Chapter 49 : At Zurich

January 11th – Zurich, Switzerland

The first rays of light crept through the hotel curtains as Nico woke up at 4:30 AM, his usual time to start the day. Today was the day of the Ballon d'Or ceremony, and he needed to stick to his routine to stay grounded. He stretched his arms above his head, the usual feeling of calm settling over him as he prepared for the morning ahead.

Nico started with his yoga session, focusing on deep breathing and flexibility. The quiet of the early morning helped clear his mind. After the stretches, he laced up his running shoes and went for a jog around the hotel grounds. The cool air was refreshing, and he used the time to center himself for the day.

Once he returned to the hotel, he headed to the gym for a quick but intense weight training session, making sure his body was in peak form. His discipline was unwavering, even on such an important day.

By the time he finished his workout and showered, it was just after 7 AM. He felt awake and energized, ready to take on the day. He stepped into his room and began to get dressed when there was a knock at the door.

Nico opened it to find Jorge Mendes standing there with a couple of bags in hand. "Morning, Nico," Jorge greeted, offering a grin. "Got something for you."

Nico raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

Jorge placed the bags on the bed with a smile. "YSL sent over the clothes for tonight's event. Your suit is all ready. They've really outdone themselves this time."

Nico moved closer, inspecting the bags. "I can't wait to see it. They know how to make a statement."

Jorge pulled out the suit, his eyes gleaming. "Trust me, you're going to look incredible in this. It's all set for the Ballon d'Or ceremony tonight. You'll definitely turn heads."

Nico smiled, appreciating Jorge's enthusiasm. "Thanks, Jorge. I'm looking forward to it."

Jorge paused, reaching into his bag again. "Oh, and one more thing. The photoshoot with YSL went live today on Instagram. You're trending already."

Nico turned, his curiosity piqued. "Already? That fast?"

"Yep," Jorge confirmed. "It's all over social media. The world is already talking about you. You're only going to keep growing from here."

Nico couldn't help but grin. "That's amazing. Thanks for keeping me updated."

"Of course," Jorge said, a confident smile on his face. "But remember—tonight is about the Ballon d'Or. You're not just here for the Golden Boy award, you're on the big stage. This is your moment."

Nico nodded, his smile turning thoughtful. "I know. Let's make it count."

___________

Nico sat on the edge of the bed, phone in hand, as he scrolled through Instagram. His heart skipped with each new notification, his image flooding the feed. The photoshoot with YSL had taken the world by storm, and the comments were pouring in. His face, his talent, his presence—everything about him was being talked about.

As he scrolled, one photo caught his eye. It was trending—everywhere. In the photo, Nico was seated on a black throne, his posture relaxed but radiating an undeniable power. The tailor-made black suit hugged his athletic frame perfectly, emphasizing his sharp features and broad shoulders. The all-black background seemed to swallow him whole, as though he had emerged from the shadows themselves.

But it was his eyes—his emerald-green eyes—that drew everyone in. They pierced through the darkness, almost glowing as they seemed to look directly into the camera, filled with intensity and mystery. It was an image that made him seem otherworldly, as if he didn't belong to this world at all.

He read through the comments, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

@MysticMuse: "He's the reincarnation of the god of the underworld, Hades himself. Just look at those eyes. Pure power."

@FootballFan24: "This is no longer a footballer. This is a living legend."

@HadesIsBack: "The king has arrived."

The comments kept coming, with people calling him a deity, a force of nature, the god of the underworld himself. Nico couldn't help but laugh softly at the absurdity of it all. He was just a 15-year-old kid playing football, but the world was already assigning him titles beyond imagination.

He shook his head, a laugh escaping his lips as he put the phone down. "Reincarnate of Hades? Really?" he muttered to himself, his laughter filling the quiet room. It was flattering, sure, but he wasn't sure he was ready for the world to crown him a god just yet.

Despite the ridiculousness of the comparison, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of pride. He was making an impact—more than he could have ever dreamed of, even after everything he had been through. Still, he was just Nico Cryuff, doing what he loved. And that was enough.

______________

Nico stood in front of the mirror, taking one last look at himself. It was almost 6 PM, and tonight was the night of the Ballon d'Or ceremony. He'd been preparing for this moment for weeks, but now that it had arrived, everything felt surreal.

The black suit from YSL fit him perfectly, its sharp lines accentuating his athletic frame. He adjusted his hair, the silky black strands falling into place just the way he liked them. He reached for the sleek black watch on his wrist and slid it on, then picked up the matching black shoes, making sure they were perfectly polished.

Finally, he took the thin necklace with the small Barcelona pendant—something his grandfather had given him when he was younger—and draped it around his neck. It was a simple piece, but it had always been a reminder of where he came from, and it gave him a sense of calm before a big night.

After a few more quick checks in the mirror, he nodded to himself, satisfied with his appearance. He looked... well, he had to admit, he looked damn good. He was ready.

With a deep breath, Nico made his way to his grandparents' room. As he knocked softly on the door, he heard Danny's familiar voice from the other side.

"Come in, Nico," she called out.

He pushed the door open to find Johan and Danny standing there, both looking sharp in their evening attire. Johan, always the picture of calm, nodded with approval. But it was Danny who made him chuckle as she looked him up and down, her eyes twinkling with humor.

"You look absolutely godly, Nico," Danny teased, her voice warm and filled with playful affection. "Like you just stepped out of the shadows and into the light. Hades himself would be jealous."

Nico laughed, rolling his eyes, but couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. "Hades, really?" he teased back. "Maybe I should start carrying a trident next."

Danny winked. "You've got the look for it, dear. With those emerald eyes, you're practically glowing tonight."

Johan smiled at them both, his voice calm as usual but filled with pride. "Ready to go?"

Nico nodded, still amused by his grandmother's playful teasing. "Yeah, let's do this."

The three of them headed toward the door, Nico making sure his grandparents were settled before they left for the ceremony. Tonight was about more than just the awards—it was about family, about the hard work that had brought him here, and about enjoying the moment together.

As they walked out of the room, Nico couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was going to be one of those moments he would remember for the rest of his life.

__________

The car sent by the staff came to a stop in front of the Palais des Congrès, the grand venue for the 2015 Ballon d'Or ceremony. As the door opened, Nico, along with his grandparents, stepped out onto the red carpet. The flashing cameras were immediate, capturing every step they took as they made their way into the building.

Johan Cryuff, a three-time Ballon d'Or winner and a Dutch football legend, stood tall and composed as always. His presence alone commanded respect, and the photographers snapped pictures of him, fully aware of the history he represented—not only as a football icon but also as the founder of La Masia, the famed Barcelona academy.

Nico stood confidently beside his grandfather, his porcelain white skin contrasting against the dark, tailored black suit sent by Yves Saint Laurent. At just 15 years old, Nico had already been hailed as the greatest talent to come out of La Masia, and with his exceptional performances for Manchester City, he was quickly making his mark on the Premier League.

As they walked down the carpet, more cameras captured them, the flashes illuminating the evening sky. Nico felt a sense of pride, yet he remained focused on the task at hand. Tonight, the attention was on them, not just because of the legacy of Johan but also because of the immense potential Nico had already shown in his young career.

___________

As Nico entered the Palais des Congrès, he was quickly escorted by staff to his seat. He was placed next to Lionel Messi and across from the top three nominees for the Ballon d'Or. Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo hadn't arrived yet, leaving Messi as the first to greet him.

Nico nodded and smiled as he took his seat. He had already met Messi on several occasions during his time at La Masia, but the familiarity of it all didn't make the moment any less exciting.

"Hey, Nico," Messi greeted with a nod, his eyes warm and welcoming.

Nico returned the nod, his smile wide. "Hey, Messi. Thanks for the support."

Antonella, who was seated beside Messi, smiled at Nico. "You're doing awesome in the Premier League," she said with genuine admiration. "Keep it up."

Nico chuckled softly, his humility shining through. "I'm just trying to do my best."

Antonella smiled. "We've all been following your progress. You're going to do great things."

__________

As Neymar and Ronaldo arrived at the Palais des Congrès, the atmosphere in the venue grew even more electric. The cameras flashed, capturing every moment as they made their way toward the seats.

Nico stood up when Neymar approached, his usual grin on his face. He had already met Neymar in Zurich, and the two shared a casual familiarity.

"Hey, Nico," Neymar greeted, a mischievous smile on his face as he walked over.

Nico smirked, raising an eyebrow. "What's up, Neymar?"

With a playful tone, Neymar teased, "Still channeling your inner Hades, huh? You look like you've come straight out of the shadows."

Nico laughed, shaking his head. "You're really running with that, huh?"

"Can't help it," Neymar chuckled, giving him a light nudge. "You do look like the god of the underworld tonight."

Nico grinned, brushing off the playful tease. "I'll take it as a compliment, I guess."

As Neymar took his seat, Cristiano Ronaldo walked over, having just arrived. This was their first meeting, and Ronaldo extended his hand to Nico with a respectful smile.

"Nice to meet you, Nico," Ronaldo said, his voice firm but friendly. "I've heard a lot about you."

Nico shook his hand, returning the smile. "It's an honor, Ronaldo. I've admired your game for as long as I can remember."

Ronaldo gave him a nod of acknowledgment, then glanced at Messi and Neymar before taking his seat. The table was now filled with some of the greatest footballers in the world, and Nico felt a quiet sense of pride. Despite the attention, the overwhelming feeling was one of respect and camaraderie between players who all understood the dedication it took to get to where they were.

______________

The lights in the Palais des Congrès dimmed, and the excitement in the room grew palpable. The night had arrived. The 2015 Ballon d'Or ceremony was about to begin.

A grand video montage lit up the giant screens around the venue, showcasing the top football moments from the year: jaw-dropping goals, iconic assists, and unforgettable victories. The montage featured some of the world's best players in action, including the Ballon d'Or nominees, building the anticipation for the biggest award in world football.

As the video came to an end, the screens transitioned to reveal the two hosts for the evening: Ruud Gullit, the Dutch football legend and former Ballon d'Or winner, and Kate Abdo, the experienced and charismatic sports presenter.

Ruud, with his calm yet authoritative presence, addressed the crowd first. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 2015 Ballon d'Or ceremony," he began, his voice echoing across the venue. "It's an honor to be here tonight, celebrating the greatest footballing achievements of the year."

Kate Abdo, with her signature professionalism and grace, added, "This is the night when football's finest come together to be recognized for their incredible talent, determination, and passion. We'll be celebrating the best of the best."

The crowd erupted into applause, and the atmosphere grew even more electric as the ceremony officially kicked off.

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