As the celebrations began to settle, Izan stood at the center of the Mestalla pitch, still basking in the chants of his name echoing around the stadium.
The Valencia players formed a loose circle around him, clapping in unison as the stadium announcer's voice boomed over the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's Man of the Match—and the scorer of a stunning hat-trick—IZAN!"
The crowd erupted once more, their chants growing even louder. Izan walked toward the podium set up on the sideline, his boots clicking softly against the grass as the crowd cheered.
His cheeks a bit flushed as he shook hands with the presenter, who handed him the gleaming Man of the Match trophy and the match ball, signed by the referee.
He looked at the trophy in his left hand, then down at the ball cradled in his right arm—the ball that marked the second hat-trick of his career.