God Of football

Chapter 120: Valencia Youth. [Sosa]

Under the floodlights of the Mestalla, Valencia CF took on UD Logroñés in a midweek Copa del Rey clash.

The air was cool but electric as thousands of fans packed the stands, eager to see their team progress to the next round.

But it wasn’t just the prospect of victory that brought the Valencia faithful to the stadium—it was the youth.

The Mestalla crowd had grown used to watching homegrown talents shine, with names like Pietro, Diego Lopez, and the incomparable Izan becoming symbols of their club’s revival.

Izan himself sat cross-legged on the couch, watching the match unfold on the family television. Hori and Komi hadn’t arrived just yet so he still had the TV to himself.

Stuffing his mouth with some cookies, Izan turned to look at the television.

”Well let’s see,” Izan replied with a faint smirk, his eyes fixed on the screen.

The game kicked off with Valencia dominating possession, their fluid passing carving through the midfield.

Sosa, wearing the number 27 shirt, played on the right side of the midfield. He wasn’t the tallest player on the pitch, but his quick feet and sharp movement made him stand out.

In the 10th minute, he received the ball near the touchline, immediately drawing two defenders toward him.

A quick step-over and a flick later, he slipped past them, sending a low cross into the box. The ball was cleared, but the Mestalla crowd applauded the young winger’s flair.

The commentators couldn’t help but draw comparisons. ”Valencia’s youth academy is something special,” one remarked.

”Pietro’s emergence last season, Sosa’s brilliant displays now, and, of course, the jewel in their crown—young Izan.”

Izan shifted slightly at the mention of his name, though he kept his focus on the match. ”When are they coming anyway” Izan thought as he glanced at his phone’s clock.

”Maybe they had something to do on the way” Izan muttered as he focused on the match

Back at the Mestalla, Logroñés began to grow into the game. They weren’t intimidated by the grand stage or their La Liga opponents.

In the 23rd minute, they capitalized on a lapse in Valencia’s defence, breaking through on a swift counterattack.

A powerful strike from the edge of the box left Giorgi Mamardashvili with no chance, and the underdogs took a surprising 1-0 lead.

The Mestalla fell silent for a moment before rallying behind their team. Sosa, eager to make an impact, became even more involved.

Picking up the ball deep in his half, he showcased his blistering pace, sprinting past two opponents and earning a free kick just outside the penalty area.

The set piece didn’t yield a goal, but the effort further endeared him to the crowd.

”He’s got something,” a fan in Valencia’s colours said.

”He’s good. But he’s still got a lot to learn.” another said.

Valencia found their equalizer just before halftime. A corner kick was poorly cleared, and Hugo Guillamón, who hadn’t been involved in many matches since the start of the season, pounced on the loose ball, smashing it into the net.

The stadium erupted, and the players jogged back to their positions with renewed energy.

During the halftime break, the discussion turned to Valencia’s academy. The commentators waxed lyrical about the club’s youth development system.

”It’s been remarkable,” one said. ”Pietro’s ability to control a midfield, the flair Sosa is showing right now, and let’s not forget Izan, who is lighting up the league in every match he plays. Valencia’s future is bright.”

”It is bright but now they are going to have a hard time keeping them. Some Media outlets say that a few clubs have even inquired about Izan’s availability, and the same went for Pietro, who almost moved. Having too many talents can cause troubles.”

The second half began with Valencia firmly on the front foot. Sosa, encouraged by the crowd, started to play with more confidence.

In the 55th minute, he received a perfectly weighted pass from Guillamón. Sosa took a deft touch before cutting inside and curling a shot toward the far post.

The Logroñés goalkeeper dived to parry the ball, denying the youngster what would’ve been a sensational goal.

The near-miss didn’t deter Sosa. He continued to work tirelessly, tracking back to help his team defensively and providing an outlet for the counterattack.

His determination paid off in the 70th minute when he earned an assist. A clever one-two with Pietro opened up space on the right, and Sosa delivered a pinpoint cross into the box.

Amallah rose high and nodded the ball into the net, giving Valencia a 2-1 lead.

The Mestalla erupted, and chants of ”Sosa! Sosa!” echoed through the stadium. The commentators were quick to point out the broader picture.

”It’s not just about Sosa tonight. Valencia has built something special. Izan keeps setting the bar high, Pietro is Solid, and now Sosa is showing he belongs.”

Back home, Izan leaned back, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. ”Next year is going to be great,” he said as he glanced at the celebrating Sosa and Pietro.

”And I have to stay ahead,” Izan replied, a quiet determination in his voice.

A last-minute desperate attack from Logroñés almost caught Valencia off guard, but the recovering Foulquier pulled off an incredible block, sending the ball away for a corner.

Ultimately, the match ended 2 to 1 in favour of Valencia as the Logroñés corner didn’t amount to much.

As the final whistle blew, Valencia secured their 2-1 victory, advancing to the next round.

Sosa was well appreciated by the fans as a few stood and applauded him while he left the pitch.

Sosa, overwhelmed by happiness began crying but joyfully. He applauded back and wiped his face as he entered the tunnel.

For Izan, the match wasn’t just a spectacle—it was a reminder. The academy that produced him was thriving, and he wasn’t just a part of its history—he was its benchmark.

Watching Sosa impress, Izan knew the competition was growing, but so was his resolve.

”I’ll use the match against Granada to see which direction I should invest my stat points before we meet Real Madrid” Izan thought as he clenched his fists.

While Izan sat down, the screen of his phone lit up. Looking at the source of the light, a smile appeared on his face as he picked up the phone.

”I’m calling” the text read. The next second, Izan’s phone rang with the name ’Olivia’ displayed on the caller ID.

Izan, who was on his way upstairs, picked up, lying on his bed, phone pressed to his ear, as he talked to Olivia, who’d just finished watching the match at home.

” So, what did we think about Valencia tonight, Miss Football Analyst?” Izan said in a teasing tone

” I think they were solid, but Logroñés definitely made them work for it. But you know what’s weird?” Olivia said, mock-serious.

” What?” The former replied with a curious expression.

”Their goalkeeper’s kit—it looked like a highlighter marker. How am I supposed to take that seriously?” Olivia said drawing a laugh from Izan.

Izan, who was still laughing, spoke, ”You focus on the weirdest things during games”.

” Oh, come on! Like you weren’t distracted when the commentator said ”unstoppable like a freight train” for the third time about that striker.” Olivia said.

” Okay, guilty. I did imagine him actually driving a train down the pitch.”.

” See? I’m not the only one with random thoughts.” Olivia exclaimed after Izan’s response

” Maybe, but my random thoughts include how you’re becoming more of a football fan because of me,” Izan said playfully.

” Oh, is that what you think? Maybe I’m just studying so I can keep up with my football star boyfriend.” Olivia said with a shy voice, her expression crumbling as the word with a grin as the word ”boyfriend” came out of her mouth.

”Football star,” huh? Flattery will get you… a front-row seat to all my future matches, sugar mommy” Izan said with a grin.

” I’ll hold you to that. But seriously, great game tonight. Though, I’ll admit, I kind of wished you were out there. And what is it with that Sugar mommy thing?

Can’t older men date younger women? And the age gap between me and you is just 2 years,” Olivia said, a bit flustered after Izan spoke.

”Okay, okay, sorry. But You’d have been watching me instead of the highlighter goalkeeper?” Izan conceded.

” Maybe. But only if you scored a hat trick.” Olivia said.

”Deal. Next Copa del Rey mat-, no next Laliga match, I’ll make sure I’m unforgettable—just for you.” Izan said

” You already are, Izan. Goodnight, future football star.” Olivia said dimly.

”Goodnight, Miss.. Sweet dreams.” Izan replied before the line went down.

The call ended with both of them smiling, feeling closer than ever.

After a while, Izan was still wondering why Komi and Hori hadn’t yet arrived, but his worries were put to bed when the duo stepped in through the doorway.

Valencia scarves were hung over their shoulder as they entered. Izan, who saw this view, couldn’t help but ask.

”Wait, you didn’t go to the match, right,” he said with a concerned smile. Both Komi and Hori looked up sharply at Izan, causing the latter to shift his view elsewhere.

”Well, someone didn’t tell us they weren’t playing. We went to see you play, but we didn’t even see you in the stadium,” Hori said with a wronged expression.

Izan, who had to tread carefully, looked at his mother and sister and smiled as he tried to comfort them.

Both were tired, so he offered to take care of dinner while they went upstairs and washed.

Wrapping the strings, of the apron around his waist, Izan stepped into the kitchen prepared to ’wow’ his family with his cooking skills.

A/n: Chapter of the day. Will release another if I’m feeling generous. Thanks for the support guys and have fun reading. Love Y’all