Chapter 159

The online reaction to Izan’s GQ interview was a mix of awe, admiration, and curiosity.

Many praised his humility and maturity, especially considering his rapid rise to fame.

Clips of Izan discussing his love for his family, particularly how his mother Komi and sister Hori shaped his character, went viral, earning him a reputation as a grounded and thoughtful young star.

Football pundits applauded his candid insights into the pressures of professional sports, while casual fans were charmed by his boyish enthusiasm when he spoke about his favourite hobbies and childhood dreams.

On the flip side, sceptics questioned whether his polished demeanour was too perfect, sparking debates about media training and authenticity.

Nonetheless, the general consensus was overwhelmingly positive, with many labelling him as one of the future faces of football—not just for his skills, but also for his charisma and relatability.

"His eyes are mesmerizing—like they tell a whole story with just one look," one fan wrote.

Others described them as intense, with a piercing quality that made them stand out even in the heat of the game.

"You can see the fire in his eyes when he plays, it’s like he’s destined for greatness but I hope he can look at me like that," a comment read.

Away from all this, Valencia’s 2024 season had been full of anticipation, as the club’s rising star, 16-year-old Izan, continued to make waves with his exceptional performances on the field.

Valencia’s focus was now on the Copa del Rey Round of 16 against Celta Vigo and a critical La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao after that.

Both matches would define Valencia’s journey in two of Spain’s most prestigious competitions.

The stage was set for an intense and dramatic Copa del Rey Round of 16 encounter at Mestalla.

Valencia, the hosts, were up against Celta Vigo, a team with a reputation for being resilient and tricky in knockout matches.

The competition had taken on added significance, with the tension of a cup run hanging in the air.

The stands were packed, with Valencia fans filled with optimism, ready to see their young prodigy, Izan, continue his rapid rise to stardom.

From the opening whistle, it was clear this match would be a battle of wills.

Valencia, buoyed by their home crowd, started with high intensity, pressing Celta aggressively and dominating possession.

Izan, stationed at the tip of Valencia’s attack in this match immediately showcased his flair, darting into dangerous areas and attempting to link up with his teammates.

His vision and dribbling were on full display as he weaved through Celta’s defence, creating space for himself and his teammates.

Despite Valencia’s control over the first half, it was Celta Vigo who struck first. A quick counter-attack in the 39th minute caught Valencia’s defence off-guard.

Celta’s influential playmaker, Denis Suárez, threaded a brilliant pass to Iago Aspas, who expertly finished past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The Celta fans erupted, and the atmosphere in Mestalla quickly turned tense. Valencia’s dominance on the ball hadn’t been converted into goals, and now they were behind.

Thankfully for Valencia, an equalizer came in the second half. Izan, as composed as ever, took matters into his own hands.

In the 67th minute, he picked up the ball just outside the box, turned his marker with a sharp feint, and fired a low shot toward the corner.

Celta’s goalkeeper, Iván Villar, managed to get a hand to the ball, but it was too late—the ball nestled in the bottom corner of the net. Valencia was back on level terms, and Izan’s goal sent the home crowd into raptures.

With the score tied at 1-1, both teams pushed forward in search of a winner, but neither could land a decisive blow.

Celta’s defence tightened, and Valencia, though dangerous, couldn’t find that final touch. As the minutes ticked away, both teams knew that this match would be decided in extra time. The tension was palpable.

Extra time was an exhausting affair. Both teams created chances, but fatigue began to take its toll. The young Izan continued to offer glimpses of brilliance, dropping deeper to link up play and making runs into the box.

Ruben Baraja was thinking of taking Izan off but his energy seemed boundless, and it was clear that his presence was growing in influence.

However, no team could break the deadlock in the extra 30 minutes. The match was heading to penalties.

As the penalty shootout began, the mood shifted. The stakes were clear: a missed penalty could cost a team the match, and it all came down to composure and nerves.

The first few 4 kicks were successful for both sides, but when Celta’s Pablo Durán stepped up for their fifth penalty, the weight of the moment seemed to overwhelm him.

Durán, who had been calm and collected in normal time, blazed his penalty over the bar. Valencia now had the chance to take control of the shootout.

The responsibility of converting the decisive penalty fell to Izan. He walked up to the penalty spot with the eyes of the stadium on him, the weight of the match on his shoulders.

Valencia fans held their breath as Izan, unflustered, placed the ball on the spot. With the composure of a seasoned professional, he took a deep breath, glanced at the goalkeeper, and placed the ball into the bottom corner.

The goalkeeper dived the wrong way, and the ball nestled into the net. Mestalla erupted in jubilation, and Valencia had won 5-4 on penalties.

Izan’s calmness under pressure had earned his side a place in the quarterfinals, and he was mobbed by his teammates.

The fans’ chants echoed through the night, "Izan! Izan!" It was a moment to remember—a 16-year-old who had just sealed his place in Valencia folklore with the winning penalty in a tense knockout match.

Just days after the thrilling Copa del Rey triumph, Valencia’s attention shifted to La Liga, where they faced a tough test against Athletic Bilbao.

The Basque team was known for their physicality and tactical discipline, making them one of the toughest teams to break down in Spain.

With their momentum from the Copa del Rey still fresh, Valencia approached the match at Mestalla full of confidence, especially with Izan leading the charge.

From the start, Athletic Bilbao proved to be a tough nut to crack. Their defence was solid, and their midfielders worked tirelessly to disrupt Valencia’s rhythm.

Izan on the bench found himself replaced by Amallah who was being closely marked by Bilbao’s centre-backs.

It seemed that Bilbao was keen on making use of Izan’s absence but Valencia’s defence held on and it was clear that breaking through Bilbao’s defence would take something special.

Valencia dominated possession, but Athletic Bilbao’s well-drilled defensive line thwarted their every move.

As the game wore on, the atmosphere in Mestalla grew more anxious. The fans knew that one moment of magic could turn the match, and that moment came courtesy of Izan after the latter was subbed in.

In the 72nd minute, Izan received a ball on the edge of the box from José Luis Gayà. With his back to goal, he turned sharply, sprinting towards the penalty area.

As he burst into the box, Athletic Bilbao’s central defender, Dani Vivian lunged in with a reckless challenge.

The tackle was mistimed, and Izan, with his quick reflexes, went down under the challenge. The fans shouted but the referee had already pointed to the penalty spot.

The Mestalla crowd was on its feet, chanting in unison. The tension was palpable as Izan, having earned the penalty, now had the chance to put his team ahead.

His calm demeanour was evident once again. Despite being the youngest player on the field, Izan appeared unfazed by the enormity of the moment.

He placed the ball carefully on the penalty spot, took a deep breath, and stepped back. The fans held their breath as he approached the ball.

With an assured strike, Izan sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Valencia led 1-0, and the crowd erupted in a frenzy of celebration. It was a pivotal moment, one that encapsulated Izan’s influence on the team.

The young forward was not only a goal-scoring threat but also a player capable of earning crucial penalties and taking responsibility when needed.

As the match wore on, Athletic Bilbao pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but Valencia’s defence stood firm.

The final whistle blew, and the game ended with a 1-0 victory for Valencia. The fans cheered and applauded their team, but it was Izan who once again stole the spotlight.

His penalty had sealed the three points, and his growing influence on the team was undeniable.

As fans filed out of Mestalla after the win over Athletic Bilbao, many were buzzing with excitement about Izan’s performance.

The young forward had become a sensation, not just for his ability to score but for his maturity and composure in key moments.

"Have you seen the way he handles pressure?" one fan said to another. "Izan is beyond his years. He’s got something special."

Another fan remarked, "He’s not just a future star. He’s already here, and he’s already making a difference. He’s got the whole team playing better."

It was clear to all watching: Izan was no longer just a prospect—he was "THE kEY" player for Valencia.

The fans, who had seen their fair share of stars come and go, were now witnessing the birth of a new era and Izan was at the centre of it all.

A/n: Gotcha. This is the second chapter. If I’m able to score today, I’ll release another chapter which means you guys are getting a free chapter cause I’ll most definitely score.