, but if you want to meet them, you can. It'll be good for you to mingle and chat a bit."

Nico looked at Jorge, considering his words. "Thanks, I might take you up on that," he said with a slight grin. "I think I'll need some time to relax before everything kicks off, but I'll come by later if I want to meet them."

"Sounds good," Jorge responded. "Enjoy your time here, Nico. See you later."

With that, Jorge left the room, leaving Nico alone to relax and prepare for the big event ahead. Nico took a deep breath, mentally preparing for the grand Golden Boy award ceremony on the 11th of January. Despite the buzz surrounding the night, he couldn't help but feel a little anxious about it all.

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Later that evening, Nico was sitting in the hotel lobby, scrolling through Instagram on his phone. The Ballon d'Or ceremony was still a few days away, but the excitement was already building. As he was scrolling, an incredible edit of himself popped up — it was a dynamic shot of him dribbling past defenders with his signature flair. The edit was beautifully done, showing him in action, and Nico couldn't help but smile.

He clicked on the post to check the comments. Some of the messages were overwhelming in their praise.

@FootballFan23: "The next Messi! Keep shining, Nico!"

@TalentScout55: "A future legend. You're doing the world proud!"

@ManCityFan101: "Can't wait to see you win the Golden Boy award!!"

@BarcaForever: "From La Masia to Man City, you're making us so proud! Golden Boy is yours!"

Nico couldn't help but grin at the support he was getting from all over the world. He scrolled through a few more, reading the warm and encouraging words. It still felt surreal that people believed in him like this, especially at just 15.

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As Nico sat in the lobby, scrolling through Instagram, he didn't notice the group of Barcelona players making their way into the hotel. They were laughing and chatting among themselves, but as soon as Gerard Piqué noticed Nico, he pointed at him with a smirk.

"Isn't that Nico?" Piqué asked, raising an eyebrow, trying to get the attention of his teammates.

The players looked over in Nico's direction, and Marc-André ter Stegen immediately confirmed, "Yep, that's him."

Luis Suárez, always with a mischievous grin, asked, "What's he doing here?"

Andrés Iniesta, ever the calm and insightful one, chuckled and said, "Well, he's obviously here for the Ballon d'Or ceremony. It's basically known to everyone he'll win the Golden Boy. He's been incredible."

Piqué, nodding with a serious expression, added, "He should've played for us this season. 24 matches, 29 goals, 27 assists — even players in their prime don't have these numbers. And this is just from half a season! Honestly, I hate Enrique for sending him on loan. Just imagine the MSN with Nico as the attacking midfielder. The whole of Europe would have to bow down to that."

The players fell silent for a moment, all considering the potential that Nico had, and how he was undoubtedly one of the brightest stars to ever come out of La Masia. Nico's talent was undeniable, and his growth was something they all recognized. Even though they had a great team, they couldn't help but wonder what could have been if he had stayed at Barcelona that season.

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"Should we invite him? We're all going to dinner anyway," Messi asked, looking over at Nico with a thoughtful expression.

Iniesta, ever the warm-hearted figure, smiled and said, "I'll go call him."

Without waiting for any response, Iniesta walked over to Nico, who was still immersed in his phone. The veteran midfielder ruffled Nico's hair playfully as he stood behind him.

"Nico! Long time no see," Iniesta said with a grin.

Nico turned around, surprised by the sudden interaction. His eyes widened for a moment, recognizing the legendary midfielder standing in front of him. "Iniesta? Wow, it's really been a while!" Nico said, a smile spreading across his face. He hadn't seen Iniesta since his time at La Masia, but it was always a warm memory for him. They had spoken a few times during his training years, and Iniesta's approachability always made Nico feel welcome.

Iniesta chuckled softly. "You've grown, my friend. How's everything going? Still tearing it up, I see." He looked at Nico with pride, knowing the young player was doing wonders at Manchester City.

Nico, still a little taken aback but also grateful for the friendly greeting, laughed. "Thanks, Iniesta. It's been a crazy year. I'm enjoying every minute of it, though. Glad to see you again."

Iniesta nodded and then gestured to the group of players behind him, who were all watching with interest. "We're all heading to dinner, wanna join us?" Iniesta asked, his voice friendly and inviting.

Nico hesitated for a brief second, but with the way they all looked so welcoming, he couldn't resist. "Sure, why not?" Nico replied with a grin.

Iniesta smiled and gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Come on then," he said, leading the way toward the rest of the Barcelona players.

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Nico walked over to the Barcelona team, and they all turned to greet him. He exchanged handshakes with everyone, though he had already spoken to a few of them during his time at La Masia. Messi, Iniesta, Busquets, Piqué, and Rakitić had all been familiar faces to him, as he had trained with them during his time there.

Messi, always playful, laughed and teased, "You're tearing it up in the Premier League and the UCL, huh? If Barcelona ends up drawing Manchester City, don't score, alright?" Nico chuckled back, replying, "If I do that, Pep will bench me the whole season!"

The entire table laughed, but Piqué quickly added, "Honestly, man, you should've played for us. What did Enrique tell you after you came back from Betis?"

Nico sighed and smiled, remembering the conversation. "He told me if I stayed, he would try to give me many minutes, but in the end, he said I needed more development. So, he sent me on loan to Man City to continue growing."

Piqué raised an eyebrow. "What more do you need to develop? You're destroying the Premier League already! At least you'll be with us next season, right?"

Nico replied, his tone hopeful but unsure, "Hopefully."

Piqué laughed and slapped Nico on the back. "If Enrique sends you on loan again, I'll surely punch him in the face," he said jokingly, and the whole team burst into laughter.

The playful moment lightened the mood, and everyone started moving toward the dining area. Nico smiled, feeling comfortable with his old teammates and looking forward to a fun evening.

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As they walked to the restaurant with the team, Nico found himself talking to Neymar for the first time. Neymar greeted him warmly, and Nico, feeling a bit starstruck but also comfortable with the situation, responded with a friendly smile.

"Man, I've heard so much about you," Neymar said, looking at Nico. "You've been tearing it up at Man City."

Nico chuckled modestly. "Just doing my best, really. It's been a crazy few months, but I'm loving it so far."

Neymar smiled, clearly impressed. "I've watched your highlights. At 15, you're already making waves in Europe. That's incredible."

Nico appreciated the compliment but quickly shifted the focus back to Neymar. "You've been doing amazing as well, playing at the top of your game for Barcelona. It's a dream come true for me to even be in the same room as you guys."

Neymar laughed, a little humbly. "Well, you're part of the family now, Nico. You've got that crown jewel reputation in La Masia. You'll be just fine."

Nico smiled, feeling a sense of belonging, though still in awe of the incredible players he was surrounded by. They continued to chat about football, with Neymar offering some advice and tips for navigating the pressures of being such a young talent.

As they arrived at the restaurant, the atmosphere was relaxed but buzzing with excitement. The rest of the team was already seated, and as Nico and Neymar joined them, the conversation shifted, but it was clear that the camaraderie among the players, including Nico, was genuine. The night was just beginning, and Nico felt honored to be part of it all.

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January 8th – Zurich, Switzerland

Nico walked through the airport, scanning the crowds for his grandparents. His grandfather Johan had received a special invitation to the Ballon d'Or ceremony, and his grandmother Danny had come along to support him. The anticipation for the Golden Boy award ceremony was already building, but today was just about getting them settled in Zurich ahead of the event on the 11th.

It didn't take long for Nico to spot them. Johan, ever tall and composed, stood out in the crowd, his familiar figure hard to miss. Danny was by his side, smiling as she looked around.

"Nico!" Johan called out, a small smile tugging at his lips as he noticed his grandson.

"Hey, Grandpa, Grandma," Nico replied, walking over to greet them. He gave each of them a quick hug before stepping back, taking in the moment. "How was the flight?"

"Long, but we're here now," Johan said, glancing around. "Zurich's a nice city."

"Good to see you, Nico," Danny added, giving him a warm smile. "You're looking well."

"Thanks, Grandma. It's good to see you both too," Nico said, feeling the familiar comfort of being with his family.

Johan nodded towards the exit. "Shall we head to the hotel then?"

Nico smiled and motioned for them to follow. "Got a car waiting. Let's get you settled in."

They made their way to the car, and Nico helped his grandparents inside before getting in himself. The drive through Zurich was quiet, with Nico glancing at his grandparents in the rearview mirror.

"Anything specific you want to see while you're here?" Nico asked casually as they passed through the city.

"Just happy to be here for the ceremony," Johan replied. "But maybe we can take a stroll around tomorrow."

Danny nodded. "A little sightseeing would be nice."

"Sure," Nico said, keeping the conversation light as they neared the hotel. "I'll show you around after you're settled."

Once they arrived at the hotel, Nico helped his grandparents inside and made sure they were comfortable in their rooms. "I'll see you both at dinner later. Get some rest, we've got a busy few days ahead."

Johan gave him a nod. "We'll be fine. See you later, Nico."

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January 9th – Zurich, Switzerland

The hotel lobby had a gentle buzz as Nico stood near the entrance, awaiting Maria. The excitement for the Golden Boy award ceremony was building, and now, with the Guardiola family in town, things were getting busier.

Soon enough, Maria walked through the hotel's entrance, her casual yet stylish outfit standing out as she made her way toward him. Her smile immediately put him at ease, and his heart skipped a beat when their eyes met.

"Hey," Nico greeted with a grin. "Good to see you."

Maria smiled back, her eyes lighting up as she reached him. "It's good to be here," she replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm glad the whole family is finally here. Valentina's been asking about you non-stop."

"Tell me about it," Nico chuckled, thinking of the energetic 7-year-old. "I can't wait to catch up with them."

Maria nudged him playfully. "She definitely looks up to you like a big brother. Marius, too—he keeps talking about how much he's learning from you."

Nico smiled at that. "I'm happy to help. But I'm glad to have you here. Feels like everything's finally coming together."

They made their way through the lobby together, exchanging casual conversation. Nico's mind raced with thoughts of the ceremony coming up on the 11th, but in this moment, everything felt calm, just the way it was whenever he was with Maria.

"I can't believe everything's happening so quickly," Nico said, a small laugh escaping his lips. "Feels like I'm still processing it all."

Maria glanced at him, her expression softening. "You've worked hard for this moment, Nico. You deserve it." She paused before adding, "And besides, I'll be right here, cheering for you."

The simple words from Maria gave him a sense of peace amidst all the chaos. Nico appreciated the grounding presence she brought into his life.

After a few moments, Nico looked around and noticed Valentina and Marius walking over. "I think I'll go say hi to them," Nico said, a grin tugging at his lips. "Let's catch up later."

Maria smiled and nodded. "Of course. Enjoy some time with them."

Nico made his way toward Pep's kids, feeling the warmth of being around family, even if they weren't his blood relatives.

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January 10th – Zurich, Switzerland

The crisp Zurich air greeted Nico and Maria as they stepped out of the hotel, ready to spend the day exploring the city before the whirlwind of the Golden Boy award ceremony took over their lives again. Nico was dressed in a black full-sleeve sweater and denim, his usual effortless style reflecting his laid-back confidence. Maria was dressed similarly, wearing the same black sweater and denim, creating a mirror image of Nico as they strolled through the streets together.

"So, what's on your agenda for today?" Maria asked, looking up at Nico with a playful glint in her eyes.

Nico smiled, his emerald green eyes scanning the busy Zurich streets. "Honestly? Just taking it easy, enjoying the city. We've got the rest of our lives to worry about the big stuff."

Maria laughed softly, enjoying the simplicity of their plan. "Good idea. It's nice to have a moment where we don't have to be doing anything important."

They walked down the lively streets, the vibrant Zurich atmosphere mixing with the cold winter air. Nico kept his hands casually in his pockets, occasionally glancing over at Maria, enjoying her company. He was used to the constant rush of his life—football, media, and expectations—but days like these, simple and quiet, were a welcome break.

As they passed by a café, Maria stopped. "I've heard this place has the best hot chocolate in Zurich," she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Shall we give it a try?"

"Hot chocolate?" Nico raised an eyebrow playfully. "I thought you were all about the coffee."

Maria grinned. "I've got a soft spot for a good cup of hot chocolate."

Nico chuckled. "Alright, alright. Lead the way."

They entered the cozy café, the smell of fresh pastries and coffee filling the air. Maria quickly found them a seat by the window, where they could watch the hustle and bustle of Zurich's streets. As they sat down, Nico couldn't help but notice how natural everything felt with Maria. Their conversations were easy, and the silence, when it came, was never awkward.

"Tomorrow's the big day," Maria said, her voice quieter now, a hint of anticipation in her tone.

Nico nodded, his gaze softening. "Yeah. I'm excited, but also a little nervous."

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