Chapter 42 : Love you
As the clock ticked down, the game slowed to a near crawl. Espanyol, comfortable with their lead, knocked the ball around with patience, forcing Eibar to chase shadows. The visitors had long lost their spark, their pressing half-hearted, their movements sluggish. The home crowd had begun to hum with anticipation, sensing the match was all but over.
Then came the 90th minute.
It started deep in Espanyol's half, with Álvaro González rolling a simple pass to Héctor Moreno. The Mexican center-back took a touch and looked up, spotting no immediate pressure. He shifted it sideways to Víctor Sánchez, who played a short pass to José Cañas. A few more exchanges followed—calm, methodical, deliberate.
Then, the ball arrived at Nico Cruyff's feet.
Positioned thirty meters from goal, he took one touch forward. The Eibar defenders hesitated, expecting a pass. But Nico had other ideas. With a sharp shift of his weight, he unleashed a venomous strike.
The ball rocketed off his boot, swerving through the crisp night air, past the outstretched fingertips of Irureta, before crashing into the top corner. The stadium exploded.
Ian Darke:
"Oh, my word! Nico Cruyff from thirty meters out! That is an absolute rocket! The kind of goal you dream about as a kid!"
Àxel Torres:
"That is simply outrageous! He had no right to go for goal from there, but when you're Nico Cruyff, the impossible seems routine! What a strike!"
The stadium erupted as Nico sprinted to the corner flag, pulling off his jersey in one fluid motion. He knelt down, hands on his thighs, head slightly bowed—his usual celebration.
Ian Darke:
"And look at this! The Prince kneels once more! This is his moment, and the RCDE Stadium bows with him!"
As the camera zoomed in, a message on his undershirt was revealed.
"Love you, Espanyol."
Àxel Torres:
"Oh, that is special. That is from the heart. He may be on loan, but make no mistake—this club means something to him. The fans will never forget this night!"
Espanyol 3-0 Eibar
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As the referee brought the match to an end with a sharp blast of his whistle, the RCDE Stadium erupted in celebration. Espanyol had delivered a dominant performance, securing a 4-0 victory over Eibar.
Ian Darke:
"And that's it! A statement win from Espanyol! They were in complete control from start to finish, and what a night for Nico Cruyff—pulling the strings, scoring a stunner, and showing once again why he's the most exciting young talent in Spain!"
Àxel Torres:
"Absolutely, Ian. This was a mature performance from a side that looks ready for their biggest challenge yet—the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. And Nico? He played like a leader tonight. That last goal? Pure magic."
As the players shook hands and exchanged jerseys, the Espanyol fans stayed behind, chanting, savoring the moment. The final whistle may have blown, but the echoes of this victory would linger.
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2014–15 La Liga Table(top 5)
Position Team Played Won Drawn Lost Goals For Goals Against Difference Points
1 Barcelona 38 30 4 4 110 21 +89 94
2 Real Madrid 38 30 2 6 118 38 +80 92
3 Atlético Madrid 38 23 9 6 67 29 +38 78
4 Espanyol 38 22 12 4 60 30 +30 78
5 Valencia 38 20 12 6 68 32 +36 72
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CBS Sports Post-Match Analysis
The studio lights illuminated the set as the CBS Sports analysts prepared to break down Espanyol's dominant 4-0 victory over Eibar. The big screen behind them showed highlights of Nico Cruyff's dazzling performance, from his opening goal to his stunning long-range strike in the 90th minute.
Host: Kate Abdo
"A commanding display from Espanyol tonight as they brush aside Eibar with a 4-0 win. And once again, all eyes were on the 14-year-old sensation, Nico Cruyff. Two assists, two goals, and a performance that left fans speechless. This kid just keeps delivering."
Thierry Henry:
"Kate, this is not normal. Fourteen years old, playing like this in La Liga? I mean, he's not just playing—he's controlling games. That first goal? The confidence to take on defenders like that. The backheel assist in the second half? Pure class. And that last goal from 30 meters out… My goodness! The power, the precision… it's like he was born to do this."
Jamie Carragher:
"He plays like someone who's been in the league for a decade. The way he sees the game, the weight of his passes, the intelligence in his movement—these are things you see in the world's best playmakers. And let's not forget, Espanyol are now 4th in the table, on course for Champions League football. How much of that is down to Nico? A whole lot, I'd say."
Micah Richards (laughing):
"Listen, I don't care how old he is—when you're putting up numbers like this, you're special. That pass for Sergio García's goal? That's a pass Kevin De Bruyne makes! And then the long-range strike? He took off his shirt and the message on his undershirt said 'Love you, Espanyol.' The kid's 14, and he already has his own signature celebration! I love it!"
Kate Abdo:
"We have to talk about that celebration. He runs to the corner flag, kneels like a prince, removes his jersey, and boom—the message on the shirt. The crowd went absolutely wild. That's confidence. That's charisma. And let's not forget, his next game is against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. His parent club. How do you think he'll handle it?"
Jamie Carragher:
"Oh, you just know he's gonna bring the fire. Look at what he did in the 5-5 draw against Barça earlier in the season—three goals, two assists. He has no mercy, even against the club that owns him. If I were Barcelona, I'd be nervous. He's coming for them."
Thierry Henry:
"And you know what? The way he plays, he wants these big moments. He wants to go up against the biggest teams and prove himself. That's what makes the greats different. And right now, Nico Cruyff is looking like a future legend in the making."
Kate Abdo smiled as the studio faded to black, leaving one final image on the screen—Nico Cruyff kneeling at the corner flag, arms spread wide, the Espanyol faithful chanting his name.
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Kate Abdo turned to the large screen displaying the season's top performers. "Let's take a look at the top goal scorers in La Liga this season," she began.
Top 5 Goal Scorers in 2014–15 La Liga Season:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 48 goalsLionel Messi (Barcelona) – 43 goalsAntoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid) – 22 goalsNeymar (Barcelona) – 22 goalsNico Cruyff (Espanyol) – 21 goals
"Remarkable to see Nico Cruyff, at just 14 years old, among the league's elite scorers," Kate noted. "Now, shifting to the top assist providers, Nico's playmaking abilities truly shine."
Top 5 Assist Providers in 2014–15 La Liga Season:
Nico Cruyff (Espanyol) – 19 assistsLionel Messi (Barcelona) – 18 assistsCristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 16 assistsLuis Suárez (Barcelona) – 14 assistsNolito (Celta Vigo) – 13 assists
"Leading the assists chart ahead of legends like Messi and Ronaldo speaks volumes about Nico's vision and unselfish play," Kate remarked. "His impact this season has been nothing short of extraordinary."
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Kate Abdo (grinning):
"And let's not forget—this is just in half a season. Nico arrived at Espanyol on loan from Barcelona in the January window. He's played only 16 league games, yet he's already fifth in the goal-scoring charts and leads La Liga in assists. Sixteen games! These are numbers you expect from an elite playmaker over a full campaign, not a 14-year-old in half of one."
Micah Richards (laughing, shaking his head):
"It's ridiculous! If he'd been here since the start of the season, he could be topping both charts! Barcelona thought they were sending him out to develop, but instead, he's turned Espanyol into a Champions League team. It's crazy!"
Jamie Carragher (nodding):
"Yeah, and what stands out is how complete his game is. This isn't just some flash-in-the-pan form—this is genuine world-class quality. His vision, his composure, the way he controls the tempo of a game… it's not normal for a 14-year-old."
Kate Abdo:
"And let's not forget the pressure he's under. He's not just a wonderkid—he's the most hyped young player in football right now. Yet, instead of crumbling under expectations, he thrives. Week after week, he delivers. That's special."
Micah Richards:
"And the way he carries himself! You saw his celebration today—ripping off his shirt to reveal 'Love you, Espanyol'. The kid's 14, and he already has his own signature celebration! He plays with swagger, but he backs it up!"
Jamie Carragher (smirking):
"I tell you what, Barcelona might regret loaning him out because right now, he's the best player in this Espanyol team. And if he's doing this at 14, what's he going to look like in five years? Defenders all over La Liga must be thinking, 'How do we stop this kid?'"
Kate Abdo:
"And with Espanyol sitting fourth, the Champions League dream is very real. The big question is—can Nico and this team hold on for the final stretch of the season?"
Micah Richards:
"If he keeps playing like this? I wouldn't bet against him."
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Thierry Henry (raising an eyebrow):
"Alright, let's be real here—does Nico walk into the Barcelona starting XI next season?"
Jamie Carragher (exhales, thinking):
"Phew… that's the big question, isn't it? Look, Barcelona have world-class midfielders and attackers, but when you've got a 14-year-old doing this in La Liga, you have to at least consider it. It's not about his age anymore—it's about his performances. And right now, he's playing at a level where you'd say, 'Yeah, he deserves a shot.'"
Micah Richards (grinning):
"If you're good enough, you're old enough! And let's be honest, with the way he's playing, I think he forces his way in. He's got the ability, he's got the confidence, and he's got the numbers. He's not just a kid with potential—he's already producing like a star."
Kate Abdo:
"But here's the dilemma—Barcelona have some big names in that attack. If you're Luis Enrique, do you throw Nico straight into the XI, or do you ease him in?"
Thierry Henry:
"Look, I've played for Barcelona, I know how hard it is to break into that team. It's not just about talent—it's about timing, chemistry, and fitting into the system. But let me tell you something… when I see Nico Cruyff play, I see a kid who doesn't need to be eased in. He's already playing like he belongs at the top level. If he keeps this up, you don't bench a player like that. You find a place for him."
Jamie Carragher (nodding):
"And let's be honest, Barcelona loaned him out because they thought he wasn't ready. But now? He's making them look silly. If they don't give him a proper chance next season, another top club will."
Micah Richards:
"You know what's mad? He's got Espanyol loving him, Barcelona fans are watching him like hawks, and the rest of Europe is thinking, 'How do we sign this kid?' He's got the whole football world talking, and he's only just getting started."
Kate Abdo (smiling):
"So, verdict—does he start for Barcelona next season?"
Jamie Carragher:
"If it were up to me? Yes."
Micah Richards:
"100% yes!"
Thierry Henry (smirking):
"If he keeps this up? Not just yes—he might run that team."
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Author's note : Vote if you like what you're reading . Do comment about things you dont like , so i can fix it in the upcoming chapters , the copa del rey final coming up