Rise of a Football God

"What a performance out there today Sam! After the run of form that Fulham has been stuck in for the past few weeks, a lot of people were interested to know how Fulham would respond in today's game".

"Besides, with all the talk about your manager, Marco Silva under the threat of losing his job, your team was under a lot of pressure but despite the pressure, you and your teammates managed to pull through, how did you do it?"

Sam panted heavily, wiping his sweat as he faced the reporter.

It was time for the post-match press conference after the West Ham game and after winning the man of the match award again, he had to face the camera.

He took a deep breath. "First, I didn't do it, we did it". He stared at the reporter. "I am just one part of the machine called Fulham, only with the help of my teammates did we win today's game with such a margin".

"Are you saying you won because of teamwork?"

"Yes," Sam nodded. "Football is a team game".

"That's a nice mentality to have Sam". The male reporter smiled. "Since making the move from the NPFL to the premier league in January, you've achieved a lot of things with Fulham already, including even winning a trophy".

"And today, you crossed another big milestone, scoring your first premier league hattrick. As an attacking midfielder, that is impressive statistics".

"Sam, how do you feel about this?"

Sam stared at the reporter, then he finally smiled. "I feel great, obviously, but I want to thank my teammates".

"Without their effort, I never would have done it alone. Their incredible intensity in today's game helped me elevate my game even higher, this is why we were able to beat West Ham at home".

Smiling, the reporter nodded, asking Sam a few more questions that he answered. After about 5 more minutes, he finally left but the interview was not over yet. Someone took Sam's spot.

Cairney, the Fulham captain stood before the camera to complete the post-match press conference. "Cairney, compared to the beginning of the season, Fulham now plays like an entirely different team".

Fulham's captain smiled. "Of course we play different. Afterall, not every team in the premier league can boost of a prodigy like Sam in their ranks." He chuckled. "I'm privileged to train alongside him every day and play with him".

"Sam is destined for the top. With him, I feel that we can do anything".

The reporter chuckled. "The sense of déjà vu I feel from hearing this is honestly scary. Back in Enyimba, Sam's teammates said the same thing about him".

"Naturally," Cairney laughed. "The boy's work rate is just monstrous".

"So, captain, do you have any piece of advice for the Nigerian prodigy?"

Cairney rubbed his chin before he answered. "My only advice will be for him to keep his head down, to stay humble".

"These days, football is heavily commercialized. We live in the 21st century where it is very easy to get distracted. If Sam wants to fulfill his potential in football, my advice for him is to stay humble and focus on his football".

"Playing football is the most principal thing, everything else comes with it".

The reporter smiled. "Before you leave, one last question. After today's statement victory, what does it mean to Fulham's form?"

"Do you think your team can keep that energy for future games?"

Hearing that question, Cairney grinned; he answered with a straightforward sentence. "Fulham won't lose again!"

The next day, the trending headlines all over news channels and social media was Cairney's words.

(Daily Sun News!)

(Fulham won't lose again!)

(Fulham thrash West Ham 0-7 in away ground!)

That win did not just mean a lot to the fans, it also meant a lot to the Fulham players. It brought their confidence back.

…

After the game, as soon as Sam got home, after ending a video call with his family, he was assaulted by a series of system notifications.

~----~

[You have completed premier league matchday mission: Victory!]

[You played 75 minutes of this game, being the best player on the pitch with 5 goal contributions; 3 goals and 2 assists!]

[Calculating reward…, please wait…]

[Calculation complete!]

[You have been rewarded with 25 Skill Points!]

[You have been rewarded with bonus 10 Skill Points!]

…

[You have completed system mission: Win!]

[You have been rewarded with a system boost: Form Boost!]

…

[Congratulations! You have completed a hidden system mission: Hattrick Milestone!]

>Hattrick Milestone: You have met an incredible milestone in the career of an attacking football player, scoring your first hattrick in the premier league. There are multiple milestones in the hattrick series; you have met the first milestone<

[You have been rewarded with a Legendary Inheritance!]

[You have been rewarded with the advanced mastery of the Legendary Football Skill: Spatial Awareness!]

[NOTE:]

>You have inherited the Legendary inheritance of another football legend, the great German and Bayern Munich midfield maestro, Thomas Muller<

>Thomas Muller is a legend of football who not only mastered the spatial awareness skill, but also personalized it, dubbing himself the space interpreter. His command over space on a football pitch is at the legendary mastery level<

>You've awakened the advanced mastery of spatial awareness. To get to the legendary mastery level through your inheritance, all you have to do is train and get better, the other requirements have already been fulfilled since it is an inheritance<

…

[You have gained the football Title: Space Interpreter!]

…

[Owned Football Skills:]

[Passive skill: Stalwart]

[Active skills:]

[Basic mastery level: La croqueta; body feint; Power shot; step overs, roulette, knuckle shot, overhead kick]

[Intermediate mastery level: Elastico, Cruyff turn]

[Advanced mastery level: Spatial awareness]

…

[Legendary Inheritance: Spatial Awareness]

[Legendary Inheritance: Elastico]

~----~

As soon as Sam saw these series of system notifications, he felt dizzy.

Laying down on top his bed, he felt like his head was spinning, like his room came alive, dancing a crazy dance step to an even crazier song.

Sam felt a splitting headache assault him.

'What… is going on?!'

He was alarmed, but he could do nothing about it; Sam fainted.

…

The next morning, when Sam woke up, he felt different.

The way he saw and interacted with the world changed, forever.