God Of football

Chapter 124: Attention Shifts To The Ballon d’Or Ceremony

The echoes of Valencia’s 2-1 victory over Granada had barely faded when the footballing world turned its focus to Paris, where the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony was set to take centre stage.

The Ceremony had been postponed by a few days due to some problems but had finally begun attracting attention after the appointed day began approaching.

While Valencia’s victory remained a hot topic, the upcoming awards night and its accompanying glamour quickly became the dominant narrative across sports outlets.

Adding to the buzz was the inclusion of Valencia’s 15-year-old sensation, Izan, on the shortlist for the Kopa Trophy, awarded annually to the best U21 player in the world.

A monumental piece of news skipped the ears of the footballing world but a few noticed it.

Izan once again shattered another record to become the youngest player ever to be included in the Kopa Trophy final shortlist.

The shortlist included some other talented players like Bayern’s Musiala, Barcelona trio Pedri, Gavi and Balde with the first two winning the honor in the previous years.

Former Barcelona youth, Xavi Simons was also in the mix as well as Real Madrid’s Duo, Bellingham and Camavinga with the former being the favourite for this year.

It was almost certain for Jude Bellingham before, but after Izan’s meteoric rise, a new threat had emerged to pose a danger to his claim to the award.

Both players had similar stats since the start of the season with both tied for top scorer.

It was unprecedented that the two players tied for top scorer in Laliga were midfielders but it was happening and it was a nice change.

What actually made it a little better was the fact that a 15-year-old was tearing it up in Laliga.

Izan had the edge as he had made 10 assists as compared to Jude’s 4.

Jude, however, had consistency going for him since Izan hadn’t even played a year of football.

It was scary enough for the fans to think about what would happen if Izan had been playing for a year or more.

Maybe he could have even joined the fray for the Ballon d’Or.

The Footballing Community around the world was watching for what would be a great night in Paris.

It was a monumental moment for both the player and the club.

Izan’s stellar performances, as well as his incredible resume of thriving against top oppositions like Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid, among others, made him one of the brightest talents in world football.

”Izan’s nomination is a testament to his hard work and immense potential,” Valencia coach Rubén Baraja said during a follow-up press briefing. ”For someone so young to be recognized on such a global stage is extraordinary.”

Fans and pundits alike lauded Izan’s achievement. Spanish journalist Álvaro Domínguez commented,

”It’s not just about his age; it’s about his football intelligence and his ability to influence games. The Kopa Trophy shortlist is well-deserved.”

Izan himself remained humble amid the media frenzy. In a brief interview organised by the Valencia PR side, he said, ”To even be mentioned among the best young players in the world is an honour. I owe it to my teammates, my coaches, and my family. This is just the beginning for me.”

As the spotlight shifted to Paris, major networks began their coverage of the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Analysts speculated on who would take home the prestigious award, with familiar names like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi dominating the conversation.

Still, the Kopa Trophy discussion held its own, with Izan’s name frequently mentioned alongside other young stars like Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala.

Social media platforms were ablaze with reactions to Izan’s nomination.

Valencia fans flooded timelines with messages of support and trending hashtags like #IzanForKopa.

A fan wrote, ”At 15, Izan is already rubbing shoulders with the best young players in the world. What a moment for him and for Valencia!”

Meanwhile, supporters of rival clubs took note of Izan’s growing stature, with one Arsenal fan posting, ”First, he dazzles in La Liga. Now he’s on the Kopa shortlist. Izan is the real deal.”

In the city of Valencia, the dual focus on Valencia’s victory and the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony highlighted the delicate balance in Izan’s journey.

While his current focus remained on helping Valencia succeed, the growing media attention underscored the enormity of his potential.

Whether or not Izan secures the Kopa Trophy, his nomination alone marked a significant milestone.

As the football world awaited the glitzy Parisian gala, one thing was certain: Izan’s name was no longer just a local treasure—it was becoming a global phenomenon.

In an exclusive interview ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, Izan’s agent, Miranda, opened up about the young footballer’s reaction to being invited to the prestigious event.

”When I told him about the invitation, he was speechless,” Miranda said, her voice filled with pride. ”At first, he thought I was joking.

But when he realized it was real, he just sat there, stunned. It took a few minutes for it to sink in.”

Miranda explained that Izan’s humility often keeps him grounded. ”He doesn’t think about awards or ceremonies; he’s always focused on his next game, his next training session.

But this invitation is special. It’s recognition on a global stage, and he’s starting to understand just how big this moment is.”

The Public Relations team of Valencia were having a field day as many media sought to interview Izan. Some interview requests were blocked or denied, but a few came through.

In one such interview, Izan shared his thoughts on what it meant to be nominated for the Kopa Trophy.

”It’s an honour to even be considered,” he said, his trademark modesty shining through. ”Growing up, I used to watch the Ballon d’Or ceremony on TV, dreaming of one day being part of it.”

”I never thought it would happen this soon. I just want to enjoy the experience and learn as much as I can.”

Izan’s family, too, expressed their excitement. His mother, Komi, and sister, Hori, were overjoyed and made plans to support him from home while he attended the ceremony. ”We’re so proud of him,” Komi said. ”This is just the beginning.”

The days leading up to the ceremony were a whirlwind for Izan and Miranda. As his agent, Miranda took charge of ensuring everything was perfect, from travel arrangements to Izan’s outfit for the red carpet.

”Since it’s his first major event, we wanted him to feel confident and comfortable,” Miranda explained.

”We worked with a designer to create a suit that’s classic but youthful, something that represents Izan’s personality—elegant, but not over the top.” Miranda said to Komi and Hori.

For Izan, the preparations were a mix of excitement and nerves. ”I’ve never done anything like this before,” he admitted during a fitting session.

”It’s a bit overwhelming, but Miranda keeps reminding me to enjoy the moment.”

Miranda also arranged for a brief etiquette session to prepare Izan for the formalities of the event.

Not that Izan was without one but it was done to prevent any speaking incidents or mishaps that could do damage to Izan’s image.

”He’ll be sharing the room with legends like Messí,” she said to Hori and Komi during dinner. ”It’s important he feels at ease and knows how to handle the spotlight.”

After some of the interviews were released, Izan gained a new wave of admirers as fans took to his Social Media accounts and commented their good wishes.

Izan didn’t leave them hanging and responded with a picture of him celebrating after scoring while sending his gratitude through a captions under the photo.

....

Away from all this, Izan stayed in his room since he had been told to rest after taking a knock in the Granada game.

Izan paced around his bedroom, phone pressed to his ear. His youthful voice carried a mix of excitement and nerves as he spoke to Olivia.

Olivia’s voice, calm yet tinged with playful curiosity, came through the speaker.

”I still can’t believe you’re going to the Ballon d’Or ceremony,” Olivia said, her tone teasing. ”You’re not even old enough to vote!”

Izan laughed, running a hand through his dark, slightly messy hair. ”I know, right? It feels unreal.”

”Don’t forget to breathe, Izan,” Olivia replied. ”And try not to faint when you meet Messi or Ronaldo.”

Izan stopped pacing, his gaze drifting to the jersey-clad posters on his wall. ”I’m not sure Ronaldo is going to be there but if they do, what do I do if they actually talk to me? What do I even say?”

”Relax, superstar. Be yourself. You’ve earned your place there,” Olivia reassured him.

Her confidence in him was like a steady anchor, and Izan smiled despite his nerves. ”Thanks, Olivia. I just hope I don’t trip on the red carpet or something.”

”Well, if you do, I expect you to turn it into a meme-worthy celebration,” she quipped, her laughter lightening the mood.

Their conversation carried on, filled with some banter, a bit of naughty stuff we can’t say since this novel is for everyone and shared dreams, each word a reminder of how far Izan had come—and how much further he could still go

A/n: Haaaaah, I love food. But do you know what else I love, its my readers. Damn I’m good at this. Anyway, have a nice read, and I’ll see you with another chapter.

Love Y’all.