Chapter 18 : Sevilla(2)

The 39th minute ticked by, and Espanyol, still in control, continued their patient dismantling of Sevilla's defense. The visitors looked increasingly frustrated, their lines stretched, unable to regain a foothold.

It began once again with Espanyol calmly circulating the ball, probing for an opening. Nico drifted centrally, orchestrating the tempo like a seasoned veteran despite being the youngest player on the pitch.

With a quick turn, he received the ball near the edge of the center circle, and Sevilla's Grzegorz Krychowiak immediately stepped up, attempting to press him.

Ian Darke:

"Oh, but Nico glides past Krychowiak as if he's not even there!"

One feint, one flick of the boot, and Krychowiak was left chasing shadows. Nico now had space, and he lifted his head. The entire Sevilla backline was stepping forward, trying to close the gap—but it was too late.

Nico spotted Felipe Caicedo making a darting run between the center-backs. With an outrageous display of vision, Nico slid a perfectly weighted through ball that bypassed the entire defense, cutting through Sevilla like a knife through butter.

Àxel Torres:

"What a pass! He's dissected the defense with a single touch!"

Caicedo latched onto it, drawing Sevilla keeper Sergio Rico off his line. But instead of shooting, he unselfishly squared the ball across the box to Lucas Vázquez, who was arriving at the far post.

Lucas Vázquez didn't hesitate. With a first-time strike, he rifled the ball into the roof of the net!

Ian Darke:

"That's how you carve open a defense! Nico with the vision, Caicedo with the awareness, and Lucas Vázquez with the finishing touch!"

Espanyol players swarmed Lucas, but Caicedo made sure to point directly at Nico—the true architect of the goal. On the sidelines, the Espanyol coach smiled, while Sevilla's Unai Emery threw his hands up in frustration.

Espanyol 2-0 Sevilla, and the RCDE Stadium was absolutely rocking!

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As the 44th minute approached, Espanyol showed no signs of slowing down. Sevilla, already gasping for breath, desperately tried to hold on until halftime. But Espanyol smelled blood, and Nico was at the heart of it all.

The buildup started deep in midfield, with Abraham González collecting the ball and playing a sharp pass to Víctor Sánchez, who turned and spotted Nico making a sneaky movement into the final third.

Ian Darke:

"Espanyol are in full control here, and look at Nico—he's just lurking, waiting for the right moment!"

Sánchez, without hesitation, threaded a splitting pass between Sevilla's midfielders, and Nico took over from there. The crowd held its breath as he controlled the ball inside the penalty box, Sevilla's defenders converging on him like a collapsing net.

First came Daniel Carriço. A quick shimmy to the right sent the defender lunging the wrong way.

Next was Nico Pareja. A rapid stepover, followed by a sudden drop of the shoulder, left Pareja completely flat-footed.

And finally, Coke charged in. But Nico, as calm as ever, performed a delicate flick, pushing the ball just beyond the sliding defender.

Three Sevilla players beaten in a matter of seconds, and now it was just him and the goalkeeper.

Àxel Torres:

"Oh my word, he's danced through the entire defense!"

Sergio Rico rushed off his line, spreading his body wide in an attempt to block the shot. But Nico, with absolute audacity, poked the ball straight through his legs!

Ian Darke:

"A NUTMEG ON THE KEEPER! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"

The ball rolled effortlessly into the net, and for a second, the entire stadium froze—then erupted into a frenzy.

The Espanyol bench leapt off their seats. Fans in the stands held their heads in disbelief. Even some Sevilla players stood still, as if trying to process what had just happened.

Nico sprinted to the corner flag, arms outstretched, his face calm—but his eyes burning with intensity. His teammates rushed to him, mobbing him in celebration.

Espanyol 3-0 Sevilla, and Nico had just delivered a moment of pure magic right before the halftime whistle.

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As the second half began, Espanyol's coaching staff decided to protect their young star, subbing Nico off at halftime. The fans gave him a standing ovation as he made his way to the bench, his impact undeniable—one goal and two assists in 45 minutes.

Without him, Espanyol continued to dominate. Though Sevilla tried to mount a comeback, their efforts were quickly extinguished when Espanyol added a fourth goal midway through the second half.

Sevilla managed to grab a late consolation goal, but it was meaningless in the grand scheme of things. The final whistle blew—4-1 to Espanyol!

The home fans roared in celebration, fully aware that they had just witnessed something special. Nico had run the show, and Espanyol had sent a message to the rest of La Liga: they were here to fight.

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In the post-match press conference, both Espanyol's head coach, Sergio González, and Sevilla's Unai Emery sat before the press, fielding questions from eager journalists.

Sergio González was in a good mood, his team having put on a dominant display. "We executed our game plan perfectly," he said. "The boys were aggressive, disciplined, and clinical in front of goal. This is the kind of performance we want to build on."

On the other side, Unai Emery looked frustrated but composed. "We made too many mistakes," he admitted. "Against a team like Espanyol, you can't afford to lose possession cheaply or let them control the tempo."

A reporter quickly brought up Nico Cruyff's dazzling first-half display, asking the Espanyol coach if he was surprised by the 14-year-old's impact.

Sergio chuckled, shaking his head. "Surprised? Not at all. We see it every day in training. Nico is a special talent, but he's still developing. We don't want to put too much pressure on him, but yes, tonight, he showed again why people are so excited about him."

Unai Emery was asked if Sevilla had underestimated Nico. "No, we knew what he could do," he replied. "The problem is, knowing it and stopping it are two different things."

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CBS Sports Post-Match Analysis 

The CBS Sports studio was buzzing as the analysts settled in, rewatching highlights from Espanyol's dominant 4-1 victory over Sevilla.

Kate Abdo: "Well, gentlemen, what a performance from Espanyol. They absolutely tore Sevilla apart in that first half. Let's start with that man again—Nico Cruyff. Fourteen years old, and yet he played like a seasoned pro tonight. How do you even describe what we're witnessing?"

Jamie Carragher: "We keep saying it every week, don't we? But this kid just keeps proving us right. The composure, the intelligence, the vision—tonight, he was absolutely running the show. That assist for the second goal? A through ball that split Sevilla's entire backline. And then that goal just before halftime—dribbles past three defenders in the tightest of spaces and then nutmegs the goalkeeper? Are you kidding me?!"

Thierry Henry: "You know what impresses me the most? He plays with such elegance. He makes it look easy. When you watch a young talent, you expect flashes of brilliance, but Nico is consistent. He dictates play, controls the tempo, and always makes the right decision. That's not normal for a 14-year-old. That's special."

Micah Richards (laughing): "And let's be honest, Sevilla had no idea what to do with him. You could see their midfielders and defenders just looking at each other like, 'Who's gonna stop this kid?' But there was no answer!"

The screen showed a tactical breakdown of Espanyol's build-up play, focusing on Nico's positioning and decision-making.

Jamie Carragher: "Look at this. He drops deep, gets the ball, and immediately scans the field. Bang—one quick touch, beats his man, and suddenly Sevilla are scrambling. That's why he's so dangerous. He sees things two or three moves ahead. I mean, if you're Barcelona, you're watching this thinking, 'We have to bring him back next season.'"

The segment then shifted to a tactical breakdown of his goal.

Thierry Henry: "This right here… this is pure class. The way he shifts his body weight, the way he sells the defender a fake, the way he uses his balance to squeeze through that tight space. And then, the finish! A nutmeg on the goalkeeper! That's arrogance. That's confidence. That's what the greats do."

The conversation then turned to Espanyol's future and their attack.

Micah Richards: "Espanyol are playing some fantastic football right now, but let's be real. If they didn't have Nico, do they win this game 4-1? Probably not. He's their creative spark. The entire attack runs through him. And, Jamie, you've been saying this for weeks now…"

Jamie Carragher (grinning): "Oh, yeah. We have a diamond here. Just imagine, lads—MSN up front, and Nico Cruyff sitting behind them as the attacking midfielder. Just imagine that."

The studio fell silent for a moment, as if everyone was truly picturing it.

Thierry Henry (nodding): "That's scary."

Micah Richards: "That's not just scary, mate. That's unfair."

The discussion wrapped up with praise for Espanyol's performance, but there was no doubt about the biggest takeaway from the match—Nico Cruyff was once again the headline.

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After the match, Nico sank into the couch, the buzz of the 4-1 victory still swirling in his mind. He flicked on the TV, letting the familiar sounds of sports highlights wash over him, but his thoughts kept drifting to the match—his goal, his assist, how well the team had played. Just as he was starting to unwind, he heard the doorbell ring.

He stood up, a little confused, and opened the door to find Jorge Mendes standing on the other side. The agent was dressed sharply, as usual, with that confident, almost magnetic presence.

"Hey, Nico," Jorge greeted him, stepping inside without waiting for a reply. "Got something exciting for you."

Nico raised an eyebrow as he closed the door behind Jorge and led him to the couch. They both sat down, and Jorge didn't waste time.

"I just got off the phone with YSL. They want you to be their next ambassador," he said, his tone business-like, but with a hint of excitement.

Nico was momentarily stunned, his mind racing to process the words. "YSL? Yves Saint Laurent?" he asked, half-expecting a follow-up punchline. But Jorge's serious look confirmed it.

"Yeah. They've been keeping an eye on you, especially with the way your career is shaping up. They like the whole 'elegant yet fierce' thing you've got going on." Jorge chuckled lightly. "And, let's be real—your profile is huge. It's the perfect fit."

Nico leaned back into the couch, his mind racing. He'd never thought about endorsing fashion brands or anything like that, but the idea of being associated with such a high-end label was surreal.

"I've never really thought about all that," Nico admitted, still taking it all in. "I mean, I love football, but... this? It's a whole new world."

Jorge grinned, leaning forward. "Exactly. That's why this is a big deal. It's not just about football anymore. It's about creating a brand, your legacy. This could open a lot of doors—sponsors, media, you name it."

Nico's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but he had a feeling this was more than just a career move. It was part of something bigger. "I guess I never thought I'd be doing stuff like this. But if I'm being honest... I'm still focused on playing football. It's still my number one priority."

Jorge smiled, understanding. "Of course. That's what I like about you, Nico. You know where your head's at. But this opportunity? It's something we should consider. You don't have to say yes right away. But trust me, it could set you up for life after football."

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Jorge leaned forward, his voice steady. "Nico, YSL wants you to be their global ambassador. It's more than just wearing their clothes—it's about representing the brand on and off the field, showcasing your style, your persona."

Nico raised an eyebrow, processing. Jorge continued, "They see something in you: elegance, grit, authenticity. It's not just about promoting products; it's a partnership. They want you to help shape the brand's image."

Nico nodded slowly. He had always focused on football, but the thought of joining forces with such a global brand intrigued him. "What exactly does this involve?" he asked.

"Events, fashion shows, campaigns. You'll have input into how you're portrayed—how your style fits with the brand. It's a chance to make your mark, not just in football, but in fashion too."

Nico was quiet for a moment, considering it. "And the financial side?" 

Jorge smiled. "It's incredibly lucrative. This isn't just a side gig—it's about long-term growth. You'd have financial freedom, and creative control."

Nico glanced out the window, thinking of his future. "I'm interested," he said after a pause. "I'll do it."

Jorge's face lit up. "You won't regret it. Let's get everything sorted."

Nico shook his hand firmly. "Let's do it." 

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Jorge leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Now, about the boots sponsorship. Nike is eager to sign you as their lead athlete for the next line. They want you to have your own signature boots, just like some of the legends before you."

Nico blinked, surprised. "Signature boots? Me?"

"Yes," Jorge replied, nodding. "Nike sees your potential—not just as a player but as a brand. You've already made a mark with your style of play. They want to tie that together with a pair of boots that reflects you. Your signature line could be a game-changer, both for your career and for their brand."

Nico sat up, his mind racing. "So, what are we talking about, Jorge? How does it all work? Money, contracts, the whole deal?"

Jorge smiled knowingly. "Well, the money is great, obviously. Nike will pay you a signing bonus of 2 million euros just for the endorsement deal. That's just the start. On top of that, for every pair of boots sold, you'll receive a percentage—about 10% of the sales. We're talking significant income, especially as the boots become more popular."

Nico's eyes widened. "Wow, I didn't realize it would be like that. So, I'd have my own boots, and they'd be paying me royalties?"

"Exactly," Jorge said, his voice steady. "And the boots will be part of their new Phantom series. They're going all-in on you, Nico. You'll be the face of the campaign, featured in global ads, posters, and commercials. They'll push you hard. It's not just the boots; it's the brand, the image, and the recognition that comes with it."

Nico leaned back, processing the information. "I've always dreamed of something like this. But, it's not just about the money. I want it to feel right—something that represents me."

Jorge nodded, understanding. "That's why you'll have input on the design. You'll help shape everything—from the colors to the materials. Your boots will be unique to you. And don't worry, I'll handle the details, the contracts, and make sure everything aligns with your goals. Nike will do everything they can to make this a massive success."

Nico felt a rush of excitement and nervousness. "I'm in. Let's do it. I want my boots out there."

Jorge grinned, "Perfect. We'll get started right away. Nike's going to love this. And believe me, this is just the beginning."

____________

Jorge leaned forward, intrigued. "Alright, Nico. Let's talk about the boots. What color are you thinking?"

Nico paused for a moment, visualizing it in his mind. "How about emerald green with lines of black and gold?" he suggested. "The emerald green matches my eye color, the black symbolizes focus and strength, and the gold... well, that's for everything I'm aiming to achieve."

Jorge raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed. "Emerald green, black, and gold. That's a unique combination. It sounds personal, like it means something more than just a color scheme."

Nico nodded, his confidence growing. "Exactly. I want them to represent me—not just on the field but who I am off it too."

"I love it," Jorge said, his tone sincere. "It'll definitely stand out. It's bold and distinct. You're not just designing boots; you're telling a story."

Nico smiled, feeling like he had found the perfect way to make his mark. "Yeah, it's all about making a statement. Let's get those colors into production."

"Absolutely," Jorge said, pulling out his phone to take a note. "Emerald green, black, and gold it is. I'll make sure we get the ball rolling right away."

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