(La Liga:)
(Barcelona – Espanyol)
(Date: 3rd November, 2025)
These days, there was a popularized term among football communities, 'Football before the ballon d'Or' and 'Football after the ballon d'Or'.
It did not just circulate among fan circles, it also circulated among player circles, the FC Barcelona circle not excluded, Sam and his friend circle in particular.
After the 2025 ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris, France, Sam's very first ballon d'Or ceremony and his first taste of a big individual trophy, the Golden Boy award, Sam's heart was ignited with passion once again.
Not just him, his close football friends experienced the same thing.
Afterall, just like him and apart from Alejandro Balde, Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal were all winners of the Golden Boy award before him.
Now, they wanted to level up and broaden their horizons.
They didn't want to be just the best youth player anymore, rather, they wanted to become the best player in the world.
