From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Beep! Beep! Beep—!”

The referee quickly blew the final whistle, bringing everything to a conclusion. Sheffield United emerged victorious at home with a score of 4-2 against Hull City.

A new round of celebration began. In this snowy Boxing Day battle, it was ultimately Sheffield United who laughed last.

”Clap, clap, clap...”

Endless applause resounded throughout the stadium as all Sheffield United fans stood up, applauding and expressing their full enthusiasm for the players’ brilliant performance.

As for the Hull City fans, they could only leave Bramall Lane with unwilling expressions on their faces.

They left quickly, not wanting to linger a second longer.

”Safe travels!”

”Come back next time!”

”Well played.”

Many Sheffield United fans who were frustrated during the match raised their hands and clapped with a teasing look on their faces. An outsider might have thought the applause was for sending off the Hull City fans.

On the field, Garrispeed finally relaxed, letting out a satisfied breath.

He high-fived the assistant coaches and high-fived the staff, finally waiting on the sidelines for the players to come off.

He gave each one a hug and words of encouragement. When it was Ma’el’s turn, a special emotion surged in his heart.

”Wonderful...! Wonderful....”

Garrispeed had to play the role of a broadcaster, using a broadcast tone to say three ’wonderfuls,’ his pitch rising and falling, ”Wonderful....!!”

In this way, he expressed his astonishment and recognition of Ma’el’s performance, even with a hint of gratitude.

Ma’el laughed twice and celebrated the victory with him by high-fiving.

He was just about to return to the locker room when he saw an elderly man in a suit leading an uncle and aunt’s family out of the player tunnel.

”McCabe.”

McCabe seemed drunk, holding Ma’el’s hand as soon as he approached and unwilling to let go: ”We’ve met a few times but never talked. Today’s play was perfect, watching such a match was a pleasure.

”Actually, I’ve long wanted to have a deep conversation with you, but just haven’t had the time.”

At this point, he remembered the five people standing behind him and quickly let go of Ma’el’s hand, stepping aside, ”Just to add, I really enjoy chatting with your family, they’re wonderful people.”

Ma’el had no time to reply as he went on to exchange pleasantries with Garrispeed and others, so he had to walk over to his own family.

”You were amazing!”

Clément, after holding back for a while, finally came up with this line. Looking at the star player who just carried the whole game, it was still hard for him to completely believe from the bottom of his heart that this was his nephew.

Especially when he’s in his jersey, sweaty, looking like a little star, there’s always a sense of distance.

Ma’el high-fived and hugged him, then moved on to his aunt, hugging her as well.

”Well played.”

Betty, with a gentle look, praised, ”I watched a few matches with my father when I was young, but none were as stunning as this. Playing in such a big club, liked by so many people, it’s really something.”

He chuckled lightly, knowing that after the season ends, he would be going to bigger clubs and grander stadiums.

When Ma’el approached his older sister Maki, the age similarity made him distinctly feel her nervousness and a kind of special emotion.

It’s not Ma’el being narcissistic; having lived quite a few years in a past life, he could only hope... this emotion was admiration.

”Brother, you were awesome.”

Second brother Bruno’s reaction was much more normal; they had conflicts when they were young. Now, he was probably more impressed... for the first time, he called him brother, for the first time, smiling genuinely.

”Brother!”

Little sister Eva stood by, watched as it was finally her turn, imitating the adults as she reached out to high-five Ma’el, then spread her arms, waiting for a hug.

Ma’el didn’t hug her but lifted her up directly, holding her while running a few steps on the field, making the little girl squeal with excitement, finally wanting to do it again with a satisfied look.

The joy of victory combined with reuniting with family at this moment of life’s success made him feel entirely happy.

”Ma’el.”

An official called out to Ma’el, waving and saying: ”You need to come over here!”

Ma’el put Eva down, said goodbye to his uncle and aunt, and walked towards the official.

”Go ahead.”

Clément gave him one last look, then wandered inside the arena with his aunt. They had never been to such a beautiful stadium’s interior before.

This time, thanks to their nephew’s influence, standing here felt novel.

Moreover, there were still many Sheffield United fans lingering, singing the team song and clapping along.

They stepped on the soft grass, and with their eyes closed, dreamed of being stars.

...

Ma’el followed the official through the player tunnel to the media room.

He opened the door and walked in, finding twenty or thirty cameras, at least fifty or sixty people waiting for him, including seven or eight major media outlets.

He had a pretty good idea of what he was here for, took a deep breath, and smiled.

How to describe this feeling...? He couldn’t help but recall when he first joined the team.

Back then, he stood with Gilbert looking like nobodies. The signing ceremony only had two club photographers besides Garrispeed.

But now, so many people came for him, waiting eagerly for him to enter.

”Happy Boxing Day.”

Ma’el greeted everyone warmly, stepping into the central position. Reaching this step may not be a major success.

But at least he could see his progress and growth, always moving forward quickly, with the honors and achievements he reaped weighing more and more.

Cameras clicked and flashed as photographers wildly took pictures, and some chose to record with machines.

”First, congratulations on being named Man of the Match on such a memorable day,”

A club staff member approached, carrying a small Man of the Match trophy and the match ball, explaining: ”Technically, it takes a hat-trick to get this ball, but who would mind giving an extra ball to the best player?

”Take it home and treasure it. This is your first Boxing Day battle experience in the United Kingdom, worthy of remembrance.”

Ma’el happily accepted, without any trace of disdain, joking, ”I will place it alongside the ball from my hat-trick match and even put it in the first spot.”

The staff member put on a ’well, that goes without saying’ look and then smiled for a photo with Ma’el before stepping down.

Next, some elderly gentlemen who had been standing in the corner approached with amiable smiles, one holding a cylinder engraved with the Championship ’EFL’ logo.

”Congratulations, young man.”

One of the elders handed the cylinder to Ma’el, congratulating him: ”You’re the undisputed Mid-Season Best Player; we’d already settled on you before this match.

”This is a Boxing Day gift from The English FA, and of course, it’s mainly due to the excellent form you’ve shown.”

Ma’el took the cylinder, unable to suppress a smile... not that he was biased, but this commemorative award design could honestly be termed as ugly, resembling a thermos... like a tube for holding badminton shuttlecocks.

But of course, what’s most important about such an award is the value it represents.

In this season so far, out of 24 Championship teams and over 500 professional players, he overshadowed them all!

Mid-Season Best Player of the Championship.

This was the most prestigious award he had received since being named Player of the Month!

This award encapsulated his half a year’s worth of hard work and summarized all his brilliant performances and achievements in the first half of the season.

.....

ps: I was a bit stuck tonight, won’t sleep today to adjust my schedule, need to update earlier.