God Of football

Chapter 125: Meeting Jude

The morning of the Ballon d’Or ceremony was filled with an air of anticipation and excitement. The day broke with a pale golden glow streaming through the curtains, casting a soft light on the city below.

The streets hummed with activity as fans, journalists, and football enthusiasts gathered to discuss their predictions and favourites for the evening.

At the Hernandez home, the atmosphere was a mix of nerves and calm determination. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room as his mom, Komi, prepared breakfast, her calm demeanour masking her own excitement.

His sister, Hori, excitedly scrolled through social media, pointing out articles and posts speculating on Izan’s chances of winning.

”I hope Jude wins” Hori said, drawing a concerned stare from Izan. ”Hori, your brother is in the mix, and you keep saying someone else should win,”, Izan said, pretending to be hurt.

”Eish, we all know you can’t win. If you had started balling out for the club in the middle of last season, you might have had a bigger chance, but you didn’t, and don’t forget the power of English hype,” Hori said as she continued scrolling through.

Izan smiled at Hori’s words before proceeding to breakfast.

After breakfast, Izan and Miranda kissed Komi and Hori goodbye before heading to the airport.

After, going through a few processes, Izan and Miranda boarded a plane, their destination: the dazzling Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.

The flight was uneventful as Izan slept most of the way there. Miranda, on the other hand, sorted out a few things for Izan before they touched down in Paris.

After getting off the plane, Izan and Miranda found themselves boarding a taxi that took them to the hotel they were supposed to stay at.

After arriving, Izan texted a Komi, stating that they had arrived. After a brief exchange of messages, Izan decided to rest a bit.

Miranda went out for a moment which left Ixan all alone.

Izan on the other hand, sat quietly by the window, gazing at the skyline, his mind replaying the highlights of his game since the start of the season.

After a couple of hours, the appointed time was almost upon. Izan and Miranda dined in the dining area of the hotel before going back up to their rooms.

As the clock ticked by, Izan and Miranda began preparing for the award ceremony.

His suit for the evening hung on the wardrobe door—a sleek black tuxedo that symbolized his confidence.

His phone constantly buzzed with messages of encouragement from friends, teammates, and fans, but Izan took a moment to centre himself, reflecting on how far he’s come since the days of playing on dusty neighbourhood pitches.

It hadn’t been that long, but he was already at a Ballon d’Or ceremony. Even though he wasn’t there for the most important award, Izan was still glad to be there.

Outside, the world awaited, but for now, it’s a moment of stillness—a calm before the storm of cameras, interviews, and flashing lights that the evening will bring.

....

At just 15, Izan carried himself with a maturity that belied his age. His sharp black suit fit him perfectly, its minimalist design emphasizing his youth and understated charisma.

His blue eyes, filled with a mix of wonder and determination, scanned the horizon as the car pulled over to the building. This was a surreal moment for him—a young player already stepping onto the stage of legends.

Miranda, his formidable agent, stood by his side with effortless poise. In her late thirties, she exuded professionalism and confidence.

Dressed in a tailored emerald green pantsuit that highlighted her bold yet elegant style, she was the perfect counterbalance to Izan’s quiet intensity.

Her short auburn hair framed her face, and her piercing green eyes reflected her belief in Izan’s bright future.

During the ride there, Miranda reviewed key talking points and prepared Izan for the whirlwind of media attention that awaited.

Despite the gravity of the occasion, they shared a few light-hearted moments, Miranda ensuring Izan remained grounded and ready to embrace the night that could change his life forever.

....

As the day of the ceremony approached, the anticipation grew. Social media was abuzz with posts about Izan’s journey to the Ballon d’Or stage, with fans rallying around the young star. ”He’s representing the future of football,” one Valencia supporter tweeted.

Miranda captured the sentiment best: ”This isn’t just about Izan—it’s about showing that dreams can come true, no matter your age. He’s proof that hard work, talent, and determination can take you to incredible places.”

With the world watching, Izan and Miranda prepared to step onto football’s grandest stage, ready to soak in the moment and inspire millions.

The Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris once again played host to football’s most prestigious awards night, the Ballon d’Or Ceremony, bringing together the biggest names in the sport for an evening of celebration and recognition.

The night was full of emotion, glamour, and history as Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, and Aitana Bonmatí walked away with the top honours.

As the lights dimmed and the envelope was opened, Lionel Messi’s name was announced, confirming his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or.

The Argentine legend’s victory came on the back of a stellar season with Inter Miami and Argentina, including his standout performances in the Copa América and continued brilliance at club level.

Taking to the stage amid a standing ovation, Messi, visibly moved, said, ”Each time I receive this award, it feels just as special as the first. It’s an honour to represent Argentina, my family, and my fans on this stage again.”

Pundits and fans praised Messi’s consistency and enduring impact on the game. ”He’s a living legend,” said one commentator. ”To dominate for so long is a feat we may never see again.”

The Kopa Trophy for the best U21 player in the world went to Jude Bellingham, who has been a revelation for Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old midfielder had an outstanding season, leading Los Blancos in goals and assists while showcasing leadership and maturity beyond his years.

”I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who’s supported me,” Bellingham said as he accepted the award. ”This is just the start of what I hope will be a long and successful career.”

While Bellingham took home the trophy, the buzz around Valencia’s 15-year-old Izan, who made the shortlist, was palpable.

Many fans and analysts noted the significance of Izan’s nomination, saying, ”If he continues on this path, his time will come soon.”

In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmatí was crowned the Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, solidifying her position as the best player in the world.

The Spanish midfielder was instrumental in Barcelona’s treble-winning season and Spain’s triumph at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she was named Player of the Tournament.

”I want to dedicate this award to all the young girls out there dreaming of playing football,” Bonmatí said in her acceptance speech. ”This is proof that anything is possible with hard work and belief.”

The awards sparked celebrations across the globe. Fans in Argentina flooded the streets to honour Messi, while Real Madrid supporters hailed Bellingham as their future leader.

In Spain, Aitana Bonmatí’s victory was seen as a triumph for women’s football, inspiring countless young players.

Meanwhile, Izan’s inclusion in the Kopa shortlist did not go unnoticed. Valencia fans celebrated his nomination as a sign of brighter days ahead, while others speculated that his presence at such an elite event signalled the beginning of a glittering career.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony was more than just an awards night—it was a celebration of football’s past, present, and future.

As Messi basked in his historic victory, Bellingham emerged as the next great talent, and Bonmatí inspired a new generation.

The event reminded the world why football is the beautiful game, uniting players, fans, and nations under its magic.

.....

”Hey,”, Izan heard a voice calling him and turned towards the source. ”Oh, my days,”, Izan said as he looked at Jude.

”Nice to meet you here,” Jude said while Izan continued staring at him. Thinking Izan couldn’t speak English, Jude wanted to call for his translator, but Izan recovered.

”Hey Jude, nice to meet you here. Big fan” Izan said as he went in for the handshake. ”Same. Nice accent, by the way,” Jude said, a bit surprised as he took Izan’s hand in his.

”Thanks. It’s really nice to see you here. Been watching you since Birmingham,” Izan said, flattering Jude, but it was true.

Jude’s rise in football was nothing short of a blazing comet. He proved himself at Dortmund and has now taken charge at a Real Madrid side that plays without a striker.

Jude himself was not expecting his early days at Madrid to go that well. The two chatted for a while as they found a few things in common, particularly talking about their relation to Adidas.

”Well, it was nice seeing you here,” Izan said as Miranda called it a night. Miranda joked saying it was past Izan’s bedtime after approaching Jude and the former.

Jude looked at Izan in surprise, remembering Izan’s age after Miranda joked. ”I hope we are both fit for the bout between Madrid and Valencia. We play each other next, you know,” Jude said as Izan left.

”Call me when you ever come to Madrid” Jude said as Izan left

”Yeah, I will and see you at the Bernabeu,” Izan said as he left with Miranda.

.....

”Didn’t know you were fluent in English?” Miranda said. ”You’re full of tricks aren’t you”.

Izan just smiled at her words before shifting to look at the scene through the window. ”It’s nice,”, he said as Miranda left him to his own.

”Would have loved to talk to Messi”, Izan thought, remembering that the former had left immediately after the ceremony.

”Well as long as he’s alive, I hope I can meet him someday”.

A/N: Good Morning, afternoon or evening to my readers. Have fun with this chapter and I’ll see you in a bit