From Arsenal to the Ball God

Ma’el quite agreed with him, but not entirely. Just in terms of money, winning this championship could earn him a tax-free bonus of 300,000 pounds.

A pure gold medal?

He could buy quite a few 1kg gold bars.

”Want to go touch the trophy?”

He asked aloud. Not far away, the players’ families were taking photos with the trophy.

”Sure.” Clément’s eyes lit up. He had long wanted to see the honor that 24 professional teams were fighting for, and if he could touch it, it would be an honor for him.

”Brother, hold me!”

Eva stretched out her arms toward Ma’el, wanting her brother to pick her up. Being a child in a group of adults, she had to jog to keep up when others walked a little faster.

Ma’el laughed and picked her up, running ahead to the trophy, making Eva chatter nonstop along the way.

After Evans and his family finished taking photos, he picked up the trophy and handed it to Uncle Clément, then took a photo with Eva in his arms.

Clément held the Championship trophy, feeling flattered and standing beside Ma’el with a big smile.

”Click, click!” Soon, media reporters came over to take photos of them, and these photos could be retrieved from backstage later, definitely very comprehensive.

After the photo session, Clément was reluctant to part with the trophy, but seeing the expectant eyes of his wife and children, he handed the trophy over.

”Ma’el!”

A shout came, and a staff member ran over, congratulating him with a face full of joy: ”You need to come to the podium again, your award ceremony isn’t over yet.”

Ma’el felt a sense of familiarity. Last time, at the end of the mid-season, while he was with his family, someone called him like this. That time, he received the Mid-Season Best Player trophy.

This time, there might be quite a few awards to receive.

......

”Let’s give a warm round of applause to welcome the Best Player of the 10-11 Championship season, Ma’el!”

A female host on the scene held a host book and microphone, smiling at Ma’el as she invited him to the stage: ”In the past season, he scored 40 goals and made 27 assists.

”These respectively broke the Championship single-season goal record and single-season assist record, while elevating the total goal record to an almost uncatchable level.

”Let’s see the words used by the Sky Sports commentator when describing him: absolutely extraordinary! Unbelievable! A pitch artist! An advocate of violent aesthetics! The King of Long Shot!

”These titles might only describe a part of him. Throughout the last season, we all saw what kind of player he is!

”Congratulations to him!”

The fans in the audience stood up and applauded, even the players still celebrating with their families stopped by the podium and applauded for Ma’el.

”Without him, there would be no championship.” Evans, holding his wife, smiled at Ma’el.

”My good friend.” Gilbert said to his family, clapping with pride as if he were the one receiving the award.

”A prodigious talent.” Janu, standing with his newly-acquainted girlfriend, shook his head in admiration, feeling inferior.

Clément’s family came to the front of the podium, feeling proud and confident as they listened to the whispers and praises.

Basking in these gazes, Ma’el clapped for himself all the way and stepped onto the podium.

He didn’t know why he was clapping, as if everyone does it when receiving an award, or maybe it was from the bottom of his heart to celebrate for himself.

He came to the side of the host, searching everywhere for the Best Player trophy, but hadn’t seen it yet.

”Welcome Greg Clarke, Chairman of The English FA, to present the award to Ma’el!” The female host pointed to the side, and a middle-aged man, approximately in his forties or fifties, walked up holding a golden cup.

Ma’el adjusted his stance to appear more formal... It turned out that the Chairman of The English FA was personally presenting the award. This was his first time meeting this figure who controlled English football.

Greg approached Ma’el, reaching out to hug Ma’el.

Ma’el misunderstood, thinking Greg was directly giving him the trophy, and reached out to take it.

”Haha....” The mismatch amused the surrounding players and relatives, and also prompted laughter from the stands.

”Well done.”

Greg joked with a smile, not sure if he was referring to Ma’el’s action or his performance this season.

But he didn’t feel embarrassed, encouraging: ”The English League needs talented players like you. Thank you for the competitiveness you brought to the league. This is a gift you deserve.

”Moreover, I’m looking forward to your performance at Arsenal next year.”

Watching Greg finally hand over the trophy, Ma’el reached out to take it, shook hands with him, and politely said: ”It’s an honor.”

After speaking, he picked up the trophy in his hand and examined it carefully. The Season’s Best Player trophy looked a bit better, at least better than the monthly best.

Its gold content is actually comparable to the Golden Boot for the top scorer.... This is a comprehensive award, focusing more on overall performance throughout the season!

Every player in each position could potentially compete for this award, and the competition was very fierce.

Like this year, he defeated Taarabt with 45+ stats and Sean Long and Graham with 40+.

Of course, Ma’el doesn’t really need to focus too much on which award is heavier, as the two other individual honors are also his.

He just needs to hold this ’Season’s Best’ trophy, knowing that it’s meant to summarize his outstanding performance this season!