Chapter 46: Aftermath; the world reacts
Matchday 6 of the UEFA Champions League league-phase came to an end, and with it came endless media drama.
The matchday came with bangers like expected.
The big clubs had their moments in the biggest stage, prominent of them all was FC Barcelona conquering the San Siro while Real Madrid invaded England and survived at the Bridge.
Europe woke to headlines that roared like thunder.
Once again, Sam performed in a big game for FC Barcelona as they dismantled AC Milan at the San Siro. Real Madrid had also stormed Stamford Bridge with Valverde’s rocket. Two giants of Spain, two nights of carnage in the Champions League, and the continent trembled.
Barcelona’s was another statement win.
["UNSTOPPABLE"]
["UNREAL"]
["UNFAIR"]
These were the words plastered across Spanish and Italian media after Barça’s 2-5 demolition of Milan. The San Siro’s proud warriors had been reduced to shadows under the floodlights of their own home.
Sam Moses, one goal and one assist, was at the center of it again as he took his tally for the season to an incredible 21 goals and 11 assists in just 14 games!
One-season wonder? Sike!
Sam was here to stay. His name didn’t just echo in Nigeria, neither did it echo just in Spain, but it now echoed all the way from the wild reaches of Europe to the far edges of Tokyo, Japan. Sam was a global football superstar.
Raphinha’s brilliance, Yamal’s trickery, Gavi’s tireless engine, they all played a part in the famous victory at the San Siro. But for the fans in Catalonia, it was Sam who personified their rebirth.
"Messi’s heir? No," one pundit said on El Chiringuito. "Sam is writing a new story, his story. He isn’t a copy, he’s the original."
"He is not the coming back of Lionel Messi. He is the coming of Samuel Moses!"
Yet even as they sang his praises, the questions began.
Could Barcelona sustain this blistering form all season? Could Flick’s relentless pressing survive the winter crunch? And most importantly, when October 26th came, when El Clásico arrived, would this storm crash headlong into Madrid’s immovable pride?
On the other side...
If Barcelona’s win had been artistry, Madrid’s was warfare.
*["Madrid don’t win games, they conquer them."]- The Marca headline exemplified it best.
Stamford Bridge had been a crucible, a literal fortress.
Chelsea had led 2–1 at half-time, their fans bouncing, Madrid looking fragile, but Madrid was Madrid. Rüdiger’s thunderous header stole the momentum, and Valverde’s jaw-dropping rocket, the kind of strike replayed a thousand times on social feeds within minutes stole the show.
Valverde, humble as ever, only smiled when later asked about the shot.
"I don’t think, I just hit it. Sometimes the ball listens."
Fans called it the "Rocket at the Bridge", others dubbed it the "London Lightning." Whatever the name, it was the kind of goal that lived forever.
And just like that, Madrid’s message was clear... Barcelona may have flair, but Madrid had steel. The hype for El Clasico was higher than ever.
On social media, the banter was immediate and merciless.
*Barça Fans: ["Sam is greater than your entire club. We don’t just win, we entertain. Champions League is ours again this year, I think we can do the 3-peat at this rate!"]
*Madridistas: ["The difference between us? Barça score pretty goals, Madrid score immortal goals. You guys were lucky in the Champions league last year, we’re still the Kings of Europe."]
*Neutrals: ["El Clásico might be the most important rivalry in the world this season. Forget Messi vs Ronaldo, this season, it’s Sam vs Madrid."]
At the Camp Nou, fans painted murals of Sam’s celebration against Milan. In Madrid, kids were already trying to mimic Valverde’s rocket on school pitches. Across Europe, everyone picked sides.
The war didn’t end with fans though, it also extended to football pundits as the media stopped at nothing to milk money from the ongoing rivalry.
In England, Gary Neville was quick to weigh in. "Barcelona are dazzling, but Madrid know how to win dirty. And in Europe, that’s what counts."
Jamie Carragher disagreed. "Don’t underestimate Barça. They’ve got grit under Hansi Flick, they’ve got momentum, they’ve got Sam, and more importantly, they’ve got belief. I don’t see anything stopping them this season".
In Italy, AC Milan legends admitted the obvious.
Paolo Maldini faced the media and admitted with a smile. "We were simply outclassed. Sam, the kid is a phenomenon, but don’t think Madrid will just roll over for them. I look forward to El Clasico".
Meanwhile, in Spain, El Chiringuito hosted its usual chaos.
Paco started with exuberant energy, literally screaming as he argued. "Sam Moses is a one-man army! He makes Barça unstoppable!"
Josep Pedrerol, the host smiled, clearly excited. "But did you see Valverde? That’s Madrid, that’s history man. Barça are children compared to them!"
The shouting match went viral before the show even ended.
...
Sometime later...
At Barcelona’s training ground, Flick reminded his players to stay grounded.
"We win one game, the media crowns us kings. But remember, the moment we lose one, they’ll call us frauds," he pointed at his head, emphasizing mentality. "Ignore them. Focus. This season will be long."
Sam laughed as he laced his boots. "Coach, don’t worry. We’ll keep feeding them goals till they get tired of reporting them".
...
At Madrid, Xabi Alonso gathered his men in the video room. He paused the replay of Valverde’s strike.
"This," he said, pointing at the screen, "this isn’t just a goal, its identity. It’s Real Madrid. When we are down, when we are doubted, we strike. Remember this moment".
The room erupted in applause.
Like expected, with the rest of the Champions League matchday games played, the league phase table updated again and like expected, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid still led the way as the only clubs with a flawless record in the competition this season.
Both were side by side at the summit. They were taking Europe by storm.
The rivalry burned hot.
As fans left stadiums, as pundits filled airwaves, as children dreamt of goals, one thing was certain... the 2026/27 season was becoming a season of destiny.
Barcelona had the brilliance of Sam, the resurgence of Raphinha, and the unrelenting fire of Hansi Flick’s philosophy. Madrid had Mbappé, Bellingham, Valverde, and the eternal weight of history.
And somewhere on the calendar, October 26th loomed, El Clásico, the inevitable clash of titans.
...
Late that night, Sam sat in his apartment in Barcelona, scrolling through the noise on his phone. He scrolled through the praise, doubt, mockery, and comparisons; the world never stopped talking.
Kayla leaned against him, tugging the phone away.
"Enough football," she teased. "Save your fire for the pitch."
Sam chuckled, his eyes drifting to the city lights beyond the window. The season was long. Glory, heartbreak, history, all of it waited ahead.
But for now, Barcelona and Real Madrid had reminded the world why Spain ruled Europe.