Rise of a Football God-Chapter 410: Into the deep end [8]

Another FC Barcelona game, another Sam clutch moment.

Another FC Barcelona game, another Sam hattrick.

Another FC Barcelona game, another Sam MVP performance.

To fans of the Catalan persuasion, it was just another day for a Sam magic. Well, the fact that he did it against Atletico Madrid added another layer to the achievement but still, Sam was Sam.

The game ended 4-4.

FC Barcelona did not win the epic Copa del Rey semifinal clash due to multiple defensive blunders from their defense, but still, the fans did not focus on it, sparing the blushes of the Barca defenders all due to one player's brilliance… Samuel Moses.

Sam's hattrick stole the show on the night.

There were a lot of standout performers in the game, honorable mentions being Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, but none of them quite stole the show like Sam did.

When FC Barcelona needed him the most, the King showed up again.

Like usual, he was simply clutch.

It was a draw but from the excitement among the FC Barcelona fans at the end of the game, you'd be forgiven to think they won the game by a landslide.

And at the end of the game, the FC Barcelona fans did something special, something that Sam would likely not forget in a long time.

As soon as the game came to an end, a large section of the FC Barcelona fanbase in the fans seethed like an ocean, simultaneously spreading a gigantic banner that covered a large part of the stadium stands.

It was a banner of Sam; it depicted him in the iconic FC Barcelona jersey, one leg on the ball and with him kissing the badge.

[SAMUEL MOSES]

[50 Goals]

In the buildup to the game, Sam was at 49 goals after just 35 games, a figure that no other striker across Europe came close to matching, not even the likes of Erling Haaland who was in formidable form with Manchester City.

Sam was head and shoulders above every other attacking player in Europe this season when it came to both the eye test and the numbers.

This season? He was simply unplayable.

The FC Barcelona fans prepared the banner ahead of the game. Based on the generational run of form that he was in this season; the FC Barcelona fans were sure that he would take his tally to 50 goals for this season this game.

And Sam didn't disappoint. Heck, he went and did more than was expected, scoring a hattrick to make it 52 goals in just 36 games… crazy!

But it didn't matter, what mattered that he now had more than 50 goals.

And so at the end of the game, a large section of the fans in the stadium unveiled the banner, waving it as it attracted a lot of attention, including media attention as the cameras focused on the banner.

It was a truly incredible moment.

And the fans didn't stop at that, they started the already familiar chant in the Spotify Camp Nou.

"Sam!" "Sam!" "Sam!"

Hearing it this time, Sam could not help but feel the shivers.

This time, it sounded different. It sounded closer to the familiar 'Messi' 'Messi' chants that once used to blast through the old Camp Nou stadium anytime the magical Argentine did a moment of magic.

The adoration, the respect, the love, Sam could feel all of it.

Hearing it, he felt emotional.

Lamine Yamal slapped his back, laughing as he pushed him towards the fans. "Go thank them".

Sam briefly turned to glare at his friend but he didn't stop moving.

When he arrived before the fans, Sam waved. That simple gesture made the chants rise through the roof, turning into a howling cacophony.

'They're so simple to please, huh?' Sam smiled.

That game was memorable for him for multiple different reasons, he would never forget it.

And the next day, FC Barcelona finally made an announcement.

Sam was to finally inherit the No. 10 jersey that belonged to the legendary Lionel Messi, that was briefly worn by Ansu Fati.

That decision resulted in another mass celebration across the FC Barcelona fanbase. They were having the time of their lives.

And then, life moved on.

Afterall, the 2025/2026 football campaign was already in the deep end.

With the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg clash out of the way, D-day for another FC Barcelona game soon came.

(La Liga:)

(Barcelona – Real Sociedad)

(Date: 2nd March, 2026)

Another Spanish La Liga game in which Sam starred.

After the epic clash against Atletico Madrid in the semifinal of the Copa del Rey, the squad had up to 7 days of rest, more than enough time for the team to prepare adequately for the game.

Once again, for this game, Hansi Flick tweaked his formation as he was eager to rest some of his players for more important games.

Starting in their regular 4-2-3-1 formation, the attacking trio was the same with Raphinha, Sam, and Lamine Yamal in attack.

In attacking midfield, Hansi Flick rested Gavi, starting Dani Olmo.

And then further back in midfield, Hansi Flick finally made the big decision, resting Pedri as he started both Eric Garcia and Frankie De Jong.

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Gerard Martin took Alejandro Balde's position in left back, while the rest of the defense remained untouched; Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, and Jules Kounde all starting with Marc Andre Ter Stegen in between the posts.

Against this FC Barcelona side, Real Sociedad came to the Spotify Camp Nou with bold intentions, with the belief that they could get something home.

It didn't work though.

The midfield was shaky, yes. Gerard Martin was not exactly reliable, yes, but none of that was able to stop the churning FC Barcelona machine.

Sam turned provider for the first goal in the 31st minute, setting up Eric Garcia to score a simple goal.

And then in the second half, in the 64th minute, Raphinha flashed a cross across the face of goal that Sam pounced on, lashing on to tap into an empty net.

2 more goal contributions to his tally for the season.

Sam won another man of the match award.