THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-613

It was a warm, sunny Sunday morning, and the world was already basking in a refreshing radiance. A gentle breeze was blowing through the streets of Berlin, making it the perfect day for sports enthusiasts to get out and play.

But for Emily Anderson, the brilliant agent who managed superstar football player Zachary Bemba, the Sunday was about one thing: the much-awaited ESPN sports show.

Fans from all around the world were eagerly waiting for the latest updates and insights on their favorite teams and athletes. For them, the show was the perfect platform to conclude another week of thrilling games and matches. And Emily was no exception.

Her beautiful blue eyes were glued to the TV screen in her dimly lit hotel room, watching highlights of the epic Champions League final from the night before. The morning rays streaming in through the opposite window highlighted her listless facial expression. She was having one of those mornings. She was tired, at a loss, and feeling down.

Emily had stayed up way past her bedtime to support Zachary's team in their highly anticipated match against Barcelona: the UEFA Champions League final. Despite all the hard work and dedication that Zachary and his team had invested in the game, they faced a crushing defeat, which left Emily feeling heartbroken and frustrated. She couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of regret she felt for them. Witnessing their loss had left her dazzled with feelings of loss and disappointment.

Narrowing her eyes with tiredness, Emily noticed the post-highlights ads ending and the ESPN sports show commencing. She pushed all the irrelevant worries out of her mind and focused on the large flat screen in her hotel room.

The charming Emilia Vasquez was the host, and she was joined by her panel of experts, including Alessandro Costacurta, Joshua Morales, and Charles Adams. With an infectious smile etched on her face, Emilia introduced the pundits one by one, building up the anticipation for the main content of the show.

And then, the moment everyone had all been waiting for arrived. "Our dear viewers!" Emilia exclaimed, her voice oozing with excitement. "Last night, we witnessed the most exhilarating Champions League final in recent memory. In a heart-stopping match that ended in a spectacular nine-goal thriller, Barcelona triumphed over Juventus with a score of 5-4 at the Olympiastadion of Berlin, winning the 2014–15 UEFA Champions of Europe title. Lionel Messi's late goal in the 93rd minute sealed the deal and propelled the Catalans to a treble this season."

The energy in the studio was electric as Emilia turned to her pundits with a delightful chuckle. "Gentlemen!" she exclaimed. "Let's dive straight into it. What are your thoughts on Barcelona's stunning victory yesterday?"

Alessandro Costacurta let out a hearty chuckle. "All I can say was that the Champions League final was beyond epic. The two teams played their hearts out, electrifying all the fans with a match for the history books. The game could have gone either way, especially during those heart-pumping minutes between the 60th and 72nd minute. But in any football game, there's always a winner and a loser. This time, Barcelona came out on top. But had luck not been on their side, they could have lost."

Emilia Vasquez beamed while eyeing the pundit. "Alessandro! Are you implying that the game result was mostly because of Barcelona's luck but not their tactics?"

"Emilia! Don't get me wrong!" said Alessandro with a refined shake of his head. "The Catalans employed great tactics, especially during the first half. They outplayed Barcelona and scored those opening three goals that eventually meant everything during the game's late stages. But had they missed those chances or had Juventus woken up earlier, we could have had an entirely different result."

"I couldn't agree more with Alessandro," added Joshua Morales, the other pundit. "Looking back at the first half, Juventus lacked the courage and spirit in their playing style and tactics. They sat back and defended without applying any pressure on Barcelona. It was like they were asking for trouble! They allowed Barcelona to dominate the possession, dictate the tempo, and send countless balls into their box. As a result, they conceded three goals in the first half, which almost ended the game."

"However, things changed dramatically in the second half," stated Morales after a brief pause. "The Italian giants emerged from the tunnel with a newfound energy and began attacking with much greater intensity. They made some smart substitutions, bringing on Pirlo and Kingsley, who could have – maybe – been introduced earlier in the game. Consequently, their whole team began to play like they were genuinely determined to win the final.".

"They gave Barcelona a tough time throughout the second half, and at some point, it seemed like they might even come out on top. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on their side, and they conceded a crucial free-kick during injury time. This allowed Barcelona to push forward and ultimately secure their victory."

"That sums about everything, I guess! Thanks, Joshua, for your analysis," said Vasquez with her signature smile.

"It's my pleasure, Emilia!" Morales gave her a polite nod.

Vasquez's face lit up with a wide grin as the cameras zoomed in on her. "Alright, folks, let's talk about the real deal here. We all witnessed some top-notch football last night. It was the kind that kept us on the edge of our seats. Neymar, Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Dani Alaves, Zachary Bemba, Kingsley Coman, Carlos Tevez, and Stephan Lichtsteiner – they all played their hearts out. But here's the million-dollar question: who among them deserves the crown of excellence?"

"I would say Messi," replied Charles Adams, the last pundit..

"My vote also goes to Messi," said Alessandro with a smile. "The Argentine scored the winning goal. That's why the match officials awarded him the ‘man of the match' accolade after the game yesterday night."

"Whoa, hold on a minute, folks!" Morales exclaimed. "Let's take a step back and disregard the game's outcome for a second. Instead, let's examine the post-match statistics to determine which player performed better. Messi played a direct role in three of Barcelona's goals and only scored twice. However, what about Zachary? He had a hand in all four of Juventus' goals and even bagged a hat-trick. Based on the stats alone, who was the superior player?"

"Hello Joshua, while Zachary played exceptionally well and was a tough opponent for Barcelona during the second half, it's important to acknowledge that Barcelona eventually won the final. Messi's winning goal was a crucial moment in the match, and it would be fair to say that he played a significant role in securing Barcelona's victory. In football, it's important to recognize the efforts of all match winners, and on this particular night, Messi's contribution was particularly noteworthy."

"Excuse me, gentlemen," Emilia interjected, "but there's another matter we ought to consider. Does Barcelona's victory in the final have any bearing on the outcome of the upcoming Ballon d'Or awards? I mean, with Messi on the winning team, he's likely to have a significant advantage in winning yet another Ballon d'Or award. Isn't he?"

"I think he will have an advantage," replied Alessandro. "He scored the winning goal in the Champions League final and helped his team win a trophy. I think he will win the accolade again."

"Absolutely," nodded Morales, "I've always held Zachary in high regard. He's an exceptional player who's led his team to new heights with his impressive tally of 64 goals in a single season, including 19 in the Champions League, breaking the record for the most goals scored in a single football year. But the reality is that winning the trophy is what counts. So, I wouldn't be surprised if those journalists vote for Messi instead."

Emily had been glued to the TV, watching the show with rapt attention. But as soon as she heard Morales' latest analysis, her face fell, and she sighed heavily.

Morales' words were logical and well thought-out, but Emily couldn't bear to hear them, not when the memory of yesterday's Champions League final was still so raw and painful. Without hesitation, she reached for the remote and switched off the TV, knowing she needed time to process her emotions.