Chapter 60: The world at his feet
The ink was barely dry on the Adidas contract before the world began to spin faster. The Adidas aftershock followed in a frenzy around the world.
In the world of social media, information spreads so fast, and of course, the news of Sam’s Adidas contract spread like wildfire in harmattan.
Within 24 hours, #SM10 trended worldwide. Billboards lit up across Lagos, Abuja, Barcelona, London, and New York, Sam’s face in sleek black and gold, holding his new boots aloft like a weapon.
Barcelona’s boutique shop ran out of stock in hours as ecstatic Barca fans went on a frenzy, buying every available boot on sight.
In Abraka, trust the Aba market industry, counterfeit "SM10" knockoffs flooded the markets overnight, kids rushing to grab them just to say they wore Sam’s name like the fans in Europe.
The Spanish media gushed. Mundo Deportivo called him the new face of Adidas, the face of world football.
British tabloids screamed. ["Adidas Bet the House on Moses."]
In Germany, Adidas employees swarmed social media with photos of the signing, pride in their newest global icon.
Even rivals reacted. Vinícius posted a smirking story in Nike boots captioned, "I’ll stick with mine."
While Kylian Mbappé, also Nike’s golden boy, stayed silent, but the silence itself was fuel for endless debates as fans fanned the flames on social media.
Kayla smiled through it all, posting a single photo of Sam holding the golden boots prototype with the caption, "Forever."
Sam himself? He said very little, releasing just one post.
["From Abraka dust to a lifetime. Thank you. #SM10."]
Despite the simplicity of the post with just one picture attached, the post broke Instagram records in Nigeria within three hours.
In Abraka, the celebrations had not stopped since Paris.
A massive mural now stretched across the side of the viewing center where he first fell in love with the game. Sam’s overhead kick at the Santiago Bernabéu was painted next to the gleaming Ballon d’Or. Below it, in bold, they wrote:
["Our Son. Our Legend."]
Children flocked barefoot to the fields, chanting "SM10!" every time they kicked the ball. Very child who didn’t have an "SM10" jersey felt like their parents hated them, and that they were losing out in the world.
Everybody wanted in on the "SM10" frenzy.
Vendors across streets and cities sold makeshift jerseys with his number stitched crudely on the back. Even local elders shook their heads in awe, talking of the boy in family and community meetings.
One told a journalist, "This boy no just dey play football," he said enthusiastically in pidgin. "Most importantly, he dey carry us follow body. Sam na pikin of the soil".
The Sam frenzy seeped to all corners of the country, and beyond. It was a rave as even political leaders in Nigeria spoke of his influence in the country.
But while the world buzzed with commerce and celebration, football itself never paused.
On October 31st, an email arrived at Barça headquarters... International Call-Up; Samuel Moses, Nigeria.
Sam grinned when he read it. The Ballon d’Or winner was coming home.
This wasn’t a World Cup qualifier game, no league points at stake. Rather, it was a friendly against Brazil in Abuja, but it was no ordinary match.
It was billed as "The Celebration of Africa’s King."
Tickets sold out in minutes. Not just Lagosians, Ghanaians, Ivorians, name it, even neutral fans from across Africa all rushed tickets as they flooded into Abuja just to witness the Football God in action.
When the plane touched down in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, chaos erupted. Thousands gathered at the gates, waving Nigerian flags, holding banners with his face painted on them.
Security struggled to contain the crowd as they chanted.
"Sam!" "Sam!" "Sam!"
Sam, wearing a simple hoodie and cap, stepped out with Kayla by his side. He smiled shyly at the madness, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Back home," he whispered.
The reporters quickly swarmed him once they got the opportunity, shoving their microphones forward. One shouted, "Sam, Ballon d’Or winner, how does it feel to bring it home?"
He smiled faintly. "It feels like destiny".
"But it’s not just mine, it’s for everyone here."
...
Super Eagles training camp...
At the Nigerian training camp, players erupted when he walked in. Victor Osimhen hugged him like a brother, and Wilfred Ndidi clapped his back so hard it almost knocked the breath out of him.
"Ballon d’Or winner, don’t play!" Samuel Chukwueze teased, pointing at him. "So this is how it feels to play with a god".
Sam laughed, shaking his head. "C’mon man, don’t start. I came here to play, not to get roasted by you guys".
The camaraderie was instant, the pride infectious. Every Nigerian player seemed to stand taller just because he was in the room.
Coach Eric Chelle clapped his hands. "Enough! Back to work. Brazil won’t care about our Ballon d’Or."
But the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his pride.
...
On D-day, the Abuja National Stadium was a cauldron.
60,000 fans packed every seat, thousands more crammed outside, desperate just to feel the atmosphere. Flags waved, drums thundered, chants of "Ole! Super Eagles! Ole!" shaking the night sky.
The big screen flashed the words.
[Friendly: Nigeria vs Brazil]
It was dubbed a night for the King.
Brazil arrived in full force, all of Vinícius Jnr., Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli, Bruno Guimarães, and the young prodigy Endrick arriving for the occasion. After the FIFA World Cup 2026, Neymar Jnr. finally retired from the Brazilian national football team.
For Nigeria, all of Osimhen, Ndidi, Chukwueze, and Sam made it for the occasion to commemorate Sam’s achievement.
The Nigerian national anthem rolled through the stadium, thousands singing in unison. Sam’s voice caught for a moment as the anthem was sang. He gripped his pendant, eyes glistening.
For the first time, he was not just Nigeria’s best player. He was their Ballon d’Or winner.
That feeling, there was nothing like it.
As players lined up in the tunnel, Vinícius grinned at him. "Ballon d’Or, huh? Let’s see what it means against Brazil."
Sam chuckled softly. "It means you’re going to run all night."
Osimhen laughed behind him. "Give him hell, Sam".
The referee glanced at both captains, then he raised his whistle. The crowd surged into one final roar, so loud it rattled the roof, then...
FWEEEE!
Nigeria vs Brazil.
The night Africa celebrated her king.
It started.